Increasing access to support children with special needs

The SFC has shifted more into increasing access to support for children with special needs. 

Within two years the second treatment center is started at Kalmunai Shanmuga Maha Vidyalaya, Karaitivu. Donors assign their contribution towards special needs project and SFC follows according to the donor’s wishes.

A significant portion of the SFC’s mandate involves enhancing the quality of life for persons living with disabilities. The reality is that among the Tamil community – be it in Sri Lanka or Canada – there is a lack of awareness, understanding, and acceptance of autism.

To raise the level of discourse in Canada, the SFC plans to hold a meeting in May 2019 to gather information about the needs of the Canadian-Tamil autism community. A coalition that includes affected families, frontline workers, and caregivers will first be established. Based on those conversations, the scope of various projects will be determined – one that meets the community’s needs and strives to increase access to supports and services for children with autism and their families.

The SFC Also Endeavours To Bring To Sri Lanka A Comparable Level Of Services And Supports That Children With Autism And Their Caregivers Receive In Ontario

One in 93 young Sri Lankan children lie on the autism spectrum. Unfortunately, the proper systems do not exist to intervene in a timely and meaningful manner. As a result, the SFC plans to set up the necessary infrastructure to provide children with autism with evidence-based therapeutic treatments.

Based On Conversations With Experts, It Is Estimated That 80 Treatments Can Be Provided Each Month, Treating 20 Kids In Total.

Measures of success (e.g., the number of children treated, the effectiveness of the treatment) of the initial two clinics will be closely monitored. If these clinics are determined to be successful, the SFC hopes to establish an additional 5 clinics across Sri Lanka over the next five years.