More help coming for families living with autistic members

“AUTISM SPECTRUM disorder is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socialises with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behaviour. The term ‘spectrum’ in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity”, The Mayo Clinic says on its website.

There are many Jamaicans on the spectrum, and The Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation (MCADF) is a registered entity that caters to their needs. Chung, a media practitioner, visual artist, and the managing director of MCADF, has a son who is on the spectrum. She has been bringing awareness to autism in Jamaica since 2008, and has been recognised for her work in autism and disabilities philanthropy.

Now, the MCADF will be announcing on January 31 the names of families who “will receive a portion of one million dollars in autism funding to families in Jamaica, who need financial assistance to deal with any legit matter pertaining to autism”.

For families to be eligible for the award, they would have donated $4,000 to the MCADF scholarship/health/support fundraising programme for the organisation’s fundraising tool, the book, Maia’s Journal, A Jamaican Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Other Issues. This thrust is done through the Quinn Garren James Smith Autistic Academic and Health Grant, named after Chung’s son.

“Ten families … when selected, with legitimate documentation verifying they live with autism”, will be given $96,000, plus the return of their $4,000 donation, “to use for any autism-related expenditure they have”. The programme closes on January 20. The contact information is: mcautismfoundation@gmail.com and 876 451 0368.

“This 2025 thrust is not new, what is new is that we have evolved it to include health effects associated with autism. So, for the first time since introducing the first-ever academic scholarship in 2015, we have evolved the programme to include a health grant benefit as well. The other new thing is, we are issuing a larger amount, due to inflation increasing costs for what was already an expensive medical issues,” Chung told The Gleaner.

“In addition, autism affects people of all ages. Up to a 100 can benefit by applying, because there are not enough provisions for the autistic human being in Jamaica. In fact, over 17 years of working on the ground, the situations are still so bad. When we checked the UN Human Rights Charter, autistic people here are not getting their human rights, by global standards.

“You may donate on behalf of any family you would like to support. Your family does not have to personally live with autism. You also do not have to be based in Jamaica.”