An Autism seminar for parents and educators will headline a series of activities planned for April as Guyana observes Autism Awareness Month. This was disclosed by the Chief Planning Officer (CPO) at the Ministry of Education, Mischka White-Griffith, during an interview on the Starting Point Podcast.
The official shared that the seminar will be held at the end of the month, adding that the date and venue will be finalised and announced soon. She also noted that Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) spaces across the country have several activities planned.
“We have different awareness exercises for people to engage with us on. We have some competitions for the children too…so raising awareness as much as possible is very important in this journey,” White-Griffith said.
Beyond the activities, White-Griffith outlined broader, long-term government efforts to enhance support for children with special education needs and disabilities.
She said, “Special education, it’s not confined to just the Ministry of Education. When you look at what the government is doing, it’s really holistic and a lot of exciting things are in the pipeline.”
The official noted that some $316.5 million has been allocated in the 2026 budget for the construction of Guyana’s first school for autistic children. This forms part of plans for the next five years, which include establishing SEND centres in every region. The Chief Planning Officer also highlighted ongoing collaboration among the Ministries of Education, Health and Human Services, noting that the partnership covers early screening, data sharing, and tailored interventions for children.
White-Griffith explained that when the Ministry of Health conducts early health screening, children who show a predisposition to certain conditions can be identified and cared for early.
“So, the Ministry of Health has those children on their radar and the Ministry of Education, we now will have them on our radar. So, when they come into the school, at nursery, at primary, we can do additional screening, then create for those children individual learning plans catered for their needs,” she noted.
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security helps families access support services.
“So, our goal is not only to ensure that our children receive an education, but that they also have a better quality of life,” White-Griffith underscored.