B.C. is on the verge of opening a unique healthcare facility that will assist individuals and families dealing with autism. And Dr. Gabe Kalmar said he cannot wait to get things started at the $35 million dollar Goodlife Fitness Family Autism Hub on Sea Island.
Kalmar, who was recently named as the facility’s president and CEO, told the News that, “It’s absolutely the first of its kind. There’s nothing like this anywhere else, although some organizations have contained elements of it.”
According to its website, the core purpose of the facility, which is slated to open Nov. 9, is to be a knowledge centre that brings together state-of-the-art resources for research, information, learning, assessment, treatment and support for those with autism across B.C.
“If you had a child in Vancouver that’s on the spectrum, if you worked at it you could find all the care that you need. But if you live outside of the 604 (Lower Mainland telephone area code) you would find it a challenge because the service providers are just not there.”
That’s where the centre’s hub and spoke system will come into play by bringing all of the best practices to various outlying communities.
“There are ongoing discussions with the Okanagan, Prince George about identifying facilities there and expanding them to give them access to the programming that is down here through modern communications tools, but also with an exchange of information and people to get the expertise they need,” Kalmar said.
And that is expected to provide some much-needed help for not only those with autism, but their families, as well.
“You could imagine that this (autism) takes a big toll on families and caregivers,” Kalmar said, adding statistics show it contributes to a higher divorce rate among married couples. “That’s a reflection of all the stress it puts on parents.”
An added challenging factor is the nature of autism as a lifespan condition. Estimates show that roughly 69,000 individuals in B.C. are living on the autism spectrum.
“People get diagnosed with it at a relatively early age, then they have to live with it and adjust to the things we all go through in life,” Kalmar said. “And getting those matters coordinated is not trivial either for those living with autism or their families and caregivers.
“These kids don not have a terminal disease,” he added. “It’s an intellectual disorder, and by and large, a behavioural one, too.”
That’s why the concept for a centre was devised about a decade ago.
“It’s meant to provide much better integration of services and understanding of what is needed as people transition through life,” Kalmar said.
