Monday, September 17, 2007

Autism NEWS Articles Sept 7-13th

Autism News Articles
September 7rd – September 13th 2007

(Fill in your riding area, contact AFA and then print your posters!)
****************************************
2ndAnnual
Candlelight Vigil for
Autism Awareness
Hosted by
The Alliance for Families with Autism
Monday, October 1st
7:00 p.m – 7:30 p.m.
MPP Riding Offices
in your community
(Check your phonebook to find your MPP)
MPP:
Contact info:
Location/Address:
***********************





October is Autism Awareness Month
Join your community for the
2nd ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Monday, October 01, 2007
7:00pm to 7:30pm

Proudly organized by
The Alliance for Families with Autism (AFA)


October 1st, 2007
marks the start of Autism Awareness Month



W
hat began as an idea from a mother of a little boy with autism in Windsor , ended up as a huge event spanning from Windsor to Ottawa and from Toronto to Northern Ontario . It was the beginning of an annual event to ensure everyone in Ontario become a little more aware of the extent of the challenges we face in the world of autism.
There are more than 20,000 people affected by autism in this province!


We already have a number of locations confirmed for the event. You can contact the AFA directly at autismafa@yahoo.ca if you are interested in attending or organizing a vigil at your local MPP’s office. It only takes one person per riding to stand in front of the office with a candle.



We have chosen the MPP offices as locations for this event because it is the Ontario Government that holds such a great part of our kids (adults too) future in its hands.
You can also visit our blog at http://allianceforfamilieswithautism.blogspot.com
for updates of locations as they become available.
If we had 50 people commit then we could cover 50 ridings!


“It doesn’t matter if your child is 5 or 45, just get out there and light your candle.
Sing a song with the kids. Laugh. Cry. Cheer and wave to the passing motorists. You might even educate a few more people in your community about autism. My wife wears a t-shirt with a picture of our grandsons and the words I Love My Grandsons With Autism.” said John McVicar, Executive Member of the AFA and lead organizer of the event.


The more participation we receive the more we are able to build autism awareness. So invite your family, friends, teachers, neighbours, co-workers, etc. Let’s make this an event that the entire Autism community can be proud of!!!!!!
We look forward to hearing from you!
















For Miles….


For those of us who remember last year’s event, it was cold and rainy. Yet everyone who participated in the first annual Candlelight Vigil truly felt that is was something very wonderful and worthwhile, and wanted to ensure another vigil would be organized this year. The vigil is not a political event. There will be no signs however there will be lots of candles across the province in your community. We want to honour all individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), related disorders.
We want to tell the world, with our candles, that every individual with
ASD has the right to “SHINE”.


Contact our primary organizer to add your location to our blog!


John McVicar
findingnewmarkets@sympatico.ca


If you cannot make a location in your community, light a candle with your family.


The Alliance for Families with Autism (AFA)
autismafa@yahoo.ca


***********************************************************
In Memorium – Stephanie Dye
Autism Coffee Chat

Expresses deep sorrow in the loss of their fellow support group member – Stephanie Dye, from Espanola Ontario , Sunday September 9th 2007. She was only 28.
Our deepest sympathies go out to her dear, dear 5 yr old son Miles who has Autism.
Stephanie gave her entire heart and soul, her time, her devotion all to him. She spoke about how he won a bowling tournament, how he smiled, how they celebrated his birthday with other kids for the first time. Coffee Chat supported Stephanie as she struggled to cope with her son's diagnosis and then ultimately supported her empowering her to gain strength to move forward to get him into IBI. Although a private person, she managed to organize a Candlelight Vigil for Autism Awareness last year in her community with our support – lighting a candle in the name of people with Autism.

We will never forget how she was instrumental in spreading the good word by bringing in Autism Awareness bracelets, pins and bumper stickers, all in the name of Autism.
Stephanie, an angel is out there watching over Miles, it was really too soon for you to go. You will be missed by many and thought of often.
Trish Kitching for Autism Coffee Chat.
We will support the family as they plan for Miles future.
Obituary for Stephanie Dye

DYE, Stephanie - of Espanola passed away at the Espanola General Hospital on Sunday, September 9, 2007 in her 29th year. Loving mother of Miles Gendron at home. Beloved daughter of Peter Dye (wife Maud) of Garson and Wendy (Mrs. Bob Marsh) of Espanola. Dear sister of Krissy (Mrs. Ray Wilson) of Pickering, Lisa (fiance Brent Landry) of Barrie and Louise Beauchamp (partner Chris) of Sudbury . Will be sadly missed by nephews Curtis and Reilley. The family will receive friends for a Memorial Visitation only on Thursday, September 13, 2007 from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm at the BOURCIER FUNERAL HOME, Espanola. Interment of ashes in the Espanola Cemetery . If so desired, donations to Miles Gendron Fund for Autistic Children would be appreciated.




Autism funding sparks protest
Sun, September 16, 2007
By PATRICK MALONEY, SUN MEDIA
Frustrated parents protested across Ontario yesterday on behalf of their autistic children, slamming the Liberals for backing out of a promise to fund a pricey but effective therapy.
The so-called Autism Day of Action, held by the Sarnia-based Ontario Autism Coalition, targeted Dalton McGuinty as the NDP pledged $100 million to offer the one-on-one intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) in schools.
"If you're going to make a promise and break it to children with disabilities, how can we believe anything you're going to say?" coalition founder Susan Fentie, who ran for the Tory nomination in Sarnia-Lambton, said of McGuinty.
"The credibility is not there."
Fentie, who has two autistic sons, led a rally of about 50 people outside the Sarnia campaign office of Caroline Di Cocco, a Liberal cabinet minister, while other coalition members picketed Liberal offices in six other cities.
IBI therapy costs about $30,000 a year for each child and is considered an effective treatment of the disorder that causes impaired social and communication skills.
Funding for IBI used to end at age six but McGuinty, as promised, ended that practice. However, critics say he didn't put enough money in to help the estimated 1,000 kids on an IBI waiting list.
Mary Anne Chambers, the Liberal minister of children and youth services, yesterday defended the party's record, noting it invested $140 million and doubled the number of kids getting IBI therapy.
"Playing political games with these parents and children is disgraceful," read a statement by Chambers.
On the campaign trail yesterday, NDP Leader Howard Hampton promised an NDP government would spend $100 million instituting IBI in all Ontario schools.

News Headlines
Ballot box battle
Autism funding sparks protest
Liberals pledge textbook grant
Tory defends faith school stand
Dion trots out big names





http://www.thestar.com/OntarioElection/article/257115
GOOGLE ALERT

NDP promises aid for autistic kids
Says NDP would soon end 900-child waiting list, but Liberals claim problem goes beyond funding


Sep 16, 2007 04:30 AM
Sean Patrick Sullivan
Canadian Press



The thorny issue of public funding for treatment of children with autism leapt into the Ontario election campaign yesterday, as the New Democrats announced a proposal to provide blanket therapy for all children who need it right in their classrooms – a strategy the Liberals say is unsustainable.
An NDP government would provide publicly funded Intensive Behavioural Intervention – a very expensive, one-on-one treatment – in classrooms for all autistic children, leader Howard Hampton said in Bradford .
Hampton said he would clear the current waiting list of 900 children within three years. About 1,400 kids are funded for the IBI treatment; many other families pay out of pocket.
"With our Ontario autism strategy, a child who qualifies for IBI treatment will benefit from the day they qualify," he said.
"No more long waiting lists, no longer the need for families to mortgage or sell their homes to pay for their children's therapy."
But, in an interview, Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers said the issue can't be solved by tossing money around.
"There simply aren't enough autism support providers in Ontario to provide one-on-one treatment with every child who needs it," she said.
The Liberal government has been working to hire more specialists and establish and expand college training programs for therapists, Chambers said, noting that spending on autism has tripled since the party took power in 2003.
Also yesterday, Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory made overtures to the so-called 905 region by pledging up to $200 million annually for health care by 2012.
Tory says Toronto 's ballooning outer layer is underserviced and has been neglected by the Liberal government for years.
"Dalton McGuinty has refused to acknowledge the pressures faced by Ontario 's fastest-growing communities, and as a result, residents are being forced to seek treatments outside their own communities," he said at Oshawa 's Lakeridge Hospital .
"McGuinty has allowed funding to fall behind population growth and needs in this region," Tory said.
On another issue, the premier said yesterday he won't roll back tuition but will instead give post-secondary students an up-front tax credit at the start of the school year.
Speaking to some 300 young Liberals, McGuinty also vowed to increase the number of apprenticeship programs by 25 per cent.
He promised to work with Ottawa to extend the grace period graduates have before they must start paying back their student loans.
McGuinty hopes to increase it from six months to one year, giving students more time to establish themselves professionally before having to make payments.



Financial Post, National Post, Windsor Star
NDP promises millions for children with autism
Dalson Chen, The Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, September 15, 2007
A New Democrat provincial government would correct a Liberal broken promise by investing $100 million a year to provide much needed services for children with autism, says Ontario NDP leader Howard Hampton.
"This is something we need to do," said Hampton at a playground in Bradford on Saturday morning. "We can't afford to allow children to languish on a waiting list when we know we can make this kind of difference in their lives. And the money is there. The money just hasn't been spent wisely."
Accompanied by York Simcoe NDP candidate Nancy Morrison and several children with autism including Morrison's 8-year-old son Sean, Hampton pledged that the new funding would be devoted to respite care, research into the causes of autism, and -- "most importantly" -- clearing the waiting list for the autism therapy known as intensive behaviour intervention (IBI).
Hampton and Morrison said the NDP would ensure that IBI services would be available in classrooms for all children with autism who qualify by psychological assessment.
"With our Ontario Autism Strategy, a child who qualifies for IBI treatment will benefit from the day that they qualify. No more long waiting list," Hampton said.
According to Hampton , the Liberal government has allowed the list to balloon to around 1,100 names, more than 12 times what it was previously. Hampton said he believes a NDP government could eliminate the list entirely within three years.
Hampton also pointed to the Liberals' lengthy legal fight against a group of parents of children with autism, who took the Liberals to court for failing to fulfill a 2003 election promise to fund IBI treatment for children over the age of six.
The age restriction was eventually removed in the midst of the court battle.
But Mary Turner, a 41-year-old mother of three children with autism, said she still feels betrayed by the Liberals. "I feel like my vote has been bought."
Turner said that in 2003, she voted for Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty "based on his promise," only to watch children like her 10-year-old daughter Katie go for four years without IBI treatment due to the government considering Katie too old to qualify for funding.
Turner said she believes Katie's development slowed down as a result, and it breaks Turner's heart to think about how beneficial the therapy would've been for Katie. "I think it's lost time that we have to get back."
Hampton said the McGuinty Liberals spent $2.4 million in legal fees "to justify the unjustifiable. Money was spent on lawyers that could have and should have funded special treatment for children with autism for an entire year."
Asked how the NDP would pay for its proposed annual investment, Hampton said that "the money was there, in this past budget year, to do this."
Hampton mentioned other Liberal money controversies such as a "secret $32.5 million slush fund" and $59 million originally slated for autism services until the Liberals "quietly slid it out of the budget and spent it somewhere else."
Asked why the NDP waited until now to announce its autism strategy, Hampton said they chose Saturday to coincide with a day of action that was organized by parents of children with autism.
Laura Kirby-McIntosh, a member of the Ontario Autism Coalition, said rallies occurred on Saturday in six cities in the province, including outside Dalton McGuinty's offices in Ottawa .
Kirby-McIntosh said the coalition is "grassroots and independent," but she was pleased by the NDP announcement. "It shows that one of the political parties is taking the issue seriously."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PC press release
Attention News Editors:
Dalton McGuinty protests so much

TORONTO , Sept. 15 /CNW/ - Today Dalton McGuinty is claiming he "kept and

exceeded" his promise to the parents of children with autism.

Here are the facts:



<<

- In 2003, Dalton McGuinty promised the parent of a child with autism

that he would "devise a feasible way in which autistic children in

our province can get the support and treatment they need. That

includes children over the age of six" (E-mail from Dalton McGuinty

to Nancy Morrison, September 17, 2003).



- In April 2005, Dalton McGuinty chose to
appeal a ruling of the

Ontario Superior Court that the age cut off for IBI treatment

violated the constitutional rights of children with autism ( Woodstock

Sentinel-Review, April 6, 2005).



- Dalton McGuinty then took NDP MPP Shelley Martel to court when she

tried to find out how much the Ontario government spent on the court

case. This was after Dalton McGuinty fought Martel's freedom of

information request and was told by the Information and

Privacy Commissioner that he had to release the information

(Globe and Mail, March 14, 2007).



- And if all of that wasn't bad enough, Dalton McGuinty tried to force

the parents of children with autism to pay for the government's

$85,000 legal bill for the court case that he chose to continue in

April 2005 ( Toronto Star, June 11, 2007).



- Meanwhile, the waiting list for autism treatment has grown from 89 in

early 2004 to nearly 1,100 children as of August 2007 (Toronto Star,

January 19, 2007, Timmins Daily Press, August 18, 2007).

>>



Now Dalton McGuinty is making another promise to the parents of
children

with autism. He says he's going to provide IBI treatment in schools. But what

to make of a March 1, 2007 memo from Ben Levin, Deputy Minister of Education

that made it very clear Dalton McGuinty would not be offering IBI in Ontario 's

schools?



<<

"Based upon your work and in support of the recommendations of the

reference group the Ministry will soon release a PPM on the use of

Applied Behavioural analysis ( ABA ) in schools. The focus of this PPM

will be ABA teaching practices and not Intensive Behavioural

Intervention (IBI)...."

>>



Dalton McGuinty couldn't be trusted in 2003. Why would the parents of

autistic children trust him in 2007?

Leadership Matters.







For further information: Mike Van Soelen, (647) 722-1760

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activists urge leaders to support programs for autistic children
Roberta Pennington, The Windsor Star
Published: Saturday, September 15, 2007
Mary Beth Rocheleau just wants for her son what every other parent expects for their children: a good education.
But unlike most other parents, Rocheleau said she has had to constantly fight with the provincial Liberal government to ensure her seven-year-old son Gregory and others like like him who have autism are granted a fair chance at education.
Rocheleau and about a dozen others continued their fight Saturday as they held signs and chanted slogans such as "No more excuses!" and "No more lies" in front of Windsor-West MPP Sandra Pupatello's office as part of the province-wide Autism Day of Action organized by the Ontario Autism Coalition.
Mary Beth Rocheleau, centre, demonstrates along with supporters in front of Windsor-West MPP Sandra Pupatello's office as part of the Ontario Autism Coalition's province-wide day of action Saturday. A mother of a seven-year-old boy with autism, Rocheleau is calling on the government to invest in programs and services to help autistic children.
Roberta Pennington, The Windsor Star
The demonstrators also displayed a life-size cardboard cutout of Premier Dalton McGuinty with a foot-long wooden stick poking out of his face as his nose.
"We want to bring attention to the citizens of Ontario about the issues regarding autism and put some pressure on the politicians because we're tired of their broken promises," Rocheleau said. "When Dalton McGuinty got into office he made a lot of promises ... but he didn't follow through."
Rocheleau and other coalition supporters, who also picketed at the office of Essex MPP Bruce Crozier and several other locations throughout Ontario, maintain McGuinty's government failed to live up to its pledge to help children with autism. Instead of boosting funding to reduce the number of autistic children waiting for specialized therapy, Rocheleau said the Liberals have done "very little" while in power.
"When (McGuinty) got into office, there was less than 100 kids on the wait list, there's over 1,000 now waiting for the therapy," she said, stressing the need for funding to cut the educational therapy wait list.
Additionally, the activists are calling for the specialized therapists -- known as intensive behavioural intervention instructors -- to be accredited and allowed into the public school system.
"It's the only scientifically proven method to work with children with autism," Rocheleau said, adding her son has to be kept home from school to receive the therapy. "If Gregory was deaf or blind, he'd be allowed to bring his facilitator in. We're just asking for the same rights for kids with autism."
Pupatello's office was closed at the time of the demonstration and no one from her Party showed up for the event. Candidates representing the Progressive Conservative and NDP camps for the Windsor-West riding stopped by to show their support.
Lisa Lumley, a Conservative candidate for the district, said it is critical for the government to financially support programs to help families with autistic children.
"We've got to put more financing into it so they can get the help that they need," Lumley said. "We need to be there to help them. John Tory is planning on providing them I believe it's $75 million more to help clear the wait lists."
NDP leader Howard Hampton also made a campaign promise -- at a Brampton playground as the setting -- to invest $100 million toward services for children with autism.
For Jennifer Jones, whose four-year-old son has autism, the attention the coalition's activism has captured gives her "hope" for her son Mitchell's educational future.
"Within this next year we hope something will change," Jones said. "We're hoping, we're hoping. Every year we can hope."

The Observer
Autism activists take to streets
Posted By SHAWN JEFFORDS
Local autism activists will take their plight to Sarnia-Lambton MPP Caroline Di Cocco's front door this weekend.
Local parents upset with the McGuinty government's treatment of autistic children will march in front of Di Cocco's London Road campaign office at 11 a.m., one of seven demonstrations across the province. They will be joined by at least two of her rivals in this fall's provincial vote, Conservative Bob Bailey and NDP candidate Barb Millitt.
"What we've always been asking of (McGuinty) is do what you said you'd do," said Ontario Autism Coalition co-founder Susan Fentie of Bright's Grove.
Fentie said before Dalton McGuinty was elected in 2003 he promised the parents of autistic children that he would cut wait lists for treatment for the brain disorder. Fentie said the wait lists remain long and the government has been slow to act on dealing with the issue of treatment in schools.
The Liberal campaign platform for this election includes provisions to cut the wait for Intensive Behavoural Intervention (IBI) and have it instituted in schools to help treat children.
"He's promised this before," said Dan Fentie, also a co-founder of the coalition. "We had it in writing. We're not going to be fooled again."
The protesters will be accompanied by eight "McGuintios", life-size models of Premier Dalton McGuinty adorned with a broom-handle nose. The coalition has raised the ire of the government with the caricatures which liken the premier to the wooden puppet Pinocchio. "It would cost every taxpayer $7.50 a year to cut the wait lists and put IBI in the schools," Susan Fentie said. "It's important they know the facts."
The group will also be accompanied by a TVOntario film crew who are working on a documentary about the effects of autism on families. Local parents are welcome to offer their experiences, said Fentie.
"Autism can take a terrible toll on families," she said. "It's been hard on mine."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Star
All autistic kids would get free 1-on-1 care: Hampton

Says NDP would soon end 900-child waiting list, but Liberals claim problem goes beyond funding
Sep 16, 2007 04:30 AM
Sean Patrick Sullivan
Canadian Press

The thorny issue of public funding for treatment of children with autism leapt into the Ontario election campaign yesterday, as the New Democrats announced a proposal to provide blanket therapy for all children who need it right in their classrooms – a strategy the Liberals say is unsustainable.
An NDP government would provide publicly funded Intensive Behavioural Intervention – a very expensive, one-on-one treatment – in classrooms for all autistic children, leader Howard Hampton said in Bradford .
Hampton said he would clear the current waiting list of 900 children within three years. About 1,400 kids are funded for the IBI treatment; many other families pay out of pocket.
"With our Ontario autism strategy, a child who qualifies for IBI treatment will benefit from the day they qualify," he said.
"No more long waiting lists, no longer the need for families to mortgage or sell their homes to pay for their children's therapy."
But, in an interview, Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers said the issue can't be solved by tossing money around.
"There simply aren't enough autism support providers in Ontario to provide one-on-one treatment with every child who needs it," she said.
The Liberal government has been working to hire more specialists and establish and expand college training programs for therapists, Chambers said, noting that spending on autism has tripled since the party took power in 2003.
Also yesterday, Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory made overtures to the so-called 905 region by pledging up to $200 million annually for health care by 2012.
Tory says Toronto 's ballooning outer layer is underserviced and has been neglected by the Liberal government for years.
"Dalton McGuinty has refused to acknowledge the pressures faced by Ontario 's fastest-growing communities, and as a result, residents are being forced to seek treatments outside their own communities," he said at Oshawa 's Lakeridge Hospital .
"McGuinty has allowed funding to fall behind population growth and needs in this region," Tory said.
On another issue, the premier said yesterday he won't roll back tuition but will instead give post-secondary students an up-front tax credit at the start of the school year.
Speaking to some 300 young Liberals, McGuinty also vowed to increase the number of apprenticeship programs by 25 per cent.
He promised to work with Ottawa to extend the grace period graduates have before they must start paying back their student loans.
McGuinty hopes to increase it from six months to one year, giving students more time to establish themselves professionally before having to make payments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------






NDP vows funding for all children with autism; Liberals say more

> therapists needed (Elxn-Ont-Main)

> By Sean Patrick Sullivan

>

> TORONTO (CP) _ The thorny issue of public funding for treatment

> of children with autism leapt into the Ontario election campaign

> Saturday, as the New Democrats announced a proposal to provide

> blanket therapy for all children who need it right in their

> classrooms _ a strategy the
Liberals say is unsustainable.

>

> An NDP government would provide publicly funded Intensive

> Behavioural Intervention _ a very expensive, one-on-one treatment _

> in classrooms for all autistic children, Leader Howard Hampton said

> during a campaign stop.

>

> Speaking at a park in a suburb north of Toronto , Hampton said he

> would clear the waiting list that 900 children currently are on

> within three years. About 1,400 kids are funded for the IBI

> treatment; many other families pay out of
pocket.

>

> ``With our Ontario autism strategy, a child who qualifies for IBI

> treatment will benefit from the day they qualify,'' he said.

>

> ``No more long waiting lists, no longer the need for families to

> mortgage or sell their homes to pay for their children's therapy.''

>

> But, in an interview, **>Children and Youth Services Minister<**

**>Mary

> Anne Chambers<** said the issue can't be solved by tossing money

> around.

>

> ``There simply
aren't enough autism support providers in Ontario

> to provide one-on-one treatment with every child who needs it,'' she

> said.

>

> The Liberal government has been working to hire more specialists

> and establish and expand college training programs for therapists,

> Chambers said, noting that spending on autism has tripled since the

> party took power in 2003.

>

> Sorting out what to do about funding for treatment for children

> with autism has been a sticky issue for the Liberal government.

>

>
Critics have said the Liberals haven't done enough to help

> parents cover the costs, yet the government spent $2.4 million over

> seven years _ including several under Progressive Conservative rule

> _ to fight parents suing for treatment for kids over six.

>

> Before July 2005, autism treatment was extended only to children

> under the age of six. The change was the result of a campaign

> promise by Premier Dalton McGuinty in 2003.

>

> While schools are required to provide a broad range of Applied

> Behavioural Analysis therapies, the decision on whether to allow IBI

> currently remains at the
discretion of school boards and principals.

>

> Parents gave a mixed reaction to the NDP policy announcement,

> stressing they are tired of the politics being played and want only

> whatever is best for their children.

>

> Mary Turner of Bradford, Ont., has three children with autism

> whom she wishes could receive treatment in the classroom.

>

> ``My school is fantastic with my kids, and they would love to

> help them more, but the funding just isn't there,'' Turner said.

>

> ``It would be nice if the politics and policies weren't
there,

> and they were looking after the best interests of the kids, and we

> could actually get my private therapist into the school to help the

> school staff,'' she said.

>

> Turner said she needs to pull her daughter out of school to get

> the 20 hours of treatment the government allows. ``We can't do that

> and have her still be a child,'' she said.

>

> Cindy DeCarlo, the mother of a five-year-old autistic boy and

> co-founder of the Alliance for Families with Autism, said while

> she's pleased by the attention being given to autism, she
is

> concerned about having an adequate infrastructure to support the

> children and therapists.

>

> It's encouraging that the three main political parties are

> considering the needs of families touched by autism, but parents

> shouldn't be given false hope, she said.

>

> ``Regardless of who gets elected, there's a lot of work to be

> done and it's not going to be a Band-Aid solution,'' she said.

>

> Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory released an autism

> policy in February, saying his party would clear the wait list for

>
children under six, continue support for school-age children, and

> provide a variety of funding and service options to parents.

>

> The Conservative policy would cost an additional $75 million

> annually. The NDP policy would require an additional $100 million

> each year on top of the $116 million the government now spends.

>

> Hampton 's announcement was timed to coincide with a provincewide

> Day of Action for children with autism, sponsored by the

> non-partisan Ontario Autism Coalition.

>

> Co-founder Laura Kirby-McIntosh, who has
a seven-year-old son

> with autism, said her group held rallies in six cities to raise

> awareness and make sure autism is on the political agenda.

>

> ``We're hoping that by visiting so many Liberal offices today

> we'll provoke a response out of them,'' she said.

>

> The coalition, one of several broad-based autism groups in the

> province, is calling for an end to the wait list, a framework to

> bring IBI therapists into schools, and a formal accreditation system

> for therapists, Kirby-McIntosh said.

>

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