No Chance of Help: Why Children with ASD in Chukotka Lost Rehabilitation Compensation
Chukotka authorities have adopted amendments that effectively deprive children with mental disabilities of the opportunity to receive care outside the region. From now on, the region will only reimburse medical rehabilitation in other regions of the Russian Federation, while educational support is critical for children with ASD.
What has changed in the family support rules in Chukotka?
The government of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug has amended its resolution on assistance to children with disabilities. According to the document, only the costs of medical rehabilitation in other regions will now be reimbursed. However, this creates enormous problems for children with mental disabilities and ASD (autism spectrum disorder). The fact is that they often simply do not need medical rehabilitation. Currently, there are 525 special needs children enrolled in schools and kindergartens in Chukotka.
Consequently, changes in legislation impact the most vulnerable group of children who are unable to receive alternative assistance in their place of residence.
"There are simply no specialists in Chukotka."
Families with special needs children are faced with the impossibility of finding the necessary professionals within the district. Local residents emphasize that they have no alternative to traveling to other regions.
The most important assistance for children with autism is psychological and educational intervention. The new amendments to the resolution state that such rehabilitation will not be covered, and there are no facilities available to provide assistance to children within the district. Medical rehabilitation is needed for children with cerebral palsy, diabetes, and other conditions. This is truly important. Children with autism need something different.
However, it will now be impossible to receive compensation for educational interventions. According to the mother of a special needs child, children with mental disabilities in Chukotka will not be able to receive rehabilitation on-site.
It's not that I don't like the specialists or that there are queues, it's just that there aren't any. Absolutely none.
Parents' position and new bureaucratic obstacles
It's noteworthy that officials made this decision without the participation of the local branch of VORDI (the All-Russian Organization of Parents of Children with Disabilities). Representatives of the organization immediately opposed the changes, but have yet to receive a response from the authorities to their questions. Activists emphasize that for such families, sending their child to another region for rehabilitation is "not a choice, but the only opportunity to receive the necessary assistance."
Furthermore, the new amendments introduced additional document requirements for parents to receive compensation, without specifying a clear timeframe for when the authorities will refund the funds. Furthermore, the regional government specifically stated that only the cost of tickets for the shortest or direct route on the next available flight would be refunded. In Chukotka, with its regular flight cancellations and delays, as well as lengthy layovers on many routes, this requirement is practically impossible to implement.
We consider it unacceptable when regulatory changes do not expand support, but deprive children of a real opportunity to receive the help they need. A child's diagnosis cannot be grounds for limiting their rights.
