Tag: aba

Mind Bending Politics: Ontario Set To Terminate Needed Therapy for a Vast Swath of Autistic Kids

(Parents Upset At Recent Changes To Autism Services In Ontario) The Ontario government recently announced changes it is going to make to the services autistic kids receive in the province.  The Ontario government is looking at terminating intensive behavioral intervention therapy (IBI) for kids 5 and over, and pump more money into the controversial applied […]

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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Fredericton Liberal Matt DeCourcey: Liberal Party Committed to A National Autism Strategy Addressing Access to ABA/IBI

Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey Email received October 2, 2015 from Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey stating Liberal Party supports creation of a National Autism Strategy addressing ABA and IBI access and coverage under Medicare: Hi Harold, Thank you for the email. I apologize for the delay in my response.

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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Fredericton Liberal Matt DeCourcey: Liberal Party Committed to A National Autism Strategy Addressing Access to ABA/IBI

Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey Email received October 2, 2015 from Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey stating Liberal Party supports creation of a National Autism Strategy addressing ABA and IBI access and coverage under Medicare: Hi Harold, Thank you for the email. I apologize for the delay in my response.

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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Fredericton Liberal Matt DeCourcey: Liberal Party Committed to A National Autism Strategy Addressing Access to ABA/IBI

Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey

Email received October 2, 2015 from Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey stating Liberal Party supports creation of a National Autism Strategy addressing ABA and IBI access and coverage under Medicare:


Hi Harold,
Thank you for the email. I apologize for the delay in my response. I want to let you know that the Liberal Party and I fully support the creation of a national autism strategy. Our party recognizes that in certain provinces, autism treatments, including ABA and IBI are covered under provincial Medicare programs and are more readily available in other provinces. Health care access challenges like these are something that the Liberal Party is committed to addressing.
First and foremost, we need a conversation that goes beyond simply mirroring previously made commitments. We need a partner in the federal government that is committed to innovation and collaboration with the provinces and territories to achieve a modern, efficient, equitable system of universal health care. The Liberal Party is committed to that collaboration.
A Liberal government will re-engage the provinces after 10 years of Stephen Harper neglect. We will meet on Canadian health care and negotiate a new Health Accord with the provinces and territories, including an agreement on long-term funding. Furthermore, our party is committed to pan-Canadian collaboration on health innovation. We will work with provincial jurisdictions to overcome obstacles to innovation in health care delivery and access.
Thank you again for your email. I hope that I’ve helped to clarify the Liberal Party’s position on support for those living with autism. If you have any further questions please reach out.
Best,

Matt

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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Wow! Federal NDP Replies to My Inquiry This Morning Re Negotiations to Include ABA for Autism under Medicare


I confess I was surprised  to get a same day response this evening from the federal NDP to my question this morning addressed to party leader Thomas Mulcair.  The federal NDP committed to continuing the efforts which they have in fact made over the years in Parliament towards creation of an EFFECTIVE national autism strategy.   
To Canada’s  federal NDP and leader Thomas Mulcair I say thank you.
8:20 PM (9 minutes ago)


to me

Dear Mr. Doherty:


Thank you for providing such a helpful summary of your discussions with us on this important issue.

New Democrats have a proven record of working with the autism activist community toward increasing awareness and supports for those living with autism spectrum disorders. NDP MPs have, over many years, proposed bills and motions in Parliament toward the creation of an effective national autism strategy. We are committed to continuing that effort as government.

The success of any national autism strategy that includes medically recognized treatments such as Applied Behavioural Analysis and Intensive Behavioural Intervention, depends on the commitment and involvement of provincial and territorial, as well as federal governments. At the moment, for lack of federal leadership, the levels of support vary widely across the country.

Over the past decade, the Harper government has consciously chosen to abandon its leadership role in Canada’s health system and has turned its back on the federal-provincial-territorial cooperation necessary to maintain and improve our public system – including measures to better address autism needs. Stephen Harper has not only refused to renew the national health accord but has unilaterally cut billions of dollars from future provincial/territorial health transfers.

Under Tom Mulcair, an NDP government will live up to its national leadership role and move quickly to re-establish a collaborative working relationship with provincial and territorial governments. A New Democratic autism strategy would be forged within this renewed negotiation and would establish, with provincial and territorial cooperation, access to treatment across Canada.


Canada’s New Democrats | Le NPD du Canada
Ready for change | Ensemble pour le changement
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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Canada Needa a Real National Autism Strategy: Exhibit #1 Saskatchewan


Saskatchewan is Exhibit #1 In the Case for a REAL National Autism Strategy

Canada has long needed a REAL National Autism Strategy, one which includes coverage of autism in medicare to ensure that children with autism disorders received treatment for their autism disorders regardelss of which province their  parents live in. One of the most glaring examples of the need for national autism medical coverage is in the province I once called Canada’s Autism Wasteland  province.   Since that commentary on September 2, 2007  little progress appears to have been made judging by the Global story by Amber Rockliffe: Saskatchewan families moving due to lack of autism funding.  Rockliffe reports of  Saskachewan families leaving the province to find treatment for their children’s autism disorders; treatment which is not available because of long wait lists and is not usually delivered  in sufficient hours to make a substantial difference in treating their children’s autism. 

One of those families that has already made the move is the family of Sheri Radoux:

“Sheri Radoux, has moved south of the U.S. border to Minnesota. “I think the services in Saskatchewan are probably the worst, or one of the worst in Canada, “said Radoux. “We moved down to Minnesota and we got full-time therapy for all our children, paid and funded by the state.”


The Rockliffe report goes on to indicate that Saskatchewan spends half, approximately $7.5 million annually, compared to approximately $15 million, that   Manitoba, with a similar population, spends annually on autism services.
Families leaving provinces, including the province many would consider the birthplace of medicare in Canada, to seek a better life for their autistic children in jurisdictions provincial and American  where a greater value is placed on the lives and futures of autistic children.
Yes, Canada needs a REAL National Autism Strategy.


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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: May Institute National Autism Center Review: Applied Behavior Analysis The One Intervention Determined To Be Effective For Adults With Autism

National Autism Center Completes Most Comprehensive Review of Autism Interventions Identifies Established Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Adults on the Autism Spectrum  National Autism Center Press Release 0.1  Randolph, Mass. – Researchers at the National Autism Center at May Institute today released the results of the largest systematic review to

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Facing Autism in New Brunswick: Autism Canada, With Some Help From the Globe and Mail, Promotes "Weak Evidence" Based Son-Rise Program®

Autism Canada suggests parents of autistic children should change course and head down a different trail, away from strong evidence based interventions like Applied Behaviour Analysis, toward programs with weak evidence base in support of their effectiveness like the Son-Rise Program®. The Globe and Mail has kindlly provided some support

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