Eves
government makes landmark investment for autistic children
(Posted Date:
Monday, December 2, 2002)
By David Turnbull Don
Valley West MPP
Ontarios unprecedented commitment to
children with autism was strengthened this week as the Ernie Eves
government announced it was once again doubling its investment to
support autistic children and their families.
Our government recognizes that families of children with autism need
support over the long term. Thats why were introducing new programs
and services for children with autism so they can grow and learn.
Part of the funding will be aimed at recruiting and training people
who specialize in children with autism. The plan calls for the launch
of an aggressive recruitment strategy including working with colleges
and universities to develop a curriculum.
About two-thirds of this new funding ($39.6 million) will go toward
Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) for children aged two to
five. The intensive approach involves trained therapists working
one-on-one with children, reinforcing appropriate behaviour, language
and academic skills.
New funding means the following services through the Intensive Early
Intervention Program will be expanded:
Individual services, plans, and assessments for each child;
Intensive behavioural intervention services for children between the
ages of two and five years;
Recruitment of additional staff for regional service providers;
Training for professionals in early identification, diagnosis,
assessment and behavioural intervention;
Training for parents so they can support their childs treatment at
home; and
Evaluation that will ensure the program is effective.
A further $19 million will go towards new programs for older children
of autism to help them make the transition to school.
Our governments actions and initiatives prove we have always put a
high priority on supporting the healthy growth and development of
Ontarios autistic children.
In fact, nationally, Ontario is a leader with our Intensive
Behavioural Intervention program. We are the first government in
Ontario to fund an Intensive Intervention Program for children with
autism aged two to five.
Currently, more than 550 children and their families benefit from
existing services. By increasing funding, an additional 610 children
will be able to get the support they need by 2006-07.
When fully implemented over the next four years, this new commitment
will make Ontarios program the most extensive in North America for
treating autistic children.
Don Valley West MPP David Turnbull is the associate minister of
enterprise, opportunity and innovation for the Province of Ontario.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
"A foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth."
-- Albert Einstein, letter to a friend, 1901
"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to William C. Jarvis, September 28, 1820
"What's the point of vaccination if it doesn't protect you from the unvaccinated?"
-- Sandy Gottstein
"Who gets to decide what the greater good is and how many will be sacrificed to it?"