National Health Insurance Board suits up for Autism Awareness Day

#TurksandCaicos, April 4, 2022 – Board members and staff of the National Health Insurance Board wore customized blue T-shirts on Friday 1 st , April to join forces with health and special needs organizations around the world in promoting autism awareness. The month of April is recognized as World Autism Month with the 2nd of April acknowledged as Autism Awareness Day. Autism is a lifelong, non-progressive neurological disorder typically appearing before the age of three years.

The word “autism” means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction.

Commenting on Autism Awareness Day, Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon. Jamell Robinson stated, “The conversation has long started, and we see, hear and as a community feel the growing concerns of the increase in children with autism in our community. While most of these concerns are aimed at educational and social development resources for persons on the autism spectrum, autism is a neurological disorder and so proper care and educational development for a child, adolescent or adult begins with proper diagnosis. This Autism Awareness Day, I encourage all parents and legal guardians who notice any developmental delays in their child to seek proper diagnosis. That is the right place to start.”

Currently the National Health Insurance Board does not provide specific benefits for persons on the autism spectrum, outside of access to health care generally.

Hon. Robinson, “There is assistance available through the Ministry of Health and Human Services for persons on the autism spectrum from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. The Ministry of Health and Human Services is working closely and tirelessly with the Ministry of Education to increase and improve the current resources available. We are in the process of developing and designing programs that will enhance the lives and provide impactful educational development of persons with special needs.”

On 2 April, organizations and communities around the world wears blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. It is all part of Light it Up Blue, a campaign spearheaded by the organization Autism Speaks that aims to foster understanding and acceptance for those with autism.

Hon. Robinson stated, “I commend the National Health Insurance Board for taking this initiative on Autism Awareness Day. It is important as a community to unite for the purpose of public education and awareness on special needs particularly Autism for the month of April. Wearing blue for the month of April shows that we not only understand what Autism is but also that we support and accept them as well and that is important.”