22 — Sunday, June 6, 1999 - North Shore News Katharine Hamer Contributing Writer IT’S one small step for Vancouver, and one giant leap for autistic kids. Giant Steps, a hugely sue- cessful developmental pro- gram for autistic children, kicks off in) the Lower Mainland this September. Out of the fifteen families who have applied for their children to take part, cight will be selected based on assessment results. The start-up program will trun two days a week, 40 weeks a year for children age one to 12, It is expected to lead toa larger and full-time Giant Steps centre. Giant Steps was devised in 1981 by Montreal music therapist. Darlene Berringer. Designed to provide individ- ually-tailored — therapeutic and educational support to each child, the program also offers intensive child-specitic training for parents, helping autistic children develop aca- demic, social, and language “DR. BART McROBERTS DR. DEBRA ROVINELL DR. CORINNE KNIGHT DR. NANCY HARDIN | WEST VANCOUVER OPTOMETRY CLINIC 925-2525 1069 24th Street (24th & Haywood) Saturday and evening appointments available. north shore news HEALTH jiant Steps offers hope to autistic kids Program provides individual therapeutic support abilities and facilitating the child’s integration into the “regular” school system. Heather McCracken, whose five vear old son fain is autistic, is one of the par- ents on the waiting list for Giant Steps. Tain attended the Playcare Preschool for special needs children on the North Shore until provincial budget cuts fast year forced the 25-year- old facility to close down, Since then, McCracken has been running her own program for Tain. She’s hoping that Giant Steps, which offers a similar program to Playeare Preschool, can accommodate her son. “If he could have two days in an intensive program, and three days in his current setting, that way he can get the interaction with typical kids he needs so badly,” she says. The B.C. Association for Community Living has orga- nized a rally for June 5 to trv and persuade the govern- ment to boost its funding ‘UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION Free Patient Education Forum if you or a loved one suffers from depressian, this interactive forum is for you, Learn more about depression, medical therapies and the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. Presenter Dr. Teresa Hogarth Physician and Depression Educator Chairperson Dr. Suzanne Montemuro Medical Director, North Shore Menopause information Centre To register, NEWS photo Pau! McGrath IAIN McCracken loves to interact with his computer. The five-year-old autistic boy attended the Playcare Preschool for special needs children until provincial bud- get cuts closed the 25-year-old North Shore facility last year. and support for families spe- cial needs children. “Advisory committees, regional ceuncils and other consultations have not made the message clear,” says McCracken. “Autism is a hidden dis- abiliry — the kids aren’t in wheelchairs. It’s not a visual problem, so from a politi- cian’s point of view it’s prob- ably not worth spending river vafting © whit money on, It’s time for fam- ilies to speak directly to the politicians. ” McCracken = says that funding cuts by the Minisery for Children and Families are “devastating” to families struggling to pay for their children’s needs out of their own pocket. “The North Shore won't suffer as much as some other areas — it’s a pretty affluent rock climbing » paintball » jet booting + hiking » fishing + mountain biking backcountry fouring » windsurfing » birding » seo & air charters » remote lodging affordcble accommodation + challenge course + leadership training + team building DOES YOUR irs PARTNER HAVE ~ GENITAL HERPES VIRIDAE AND YOU DON’T neighbourhood. But there is still a crisis for all the parents involved.” “Families can’t survive (the reduction in access to facilities). 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