Bridgewater girl, 10, quizzes Nova Scotia Premier about autism

A ten-year-old girl from Bridgewater put questions to Premier Stephen McNeil lastweek.

Serenity Holdbrook wanted to know how much he understood about autism, a health condition about which she cares deeply.

"My sister,Nevaeh, has autism, and you can't yell at her because she'll always get upset," she said.

"You got to give [her] time to experience things."

• Watch Serenity Holdbrook'sinterview with Premier Stephen McNeil

McNeil was visiting HinchenbrookFarm in Blockhouse, N.S., Thursday, meeting with parents about the programming, includingfor children with autism.

'So many extraordinary people'

Serenity took the change to quiz the Premier for her new YouTube channel.

"What do you think when you hear the word autism?" Serenityasked on camera.

"I think of special people and so many extraordinary people who have autism surrounded by supporting families and loving communities,"McNeilresponded.

Funding gaps

The McNeil government promised in May to invest an extra $3.6 million in Early Intensive Behavioural Interventionfor preschool children.

That same month, parents complained of 'excruciating' nearly year-longwaitsforthe program at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, and a lack of options for school-age kids.

• Autism Nova Scotia launches database to connect people with jobs

'They miss out'

Kristy Holdbrook, Serenity and Nevaeh's mother,said she thinks the province shouldbetter fundautism-specific health and educational support.

Thefamily has only accessed seven-year-oldNevaeh's athletic programs because they qualifyfor financial aid, she said. Those can costhundreds of dollars out of pocket otherwise.

"I know other people that can't afford to do it,"Holdbrooksaid.

"It's unfair to them because they miss out, so we've been very lucky."

Those programs areessential for her daughter to learn and be included, she said, especially as many people are unsure of how to interact with her.

Special Books by Special Kids inspires

TheHoldbrookfamily also recently attended a camp at the farm, at which they met special education teacher and motivational speaker ChrisUlmer. He interviews children forSpecial Books by Special Kids,and uses those videosto educate people.

A recent one highlighted a Truro family's touching Down symdrome story.

'Gives them time'

Meeting Ulmer and having her sister interviewed inspired Serenity to help others share their thoughts.

"I like how he gives them the time to think about it and experience itI really like that," shesaid.

"They need time to thinkabout it, and think about what they're going to say and answer."