Some children have been waiting for occupational therapy for a year - Thake

CDAU clinics that specialise in treatment and therapy for young children with autism, Down syndrome and speech difficulties are in dire need of refurbishment, Nationalist MP David Thake said in parliament on Tuesday. "Parents have told me that the clinic in Għargħur, especially, is in an abysmal state, with open buckets of syringes on the floor, where children often play," Thake said in parliament. Parents had also complained that some children had been waiting to start occupational therapy sessions for over a year, he said, a serious situation which could impact the children's development.  Occupational therapy sessions were halted when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and since then had only been offered to a few children, he said. "Our country is returning to normality. You can now dine at a restaurant or go to Paceville, but these children are still being denied therapy."   "At their age, they cannot afford to lose a year of therapy. We need to address their difficulties in the first five or six years. If we miss that time window, then we've lost them." The Nationalist MP said some clinics were not child-friendly and lacked equipment and facilities. He praised the staff,...