Joomla! site syndication http://ontarioautismcoalition.com Fri, 09 May 2008 14:28:15 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://ontarioautismcoalition.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://ontarioautismcoalition.com Joomla! site syndication http://ontarioautismcoalition.com/content/view/215/31/ At 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, Stephan Marinoiu stopped eating and began a hunger strike for autism services in Ontario. Stephan Marinoiu is the father of Simon, a 15-year-old boy who has autism. In February, Stephan walked from Toronto to Ottawa through two of the worst snowstorms of the season to bring the issue of autism to the attention of the federal government. Now, Stephan is taking his fight to Queen's Park. He has told us that he would be grateful for anyone who can take time to visit and stay with him for however long they are able. Stephan is staying around the clock. Here are his own words: Video Content - Video Content Tue, 06 May 2008 17:18:54 +0100 http://ontarioautismcoalition.com/content/view/211/31/ Please complete our survey... One of the most difficult aspects of advocacy is that we do not possess the resources of government to compile province-wide data. As a result, when we meet with officials regarding the plight of families of children with autism, we must rely on their data. In order to end this disadvantage, we need your help. The OAC has developed a survey to develop a database on the successes, concerns and struggles that our families in Ontario face. The information you provide will remain anonymous, however will be utilized when meeting with Ministers and others when discussing the issues that people are really facing out there. You will remain absolutely anonymous. For example, we ask only for your child’s month of birth, and not the day, both to protect your privacy and to allow us to re-calculate our statistics in the future without having to re-survey you. Your personal info will never be shared with anyone, however the circumstantial information will be tallied so that discussions can include the real issues as specifically experienced. We hope that you will take a few minutes to help out all our children by sharing your situation. Here is the link to the autism survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Cv_2b_2fzrWYYiCMR33hKq0inw_3d_3d (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Cv_2b_2fzrWYYiCMR33hKq0inw_3d_3d) You have the option of receiving a free gift (flash cards) when they complete the survey!!!!! Awareness - Awareness- Print Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:32:23 +0100 http://ontarioautismcoalition.com/content/view/212/31/ The following is an excerpt from the "instant Hansard" at Queen's Park, supplied to us by Andrea Horwath (http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_detail.do?locale=en&ID=2170), MPP, the NDP member for Hamilton Centre. The OAC thanks Andrea and the NDP caucus for working with us to hold the government accountable. OAC members should be aware that the McGuinty Liberals refused the NDP's request for a unanimous consent motion allowing all three parties to speak about the UN Day for up to 5 minutes. April 2, 2008 World Autism Awareness Day Ms. Andrea Horwath: Today is the historic first-ever United Nations World Autism Awareness Day. I'd like to formally recognize this important day in the Ontario Legislature and acknowledge the efforts of families with children with autism who are fighting hard for better services in Ontario. As well, on behalf of New Democrats, I want to commend the diligent and dedicated work being done by the many autism stakeholder groups in communities across this province and Canada. The situation for children with autism and their families is dire in Ontario, I'm sorry to say. The number of children on waiting lists for IBI therapy was 1,063 as of December 2007, up from 985 in March of that year. Similarly, more children are waiting to be assessed for treatment: 334 children in March, and nine months later, 381. I would like to thank Sharon Gabison of the Ontario Autism Coalition for the following survey results-a snapshot from families seeking help for children with autism: The average waiting time to access publicly funded IBI/ABA is 17 months-some families have waited anywhere from three to seven years; 82% of respondents noted that there was no ABA in the public school system-parents have to keep their children home from school to provide them with ABA; over half the families liquidated assets to fund their child's treatment while on the waiting list, spending an average of $35,000 for minimum hours. How tragic that on the very first World Autism Awareness Day we see that Ontario is falling further behind, and I put that at the feet of the McGuinty Liberal government who are failing our children. Awareness - Awareness - Photos Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:10:33 +0100 http://ontarioautismcoalition.com/content/view/210/31/ Do you agree with the Minister? If not, there's an e-mail form at the end of the article. Use it to send Minister Matthews your opinion. For the original article, click the newspaper logo... Province recognizes autistic needs By Kevin Werner Mar 21, 2008 The provincial government has tripled the amount of funding for children with autism since the Liberals have been in office, says the Ontario children and youth services minister. But advocates respond that more money is needed for therapies to relieve parents of the prohibitive cost of paying for the essential services. "These therapies are definitely lacking in funding," said Vicky Wilson-Sher, president of the Hamilton Wentworth chapter of Autism Ontario. "A lot of parents are trying to get the services their children need. It's a tremendous financial burden." Ontario minister Deb Matthews, who attended a news conference March 7 at the Chedoke Presbyterian Church to announce $3.9 million this year for seasonal camps for children with autism, said any disagreement between parents of autistic children and the provincial government has been settled. First time She emphasized that for the first time the Ontario government is recognizing the struggles of parents with autistic children experience and the need for them to have a break . "This is the kind of support families need," she said. "(Parents) acknowledge we've tripled the funding for autism since we were elected. Almost tripled the number of kids getting Intensive Behavior Intervention (IBI) therapy. (But) it's not just IBI, it's about respite." Some parents last month attempted to revive a $1.2 billion class action lawsuit against the provincial government and school boards to redress what they say is the failure of autism services in Ontario. Last year Superior Court Justice Maurice Cullity struck down claims by families that alleged the defendants were negligent, and deliberately misused their offices and violated the children's rights to security of person. Parents argue they are forced to choose between educating their children or providing them therapy. Ms. Sher, who has a 19-year-old youth with autism, acknowledged providing her son with speech therapy was "expensive." She said there are children who are not accepted into IBI. Money is then needed, she said, to provide alternative therapies for those youths. "It has been a struggle to afford the services you need," said Ms. Sher. Also, she said, there are not enough day-care spaces for children with autism. "We are making small steps," acknowledged Ms. Sher. "Every year we gain some ground." Studies indicate one in 165 children is affected by some form of autism, a complex neurological condition with no known cure. Ms. Sher said she is unaware of how many children with autism live in Hamilton. "We continually are searching, but a lot of families are not on our radar," she said. Ms. Matthews acknowledged the Ontario government doesn't know how many autistic children live in the province. "We are still in the early days of understanding autism and understanding support for autism," said Ms. Matthews. Meanwhile, the provincial money that was announced means helping the financial needs of the Hamilton Wentworth chapter of Autism Ontario's camp programs. Across the province the provincial government estimates more than 500 children with autism took part in March Break camps. About 16 children attended the March Break camp at Chedoke Presbyterian Church, said Ed Mahoney, who helps run the camp. The Hamilton Wentworth chapter received about $15,000 from the provincial money. It will go towards offsetting the cost of operating March Break and the popular Winner's Circle summer camp the chapter offers. "We started out funding our camps from the local chapter," said Ms. Sher. "So this (funding) is a big step." Over 30 children take part in the summer camp experience, said Mr. Mahoney. Expenses, which the chapter has to pay for, are about $25,000, said Mr. Mahoney. "The needs are many," said Mr. Mahoney, who is a resource teacher at Mohawk College. "This has been a watershed two years (for autism funding)," he said. "Once you start offering the services, you can't retreat." Name: Feedback: Awareness - Awareness- Print Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:16:34 +0100 http://ontarioautismcoalition.com/content/view/209/31/ Ontario Autism Everyday Susan Fentie, a founding member of the OAC, shares her family's story in a video produced by a student at Ryerson University: Awareness - Awareness - Video Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:51:59 +0100