The Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability has welcomed the increase from €750 to €1,000 annually per child, as well as the extension of eligibility to the age of 23 as announced in the budget. However, it noted that other measures should be included to help families of children with disabilities.

In a statement on the Therapy Refund Scheme and Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, the MFOPD said that “this financial support is a step in the right direction and will be sufficient for some families. However, for children with severe needs, this amount might only cover the cost of therapy for a single month.”

MFOPD went on to say that it is aware of many cases where parents have chosen to provide their child or children with ABA Therapy and/or Behaviour Therapy. “Unfortunately, these therapies are not included in the list covered by the Therapy Refund Scheme administered by CRPD. As a result, these parents are unable to benefit from the related Tax Credits.”

The MFOPD pointed out that “just as different medications work differently for different individuals, so too do therapies. Parents of children with disabilities continually seek the most effective interventions for their children – often at significant personal financial cost. It is only natural for parents to want the best for their children, and no parent would continue paying large sums for therapies that do not yield results.”

“It is also a fact that, for several years, the Government – through the Ministry for Education – has funded, and is still funding these same therapies for some children. A number of students receive daily, individualised interventions using ABA at a particular therapy centre throughout the scholastic year,” said the MFOPD.

MFOPD said it therefore joins parents in asking – “why is it acceptable for the Government to fund these therapies during school hours, but not acceptable for parents to receive even a small reimbursement for the substantial costs they incur privately to help their children improve?”

It noted that CRPD has stated that once these therapies become regulated, they will be included in the Therapy Refund Scheme. “However, parents cannot continue to wait indefinitely.” MFOPD asks – “why, after all these years during which some children have already been benefiting from government-funded ABA and Behaviour Therapy, are these therapies still not regulated?”

MFOPD concluded by strongly urging all relevant authorities “to address and rectify this situation without further delay, in the best interest of children with disabilities and their families.”

The statement was signed by Marthese Mugliette, President of MFOPD.

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