Posted By Observer Staff

Posted 20 hours ago | Updated 20 hours ago

By TARA HAGAN For The Observer

A small group of local autism activists rallied outside local
MPP Caroline Di Cocco’s campaign office Saturday to spotlight the
Liberal government’s handling of autism treatment.

“It’s simply to remind not only the government, but the voters,
of [McGuinty’s] track record on this issue,” said Bright’s Grove
resident Susan Fentie, co-founder of the Ontario Autism Coalition.

The mother of two autistic children said that despite
McGuinty’s promise to cut waiting lists for intensive behavioural
intervention (IBI), there are still more than 1,000 autistic children
awaiting treatment.

“That’s simply unacceptable,” she said.

Parents of autistic children and their supporters gathered in
several cities across Ontario for the Autism Day of Action organized by
the OAC.

Fentie, along with her husband, Dan, spearheaded the local
event, aimed at bringing autism issues to the attention of politicians
during election time, and criticizing the McGuinty government’s
handling of autistic children’s education.

While the Liberal government’s election platform has promised more wait cuts, Fentie is calling for a stronger commitment.

“We want a statement from this government to clear the wait lists,” she said.

She’s also calling for the implementation of IBI treatment in
schools so that one-on-one therapists can be allowed in the classroom
to work with autistic students.

Currently, she said, parents must pull their children from school in order to receive the treatment.

“It should be in the schools; it should be a part of every day teaching,” said Lisa Finch of Forest.

Her 10-year-old son, Matthew, received the treatment for six
months in 2003, but was cut off because of an age restriction in place
at the time.

When the age restriction was lifted in 2005, Matthew was put on
a wait list and has yet to receive any IBI treatment, Finch said.

“The wait list has to go,” she said.

The group also brought with them eight life-sized “McGuintios” —
cut outs of the premier donned with broomstick noses, resembling
Pinocchio.

A film crew from TVOntario currently working on a documentary
about autism, called “Parents Voice,” was also on hand at the
demonstration.

Di Cocco, who did not attend the rally, later told The Observer
that she sympathizes with the families, but defends her party’s
actions.

“I certainly understand the frustration that these parents
feel,” she said. “But it’s also important for all of us to take into
account the progress that’s been made.”

Di Cocco said that since 2003 the Liberals have tripled funding
for children with autism, and the number of those being treated has
doubled.

“We’ve also reduced the wait list for assessment by 73 per cent,” she said.