Hardeman Worries Ontario's Approach to Autism 'Gives Up' on Kids

Tuesday, 3 May 2016 06:47

MPP for Oxford Ernie Hardeman spoke up in Queen's Park about his concerns with Ontario's approach to kids living with autism.

MPP for Oxford Ernie Hardeman is criticizing the Liberal government for ending Intensive Behaviour Intervention Therapy (IBI) for children five and older.

Hardeman gave the specific example of a 6 year old from Norwich - Lawson Donkers. Lawson started the therapy about four months ago after being wait listed for the program. The family has now been told by the government that the treatment will be ending because of Lawson's age.

Hardeman says in his eyes this is unacceptable.

"That just seems so unfair that they are giving up on a whole generation of young people who were waiting for the treatment but then because of their age when they get to it they don't get the two years that they should get."

According to the government website "Your child will remain on the IBI waitlist until they turn five. If an IBI space becomes available before your child turns five, they can receive IBI. Once your child turns five, your child will be removed from the IBI waitlist. At that time, you will receive one-time funding of $8,000 to purchase eligible community services or supports of your choice that best meet your child’s specific needs."

Hardeman believes narrowing the eligibility criteria will not allow these children to get the help they need.

"The government has decided that they are just going to give them a sum of money, I think its $8,000, and then they can go out and get the type of services that they need. But that would only get the services for a few months and then they are left out all together. It's just unacceptable that they would think they can replace the IBI treatment with that kind of program."

Hardeman says he wants the Liberals to take another look at this program and find other solutions.

"Hopefully we can get the government to have another look at it and see if they can look at a better way of removing the wait list so we can get to the point where all of the people that are on the wait list have their program finished before the end of the timeframe that the government says is best suited for them."

According to the government website, this new approach was developed with the help of families, clinical experts, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Expert Committee. They say it aligns with research that has shown early intervention can have a significant impact on a child's development and is most effective for children between the ages of two and four.