PN leader visits Hand in Hand school in Rabat
The visit formed part of the PN's activities marking World Children's Day, held on 20 November
Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg said Malta must invest in the necessary tools to ensure every child can reach their full potential, including those on the autism spectrum.
Borg's comments came during a visit to the Hand in Hand school in Rabat to mark the occasion of World Children's Day on Tuesday.
The school, part of the CareMalta Group of the Vassallo family, is committed to redefining how autism should be approached and treated. It adopts a progressive and holistic approach that is also shared with caregivers and families supporting children with autism.
"As policymakers, we carry the responsibility to ensure that every child is given the best opportunities to grow, develop and reach their full potential," Borg said.
He praised the work carried out by professionals who support children with different abilities, including children on the spectrum.
The PN statement said it is estimated that around five percent of Maltese children have ADHD, while one in every 60 children is on the autism spectrum.
The PN said institutions such as Hand in Hand are essential to provide support not only to the children themselves but also to those who care for them. The party said many families are having to wait months or even years for their children to undergo initial assessments or to be assigned an LSE, delaying the support they need from an early age.
This visit formed part of the party's activities marking World Children’s Day, held on Thursday, 20 November.
During the visit, the PN Leader spoke about the importance of investing in children’s welfare. He emphasised that, where possible, children should not be deprived of a family structure; and where this is not possible, other structures must be in place to provide a safe and caring environment where these children can grow.
The PN said it will continue advancing policies that support all children and will put forward measures, including the construction of a modern centre for Child and Young People Services, greater financial support for families and reduced taxation for parents, and strong support for neurodiverse children and their families from early childhood.
Other measures include a national observatory for children up to seven years of age to ensure cohesive and holistic policy and a Child Trust Fund to provide for the future of every child.
Present for the visit together with Borg were Shadow Minister for Neurodiversity and Child Protection Albert Buttigieg, Shadow Minister for Inclusion and Consumer Rights Graziella Galea, and Shadow Minister for Education Justin Schembri.