Sunday, September 23, 2007
Going to concentrate on autism & other educational issues
Although
I am relatively new to Shotgun, I thought I would let regular readers
know that, from now on, I will be putting all my energies into writing about such
educational issues as autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit
problems and learning disabilities — topics that are not only
theoretical and practical, but POLITICAL. And, they are political at
all levels of society — be it between parents, physicians,
psychologists, teachers, school boards or the ten provincial
governments across this country.
In Ontario, for example, we know from personal experience what
happens when a government digs in and opposes parents — such as when
the McGuinty government refused to fund (beyond age six) the
specialized intensive behavioural treatments so helpful to children
with autism. The parents had to fight the Ontario government every step
of the way (at a cost to taxpayers of $2.4 million), until just recently (in an election year) when the government changed its policy. That said, that is a fight that is far from over — depending on who wins the Ontario election. My vote goes to John Tory on this and many other issues.
In any event, this type of blog specialization makes sense for me because not only do I have an adult son with
an autism spectrum disorder, but long before I worked for an MPP in the
Harris government, I taught educational psychology and special
education at the university level (McMaster and Brock), while
simultaneously operating a private "Reading & Learning Rehab
Clinic" in the Niagara region. I also wrote a college level textbook on the subject.
So, hopefully, I can integrate both personal and professional experiences and provide some Internet resources,
as well as day-to-day practical suggestions and learning strategies so
that adults coping with life and work with these types of disorders or
parents with children — either in the public system or being
home-schooled — can have some compensatory tools to succeed.
So, pass on the word to the autism and learning disabilities
communities. If there is a blogroll I should know about, please
advise. I want to reach as many parents and adults with these problems
as possible. I am already on the Blogging Tories, Non-Partisan Alliance
and Opinions Canada.
Moreover, I would be interested in cross-posting on these
educational topics as well. At the moment, I am a guest writer here and
at Jack’s Newswatch, but would be interested in other invitations if the direction I am going in fits.
Look forward to hearing from readers and those managing nonpartisan or conservative blogs or blogrolls.
[…]
Note: C/P at Jack’s Newswatch & Crux-of-the-Matter.
Posted by Sandy Crux on September 23, 2007 in Canadian Provincial Politics | Permalink
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Awareness 
