Autism News Articles for June 15-18th 2007

Autism News Mailings

June 16th – 18th 2007


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MEDIA RELEASE
June 18, 2007

Martel fights McGuinty’s attempt to hide autism court costs

Queen’s Park – NDP MPP Shelley Martel says Dalton McGuinty should stop fighting MPPs in court and immediately tell the public how much money he’s squandered on lawyers instead of providing IBI therapy to children with autism.

“The public has a right to know how much money the McGuinty Liberals have spent fighting children with autism and their parents in court. The money that has been spent by the McGuinty government fighting these families should have been spent providing Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) therapy to their children who have autism as promised,” said Martel.

Martel made her remarks before attending the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to watch Attorney General Michael Bryant’s lawyers continue their three year fight against her and against the Information and Privacy Commission.

In May 2004, Martel filed a Freedom of Information request with several Ministries asking for the government’s legal costs to fight families with autism in the Deskin/Wynberg case.

In February 2007, after almost three years of McGuinty government stonewalling, Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner ordered the McGuinty Liberals to release the total cost of all legal fees incurred with the Deskin/Wynberg case. However, the government balked at this decision. Attorney General Michael Bryant instructed his lawyers to commence legal action against Martel and the Privacy Commissioner.

“I intend to stand up for the children with autism that Dalton McGuinty has let down. The McGuinty Liberals have wasted public money on lawyers instead of providing IBI therapy to children with autism,” Martel said.

– 30 –

Media Inquiries: Dan O’Brien (416) 325-2507

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20070618/autism_lawsuit_070618/20070618?hub=TorontoHome

Ontario must reveal cost of autism lawsuit: NDP
Canadian Press
TORONTO — The Ontario government's willingness to go to court rather than reveal how much it spent on fighting an autism treatment lawsuit shows it cares less about children and more about covering its tracks, opposition critic Shelley Martel said Monday.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice heard arguments Monday about a request under the province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to reveal how much the government spent defending a lawsuit filed by parents of autistic children.
The government doesn't want to reveal how much it spent on legal fees, when that money - perhaps as much as $1.5 million - could have helped so many kids instead, Martel, a New Democrat, said outside the court.
"The public has a right to know how much money the McGuinty Liberals have spent fighting children with autism and their parents in court,'' Martel said.
Ontario's information and privacy commissioner ordered that the total cost be released earlier this year, but the government launched a court challenge of that decision.
On Monday, Crown lawyers argued those fees fall under solicitor-client privilege and shouldn't be disclosed. They told the court that disclosing the fee would set a precedent that would apply to all lawyers and their clients across the province.
The Crown also said individual fees are spread across some 2,000 pages of documents, and pulling out a single total figure would not be simple.
The core issue of the lawsuit was access to specialized treatment in school for autistic children, which can cost from $30,000 to $80,000 per child each year.
Families who say they've spent their savings and taken extra jobs to pay for the treatment filed suit in 2004, alleging the government failed the children by not providing access to the treatment in school.

Canadian Press
Proceedings to start over gov't legal bills in autism case
Provided by: Canadian Press
Jun. 18, 2007
TORONTO (CP) - The Ontario government's willingness to go to court rather than reveal how much it spent on fighting an autism treatment lawsuit shows it cares less about children and more about covering its tracks, opposition critic Shelley Martel said Monday.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice heard arguments Monday about a request under the province's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to reveal how much the government spent defending a lawsuit filed by parents of autistic children.
The government doesn't want to reveal how much it spent on legal fees, when that money - perhaps as much as $1.5 million-could have helped so many kids instead, Martel, a New Democrat, said outside the court.
Ad

"The public has a right to know how much money the McGuinty Liberals have spent fighting children with autism and their parents in court," Martel said.
Ontario's information and privacy commissioner ordered that the total cost be released earlier this year, but the government launched a court challenge of that decision.
On Monday, Crown lawyers argued those fees fall under solicitor-client privilege and shouldn't be disclosed. They told the court that disclosing the fee would set a precedent that would apply to all lawyers and their clients across the province.
The Crown also said individual fees are spread across some 2,000 pages of documents, and pulling out a single total figure would not be simple. …..
This was published by the paper and will further be clarified by a listmate:
The core issue of the lawsuit was access to specialized treatment in school for autistic children, which can cost from $30,000 to $80,000 per child each year.
Families who say they've spent their savings and taken extra jobs to pay for the treatment filed suit in 2004, alleging the government failed the children by not providing access to the treatment in school.

Ont. to defend secrecy around autism case costs
Last Updated: Monday, June 18, 2007 | 9:47 AM ET
CBC News
The province of Ontario goes to court on Monday in its fight to keep secret the amount of money it spent fighting against increased coverage for a costly autism treatment.
The Attorney General's Office is challenging an order from the privacy commissioner to reveal how much it spent on lawyers to fend off demands that the government fund intensive behavioural intervention (IBI) treatment for children past the age of six.
Ontario's Court of Appeal ruled in 2006 that the province does not have to pay for treatment past that point. The government had appealed an earlier ruling in favour of a group of parents.
The families said they were spending their savings and taking extra jobs to pay for the treatment and argued it should be covered by the province.
Attorney General Michael Bryant has refused to reveal what the case cost, citing lawyer-client confidentiality.
But the government has no right to keep the legal costs of the case a secret, said assistant information commissioner Brian Beamish.
"Disclosure is desirable for the purposes of transparency and accountability. It's public funds and the public should have a right to know," said Beamish.
New Democrat MPP Shelley Martel, who has spent three years trying to find out the cost of the case, says she thinks the legal bill is being kept secret because it is embarrassingly high. She estimates the cost could be more than $1.5 million.
"I think the general public would be appalled because they would really see this as squandering their dollars, instead of providing the treatment these kids so desperately needed," said Martel.



Request from a listmate:
Hello friends at ASO (from Yvette Fiala):

Can you pls send this to general distribution, to your friends, co-workers, family? This concerns every resident of Durham....
This is one of United Way's initiatives (not a petition, more like a campaign) - to put pressure on local government to give the 905 regions of Halton, Durham, Peel and York the same funding as they give to the rest of Ontario - health and social services. I wasn't aware of it myself, but PricewaterhouseCooper audit revealed that the high growth regions of GTA-suburbs (in other words US) get less $$ from the province (not population based funding!!!!). This means in practical terms that if you, as a resident of Durham, walk into a local hospital you get $260 per year LESS than a resident from e.g. Sudbury, or Windsor, ON.
All this electronic postcard campaign is asking is to give Durham/Peel/York and Halton the same money as the rest of Ontarians are lucky to receive. Pls click on the postcard picture on the left side of home page of this website 'strongcommunitiescoalition.org'. (Or, if you are forwarding and know how to cut/paste the first part of their home page in here, even better - to make it easier on everybody). Thank you.
http://www.strongcommunitiescoalition.org/

Yvette Fiala

Autistic court fight has `squandered' cash: Martel
Jun 18, 2007 03:44 PM
Tracey Tyler
LEGAL AFFAIRS REPORTER

An MPP wants to know how much the government has "squandered" on legal fees instead of providing treatment for autistic children.
NDP health critic Shelley Martel won the first round of her battle earlier this year.
That's when Ontario's information and privacy commissioner ordered the province to disclose the total dollar figures spent on fighting two civil lawsuits brought on behalf of 30 autistic childrenin the province.
Lawyers for the province are before the Divisional Court today appealing that decision.
The Star.com

From a Listmate:

"Treatments by province"
The availability and access of treatment programs for children with
autism spectrum disorders varies widely across Canada. Depending on family
income, proximity to treatment centres and the efforts of their family
physicians, autistic children can receive different levels of help and
their outcomes can vary.






"Make way for the CEOs of summer"
Dale Stern, 25, has tapped a niche market with his garage-refurbishment
business

Check out the one about Under the Umbrella
Tree

"Being Gabriel"
Some books speak to you before you open them: a title, an image, an
author, a blurb. Sometimes, this turns out to be a lovely bit of
serendipity. Sometimes, the promise comes to naught. But at least you might come
to a book that would otherwise pass you by.





Liberal candidate hopes to enlist teachers in election
By NICK GARDINER
Staff Writer
A Westport teacher and special education consultant will carry the Liberal banner for Leeds-Grenville into the provincial election this fall.
Lori Bryden, a wife and mother of a teenaged daughter, was acclaimed Liberal candidate before about 45 party supporters at Thursday's nomination meeting at the Brockville fire hall.
Bryden said she hopes her rural roots and the accomplishments of Dalton McGuinty's Liberal government will break down Leeds-Grenville's traditional Progressive Conservative vote, which has sent Bob Runciman to Queen's Park through seven campaigns over 26 years.
"I think it's time for a change," a confident-sounding Bryden told The Recorder and Times after the 90-minute meeting.
"Leeds and Grenville is ready for a change and I think we'll deliver a change."
Runciman has typically won the rural polls in Leeds-Grenville and Bryden said she will use her country roots to try to stop him outside the urban areas.
She said she is familiar with rural sensibilities from growing up in Westport, where she still lives with husband Rick and daughter Mara, attending Rideau District High School in Elgin and teaching at small schools in Westport and Perth with both the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario and the Upper Canada District School Board.
Since 2005, Bryden has been a special education teacher with the Kingston-based Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and just last year she also joined St. Lawrence College as an instructor.
She said her contact with the teaching community provides a network of support she'll count on in an election campaign she is starting immediately.
To that point, her nomination by former Leeds-Grenville MP Jim Jordan was seconded by Marilies Rettig, east region president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, who feels Bryden will bring enthusiasm and commitment to her role as the Liberal standard-bearer.
Bryden said McGuinty and the Liberal government made education a cornerstone of their term in office and she feels confident of the support of both Catholic and public teachers.
"Teachers in general are extremely happy with the Liberal government," said Bryden.
She said more money has been put into special education, provincewide test scores and the number of graduates are higher and the dropout rate has fallen.
She said she has a special interest in autism as a special education consultant and feels McGuinty has made inroads there, too, by extending funding for autistic children beyond six years old.
Bryden said provincial spending on municipal infrastructure and improvements in health care that are putting more nurses in hospitals and attracting doctors will also win over local voters to the Liberal party.
Bryden recalled the first time she met Jordan as a Grade 7 student at St. Edward Catholic School in Westport when he was superintendent of Catholic education and how impressed she was that he had time to visit a small, rural school.
Last night, Jordan impressed her again when he spoke to the crowd about the 1987 provincial campaign when Jordan lost to Runciman by a mere 198 votes.
"We had a super campaign. We have made it possible here to win," said Jordan, who noted the CBC declared him the winner before the rural polls came in and pushed Runciman over the top.
He said the riding has 201 polls and "if 100 Tories had voted Liberal or if we had won one more vote in each poll we would have had a victory rally."
Jordan said he is delighted the party has a woman candidate who is "young and vivacious and has the good looks that I didn't have.
"My advice is go and buy the best pair of walking shoes you can find and by the end of the campaign (they will be worn out and) you can throw them out. It's that kind of a riding."
Guest speaker Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont, Dundas and Charlottenburgh, said his riding and Leeds-Grenville are similar with a large rural population surrounding an urban centre that is Cornwall in his riding and Brockville here.
Brownell said he was impressed with Bryden the first time he saw her at a caucus retreat recently for candidates and prospective candidates.
He called her "dynamic and absolutely committed" and said "there is no doubt in my mind" she is an excellent candidate.
"I want Lori to be my seatmate at Queen's Park," said Brownell.
Steve Mazurek, Liberal candidate in Leeds-Grenville during the last provincial election, advised Bryden to "stick to the issues" during the campaign.
"My advice is to be yourself and work very hard and speak specifically about the issues. Voters in Leeds and Grenville don't go for personal attacks. Stick to the issues."
He said Bryden has an uphill battle but he believes she has a good grasp of rural issues and brings a "refreshing change" to the campaign as a female candidate.
Riding president Greg Best was also upbeat about Bryden's candidacy.
"I'm thrilled with the candidate we have. She is young and energetic and full of ideas," said Best.
"She seems to relate well to people from all different areas and backgrounds."
• Published in Section A, page 3 in the Friday, June 15, 2007 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.
http://newsfeed.recorder.ca/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=22768


Study to search for more answers on autism subject
(Very Interesting!)
- 14 Jun 2007
By McMaster University
Page 1 of 2
Not all children respond to IBI
A research study that may provide hope of finding an effective, alternative intervention for children with autism who do not respond to Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI), is being conducted under the leadership of McMaster University.
The study is designed to determine if participation in a functional behavioural skills program provided by therapists in one-on-one and group settings, and additional training for parents, will help those children who are not responding well to IBI.
While IBI is an effective treatment for many children with autism – a severe neurological disorder - it is extremely expensive and there are long waiting lists for the provincially funded programs. IBI for children at the severe end of the autism spectrum has been funded across Ontario since 2000. Recent research has shown that while many children improve, a substantial proportion of children in treatment do not make any significant gains in cognitive ability or behaviour, despite 20 to 40 hours weekly of therapy, at a cost of about $60,000 a year.
It is estimated that one in about 165 children in Canada is afflicted with some degree of autism spectrum disorder, which results in extreme difficulties in communicating, socializing and behaving, as well as severe developmental delays in some.
Jo-Ann Reitzel, Clinical Director of the Hamilton-Niagara Regional Autism Intervention Program at McMaster Children’s Hospital, and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, has received $150,000 from the Ontario Mental Health Foundation (OMHF) to conduct a two-year study of how young children with severe autism fare when provided with a psychosocial intervention based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). ABA involves a variety of methods for assessing children's behaviours and learning needs, and intervening with techniques to teach skills and behaviours.
Reitzel said the study is important as professionals have an obligation to find other methods for helping children with autism develop better communication, social and behavioural skills, and alleviate some of the extreme strain experienced by parents and other caregivers.
Study to search for more answers on autism subject
- 14 Jun 2007
By McMaster University
Page 2 of 2
“Some children simply don’t respond to IBI, and we need to find alternative treatment for those children,” she said. “Right now there is no clear indication in the (research) literature about ‘what next"’ What do we recommend for those children who aren’t helped by IBI"”
Her grant application was ranked first by the OMHF of 73 requests for funding of various projects. The research team includes Drs. Jane Summers and Peter Szatmari of McMaster University, and Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, formerly with McMaster.
The study will start this summer and last for two years, involving children in the Hamilton and Niagara areas who have been identified as candidates for IBI. For an eight-month period while the children are receiving IBI, some children who are not progressing will also receive functional behavioural skills training. Reitzel said the functional skills training will focus more specifically on helping the children practise basic day-to-day living skills such as eating, dressing, communicating and toileting.
IBI is a cognitive-based program, where intensive programming focuses on improving children's developmental outcomes by teaching thinking and language skills such as to understand instructions, to express themselves, to learn adaptive behaviour, social and play skills and to change their behaviours.
If the functional skills training based on ABA proves beneficial for some of the children with complex autism who don’t respond to IBI, not only will it be a treatment option in the best interests of the children, but it could mean more spots will become available in the IBI program for those more likely to benefit.
There are about 100 children in the Hamilton-Niagara area receiving IBI, and about 100 on the waiting list for the treatment.
IBI has been in the news extensively in recent months, as parents fight for greater government support of the treatment. They fought to have the treatment funded for children beyond the age of six, and most recently have been lobbying the government to allow the provision of IBI in the school setting.
While IBI is no longer automatically discontinued when a child turns six, the downside has been a substantial increase in waiting lists. Since 2004, the wait list for the therapy has burgeoned in Ontario to 1,200.
http://www.firstscience.com/home/news/medicine-and-health/study-to-search-for-more-answers-on-autism-subject-page-2-1_32594.html

Ont. government must reveal cost of autism treatment lawsuit, says NDP’s Martel
By MICHAEL OLIVEIRA
Monday, June 18, 2007


TORONTO (CP) - The Ontario government spent another day in court Monday arguing why its legal bill for fighting an autism treatment lawsuit should stay secret, which means even more money has been wasted on lawyers rather than helping kids, the opposition said.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice heard arguments about a request under the province’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to reveal how much the government spent defending against a lawsuit filed by parents of autistic children.

Ontario’s information and privacy commissioner had ordered that the total cost be released earlier this year, but the government launched a court challenge of that decision.

The government doesn’t want to reveal how much it spent on legal fees because that money - perhaps as much as $1.5 million-could have helped so many kids instead, said New Democrat Shelley Martel, who originally filed the request for information in 2004.

It’s particularly embarrassing for the government because Premier Dalton McGuinty broke a promise made in 2003 to make autism treatment widely available, she said.

"A great deal of money has been spent - squandered in my estimation - fighting these families, when if he had kept his promise, the families would have gotten the (treatment) that they needed and there wouldn’t have been a court case," she said.

Crown lawyers said the government’s legal bill is covered by solicitor-client privilege and shouldn’t be disclosed. They told the court that disclosing the fee would set a precedent that would apply to all lawyers and their clients across the province.

The concept of solicitor-client privilege is absolute and does not operate on a sliding scale depending on how the information would be used, said Crown attorney Kim Twohig.

Although Martel asked that the government only disclose a figure for total legal costs, and not any supplemental paperwork, the files are "privileged in their entirety," Twohig said.

But lawyers for Martel and Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian argued that legal costs don’t fall within the rules of solicitor-client privilege. Even if a figure could help determine how many hours lawyers worked on the case, or how much money was spent on expert witnesses, that’s not privileged information, said William Challis, who was representing Cavoukian.

"It might reveal if an expert was retained ... but what would that reveal about a solicitor-client relationship?" he asked.

A panel of three judges reserved their decision.

Martel also had the support of Conservative Leader John Tory, who appeared at the courthouse to show his solidarity for her case.

"I think this issue goes well beyond partisanship," Tory said.

"We have a member of the legislature here who is seeking information about the expenditure and use of public funds to fight citizens who are, frankly, just looking for some justice for their children with autism, and she is being stonewalled at every turn."

The core issue of the parent’s lawsuit, filed in 1999, was access to intensive autism therapy for children over the age of six. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which refused in April to hear the parents’ appeal.




Autism sufferers also need help
The Gazette
Published: Friday, June 15, 2007
Autism is the most common developmental disorder affecting children, with as many as one in 160 children struggling under its limitations. A neurological condition that can result in a wide spectrum of behaviours and problems, including difficulty communicating with others or with regular social interactions, its cause remains wrapped in mystery.
Autism is also, unfortunately for the children afflicted with it and for their families, one of the most expensive conditions to treat. There are families spending as much as $80,000 a year, Wendy Roberts, head of the autism research unit at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, told a Toronto newspaper.
Is this fair? Therapy exists that in some cases can make the difference between a life governed by a severe disorder and a life in which near-normalcy can be reached. Families of autistic children have sued to try to get government funding for therapy.
A group of 28 families in Ontario was rebuffed by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court likewise rejected in 2004 a suit by British Columbia families, ruling it is up to legislatures to determine the level of medical funding. Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin said: "What the public health system should provide ... is a matter for Parliament and the legislature."
So families are, understandably, trying to mobilize public opinion. This week, Canadian comedian Eugene Levy was drafted into service, telling the CBC "families with autistic kids have the same rights as everybody else. Treatment has to be covered the way it's covered for any other debilitating disease."
As tempting as it is to agree, it is not correct that all medical treatments, regardless of cost, are covered under medicare.
But if legislators and officials have made the heart-wrenching decision not to fund maximum treatment, they could at least put more money into research. Levy was right to criticize Canada's research shortfall.
Last year, prominent researcher Dr. Peter Szatmari said that since 2000 Canada has spent a mere $16 million researching autism. The United States, in contrast, plans to spend $200 million in one year to set up centres of excellence to study autism.
We now know that autism is far more prevalent than had been realized, so it makes sense that it become a research priority. If, as feared, it is becoming a near epidemic, there is added reason and, in fact, real urgency to making it a priority.
Senator Jim Munson, who is also lobbying on behalf of autistic children and their families, argued this week that not treating the disorder as well as we can costs the Canadian economy $3.5 billion a year, including group homes, respite care, and institutional care .
Nothing is sadder than having to choose between patients. Of course, parents will fight for their children. But it is up to legislatures to make the hard choices. That's what they're there for.
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=61ce2f17-a9e1-4cf4-b844-b40b1c3d8bc9
From a Listmate
CANADA.COM
Autism treatment helps

Sunday, June 17, 2007

In Quebec, parents of autistic children are left out in the cold. The government adamantly refuses to pay for treatment that it claims has not been proven 100 per cent to work.
How heartless and cruel to deny these parents, who already have so much on their plate. Child autism is on the rise, and they and their parents need help.
Some parents and grandparents say they have had to sell their homes and go into debt to give their autistic children/grandchildren early-intervention treatments, since Quebec refuses to pay. The earlier it's treated the better the results - often big, positive changes in children.
It's ironic that some in the U.S. envy Canada's medicare system. Now the shoe is on the other foot. A friend's grandson in New Jersey was diagnosed with autism at 20 months of age and she told me that the state, by law, has to provide - free - every available therapy to autistic children; everything from water exercises to speech therapy to ortho-therapy. The parents are already seeing big strides.
Penny Berns
Dollard des Ormeaux
Published Monday, June 18, 2007
Autism Debate Strains a Family and Its Charity

JANE GROSS and STEPHANIE STROM
A year after their grandson Christian received a diagnosis of autism in 2004, Bob Wright, then chairman of NBC/Universal, and his wife, Suzanne, founded Autism Speaks, a mega-charity dedicated to curing the dreaded neurological disorder that affects one of every 150 children in America today.

The Wrights’ venture was also an effort to end the internecine warfare in the world of autism — where some are convinced that the disorder is genetic and best treated with intensive therapy, and others blame preservatives in vaccinations and swear by supplements and diet to cleanse the body of heavy metals.

With its high-powered board, world-class scientific advisers and celebrity fund-raisers like Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Simon, the charity was a powerful voice, especially in Washington. It also made strides toward its goal of unity by merging with three existing autism organizations and raising millions of dollars for research into all potential causes and treatments. The Wrights call it the “big tent” approach.

But now the fissures in the autism community have made their way into the Wright family, where father and daughter are not speaking after a public battle over themes familiar to thousands of families with autistic children.

The Wrights’ daughter, Katie, the mother of Christian, says her parents have not given enough support to the people who believe, as she does, that the environment — specifically a synthetic mercury preservative in vaccines — is to blame. No major scientific studies have linked pediatric vaccination and autism, but many parents and their advocates persist, and a federal “vaccine court” is now reviewing nearly 4,000 such claims.

The Wright feud has played out in cyberspace and spilled into Autism Speaks, where those who disagree with Katie Wright’s views worry that she is setting its agenda. And the family intent on healing a fractured community has instead opened its old wounds and is itself riven.

The rift began in April when Katie put herself squarely on the side of “The Mercurys,” as that faction is known, on Oprah Winfrey, where she described how her talkative toddler turned unresponsive and out-of-control after his vaccines and only improved with unconventional, and untested, remedies.

In a Web interview with David Kirby, author of the controversial book, “Evidence of Harm: Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic,” Ms. Wright lashed out at the “old guard” scientists and pioneering autism families. If the old-timers are unable to let go of “failed strategies,” she said, they should “step aside” and let a new generation “have a chance to do something different with this money” that her parents’ charity was dispensing.

Complaints poured in from those who said Ms. Wright’s remarks were denigrating.

So, in early June, Bob and Suzanne Wright repudiated their daughter on the charity’s Web site. “Katie Wright is not a spokesperson” for the organization, the Wrights said in a brusque statement. Her “personal views differ from ours.” The Wrights also apologized to “valued volunteers” who had been disparaged. Told by friends how cold the rebuke sounded, Mrs. Wright belatedly added a line saying, “Katie is our daughter, and we love her very much.”

Ms. Wright called the statement a “character assassination.” She said she had not spoken to her father since. Ms. Wright continues to spend time with her mother, but said they had not discussed the situation.

“I totally respect if her feelings were hurt,” Mrs. Wright said. “But a lot of feelings were hurt. A lot.”

Now other autism families who hoped to put their differences aside are shouting at each other in cyberspace. “Our struggle is not and should not be against each other,” said Ilene Lainer, the mother of an autistic child and the executive director of the New York Center for Autism.

The big tent approach of Autism Speaks appealed to Mel Karmazin, chief executive of Sirius Radio and an early board member and contributor. “If you look at what projects Autism Speaks has funded, we are agnostic,” he said.

Mr. Karmazin, who also has an autistic grandson, added, “I never wanted to look my grandson in the eye and tell him I’m taking just one viewpoint or that I think it had to be genetic.”

Bob and Suzanne Wright are sympathetic to Katie’s plight, having witnessed Christian’s sudden regression and his many physical ailments, mostly gastrointestinal, which afflict many autistic children.

The boy did not respond to behavioral therapies, the Wrights said, leading to their daughter’s desperate search for anything that might help. “When you have that sense of hopelessness, and don’t see results, you do things that other people think is too risky,” Mr. Wright said. “The doctors say, ‘Wait for the science.’ But you don’t have time to wait for the science.”

The Wrights agreed to disagree with most of Katie’s views. But her public attack on other parents crossed a line, Mr. and Mrs. Wright said in separate telephone interviews.

“I know my daughter feels deeply that not enough is being done,” Mr. Wright said. “The larger issue is we want to be helpful to everyone, and to do that we need information, data, facts.”

Some in the traditional scientific community worry that Autism Speaks has let Ms. Wright’s experience shape its agenda. She scoffs at the notion. Her parents, she said in a telephone interview, are “courageous” and “trying very hard,” but have been slow to explore alternative approaches.

“You can say it and say it and say it,” she said. “Show me evidence that they’re actively researching vaccines.”

The Wright family’s fight has captured the attention of the bloggers, who are now questioning everything from its office lease to how it makes grants. The charity rebutted the bloggers’ accusations of improprieties in interviews with The New York Times, which examined its IRS forms and read relevant sections to Gerald A. Rosenberg, former head of the New York State attorney general’s charities bureau. He said nothing he reviewed was untoward.

The most distinctive aspect of Autism Speaks is its alliance with Autism Coalition for Research and Education, an advocacy group; the National Alliance for Autism Research, devoted to scientific research into potential genetic causes, with high standards for peer review; and Cure Autism Now, which has championed unconventional theories and therapies.

Which wing of the merged charity is ascendant? Some establishment scientists and parents now fear it is The Mercurys. They point to Cure Autism Now’s having more seats than the National Alliance does on the board of directors and the growing number of research projects that focus on environmental causes.

At a recent benefit gala, featuring Bill Cosby and Toni Braxton, some in the audience were surprised when Mr. Wright announced that all proceeds would go toward environmental research, which generally includes vaccines.

But a list of current research grants on the Autism Speaks Web site suggests that the Wrights, while walking a fine line, are leaning toward genetic theories.

From 2005 to 2007, the charity sponsored $11.5 million in grants for genetic research (compared with $5.9 million by all its partners between 1997 and 2004). It sponsored $4.4 million in environmental research (down from $6 million granted by the partners in the previous seven years). And many of the environmental studies explore what is known as the double-hit hypothesis: That the genes for autism may be activated in some children by exposure to mercury or other neuro-toxins.

Bob and Suzanne Wright say their two-year immersion into the world of autism has been an eye-opener, especially the heated arguments worthy of the Hatfields and McCoys.

Mrs. Wright is aware that the marriage of the Alliance and Cure Autism Now, for instance, could fall apart over opposing ideologies. “I’m not going to let it,” she said. “The truth will rise to the top.”

She is also aware that the rift in her own family needs repair: On Friday, her daughter posted a message on an autism Web site questioning their “personal denouncement of me.”

Yet Mrs. Wright is confident that “we’ll work our way through this.” Autism, she said “has done enough damage to my family. I’m not letting it do any more.”
http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20070618/ZNYT02/706180325/1020/FEATURES/ZNYT02/Autism_Debate_Strains_a_Family_and_Its_Charity


Include autism treatment under OHIP, critics urge

Steve Somerville
Stacey Hilkowitz with children Jordan and Samantha. “I’d love to see funding, even partial funding (for special autism therapy),†says Ms Hilkowitz. “I believe autism is a rising concern.â€
MORE STORIES

Regional News
Jun 16, 2007 07:39 PM
By: Michael Power
Stacey Hilkowitz is clear on whether specialized autism therapy should be covered under the country’s medicare system.

“It would be wonderful,†said the York Region resident, whose daughter Samantha, 7, and five-year-old son, Jordan, are autistic.

“I’d love to see funding, even partial funding. I believe autism is a rising concern.â€

Ms Hilkowitz isn’t alone in that view. Canadian actor and comedian Eugene Levy this week called on Ottawa to change the Canada Health Act to include autism treatment.

Mr. Levy made the comments in Toronto Wednesday as spokesperson for a national autism strategy.

He joined Senator Jim Munson and a group of parents of autistic children in saying Ottawa should formulate a national strategy. Alberta is currently the only province that covers the treatment.

Among the group’s suggestions for the strategy are:

• funding for university departments for applied behaviour analysis (ABA), which is specialized treatment for autism;

• recognition of certified ABA workers as health-care professionals;

• a system to license, certify and register those professionals.

With applied behaviour analysis, therapists teach children various tasks by leading them through it multiple times. The treatment costs between $30,000 and $80,000 per child, per year.

Another therapy used with autistic children, called intensive behavoural intervention or IBI, costs the same.

Ms Hilkowitz, who works as an education assistant, has been paying out-of-pocket for her children’s treatment. But her son Jordan, who has more pronounced autism characteristics than Samantha, has recently been moved to the top of the list for government-funded treatment.

“If it doesn’t happen for my kids, why not pave the way for other kids?†she said.

Treatment such as intensive behavoural intervention is, although effective, too expensive for most families to pay for without help, NDP autism critic Shelley Martel said.

And without an investment now the government will likely have to get involved later, she said.

Without adequate treatment while young, those with autism risk ending up in institutions such as group homes or even in the courts, she said.

COVER TREATMENT

“This treatment should be covered because it’s an effective, scientific-based treatment that works for many, many children with autism,†Ms Martel said. “But it’s very expensive and the overwhelming majority of families who need it can’t afford to pay for it out-of-pocket.â€

To include autism treatment under OHIP, the province would have to declare it “medically necessary,†she said. But the federal government must also provide support. “It’s a national problem,†she said. “It’s not just an Ontario problem.â€

The province has invested $150 million in autism programs since taking office, Thornhill MPP Mario Racco said. The Liberals also nixed an age limit on funding for applied behaviour treatment rather than cutting off funding at age six, he noted.

Ottawa should also play a role in making treatment a national service, he said.

“I think there’s merits for it,†said Mr. Racco, regarding the inclusion of autism treatment under OHIP. “We’ve done our share, but there’s more to be done.â€
York Region.com

THE ENVIRONMENT
Pollution, plastics affect boys more, group report says
Males more prone to asthma and learning disabilities, data show
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
ENVIRONMENT REPORTER
June 16, 2007
When it comes to many illnesses, boys are the weaker sex by far.
The incidence of asthma, autism, childhood cancer, learning disabilities and behavioural disorders, among others, is higher in boys, sometimes startlingly so. Autism, for instance, almost seems like a male preserve, with boys outnumbering girls four to one.
Why boys appear to be more vulnerable to a host of ailments is a major scientific puzzle, but a new report says part of the reason may be that males are more sensitive to pollution and many hormone-like chemicals widely used in consumer products ranging from computers to plastic water bottles.
"The issue of male vulnerability to environmental hazards is an emerging area of scientific research," said the report by the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment, a group funded in part by Environment Canada and backed by a number of major public health and environmental organizations.
Print Edition - Section Front
The Globe and mail.

From a Listmate:

Chronicles of Coping; Parents of autistic children speak out
The Montreal Gazette

Jun 16, 2007

Page: J7
Section: Weekend: Books
Edition: Final
Byline: JOEL YANOFSKY


The future is what you are given when you have a child. When my son was
born eight years ago, I happily became a cliche. On our first Father's
Day, we played catch - an admittedly one-sided game.

When you find out your child is autistic, as my wife and I did five
years ago, it's not exactly the future that's taken away, but your
second-nature sense of it, your naive trust in its blessed
ordinariness.


The Elephant in the Playroom is a new anthology written by the parents
of special-needs children; it describes what it's like to have a child
who's nothing at all like you expected.

The book, as editor Denise Brodey explains, has no how-to tips or
expert
advice to impart. This is deliberate and makes sense. Almost all the
essays in The Elephant in the Playroom deal with some kind of
developmental delay. In these situations, parents are the real experts,
the 24/7 kind. They understand the desperation and isolation and
hard-earned triumphs of their circumstances in a way no one else can.

The first psychiatrist to evaluate our son sent us out of his office
with a pep talk. He compared our situation to planning a trip to Italy
and ending up in Holland. Of course, we were disappointed, he said - no
Sistine Chapel, no Trevi Fountain - but we'd adjust.

The analogy is shaky. Holland has windmills and tulips; Holland is
fine.
Autism isn't another country; it's another planet.

It's no coincidence that personal writing about autism has boomed
recently; so has autism. In Strange Son, Portia Iverson learns the bad
news about her son Dov and immediately finds herself immersed in a
world
of startling statistics. Like the fact that autism affects one in 150
children (one in about 90 boys). And that autism receives a fraction of
the funding that goes to other childhood disabilities and diseases.

While advocating for Dov, Iverson learns about an Indian woman, Soma
Mukhopadhyay, and her son, Tito. Tito, 13, is nonverbal, unsocialized
and appears completely disconnected from the world.

But thanks to the unorthodox methods of his indefatigable mother, Tito
demonstrates that he not only has a mind, but an extraordinarily
sophisticated one. He has an IQ of 185, writes poems and, using an
alphabet board, is an eloquent and poignant witness to "the state of
total chaos" in which he exists.

Iverson brings Soma and Tito to Los Angeles, convinced Tito is autism's
Rosetta Stone, the Helen Keller of the disorder. Strange Son is the
story of the often inspiring, often frustrating relationship between
these two afflicted families.

Iverson, a Hollywood art director, begins with a star-struck belief in
the ability of big-name scientists to help her son, a belief that is
tested. Autism remains stubbornly, heartbreakingly enigmatic. Soma,
meanwhile, does the best she can for Tito and Dov.

In Strange Son, Iverson admits that she has "not awakened to an
ordinary
day since her son's diagnosis," and it's true: no one does. But that
only makes Norwegian writer Halfdan W. Freihow, in Dear Gabriel: Letter
from a Father, more determined to cherish the occasional normal moments
he has with his 7-year-old son.

Autism is not one disorder; it's a broad spectrum of developmental
delays and Gabriel, unlike Dov and Tito, attends a regular school,
speaks, and engages with his family. The result is, in Freihow's words,
a mix of "what is good, and what is difficult."

Life with autism is life out of proportion. There is, for instance, the
extraordinary stress of anticipating Gabriel's meltdown at a family
party. There's also the feeling of triumph when an infrequent play-date
goes better than anticipated.

Most of all, Dear Gabriel is Freihow's loving, valiant effort to
explain
his son to himself. "You yourself are ... a paradox, complex and
unpredictable and challenging, never boring, never monotonous, and
never
easy to fathom," Freihow writes, "You're simply a whole language,
Gabriel."

Just how intricate that language can be is evident in Daniel Tammet's
Born on a Blue Day. Tammet has Asperger's syndrome (a high-functioning
form of autism) and is a mathematical and linguistic savant.

His uncanny ability to learn Icelandic in a week, an achievement
featured in the BBC documentary Brainman, has made him a local and
international celebrity. He's appeared on the Letterman show and 60
Minutes.

Born on a Blue Day is an account of autism told from the inside out.
And
while there's evidence of the special and curious nature of Tammet's
mind on every page, what's most touching about this story is its
author's humanity - his ordinary desire to be accepted and understood,
to be independent and have a future.

All these books can be troubling to read; so much is at stake. But
they're also chronicles of coping, heroic dispatches from a tough
frontier.

My son is in a home ABA program (Applied Behavioural Analysis) and is
finishing Grade 2 at a regular school. He's an intelligent, endearing
boy. And while he isn't that keen on playing catch, he's a better
hitter
than his old man ever was.

Still, things other parents take for granted in their children - like
making conversation or friends - remain a challenge. We work at them
like we work at everything - constantly, painstakingly, with more
patience and hope some days than others.

And what do my son and I have planned for this Father's Day? Nothing
out
of the ordinary, at least that's my most fervent hope.

The Elephant in the Playroom: Ordinary Parents Write Intimately and
Honestly About the Extraordinary Highs and Heartbreaking Lows of
Raising
Kids with Special Needs, edited by Denise Brodey, Hudson Street Press,
235 pages, $27.50.

Strange Son: Two Mothers, Two Sons, and the Quest to Unlock the Hidden
World of Autism, by Portia Iverson, Riverhead Books, 397 pages, $31.

Dear Gabriel: Letter from a Father, by Halfdan W. Freihow, translated
by
Robert Ferguson, Anansi, 185 pages, $24.95.

Born on a Blue Day: A Memoir of Asperger's and an Extraordinary Mind,
by
Daniel Tammet, Hodder & Stoughton, 242 pages, $29.95.

Joel Yanofsky is at work on Solace, a book about parenthood, autism and
literature.
_______________________________
Autism treatment helps
The Montreal Gazette

Jun 17, 2007
Page: A14
Section: Editorial / Op-Ed
Edition: Final
Byline: Penny Berns


In Quebec, parents of autistic children are left out in the cold. The
government adamantly refuses to pay for treatment that it claims has
not
been proven 100 per cent to work.

How heartless and cruel to deny these parents, who already have so much
on their plate. Child autism is on the rise, and they and their parents
need help.

Some parents and grandparents say they have had to sell their homes and
go into debt to give their autistic children/grandchildren
early-intervention treatments, since Quebec refuses to pay. The earlier
it's treated the better the results - often big, positive changes in
children.

It's ironic that some in the U.S. envy Canada's medicare system. Now
the
shoe is on the other foot. A friend's grandson in New Jersey was
diagnosed with autism at 20 months of age and she told me that the
state, by law, has to provide - free - every available therapy to
autistic children; everything from water exercises to speech therapy to
ortho-therapy. The parents are already seeing big strides.

Penny Berns

Dollard des Ormeaux
_______________________________
Autism needs funding
The Montreal Gazette
Jun 18, 2007

Page: A18
Section: Editorial / Op-Ed
Edition: Final


Your editorial, "Autism sufferers also need help," (June 15) could not
have been more timely and is much appreciated. As you note, the Supreme
Court has put the ball in Parliament's court concerning funding.

It is worth noting that recently, in South Carolina, the state House
and
Senate overrode the governor's veto against requiring insurers to
provide coverage for autism therapy to affected children up to age 16.

While we Canadians rightly congratulate ourselves on our humane
medicare
system, the autism issue puts us to shame.

The personal devastation of caring for an autistic child should not be
compounded by financial ruin. We rarely question the enormous sums
spent
to prolong the life of a dying person by months, sometimes years.
Surely, autism should benefit from similar concern.

Shelley Corrin

Notre Dame de Grace
_________________________
Make autism research a priority
Toronto Star

Jun 18, 2007

Page: AA06
Section: Editorial
Edition: Ont


Autism is the most common developmental disorder affecting children,
with as many as one in 160 children struggling under its limitations. A
neurological condition that can result in a wide spectrum of behaviours
and problems, its cause remains wrapped in mystery.

Autism is also, unfortunately for the children afflicted with it and
for
their families, one of the most expensive conditions to treat. There
are
families spending as much as $80,000 a year, Wendy Roberts, head of the
autism research unit at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, told a
Toronto newspaper.

Is this fair? Therapy exists that in some cases can make the difference
between a life governed by a severe disorder and a life in which
near-normalcy can be reached. Families of autistic children have sued
to
try to get government funding for therapy.

A group of 28 families in Ontario was rebuffed by the Supreme Court of
Canada. The Supreme Court likewise rejected in 2004 a suit by British
Columbia families, ruling it is up to legislatures to determine the
level of medical funding.

So families are, understandably, trying to mobilize public opinion.
This
week, Canadian comedian Eugene Levy was drafted into service, telling
the CBC "families with autistic kids have the same rights as everybody
else. Treatment has to be covered the way it's covered for any other
debilitating disease."

As tempting as it is to agree, it is not correct that all medical
treatments, regardless of cost, are covered under medicare.

But if legislators and officials have made the heart-wrenching decision
not to fund maximum treatment, they could at least put more money into
research. Levy was right to criticize Canada's research shortfall.

Last year, prominent researcher Dr. Peter Szatmari said that since 2000
Canada has spent a mere $16 million researching autism. The United
States, in contrast, plans to spend $200 million in one year to set up
centres of excellence to study autism.

Senator Jim Munson argued this week that not treating the disorder as
well as we can costs the Canadian economy $3.5 billion a year,
including
group homes, respite care, and institutional care.

Nothing is sadder than having to choose between patients. Of course,
parents will fight for their children.

But it is up to legislatures to make the hard choices. That's what
they're there for.

This is an edited version of an editorial in The Gazette, Montreal,
Friday.
____________________________
Debate Over Cause of Autism Strains a Family and Its Charity
New York Times
Jun 18, 2007

Byline: By JANE GROSS and STEPHANIE STROM

Section: National Desk; SECTA

Page: 1

A year after their grandson Christian received a diagnosis of autism in
2004, Bob Wright, then chairman of NBC/Universal, and his wife,
Suzanne,
founded Autism Speaks, a mega-charity dedicated to curing the dreaded
neurological disorder that affects one of every 150 children in America
today.

The Wrights' venture was also an effort to end the internecine warfare
in the world of autism -- where some are convinced that the disorder is
genetic and best treated with intensive therapy, and others blame
preservatives in vaccinations and swear by supplements and diet to
cleanse the body of heavy metals.

With its high-powered board, world-class scientific advisers and
celebrity fund-raisers like Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Simon, the charity
was a powerful voice, especially in Washington. It also made strides
toward its goal of unity by merging with three existing autism
organizations and raising millions of dollars for research into all
potential causes and treatments. The Wrights call it the ''big tent''
approach.

But now the fissures in the autism community have made their way into
the Wright family, where father and daughter are not speaking after a
public battle over themes familiar to thousands of families with
autistic children.

The Wrights' daughter, Katie, the mother of Christian, says her parents
have not given enough support to the people who believe, as she does,
that the environment -- specifically a synthetic mercury preservative
in
vaccines -- is to blame. No major scientific studies have linked
pediatric vaccination and autism, but many parents and their advocates
persist, and a federal ''vaccine court'' is now reviewing nearly 4,000
such claims.

The Wright feud has played out in cyberspace and spilled into Autism
Speaks, where those who disagree with Katie Wright's views worry that
she is setting its agenda. And the family intent on healing a fractured
community has instead opened its old wounds and is itself riven.

The rift began in April when Katie put herself squarely on the side of
''The Mercurys,'' as that faction is known, on Oprah Winfrey, where she
described how her talkative toddler turned unresponsive and
out-of-control after his vaccines and only improved with
unconventional,
and untested, remedies.

In a Web interview with David Kirby, author of the controversial book,
''Evidence of Harm: Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic,'' Ms.
Wright lashed out at the ''old guard'' scientists and pioneering autism
families. If the old-timers are unable to let go of ''failed
strategies,'' she said, they should ''step aside'' and let a new
generation ''have a chance to do something different with this money''
that her parents' charity was dispensing.

Complaints poured in from those who said Ms. Wright's remarks were
denigrating.

So, in early June, Bob and Suzanne Wright repudiated their daughter on
the charity's Web site. ''Katie Wright is not a spokesperson'' for the
organization, the Wrights said in a brusque statement. Her ''personal
views differ from ours.'' The Wrights also apologized to ''valued
volunteers'' who had been disparaged. Told by friends how cold the
rebuke sounded, Mrs. Wright belatedly added a line saying, ''Katie is
our daughter, and we love her very much.''

Ms. Wright called the statement a ''character assassination.'' She said
she had not spoken to her father since. Ms. Wright continues to spend
time with her mother, but said they had not discussed the situation.

''I totally respect if her feelings were hurt,'' Mrs. Wright said.
''But
a lot of feelings were hurt. A lot.''

Now other autism families who hoped to put their differences aside are
shouting at each other in cyberspace. ''Our struggle is not and should
not be against each other,'' said Ilene Lainer, the mother of an
autistic child and the executive director of the New York Center for
Autism.

The big tent approach of Autism Speaks appealed to Mel Karmazin, chief
executive of Sirius Radio and an early board member and contributor.
''If you look at what projects Autism Speaks has funded, we are
agnostic,'' he said.

Mr. Karmazin, who also has an autistic grandson, added, ''I never
wanted
to look my grandson in the eye and tell him I'm taking just one
viewpoint or that I think it had to be genetic.''

Bob and Suzanne Wright are sympathetic to Katie's plight, having
witnessed Christian's sudden regression and his many physical ailments,
mostly gastrointestinal, which afflict many autistic children.

The boy did not respond to behavioral therapies, the Wrights said,
leading to their daughter's desperate search for anything that might
help. ''When you have that sense of hopelessness, and don't see
results,
you do things that other people think is too risky,'' Mr. Wright said.
''The doctors say, 'Wait for the science.' But you don't have time to
wait for the science.''

The Wrights agreed to disagree with most of Katie's views. But her
public attack on other parents crossed a line, Mr. and Mrs. Wright said
in separate telephone interviews.

''I know my daughter feels deeply that not enough is being done,'' Mr.
Wright said. ''The larger issue is we want to be helpful to everyone,
and to do that we need information, data, facts.''

Some in the traditional scientific community worry that Autism Speaks
has let Ms. Wright's experience shape its agenda. She scoffs at the
notion. Her parents, she said in a telephone interview, are
''courageous'' and ''trying very hard,'' but have been slow to explore
alternative approaches.

''You can say it and say it and say it,'' she said. ''Show me evidence
that they're actively researching vaccines.''

The Wright family's fight has captured the attention of the bloggers,
who are now questioning everything from its office lease to how it
makes
grants. The charity rebutted the bloggers' accusations of improprieties
in interviews with The New York Times, which examined its IRS forms and
read relevant sections to Gerald A. Rosenberg, former head of the New
York State attorney general's charities bureau. He said nothing he
reviewed was untoward.

The most distinctive aspect of Autism Speaks is its alliance with
Autism
Coalition for Research and Education, an advocacy group; the National
Alliance for Autism Research, devoted to scientific research into
potential genetic causes, with high standards for peer review; and Cure
Autis
m Now, which
has championed unconventional theories and therapies.


Which wing of the merged charity is ascendant? Some establishment
scientists and parents now fear it is The Mercurys. They point to Cure
Autism Now's having more seats than the National Alliance does on the
board of directors and the growing number of research projects that
focus on environmental causes.

At a recent benefit gala, featuring Bill Cosby and Toni Braxton, some
in
the audience were surprised when Mr. Wright announced that all proceeds
would go toward environmental research, which generally includes
vaccines.

But a list of current research grants on the Autism Speaks Web site
suggests that the Wrights, while walking a fine line, are leaning
toward
genetic theories.

From 2005 to 2007, the charity sponsored $11.5 million in grants for
genetic research (compared with $5.9 million by all its partners
between
1997 and 2004). It sponsored $4.4 million in environmental research
(down from $6 million granted by the partners in the previous seven
years). And many of the environmental studies explore what is known as
the double-hit hypothesis: That the genes for autism may be activated
in
some children by exposure to mercury or other neuro-toxins.

Bob and Suzanne Wright say their two-year immersion into the world of
autism has been an eye-opener, especially the heated arguments worthy
of
the Hatfields and McCoys.

Mrs. Wright is aware that the marriage of the Alliance and Cure Autism
Now, for instance, could fall apart over opposing ideologies. ''I'm not
going to let it,'' she said. ''The truth will rise to the top.''

She is also aware that the rift in her own family needs repair: On
Friday, her daughter posted a message on an autism Web site questioning
their ''personal denouncement of me.''

Yet Mrs. Wright is confident that ''we'll work our way through this.''
Autism, she said ''has done enough damage to my family. I'm not letting
it do any more.''

Photos: Katie Wright and her son Christian, who is autistic, appear in
the documentary film ''Autism Every Day,'' financed by the charity
Autism Speaks. (Photo by Cary Hazlegrove for The New York Times)(pg.
A14); Bob Wright, Katie Wright and Suzanne Wright, founding family of
the charity A
utism
Speaks. (Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images)(pg. A1)
____________________________________
Court proceedings to start over government legal bills in autism case
(Autism-Lawsuit)
Canadian Press
Jun 18, 2007


TORONTO (CP) _ Court proceedings begin today aimed at forcing the
Ontario government to disclose how much it paid lawyers in an autism
treatment case.

The government has been told to disclose the amount paid, but Attorney
General Michael Bryant has refused, citing lawyer-client
confidentiality.

But New Democrat Shelley Martel says she thinks the legal bill is being
kept secret because it is embarrassingly high, possibly more than $1.5
million.

Some families with autistic children who filed a $1.25 billion lawsuit
against the Ontario government over legal costs scored a court victory
last week. A judge ruled they don't have to hand over $85,000 in legal
fees.

The core issue is the cost of specialized treatment in school for
autistic children, which can cost between $30,000 to $80,000 per child
each year.

Families who say they've spent their savings and taken extra jobs to
pay
for the treatment filed a lawsuit in 2004, alleging the government
failed the children by not providing access to the treatment in school.
(CBC-s)



End of Mailing for June 16-18 2007

Autism News Mailings for June 11-15, 2007

Autism News Mailings

June 11-15th 2007


Information Disclaimer.
The sender of these emails takes no responsibility for content, nor has any reason to endorse any one particular therapy be it medication or otherwise.
It is in the readers’ best interest to consult with their family physician or therapist to decide course of action in relation to these postings.

Use these mailouts at your discretion for information purposes only.

Thank you.
**********************************************************************

From A Listmate:
CJCH News (CTV Halifax) - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 17:00 (Local) - Segment #1

Jun 13, 2007
Announcer: TONIGHT "LIVE AT 5"; ....
Starr: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AUTISM. TONIGHT, WE'LL SPEAK TO ONE OF CANADA'S FAVORITE COMEDIC ACTORS ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT IN SPREADING AWARENESS, AND WE LOOK AT THIS STORY LOOKING AT CHALLENGES AND TREATMENTS.
Reporter: I'M PETER MALLETTE OUTSIDE OF THE IWK CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN HALIFAX, AND THERE'S A RENEWED CALL FOR NATIONAL STRATEGY ON AUTISM. TONIGHT ON "LIVE AT 5," WE'LL TALK TO THE PARENTS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO FIND OUT FROM THEM WHY THEY THINK A NATIONAL STRATEGY IS SO BADLY NEEDED.
_______________________
CJCH News (CTV Halifax) - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 17:00 (Local) - Segment #2

Jun 13, 2007 18:00
IT'S NOT JUST CONSIDERING EARLY CHILDHOOD OR EDUCATION. IT'S LOOKING AT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE FUTURE, AND PROVIDING WHATEVER SUPPORTS ARE NECESSARY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR LIFE.
AND IT'S A FILM THAT --
Reporter: HARVEY SAYS SHE'S ENCOURAGED THAT ACTOR EUGENE LEVY IS USING HIS STARR POWER TO PRESSURE OTTAWA ON A NATIONAL AUTISM STRATEGY.
HEY, I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL THAT HE'S STEPPING UP, AND USING HIS VOICE TO TRY AND HELP WITH THIS SITUATION. I'M INVITED ABOUT IT AND I HOPE THAT -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LISTEN.
Reporter: ESPECIALLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. BUT VICKY HARVEY SAYS A NATIONAL STRATEGY ON AUTISM JUST ISN'T OTTAWA'S RESPONSIBILITY. SHE SAYS THAT THE PROVINCE HAS TO BE AT THE TABLE. SO DO PARENTS, MEDICAL RESEARCHERS, AND ALL OF THE OTHER PROFESSIONALS ON THE HEALTH CARE TEAM.
Bruce: PETER, DOES ONE PARTICULAR PROVINCE SCORE ANY BETTER THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS?
Reporter: WELL, BRUCE, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALBERTA BOTH HAVE SOLID PLANS IN PLACE, AND MARITIME FAMILIES, MANY OF THEM ARE LOOKING WEST BECAUSE OF THAT, BUT IN NOVA SCOTIA, THE PROVINCE IS OFFERING A BRAND NEW LANGUAGE-BASED THERAPY PROGRAM FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 6, AND CALLED PIVOTAL RESPONSE THERAPY. SOME PARENTS SAY THEY HAVE SEEN POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE KIDS, AND WE'RE TOLD THERE'S A LONG WAITING LIST TO GET INTO THE PROGRAM, BRUCE.
Bruce: WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THAT. THANKS FOR THAT. CTV'S PETER MALLETTE REPORTING LIVE FROM HALIFAX. LET'S HEAD OVER TO STARR NOW.
Starr: WELL, AUTISM IS MORE COMMON THAN PEDIATRIC CANCER, DIABETES, AND AIDS COMBINED, AND YET THERE SEEMS NOT TO BE THE PUSH FOR THE AWARENESS AND FUNDS AND NO NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH AUTISM. ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF HELPING PARENTS COPING WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDENS ASSOCIATED WITH CARING FOR AN AUTISTIC CHILD. OUR NEXT GUEST IS LENDING HOW PROFILE HELP TO THE FIGHT FOR BETTER AWARENESS AND GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. YOU JUST SAW HIM IN PETER'S STORY. EUGENE LEVY IS BEST KNOWN FOR MAKING US LAUGH. HIS LONG CAREER ON THE BIG SCREEN AND TV HAS DELIGHTED AUDIENCES FOR YEARS. TONIGHT HIS MESSAGE IS A MUCH MORE SERIOUS ONE, AND JOINS US LIVE FROM DOWNTOWN TORONTO. HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "LIVE AT 5."
HEY, STARR, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
JUST GREAT. FIRST OF ALL, I GUESS WE SHOULD TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM.
WELL, IT WAS MY CAUSE SIN HERE IN TORONTO, BRENDA DESKIN WHO HAS A SON WHO HAS AUTISM, AND SHE CALLED ME A COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND ASKED IF I WOULD WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS FIGHT AND I SAID YES AND SINCE THEN, I; I'VE BECOME A BIT MORE EDUCATED ON THE ISSUE, AND REALIZE THIS IS DEFINITELY A FIGHT WORTH FIGHTING.
Starr: WERE YOU SURPRISED BY WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED, EUGENE?
YEAH. I JUST THINK IT'S JUST -- IT'S A TRAGEDY THAT SO MANY FAMILIES ARE GOING THROUGH WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. JUST TO GET SOME MUCH NEEDED TREATMENT FOR THEIR AUTISTIC KIDS AND -- AND THIS IS A -- UP UNTIL NOW, IT REALLY -- IT'S LIKE EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF, AND EVERY FAMILY IN DIFFERENT PROVINCES ARE KIND OF DOING WHATEVER THEY CAN TO TRY TO GET THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO TRY AND HELP OUT HERE AND TRY -- IT'S LIKE A SALES PITCH. THEY HAVE TO SELL THE FACT THAT THIS MONEY IS NEEDED AND THE GOVERNMENT IS SAYING, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONVINCE US. AND AUTISM IS A DISEASE HERE. IT'S; AND THE KREMT FOR IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MEDICARE -- FAMILIES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BECOME DESTITUTE TRYING TO GET THEIR TREATMENT FOR THEIR KIDS.
Starr: WELL, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT GOVERNMENT ISN'T COVERING THESE COSTS LIKE THEY DO WITH MANY OTHER CONDITIONS?
WELL, BECAUSE IT'S JUST NOT -- THERE IS NOT -- IT IS NOT; IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE LIKE A MEDICAL ISSUE HERE. FOR SOME REASON. IT SEEMS TO BE KIND OF LIKE A -- VIEWED AS KIND OF A BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM OF SOME KIND, AND THIS IS A DISEASE. THIS IS DEFINED AS A DISEASE BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. AND TREATMENT FOR JUST ABOUT ANY DISEASE IN THIS COUNTRY IS COVERED, AND THE DISEASE -- AND THE TREATMENT FOR THIS PARTICULAR DISEASE IS -- HAPPENS TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE -- YOU KNOW, TREATMENT HERE. THE APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS IS -- CAN BE QUITE EXPENSIVE HERE. RUNNING INTO THE 40, 50, 60, $70,000 RANGE AND FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES, THEY'RE JUST GOING BUST HERE IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.
Starr: NOW, YOU HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TORONTO TODAY. WHAT IS THE RESPONSE BEEN LIKE TO YOUR MESSAGE SO FAR?
WELL, THE RESPONSE SO FAR HAS BEEN -- I MEAN, IT'S STILL EARLY TO TELL BECAUSE WE'RE STILL HERE KIND OF DOING THE THING. BUT WE GOT A -- WE GOT GREAT COVERAGE IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL TODAY. AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF -- YOU KNOW, I'M PICKING UP A LOT OF EMPATHY FOR THIS CAUSE HERE. AND WE WILL SEE OVER THE NEXT -- YOU KNOW, COUPLE OF DAYS ONCE THESE STORIES START GETTING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW, HOW THE PRESS IS PICKING UP ON IT. BUT I AM -- I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I WAS ASKED TO BE A PART OF THIS. I FEEL IT'S; YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GOOD FIGHT HERE. I FEEL LIKE I'M FIGHTING FOR THE UNDERDOG. AUTISM SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND PART OF MY JOB IS TO GET THIS MESSAGE OUT TO NOT ONLY THE CANADIAN PUBLIC, BUT TO OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS. THIS IS SOMETHING -- YOU KNOW, A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR AUTISM IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE TABLED HERE. AND DISCUSSED SERIOUSLY. YOU KNOW, THIS IS LONG OVERDUE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT GOING AWAY.
Starr: WELL, THANKS FOCH SORE JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC TONIGHT, AND FOR LENDING YOUR VOICE. IT'S A PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH US.
THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
Starr: ACTOR AND NOW ACTIVIST EUGENE LEVY JOINING US FROM DOWNTOWN TORONTO TONIGHT. BRUCE.
Bruce: AND, YOU KNOW, FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AUTISM, INCLUDING SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND LINKS TO ALL KINDS OF HELPFUL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE RIGHT THERE IN YOUR AREA. GO ONLINE. GO TO THE WEBSITE; AUTISM DOT CA. VERY EASY TO REMEMBER. AUTISM DOT CA. THAT'S AUTISM TREATMENT SERVICES OF CANADA. READY FOR THE FIRST BREAK IN THE MID-WEEK EDITION OF "LIVE AT 5." BUT MUCH MORE TO COME, INCLUDING A TRIP TO THE RACE TRACK, AND THE HARD COURT. COMING UP NEXT, THOUGH, WE'RE TURNING UP THE HEAT ON YOUR COOK WARE.
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CP24 (CHUM/City Toronto) - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 16:30 (Local) - Segment #3

Jun 13, 2007 18:00
Ann: KEEP IT HERE ON CP24 FOR ANY DEVELOPMENTS ON THIS STORY AND WATCH "CityNews at Six" FOR COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE. COMING UP NEXT ON CP24,....
Ann: ....COMEDY STAR EUGENE LEVY DELIVERED A SERIOUS MESSAGE TODAY, CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COVER THE COST OF AUTISM. -- COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM. LEVY BECAME INVOLVED AFTER HIS COUSIN'S SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER. HE SAYS FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR THE ENORMOUS BILLS.
AS A FATHER OF TWO GREAT KIDS, I CAN IMAGINE FEW THINGS MORE PAINFUL FOR A PARENT THAN HAVING A SICK CHILD AND KNOWING AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT EXISTS, BUT IS NOT WITHIN REACH SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND THE PARENTS' FINANCIAL MEANS. IF A COUNTRY WHERE PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH CARE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INHERENT RIGHT OF CITIZENSHIP, THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WHEN ONE LOOKS AT THE PLIGHT OF CANADA'S PEOPLE WITH AUTISM. FORTUNATELY, IF WE WORK TOGETHER, WE HAVE THE MEANS TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. I APPEAL DIRECTLY TO OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS, REGARDLESS OF PARTISAN AFFILIATION, TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THESE VULNERABLE CANADIANS, ONES WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. I URGE CANADIANS RIGHT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TO CONTACT THEIR M.P.s AND PROVINCIAL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES; LET THEM KNOW YOU WANT CHILDREN AFFLICTED WITH AUTISM AND THEIR DESPERATE AND OFTEN DESTITUTE PARENTS TO BE TREATED AS EQUALS IN OUR SOCIETY. AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS, CHILD OR ADULTS LIKE ALL OF US, DESERVE THE CHANCE TO BE THE BEST THAT THEY CAN BE.
Ann: HERE IN CANADA, COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENT VARIES FROM PROVINCE TO PROVINCE. MEMBERS OF FAMILIES FOR EARLY TREATMENT OF AUTISM SAY THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT IS APPLIED BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS, WHICH CAN COST AS MUCH AS $80,000 A YEAR. ACTIVISTS SAY IT'S UNFAIR THAT TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS LIKE CANCER, DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE ARE COVERED, WHILE TREATMENT FOR AUTISM IS NOT. MONEY NEWS COMING UP NEXT ON CP24. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK. (Music)
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Eugene Levy Autism, 1st Writethru (Eugene-Levy-Autism)
Canadian Press
Jun 13, 2007
By Lisa Abel
TORONTO (CP) _ Comedy star Eugene Levy is using his celebrity status to press governments to cover the cost of treating autism, calling the lack of funding a ``travesty'' for Canadian families.
``This is something we're going to try and keep front and centre,'' Levy said at a news conference Wednesday. ``I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why a strategy for autism should not be tabled by the federal government.''
Levy was approached to sign on as a spokesman for autism by his cousin Brenda Deskin, whose 12-year-old son Michael suffers from the disorder.
After battling in the courts to have autism therapy covered under the Canada Health Act, Deskin and Norrah Whitney, executive director of Families for Early Treatment of Autism, realized they needed some star power to raise awareness of their cause.
``We really needed some help, and Eugene has been so wonderful, so quick to come on board,'' Whitney said.
Autism is a developmental disability resulting from a disorder of the central nervous system.
Activists insist that therapies such as Applied Behaviour Analysis and Intensive Behavioural Intervention have been recognized by both the scientific community and the courts as medically necessary, but they are not always covered by insurance plans. Coverage by provincial and territorial governments also varies across Canada.
Levy said he was struck by how families have been losing their homes and life savings in their attempts to pay for private therapy for their autistic children, as Applied Behavioural Analysis can cost up to $80,000 a year.
Levy admitted that before being asked to help, he knew as much about autism as the average person. Once he began reading on the topic, he was struck by how profoundly families are affected when raising an autistic child with little support.
``Once I started doing research, the more I delved into it, I just saw that this is really a bit of a travesty,'' Levy said.
``I had no idea what these families were going through, and what a financial and emotional burden is placed on these families.''
He also noted that aging parents are struggling to care for their adult autistic children, and that an estimated 75 per cent of couples divorce when an untreated autistic child is being raised in the family home.
Families have had to go through legal battles in B.C. and Ontario to have autism treatments covered by the government, yet they ``are not further ahead than they were over 10 years ago when their legal endeavours began,'' Levy said.
``Provinces are refusing to step up and provide adequate treatment to ever-growing autistic populations.''
Families for Early Treatment of Autism is calling for a five-point national autism strategy that would make autism part of medicare; develop Canadian expertise in autism therapy by establishing departments at universities; create a regulatory body for therapists; recognize therapists as health-care practitioners; and provide more information about autism to family doctors and pediatricians.
Whitney said it's discriminatory for the 200,000 Canadians with autism to not have their treatments paid for by medicare, while people with cancer, diabetes and heart disease are covered.
``Do we ask that question on how much it's going to cost to fund cancer?'' Whitney asked.
``Health care is expensive, but does that mean that children with autism are too expensive? It's going to save Canadian taxpayers millions of dollars per child to provide treatment.''
_________________________________
CTV NewsNet - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 18:30 (Local) - Segment #1
Jun 13, 2007
Dan: ACTOR AND FUNNY GUY UGENE LEAF VI IS GETTING SERIOUS. IS HE USING HIS CELEBRITY TO PRESS GOVERNMENTS TO COVER THE COSTS OF AUTISM. HE HAS A FAMILY CONNECTION TO THIS AND SNOWS HOW BIG A CHALLENGE IT IS AND IT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE. MANY SAY THE BEST TREATMENT IS APPLIED BEHAVIOURALLAL ANALYSIS. THIS CAN COST A FAMILY UP TO $08,000 A YEAR. JOINING US NOW IS UGENE HIMSELF. NICE TO SEE YOU. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEAL. TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY CONNECTION.
_______________________
CTV NewsNet - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 18:30 (Local) - Segment #2
Source: CTVN
Jun 13, 2007
YOU KNOW, I HAVE A COUSIN, BREND DA HERE IN TORONTO WHO -- BRENDA HERE IN TORONTO WHO HAS A SON WITH AUTISM AND SHE CALLED IMMEDIATE A LITTLE WHILE AGO AND ASKED ME WHETHER OR NOT I WOULD WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS FIGHT TO BRING THIS ISSUE OF GETTING MEDICARE FOR AUTISM. AND I SAID I WOULD HELP. AND IN THE INTERIM, PARTICULARLY JUST IN THE LAST FEW DAYS BECAUSE I WAS TIED UP WITH THE WALK OF FAME SHOW FOR QUITE A WHILE AND THAT'S NOW DONE. SO, YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN EDUCATING MYSELF ON THIS. AND IT'S A -- BOY THIS IS A FIGHT THAT REALLY HAS TO BE WON HERE.
Dan: IT'S A DEVASTATING DISEASE. CAN YOU SPEAK TO US ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVING A AUS TICK CHILD PRE-SENT TO A FAMILY?
IT JUST PUTS AN INCREDIBLE STRAIN ON A FAMILY. AND DEALING WITH A CHILD WHO HAS AUTISM, PUTS AN INCREDIBLE STRAIN ON THE PARENT OR BOTH PARENTS WHO ARE WITH THE CHILD, TRYING TO -- TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE KIND OF THERAPY SITUATION THAT A CHILD HAS TO HAVE. AND HOW YOU HAVE TO -- YOU KNOW, KIND OF EDUCATE YOUR CHILD TO PERFORM NORMAL, EVERYDAY FUNCTION. IT'S A VERY TIME CONSUMING LAB BORIOUS PROCESS AND PUTS A INCREDIBLE STRAIN ON FAMILIES. NOT ONLY BECAUSE ONE SIBLY WHO HAS AUTISM REQUIRE AS CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME MEANING THE OTHER SIBABLIES MAY NOT GET THAT TIME WITH THE PARENTS. SO NOT ONLY THAT, AS YOU MENTION THE FINANCIAL ASPECT IS INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE. NOW IT'S -- IT'S LIKE EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF. FAMILIES ARE OUT THERE DOING WHATEVER THEY CAN TO -- WITH YOU KNOW, LAWSUITS OR WHATEVER TO TRY AND GET THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP PAY FOR THIS TREATMENT. AND THIS IS -- AND IT SHOULD BE PAID FOR. LIKE ANY OTHER DISEASE.
Dan: IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT COVERAGE FOR AWE ACTIVITY IS DIFFERENT IN ALL THE THE DIFFERENT PROVINCE. BUT ALL THE PROVINCES COVER CANCER AND DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE. SO WHEN THE GROUPS OF PARENTS BAND TOGETHER, AND THEY TRY TO PRE-SENT THEIR CASE -- WHAT ARE THE REASON THAT IS GOVERNMENTS GIVE FOR NOT COVERING AUTISM?
WELL, THE REASONS YOU KNOW THAT THEY GIVE ARE YOU KNOW FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THAT THIS IS LIKE -- IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT A MEDICAL ISSUE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S SOME KIND OF BEHAVIOURALLAL ISSUE. AND THIS IS A DISEASE. THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEEMED THIS TO BE A DISEASE. AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT. AND THE TREATMENT FOR AGAIN IS A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEED -- YOU NEED ALMOST A TEAM OF PEOPLE IN SOME CASES TO WORK WITH A CHILD WHO HAS AUTISM. AND THIS AGAIN BECOMES A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION. ONE OF THE THINGS IN THIS STRATEGY -- IN TRYING TO GET OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS TO ADOPT A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR AUTISM, IS NOT ONLY TO GET IT COVERED BY MEDICARE BUT ALSO TO GET KIND OF DEPARTMENTS ESTABLISHED IN SOME OF OUR UNIVERSITY AT THISES HERE SO WE CAN START -- SO STUDENTS CAN GO AND LEARN APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS AND YOU KNOW, KIND OF GET THEIR DEGREES IN IT, THEIR MA'S AND PHD'S SO WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP RELYING ON EXPERTS FROM YOU KNOW FROM THE U.S. THAT'S ALSO PART OF THIS THINGS. AND MAKING SURE THAT THESE PEOPLE WHO BECOME THESE PRACTITIONERS ARE THEN COVERED UNDER MEDICARE AND JUST TO GET THIS THING OUT THERE AND MAKE PEOPLE AWARE. MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE AND MAKE OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. IT'S -- IT'S A REEL TRAVESTY THESE FAMILIES HAVE TO SUFFER AS MUCH AS THEY DO. AND ALMOST BECOME DESTITUTE IN SOME CASES, TRYING TO PAY FOR THIS THERAPY, WHICH ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE COVERED.
Dan: GOOD LUCK WITH THE FIGHT SIR. GOOD LUCK.
THANK YOU, DAN.
______________________________
CTV NewsNet - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 19:30 (Local) - Segment #4
Source: CTVN
Jun 13, 2007
Sandra: COMEDY STAR EUGENE LEVY IS USING HIS CELEBRITY TO BOOST AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM, SPECIFICALLY HE IS CALLING ON GOVERNMENTS TO COVER THE COST OF TREATMENT, WHICH CAN ADD UP TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR. LEVY HAS A FAMILY CONNECTION TO AUTISM AND KNOWS HOW BIG A CHALLENGE IT IS. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH CTV NEWSNET EARLIER TODAY, LEVY SAID FAMILIES WITH YOU ATIESIC CHILDREN ARE SIMPLY NOT GETTING SPORT THEY NEED.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT A MEDICAL ISSUE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S SOME KIND OF BEHAVIOURAL ISSUE. AND THIS IS A DISEASE. YOU KNOW, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEEMED THIS TO BE A DISEASE. AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT AGAIN IS NOT -- IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEED -- YOU NEED ALMOST A TEAM OF PEOPLE IN SOME CASES TO WORK WITH AN AUTISTIC CHILD.
____________________________
CIVT News (CTV Vancouver) - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 17:00 (Local) - Segment #5
Source: CIVT
Jun 13, 2007
Mi-Jung: WHY EUGENE LEVY IS SPEAKING OUT ON AUTISM.
ALSO, WILL JENNIFER ANISTON SOON BECOME A MOM?
AND WHY A PAIR OF LOST PANTS HAS SPARKED A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DRY-CLEANER.
Announcer: YOU'RE WATCHING CTV NEWS. YOUR HOME. ...
Mi-Jung: AND "eTALK"'S LAINEY JOINS US NOW TO FILL US IN ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD. YOU KNOW, WE SEE MANY CELEBRITIES TAKE UP CAUSES.
YEAH.
Mi-Jung: AND THE LATEST ONE IS EUGENE LEVY.
YEAH. HE'S A -- HE HAS A FAMILY MEMBER WHO, YOU KNOW, HAS SUFFERED FROM AUTISM. SO HE'S ACTUALLY THE SPOKESPERSON NOW. AND HE'S, YOU KNOW, RAISING AWARENESS OF AUTISM AND TRYING TO RAISE MONEY. VERY GOOD STUFF.
LET'S HEAR WHAT EUGENE LEVY HAD TO SAY TODAY.
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CIVT News (CTV Vancouver) - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 17:00 (Local) - Segment #6
Source: CIVT
Jun 13, 2007
IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT A MEDICAL ISSUE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S SOME KIND OF BEHAVIOURAL ISSUE. AND THIS IS A DISEASE. YOU KNOW, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEEMED THIS TO BE A DISEASE. AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT -- AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT, AGAIN, IS NOT -- IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEED ALMOST A TEAM OF PEOPLE IN SOME CASES TO WORK WITH AN AUTISTIC CHILD.
Mi-Jung: WELL, GOOD FOR HIM THAT HE'S RAISING AWARENESS. YOU KNOW WHAT, THE CELEBRITY POWER DOES HELP, DOESN'T IT IN
TOTALLY. I -- DOESN'T IT?
TOTALLY. I INTERVIEWED HIM FOR THE WALK OF FAME.
Mi-Jung: IS HE FUNNY?
HE'S NOT. HE'S FUNNY IN HIS OWN DRY WAY. HE'S A COMEDIC ACTOR, NOT REALLY A COMEDIAN.
Mi-Jung: OFF CAMERA.
THING'S A DIFFERENT LINE. THERE HE'S VERY INTENSE PERSON. SO FOR HIM TO THROW HIS WEIGHT BEHIND SOMETHING, YOU CAN TELL IT REALLY MEANS SOMETHING TO HIM.
_______________________
CTV NewsNet - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 22:30 (Local) - Segment #3
Source: CTVN
Jun 14, 2007
Sandra: COMEDIAN EUGENE LEVY IS USING HIS CELEBRITY TO BOOST AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM. SPECIFICALLY LEVY IS CALLING ON GOVERNMENTS TO COVER THE COST OF TREATMENT WHICH CAN ADD UP TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR. LEVY HAS A FAMILY CONNECTION TO AUTISM AND KNOWS HOW BIG A CHALLENGE IT IS. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH CTV "NewsNet" EARLIER TODAY, LEVY SAID FAMILIES WITH AUTISTIC CHILDREN ARE SIMPLY NOT GETTING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
____________________
CTV NewsNet - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 22:30 (Local) - Segment #4
Source: CTVN
Jun 14, 2007
IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT A MEDICAL ISSUE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S SOME KIND OF BEHAVIOURAL ISSUE. AND THAT IS A DISEASE. THE WORLD HELD ORGANIZATION DEEMED THIS TO BE -- HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEEMED THIS TO BE A DISEASE AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT. AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT AGAIN IS NOT A VERY -- IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEED ALMOST A TEAM OF PEOPLE IN SOME CASES TO WORK WITH AN AUTISTIC CHILD.
________________________
CTV NewsNet - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 23:30 (Local) - Segment #3
Source: CTVN
Jun 14, 2007
Sandra: WELCOME BACK TO CTV "NewsNet." I'M SANDRA...
COMEDIAN EUGENE LEVY IS USING HIS CELEBRITY TO BOOST HIS AWARENESS ABOUT AUTISM, SPECIFICALLY, LEVY IS CALLING ON GOVERNMENTS TO COVER THE COST OF TREATMENT. WHICH CAN ADD UP TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR. LEVY HAS A FAMILY CONNECTION TO AUTISM, AND KNOWS HOW BIG A CHALLENGE IT IS. DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH CTV NEWSNET EARLIER TODAY, LEVY SAID FAMILIES WERE AUTISTIC CHILDREN ARE SIMPLY NOT GETTING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT A MEDICAL ISSUE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT'S SOME KIND OF BEHAVIORAL ISSUE, AND THIS IS A DISEASE. IT'S -- YOU KNOW, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DEEMED THIS TO BE A DISEASE. AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT, AND THE TREATMENT FOR IT, AGAIN, IS NOT -- IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEED -- YOU NEED ALMOST A TEAM OF PEOPLE IN SOME CASES TO WORK WITH AN AWE TASTEIC CHILD.
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Comedian's not-so-funny message: 'Medicare for autism now'; Levy signs on as spokesman for families' appeal
The Ottawa Citizen

Jun 14, 2007
Page: A5
Section: News
Edition: Final
Dateline: TORONTO
Byline: Matthew Coutts
TORONTO - Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the central strongman yesterday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto yesterday.
Mr. Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign "Medicare for Autism Now."
"Over the years, my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said. "The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Mr. Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wisecracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in movies such as the American Pie series.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said the Canada Health Act doesn't distinguish between afflictions it protects against.
"That isn't the purpose or the function of the Canada Health Act. It's not disease specific. The Canada Health Act says that medically necessary services should be universally accessible, and then the provinces decide what term means," he said.
Mr. Clement said an initiative he announced in November increased focus on research and surveillance of the disease: "I believe the greatest hopes for many parents and their kids are in the research breakthroughs that can come about in the next few years."
In April, a group of 28 Ontario families of autistic children lost the right to appeal a Supreme Court of Canada decision that Premier Dalton McGuinty was not at fault after backing off from promises to fund intensive behaviour intervention in 2003.
More than 200,000 Canadians have autism, although its origins remain uncertain. In North America, one out of every 94 boys, and one out of every 150 children, have it.
According to Autism Canada, the condition affects brain development, "leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour."
Photo: Colin O'Connor, National Post / Eugene Levy said his
family has endured many serious medical afflictions, but only autism
treatment is not covered by medicare.
;
_______________________________________
Actor calls for autism strategy; Eugene Levy. Named spokesman for campaign
The Montreal Gazette

Jun 14, 2007
Page: A18
Section: News
Edition: Final
Dateline: TORONTO
Byline: MATTHEW COUTTS
Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the central strongman yesterday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto.
Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign: "Medicare for Autism Now."
"Over the years, my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said. "The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wise cracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in such movies as the American Pie series, instead focusing on the apparent cracks in Health Canada.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said an initiative he announced in November increased focus on research and surveillance of the disease.
More than 200,000 Canadians suffer from autism.
National Post
Colour Photo: CANWEST NEWS SERVICE / Levy: "The treatment is
not covered by medicare."
__________________________________
Funnyman makes serious pitch for autism assistance; EUGENE LEVY; Comic actor appeals to politicians to provide medicare coverage
National Post
Jun 14, 2007
Page: A14
Section: Canada
Edition: National
Byline: Matthew Coutts
Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the strongman yesterday in demanding the federal government improves its treatment of children with autism.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto.
Mr. Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, has autism, was named spokesman for the campaign "Medicare for Autism Now."
"Over the years, my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease," Mr. Levy said.
"Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said.
"The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Mr. Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wisecracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in movies such as the American Pie series, instead focusing on criticism of government policy.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Tony Clement, the federal Minister of Health, told the National Post the
Canada Health Act doesn't distinguish between the afflictions for which it provides treatment.
"That isn't the purpose or the function of the Canada Health Act. It's not disease-specific. The Canada Health Act says that medically necessary services should be universally accessible, and then the provinces decide what term means," the Health Minister said.
Mr. Clement said an initiative he announced in November increased focus on research and surveillance of the disease.
"I believe the greatest hope for many parents and their kids are in the research breakthroughs that can come about in the next few years," he said
In April, a group of 28 Ontario families of autistic children lost the right to appeal a Supreme Court of Canada decision that Premier Dalton McGuinty was not at fault after backing off of promises to fund intensive behavior intervention (IBI) in 2003.
More than 200,000 Canadians suffer from autism, although its origins remain uncertain. In North America, one out of every 94 boys, and one out of every 150 children, suffer from it.
According to Autism Canada, the condition affects brain development, "leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour."
Norrah Whitney, the mother of an autistic child and a founding member of FEAT, said the treatment can cost parents in the area of $60,000 each year. Some families have had to mortgage their homes and empty their bank accounts to pay for ongoing treatment, she said.
"The only thing in the way of the solution is political will," Ms. Whitney said.
The treatment requires 40 hours a week of therapy which, at its most basic level, consists of rewarding positive behaviours in autistic children in the hopes of repetition.
In reality, the treatment is complex and usually requires several caregivers.
Autism Canada says nearly 50% of children under four who are properly treated "had significant increases in IQ, verbal ability, and/or social functioning."
Liberal Senator Jim Munson, who was also at the conference, said the annual cost of autism is $3.5-billion on the Canadian economy.
mcoutts@nationalpost.com
Colin O'connor For National Post
Eugene Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, has autism, is
spokesman for "Medicare for Autism Now."
__________________________________________
Medicare coverage for autism urged; Actor Eugene Levy demands Ottawa treat autistic children fairly
The Edmonton Journal

Jun 14, 2007
Page: A19
Section: Body & Health
Edition: Final
Dateline: TORONTO
Byline: Matthew Coutts
TORONTO - Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the central strongman on Wednesday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor told a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto.
Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign "Medicare for Autism Now."
"Over the years my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said. "The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wisecracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in movies such as the American Pie series, instead focusing on the apparent cracks in Health Canada.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said an initiative he announced in November increased focus on research and surveillance of the disease.
In April, a group of 28 Ontario families of autistic children lost the right to appeal a Supreme Court of Canada decision that ruled Premier Dalton McGuinty was not at fault after retreating from promises to fund a program for intensive behaviour intervention in 2003 for autistic children over six years of age.
More than 200,000 Canadians suffer from autism.
According to Autism Canada, the condition affects brain development, "leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour."
Norrah Whitney, the mother of an autistic child, said the treatment can cost parents in the area of $60,000 each year.
Some families have had to mortgage their homes and empty their bank accounts to pay for ongoing treatment, she said.
"The only thing in the way of the solution is political will," said Whitney.
Some treatment requires 40 hours a week of therapy which, at its very basic, consists of rewarding positive behaviours in autistic children in the hopes of generating repetition.
Autism Canada also reports nearly 50 per cent of children under four who are properly treated "had significant increases in IQ, verbal ability, and/or social functioning."
Liberal Senator Jim Munson, who was also at the conference, said the annual cost of autism is $3.5-billion on the Canadian economy.
Photo: National Post
;
CanWest News Service / Actor Eugene Levy was in Yorkville, Ont. on
Wednesday to speak on the need for a national autism strategy.
;
______________________________________
Levy calls for autism strategy
Saskatoon StarPheonix

Jun 14, 2007
Page: B7
Section: National
Edition: Final
Dateline: TORONTO
TORONTO (CNS) -- Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the strongman on Wednesday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto.
Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesperson for the campaign: Medicare for Autism Now.
"Over the years my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," Levy said. "The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wisecracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in movies such as the American Pie series, instead focusing on the apparent cracks in Health Canada.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Photo: The National Post / Actor Eugene Levy addresses the
media
____________________________
Comic makes a plea for autistic kids
The Vancouver Sun

Jun 14, 2007
Page: A9
Section: News
Edition: Final
Dateline: TORONTO
TORONTO -- Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the central strongman on Wednesday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto.
Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign: "Medicare for Autism Now."
"Over the years my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said.
"The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
______________________________
Star Power For Autism
Times Colonist, The (Victoria)

Jun 14, 2007
Page: A7
Section: News
Edition: Final
NO TEXT
Colour Photo: Colin O'Connor / CNS / Canadian actor Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, was dead serious yesterday in Toronto as he demanded that the federal government cover autism treatment under medicare. "I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment. Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign: "Medicare for Autism Now." ;
_________________________
Eugene Levy seeks national autism strategy
Calgary Herald

Jun 14, 2007
Page: C4
Section: Real Life
Edition: Final
Dateline: TORONTO
Byline: Matthew Coutts
Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the central strongman on Wednesday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton, Ont., born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto.
Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign: Medicare for Autism Now.
"Over the years my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said. "The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wisecracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in movies such as the American Pie series, instead focusing on the apparent cracks in Health Canada.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said an initiative he announced in November increased focus on research and surveillance of the disease.
"I believe the greatest hope for many parents and their kids are in the research breakthroughs that can come about in the next few years," he said.
In April, a group of 28 Ontario families of autistic children lost the right to appeal a Supreme Court of Canada decision that Premier Dalton McGuinty was not at fault after backing off of promises to fund intensive behaviour intervention in 2003 for autistic children over six years
of age.
More than 200,000 Canadians suffer from autism.
According to Autism Canada, the condition affects brain development, "leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour."
Norrah Whitney, the mother of an autistic child, said the treatment can cost parents in the area of $60,000 each year.
Some families have had to mortgage their homes and empty their bank accounts to pay for ongoing treatment, she said.
"The only thing in the way of the solution is political will," said Whitney.
Some treatment requires 40 hours a week of therapy, which at its very basic consists of rewarding positive behaviours in autistic children in the hopes of repetition.
Autism Canada also reports nearly 50 per cent of children under four who are properly treated "had significant increases in IQ, verbal ability, and/or social functioning."
Liberal Senator Jim Munson, who was also at the conference, said the annual cost of autism is $3.5-billion on the Canadian economy.
Photo: Colin O'Connor, CanWest News Service / The serious side of Canadian actor Eugene Levy was visible at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto on Wednesday as he addressed the media about the need for a national autism strategy. ;


"Treatments by province"
The availability and access of treatment programs for children with
autism spectrum disorders varies widely across Canada. Depending on family, income, proximity to treatment centres and the efforts of their family physicians, autistic children can receive different levels of help and their outcomes can vary.



Autism lawsuit families off hook for costs

Regional News
Jun 13, 2007 11:12 PM
By: Michael Power
Families with autistic children involved in a class-action lawsuit against Queen’s Park and seven school boards won’t have to pay the government’s $85,000 legal bill.

Justice Maurice Cullity ruled this week there was nothing frivolous in the families’ case.

The families launched the lawsuit in 2004, saying they had spent their savings paying for specialized treatment for their autistic children not provided in schools.

The treatment, called Intensive Behaviour Therapy, can cost between $30,000 and $80,000 per child each year.

The province has announced more cash towards the therapy


Comedian's not-so-funny message: 'Medicare for autism now'
Levy signs on as spokesman for families' appeal
Matthew Coutts, The National Post
Published: Thursday, June 14, 2007
TORONTO - Eugene Levy, best known in Hollywood as a comedic sidekick, played the central strongman yesterday, demanding the federal government treat children with autism fairly.
"I appeal directly to our federal politicians, regardless of partisan affiliation, to do what is right for these vulnerable Canadians, ones who cannot speak for themselves," the Hamilton-born actor said at a news conference held by the Families for Early Autism Treatment in Toronto yesterday.
Mr. Levy, whose cousin's son, Michael Deskin, suffers from autism, was named spokesman for the campaign "Medicare for Autism Now."
"Over the years, my family has been hit by the ravages of cancer, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Every one of those afflictions is a worthy cause for whole-hearted support. And every one of those afflictions has treatment that is covered by medicare," he said. "The treatment for autism is not covered by medicare."
Mr. Levy spoke sincerely, free of the wisecracks that made him famous on the sketch comedy show SCTV and in movies such as the American Pie series.
"I defy anybody to come up with a legitimate reason why this should not be covered," he said.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said the Canada Health Act doesn't distinguish between afflictions it protects against.
"That isn't the purpose or the function of the Canada Health Act. It's not disease specific. The Canada Health Act says that medically necessary services should be universally accessible, and then the provinces decide what term means," he said.
Mr. Clement said an initiative he announced in November increased focus on research and surveillance of the disease: "I believe the greatest hopes for many parents and their kids are in the research breakthroughs that can come about in the next few years."
In April, a group of 28 Ontario families of autistic children lost the right to appeal a Supreme Court of Canada decision that Premier Dalton McGuinty was not at fault after backing off from promises to fund intensive behaviour intervention in 2003.
More than 200,000 Canadians have autism, although its origins remain uncertain. In North America, one out of every 94 boys, and one out of every 150 children, have it.
According to Autism Canada, the condition affects brain development, "leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour."

CP24 (CHUM/City Toronto) - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 14:30 (Local) - Segment #3
Source: CITY24
Jun 13, 2007
David: .... (Music) COMEDY STAR EUGENE LEVY DELIVERED A SERIOUS MESSAGE TODAY CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COVER THE COST OF AUTISM. HE BECAME INVOLVED AFTER HIS COUSIN'S SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER. HE SAYS FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY TREATMENTS.
AS A FATHER OF TWO GREAT KIDS I CAN IMAGINE FEW THINGS MORE PAINFUL FOR A PARENT THAN HAVING A SICK CHILD AND KNOWING AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT EXISTS BUT IS NOT WITHIN REACH SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND THE PARENTS' FINANCIAL MEANS. IN A COUNTRY WHERE PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH CARE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INHERENT RIGHT OF CITIZEN SHIP, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WHEN WE LOOK AT CANADA'S PLIGHT OF. I AM PALE DIRECTLY TO OUR FEDERAL POLITICIANS, REGARDLESS OF PARTISAN OR AFFILIATION TO DO WHAT IS RITE FOR THESE VULNERABLE CANADIANS, ONES THAT CAN NOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. I URGE CANADIANS RIGHT ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TO CONTACT THEIR M.P.s AND PROVINCIAL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, LET THEM KNOW YOU WANT CHILDREN AFTER FLISHLTED WITH AUTISM AND THEIR DESPERATE AND OFTEN DESTITUTE PARENTS TO BE TREATED AS EQUALS IN OUR SOCIETY. AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS, CHILD OR ADULTS LIKE ALL OF US DESERVE THE CHANCE TO BE THE BEST THEY THAT THEY CAN BE.
David: HERE IN CANADA COVERAGE OR AUTISM TREATMENT VARIES FROM PROVINCE TO PROVINCE. MEMBERS OF FAMILIES FOR EARLY TREATMENT OF AUTISM SAY THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT IS APPLIED BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS WHICH CAN COST AS MUCH AS $80,000 A YEAR. ACTIVISTS SAY IT'S UNFAIR THAT CANCER AND DIABETES ARE COVERED WHILE TREATMENT FOR AUTISM IS NOT. YOU'RE WATCHING CP24.

Add autism treatment to medicare, comedian Eugene Levy, parents urge feds
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 | 1:12 PM ET
CBC News
Autism treatment should be covered by medicare as part of a national strategy for the disorder, Canadian actor and director Eugene Levy said Wednesday.
As a spokesman for a national autism strategy, Levy joined Senator Jim Munson and parents of children with autism in calling on the federal government to publicly commit to changing the Canada Health Act to include effective, science-based treatment for autism for all Canadians, regardless of age or where they live.
"Families with autistic kids have the same rights as everybody else," Levy told CBC Newsworld. "Treatment has to be covered the way it's covered for any other debilitating disease."
About one in every 94 boys is being diagnosed with the neurological disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The disorder affects aptitude for communication and personal interaction.
While the 2007 U.S. budget includes more than $120 million to conduct research into autism and offer early screening programs and treatment, Canadian families are losing their homes and life savings as they try to provide therapy privately to their autistic children, said Levy, whose cousin's son has the disorder.
"It takes specialists to give these kids therapy," said Levy. He is known for his sketches in the comedy series SCTV and his roles in the films American Pie and A Mighty Wind.
The group's national strategy would also include:
• Funding for the creation of academic chairs and departments of applied behaviour analysis, or ABA, at Canadian universities, as in the U.S.
• Establishing federal/provincial systems to license, register and certify professional ABA experts.
• Recognize certified ABA professionals as health-care professionals.
• Provide easily accessible information about autism to family physicians, pediatricians and all other Canadians to raise awareness and promote earlier diagnosis.
Financial, moral reasons to act
In ABA, which costs between $30,000 and $80,000 a year per patient, therapists lead children through multiple repetitions of tasks until the tasks are learned. In 2004, the Supreme Court refused to order the B.C. government to fund ABA, saying the province had the right to set its own priorities for health-care funding.
Not providing ABA treatment is more expensive because it involves respite care, group homes and institutionalization, said Munson, who referred to a Harvard University study that put the annual cost of autism to Canada's economy at $3.5 billion.
Children who get treatment can show remarkable improvements that allow them to contribute to society, but the costs saved are harder to measure, Munson said.
In November, the federal government announced a research chair to look at treatments and interventions for autism, a surveillance program, a new Health Canada website on autism, and a stakeholder symposium that the group said has been cancelled or not rescheduled.
"Will our MPs summon the necessary courage and political will to overcome their political impotence by overruling the entrenched health-care technocrats and do the morally right thing by our children?" asked Norrah Whitney, founding director of Families for Early Autism Treatment of Ontario.

Eugene Levy Autism
Source: BN
Jun 13, 2007
TORONTO - Comedy star Eugene Levy is using his celebrity to press governments to cover the cost of treating autism.
Levy's cousin's son has autism and the family says it's a struggle for many Canadians to pay for treatment.
Members of Families for Early Treatment of Autism say the most effective treatment is applied behavioural analysis which can cost up to $80,000 a year.
Activists say it's unfair that treatment for medical conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease are covered, while treatment for autism is not.
Coverage for autism treatment varies from province to province in Canada.
Levy, best-known for his sketches in the comedy series SCTV and his role in American Pie, says the lack of funding is a `travesty' for Canadian families.
(BN)
_________________________
Comedian Eugene Levy calls for a national strategy for treatment of autism (Eugene-Levy-Autism)
Canadian Press
Jun 13, 2007
TORONTO (CP) _ Comedy star Eugene Levy is using his celebrity to press governments to cover the cost of treating autism.
Levy's cousin's son has autism and the family says it's a struggle for many Canadians to pay for treatment.
Members of Families for Early Treatment of Autism say the most effective treatment is applied behavioural analysis which can cost up to $80,000 a year.
Activists say it's unfair that treatment for medical conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease are covered, while treatment for autism is not.
Coverage for autism treatment varies from province to province in Canada.
Levy, best-known for his sketches in the comedy series SCTV and his role in American Pie, says the lack of funding is a ``travesty'' for Canadian families.
_____________________________
CBC Newsworld - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 12:30 (Local) - Segment #1
Source: CBCN
Jun 13, 2007
[ ] A PATENTED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED WITH DENTISTS AND BACKED BY 10 YEARS OF RESEARCH. CREST PRO-HEALTH IS THE 1st AND ONLY ALL-IN-ONE TOOTHPASTE WITH CREST'S CLINICALLY PROVEN FLUORIDE SYSTEM AND PATENTED WHITENING TECHNOLOGY, COMBINED TO PROTECT AGAINST ALL THESE AREAS DENTISTS CHECK MOST. CREST PRO-HEALTH. [ ]
Announcer: CBC NEWS, GIVING CANADIANS A CHOICE. TURN TO CBC TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSWORLD, AND cbc.ca FOR THE WHOLE STORY DELIVERED TO YOU THROUGH MORE NEWS SERVICES THAN EVER BEFORE. CBC NEWS, WHEN YOU WANT IT AND HOW YOU WANT IT. ( )
Nancy: OUR TOP STORIES THIS HOUR; POLICE LAUNCH RAIDS TARGETING GANGS AND GUNS IN TORONTO AND OTHER CITIES. DOZENS OF PEOPLE ARE ARRESTED. HUNDREDS OF POLICE OFFICERS ARE TAKING PART IN THE OPERATION.
AND AN EXPLOSION ROCKS BEIRUT. AT LEAST TEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED, ONE OF THEM AN ANTI-SYRIAN M.P. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE BEEN WOUNDED.
YOU'RE WATCHING "CBC NEWS: TODAY." I'M NANCY WILSON.
FAMILIES WITH AUTISTIC CHILDREN FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE AT THE BEST OF TIMES. MOST WILL TELL YOU IT'S VERY HARD TO COPE WITH THE CARE AND DEMANDS OF SUCH A COMPLEX CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN A CHILD IS NO LONGER A CHILD AND HIS OR HER PARENTS ARE GETTING OLDER. IN THIS COUNTRY, THERE'S VERY LITTLE IN THE WAY OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, BUT NOW THEY HAVE A NEW AND VERY WELL KNOWN VOICE AND FACE TO CHAMPION THE CAUSE. CANADIAN ACTOR AND DIRECTOR EUGENE LEVY HAS JUST BECOME THE SPOKESPERSON FOR WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL AUTISM STRATEGY, AND EUGENE LEVY JOINS US NOW. LOVELY TO SEE YOU.
Interview: HELLO, NANCY.
Nancy: I BET THEY'RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU JOIN IN THE CALL FOR A NATIONAL AUTISM STRATEGY. I KNOW YOU FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS. SO MAKE THE CASE. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A NATIONAL STRATEGY WHEN DEALING WITH AUTISM?
Interview: WELL, BECAUSE I THINK THAT TREATMENT FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN OR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A NATIONAL MEDICARE PROGRAM. THESE ARE THERAPIES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL. THESE ARE THERAPIES THAT ARE NOT COVERED. THESE ARE THERAPIES THAT ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. THESE ARE THERAPIES THAT ARE BREAKING THE BACKS OF FAMILIES, DESTROYING THE FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES, AND IT'S A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT THING TO RAISE A CHILD WITH AUTISM, AND THIS SHOULD BE COVERED.
Nancy: YOU KNOW WHERE OF YOU SPEAK ON THIS. THIS DOES HIT CLOSE TO HOME. I MEAN, YOU HAVE A RELATIVE, YOUNG MICHAEL, WHO IS AUTISTIC. SO TELL ME ABOUT HIM AND THE KIND OF CHALLENGES HIS FAMILY'S DEALING WITH HERE.
Interview: WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS MY COUSIN BRENDA WHO GOT ME INVOLVED IN THIS, WHO GAVE ME A CALL AND SAID CAN YOU HELP BRING THIS FIGHT TO THE FORE, AND I SAID YES, AND THEN I STARTED DOING A LOT OF READING AND A LOT OF RESEARCH. MY KNOWLEDGE OF AUTISM WAS THE SAME AS ANYBODY'S. I DIDN'T EXACTLY KNOW WHAT IT WAS, AND WHEN YOU ACTUALLY EDUCATE YOURSELF HERE, IT'S A REALLY TOUGH THING ON PARENTS TO TRY AND RAISE THESE KIDS TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AND PERFORM NORMAL, EVERYDAY FUNCTIONS THAT NORMAL KIDS CAN DO ON THEIR OWN, BUT THESE ARE THE BASIC, BASIC, BASIC THINGS LIKE -- FROM TOILET TRAINING TO JUST, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY OR LOOK SOMEBODY IN THE EYE. YOU KNOW, THESE KIDS DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT. BEHAVIOUR IS VERY, VERY TOUGH. IT TAKES SPECIALISTS TO GIVE THESE KIDS THERAPY. AND A LOT OF THE SPECIALISTS NOW ARE COMING UP FROM THE STATES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TRAINING HERE. WE DON'T HAVE THE COURSES IN OUR UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS THAT TRAIN PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE KIND OF THERAPIES AS THEY DO IN A LOT OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE STATES.
Nancy: WE DO KNOW, I GUESS, THE GOOD NEWS PART OF THE STORY IS THAT THERE ARE TREATMENTS, THERE ARE THERAPIES THAT SEEM TO BE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR SOME AUTISTIC KIDS, WHICH IS THE GOOD NEWS. THE CHALLENGE, OF COURSE, IS HOW EXPENSIVE THE THERAPIES ARE. THAT WAS PART OF YOUR LEARNING CURVE AS YOU TRIED TO DO THE RESEARCH TO GET UP TO SPEED, AND I HAVE TO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, TALKING TO YOUR COUSIN AND OTHER FAMILIES DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF AUTISM IN THE FAMILY, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST REVELATIONS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THEY WERE FACING JUST FINANCIALLY TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO THESE KIND OF THERAPIES?
Interview: THESE THERAPIES -- WHEN YOU SAY EXPENSIVE, THESE ARE IN THE 40,000, 50,000, $60,000 RANGE. FOR PRIVATE THERAPY WHICH IS THE ONLY THERAPY AVAILABLE TO THESE FAMILIES. WHAT DO YOU DO -- OH, MY GOODNESS!
Nancy: YOU'RE A BUSY GUY!
Interview: THAT COULD BE FOR ME. SOMEBODY CAN TAKE THIS AND MUFFLE IT HERE.
Nancy: IT'S THE PRIME MINISTER WHO WANTS TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN.
Interview: I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.
Nancy: NO PROBLEM.
Interview: THESE ARE THE THERAPIES THAT ARE BREAKING THE BACKS OF FAMILIES. THEY'RE RE-MORTGAGING THEIR HOMES. THEY'RE DOING EXTRA SHIFTS AT WORK. JUST TO COVER THE COST OF THE THERAPY. YOU KNOW, IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD FINALLY BE BROUGHT UNDER THE MEDICARE UMBRELLA AND THE GOVERNMENT REALLY HAS TO START CREATING A STRATEGY FOR AUTISM.
Nancy: BASED ON, AGAIN, A LOT OF THE FAMILIES HAVE BECOME EXPERTS AND ACTIVISTS, RIGHT, BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE THERAPIES. SO THEY'VE CRAFTED WHAT THEY THINK OUGHT TO BE IN A NATIONAL AUTISM STRATEGY. SO, BEYOND GETTING ACCESS TO THE FUNDING TO HELP THEM COVER OFF THE COSTS, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT THEY'RE SAYING -- IT SOUNDS LIKE PUBLIC AWARENESS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND YOU, LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE, DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF AUTISM.
Interview: PUBLIC AWARENESS IS PART OF THE STRATEGY. TO GET EDUCATORS, POLITICIANS TO GET THE GENERAL PUBLIC AWARE EXACTLY WHAT AUTISM IS AND HOW SEVERE IT IS AND HOW DEBILITATING IT IS FOR THESE FAMILIES. YOU KNOW, THAT'S REALLY THE KEY THING. YOU KNOW, TO GET THIS GOVERNMENT TO SAY, OKAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE NOW HAVE TO FACE THIS. WE NOW HAVE TO FACE THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM. THIS IS NOT GOING AWAY. AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE TO REALIZE THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY HERE THAT HAS TO BE -- CANADIANS DESERVE THAT RIGHT. CANADIANS WITH AUTISTIC KIDS, FAMILIES WITH AUTISTIC KIDS HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS EVERYBODY ELSE. TREATMENT HAS TO BE COVERED THE WAY IT'S COVERED FOR ANY OTHER DEBILITATING DISEASE.
____________________________________
CBC Newsworld - Wednesday, June 13 2007 - 12:30 (Local) - Segment #2
Source: CBCN
Jun 13, 2007 14:00
Nancy: IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE SO WELL KNOWN. YOU'RE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL. YOU ARE A STAR. AND YOU'VE MADE THIS DECISION TO HARNESS THAT STAR POWER AND CLOUT, WHATEVER YOU CAN MUSTER.
Interview: ABSOLUTELY. THIS IS A FIGHT WORTH FIGHTING, YOU KNOW, AND THE MORE -- AS I SAID, THE MORE I'VE EDUCATED MYSELF ON THIS, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL TO MY COUSIN FOR BRINGING ME IN ON THIS AND BEING ABLE TO USE MY NAME TO GENERATE SOME INTEREST HERE, BUT I THINK THIS IS A FIGHT THAT WE HAVE TO -- UNTIL WE HEAR THAT THIS THING IS NOW COVERED. BY MEDICARE, THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.
Nancy: WHAT DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE AS BEING? OFTEN WE SEE STARS WHO EMBRACE A CAUSE, AND IT'S NOT JUST PUTTING A NAME AND FACE TO THE CAUSE. IT'S BEING ACTIVELY INVOLVED OR REALLY BEING OUT THERE. WHAT DO YOU SEE YOUR PART IN ALL OF THIS?
Interview: I'M FIGHTING FOR THE UNDERDOG RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, EVERY OTHER -- YOU KNOW, EVERY OTHER, YOU KNOW, KIND OF CHARITY, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, CANCER, THE CANCER SOCIETY, HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION, DIABETES, ALZHEIMER'S. THIS IS ALL COVERED. THESE ARE MAJOR INSTITUTIONS NOW FOR FUNDRAISING AND LOOKING AFTER THE TREATMENT OF THAT SPECIFIC DISEASE. AUTISM REALLY DOESN'T HAVE THAT. THESE ARE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES THAT ARE TRYING TO CREATE SPARKS BY TRYING TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO, YOU KNOW, ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TREATMENT SHOULD BE PAID FOR. THESE ARE FAMILIES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, DOING THIS FIGHT ON THEIR OWN. NOW WE NEED A NATIONAL -- WE NEED AN UNIFIED FRONT HERE, AND IF I CAN BE THE GUY ON THE WHITE CHARGER FOR THIS, THEN HERE WE GO. GIVE ME MY SPEAR AND WE'RE READY FOR BATTLE.
Nancy: LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING YOU LEAD THE CHARGE. LOVELY TO TALK TO YOU. PROMISE YOU'LL COME BACK AND TALK TO US AGAIN.
Interview: I WILL, NANCY.
Nancy: EUGENE, THANK YOU.
_______________________________________

If you are, or you know, a family impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders
this email is for you, please read on.

Parents Listen, a new speaker series
created by parents of a child on the Autistic Spectrum,
is proud to present for the first time in Canada
Raun K. Kaufman of the Autism Treatment Center of America™ and The Son-Rise Program®.
Below you will find more detailed information about Raun, and about Parents Listen for your immediate viewing.

Raun will be speaking to parents, family members, and service providers
impacted by children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
on Wednesday, July 11th at 6:30pm
at Ryerson University’s Business Building
55 Dundas Street West, Toronto

Registration is now OPEN!
Seating is limited, so please register as soon as possible to guarantee your seat.
This event is free, and we are accepting on-line donations
(secured through PayPal) to help cover the cost of putting on this event.
Please contribute if you are able.
Click here to register and/or make a donation.
You can also visit www.pallettcorner.net for more information and links to related sites.

We are requesting your assistance to get the word out about this event.
Please forward this email (with a personal note from you at the top) to
other families, organizations, professionals, or agencies either directly impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders
OR may be connected to these groups in some way and would make a difference.
The impact this event has on these families depends on us getting the word out to as many people as possible. We’re depending on you!
We have also attached two PDFs, (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader free at www.adobe.com)
one is an email notification, the other is a pamphlet that you can use in addition to or in place of this email.
Please feel free to forward these all on, and encourage others to do the same,
OR print them out and pass them on in person.
***A few minutes of your time may make a lifetime of difference to a family and child out there. ***

Thank you for your interest in this event!

Michael and Kelli Pallett
Parents Listen

*********************************************************************************************************************

More details about Raun K. Kaufman:

Once Autistic,
He Defied the Experts
and His Story of
Complete Recovery
Became a Revolution
of Hope Around
the World.

Raun Kaufman is CEO, writer and teacher at the Autism Treatment Center of America™.
He is coming to Toronto on Wednesday, July 11th to speak to parents, families, and service providers impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Raun’s Journey
At 18 months, Raun was diagnosed as irreversibly autistic.
His parents, authors/teachers Barry Neil Kaufman and Samahria Lyte Kaufman,
created an innovative home-based, child-centered program now known as The Son-Rise Program®,
enabling Raun to recover completely from autism.
Raun was a mute, withdrawn child with a tested I.Q. of less than 30.
Through the love and devotion of his parents, Raun was transformed
into an outgoing, social boy with a near-genius I.Q.
Raun is now a graduate from Brown, a leading Ivy League University, with a degree in Biomedical Ethics.
Currently, as a Certified Son-Rise Program Teacher, he presents and lectures worldwide,
teaching the very techniques and tools responsible for his own complete recovery.
Raun’s journey was chronicled in the best-selling book, Son-Rise, The Miracle Continues
by his father, Barry Neil Kaufman, and is the subject of the award-winning TV movie, Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love,
seen by over 300 million people worldwide.
International Speaker
Mr. Kaufman, who brings a rare combination of inspiration, compassion and technical expertise,
has spoken at universities and conferences, and completed lecture tours in the U.S.,
United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

His interactive lectures, designed for parents and professionals, focus on effective methods of autism treatment,
including an introduction to the techniques of The Son-Rise Program—thus enabling participants
to put their newly-acquired tools into practice immediately.

“It is always a treat to hear such a dynamic and engaging speaker. Raun’s passion
and hope for persons challenged with autism came through in every word he spoke.
His ideas truly are focused on helping people achieve their highest potential.”

- Mark H. Yeager, Ph.D., President,
TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi)

More Details about Parents Listen:

Who are we?
Michael and Kelli Pallett saw an opportunity to make a difference for parents and families
impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders and created Parents Listen.
Michael and Kelli are parents of a 4 yr old boy named Jordyn who is diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum.
They live outside Orangeville.
For more information, visit www.pallettcorner.net.
Why a Speaker Series for Parents?
Parents are a child’s best advocate. They are the most passionate, motivated, dedicated, and loving resource in their child’s life.
Being aware and informed of the variety of options available, parents have the freedom to choose what is best for their
child’s development and care, and for their family.
Through the Speaker Series we are committed to inspiring and empowering parents to create loving, nurturing environments
full of possibility in which the dreams they have for their child will be fulfilled.
Volunteers:
We can’t do this all alone. We would be thrilled to hear from anyone wanting to join our team and assists with this, or future events.
What you contribute will be completely up to you. Please send us an email at parentslisten@gmail.com.
Future Speaker Events:
We are actively listening for potential speakers whose talks will make an immediate difference for families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorders.
We are considering future speakers in the area of nutrition (diet & supplementation), given the tremendous impact simple changes
can have on a child’s behavior and ability to interact. Other areas include biomedical interventions, educational methodologies, and sensory integration.

Your ideas and requests are welcomed. Please send us an email with your ideas at parentslisten@gmail.com.

Parents don't have to pay costs for Ont. autism funding lawsuit: judge

Maria Babbage, Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Article tools
TORONTO (CP) - A group of families with autistic children who launched a lawsuit against the Ontario government and seven school boards won't have to hand over $85,000 in legal costs to the province, an Ontario judge has ruled.
There was nothing "frivolous" or "vexatious" about the $1.25-billion lawsuit, Justice Maurice Cullity noted in his decision released Tuesday, adding that it would have been "unjust" to penalize the families by ordering them to pay the costs.
"It is not disputed that many of the parents have made significant financial sacrifices and have suffered serious financial consequences because of a lack of public funding for the programs they consider to be necessary for the educational and social development of their children," he wrote.
The families, who say they've spent their savings and taken extra jobs to pay for a costly treatment for their children, launched the lawsuit in 2004, alleging the government failed autistic kids by not providing access to the specialized treatment in school. The Intensive Behavioural Intervention therapy can cost between $30,000 to $80,000 per child each year.
Cullity rejected most of their claims in March, but the families are trying to appeal that decision.
Lawyers for the government and school boards had argued in court Monday that they were not asking for the full costs, and that the province would have been willing to wait for the money until after the appeal process was completed.
By deciding not to award legal costs, the judge was clearly indicating that the case should proceed because it's in the public interest, said David Baker, a Toronto lawyer representing the families.
"He did not use a cost order to force the plaintiffs to the sidelines, to deter them from proceeding by making it financially impossible for them to proceed," he said.
"So he's clearing the way so that they will ultimately have their day in court and have the case adjudicated on its merits."
Taline Sagharian, one of the parents who launched the lawsuit and whose son is autistic, said the judge's decision came as a relief.
"It's not like we were able to plan and put aside money for (the legal costs)," she said.
"How do you put aside money that you don't have? I don't know how we would have paid for it."
While fighting the families in court, the Ontario government has publicly announced increased spending on the program to provide the IBI therapy.
But Tuesday's decision has given the governing Liberals a "black eye," said NDP critic Shelley Martel.
"I thought that it was really outrageous that they would be seeking costs in the first place against these families who have children with autism," said Martel, who is also fighting the province to obtain the cost of its ongoing legal battle with the families who want the province to pay for IBI therapy.
"Today they were told it was clearly wrong, and I think in a lot of the public's mind, what they're trying to do to these parents and what they've been doing to other parents with children with autism is just dead wrong."


Lawsuit that charges children's rights violated can proceed, judge rules

Jun 13, 2007 04:30 AM
Tracey Tyler
LEGAL AFFAIRS REPORTER

It would be "manifestly unjust" to insist that five families who have already made "financial sacrifices" for their autistic children pay $85,000 in legal costs to the Ontario government and seven school boards, a Superior Court judge ruled yesterday, saying the case raises important issues of "access to justice."
The province and boards argued they were entitled to costs because they were "substantially successful" in striking out key portions of a $1.25 billion class action lawsuit filed by the families.
The suit accused the government of negligence by failing to provide treatment for autistic children in schools.
The province and boards also said the families couldn't be excused from paying legal costs by claiming their lawsuit raised legal issues that were new or important for the general public. The lawsuit is really an attempt to relitigate issues already resolved in other cases, lawyers for the boards and province told Justice Maurice Cullity this week.
But Cullity disagreed.
While the province and boards did manage to have several aspects of the lawsuit struck, the families can still proceed with a claim their children's equality rights have been violated, a difficult question in an area of the law undergoing "quite rapid evolution," he said.
"There is nothing frivolous, vexatious or abusive ... about the action either in social or legal terms," Cullity said. "I consider that it would be manifestly unjust ... to penalize the plaintiffs, or their parents, by ordering them to pay the costs of this particular motion."
Taline Sagharian, who is suing on behalf of her son, Christopher, 10, said she and her fellow plaintiffs are "thrilled."
"We had no idea how we were going to pay if the judge ordered so," she said.
Across the front page headline (above the fold) and the newspaper's name:
"Eugene Levy's serious side
It's time to cover autism with medicare" along with a picture of Eugene Levy with Luke Burrows (11) and Michael Deskin (12).
Can you get any better publicity than that? Congratulations to press conference organizers and participants Brenda Deskin, Norrah Whitney, Senator Jim Munson, and of course, Eugene Levy! Good luck at your press conference this morning!!!
__________________________________________
AUTISM: CALL FOR A NATIONAL FUNDING STRATEGY It's no laughing matter Eugene Levy joins a group lobbying Ottawa to put autism treatment under medicare
Globe & Mail
Jun 13, 2007
Page: L1
Section: Globe Life
Edition: Metro
Byline: Hayley Mick
When Canadian comedian Eugene Levy thinks about autism, he pictures a scrawny kid.
The kid is dwarfed by other kids, who have names like cancer
and diabetes and are protected by wealthy foundations. And when
they need treatment, those kids are swept into the loving arms
Canada's health care system.
But not autism.
"Autism is just trying to scream in the air, telling people,
'We need some help here!' and no one's really recognizing it,"
said Mr. Levy in a telephone interview.
Today, Mr. Levy will use his Hollywood star power to focus attention
on autism by taking aim at the federal government. At a press
conference in Toronto, the Hamilton-born actor will join his
12-year-old autistic cousin, Michael, Liberal senator Jim Munson
and parents to call on Ottawa to put autism treatment under
medicare, just like cancer or diabetes.
A national strategy on autism is critically needed, they say,
to lift the burden off of parents who are mortgaging their homes
and buckling under debt trying to get treatment for their autistic
children.
"We have tried advocacy, we have tried eight years of litigation
that went nowhere," says Brenda Deskin, who is Mr. Levy's cousin
and Michael's mother.
"We had no choice but to get political. And who better than
Eugene Levy to get the message out?"
Today, the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum
disorders is rising and the origins of the neurological disorders
remain a puzzle. While there is no cure, applied behavioural
analysis, or ABA, is regarded as the best treatment option.
But in Canada, coverage varies from province to province in
terms of who qualifies for therapy and for how long.
Alberta, for example, pays up to $20,000 worth of treatment
costs a year for patients with two areas of documented special
needs. The province also provides some assistance for children
going through school. Ontario patients are eligible for up to
30 hours a week of ABA treatment, but only for severe cases
and wait lists are long, doctors say.
For years, parent groups across Canada have lobbied provincial
governments to fund autism treatments; cases have reached the
Supreme Court of Canada. Now, frustrated by the differential
treatment between provinces, many parents are calling on the
federal government to develop a national strategy that would
include funding under medicare and would create more training
for ABA therapists at Canadian universities.
Those demands will be presented today by parents belonging to
the Ontario chapter of Families for Early Autism Treatment,
along with Mr. Levy and Mr. Munson.
They have the support of doctors such as Wendy Roberts, the
head of the autism research unit at the Hospital for Sick Children
in Toronto. She says she has seen parents and even grandparents
lose their homes and spend up to $80,000 a year on treatment
for autistic children.
"After we make the diagnosis, the next question is, how much
money can you spend?" Dr. Roberts said, noting doctors would
never be forced to ask that question of a patient diagnosed
with cancer.
Gail Geller, a single mother from Toronto, says she feels "survivor's
guilt" when she thinks about other Ontario children don't qualify
for 30 hours a week of ABA treatment like her son, Adam.
Before beginning the therapy at age 4, Adam couldn't speak or
sit still, and only ate crackers. Now, at age 11, he is calmer
and loves reading and math. "The first time he ever said 'no'
to me, I fell down laughing in delight," Ms. Geller said.
Autism disorders have only recently been recognized as the most
common serious developmental condition of childhood, affecting
roughly one in 165 children. Experts refer to it as a spectrum
because the complex neurological condition can range so widely
in severity.
Some people with autism suffer severe cognitive impairment,
others are savants. Many battle gastrointestinal problems and
show a strong preference for strict routines and repetitive
behaviours. But social deficits are its hallmark: impaired communication
and the inability to interact with others.
In April, a Supreme Court of Canada ruling effectively closed
the door on 28 families who wanted Ontario to pay for the expensive
treatment for their autistic children.
The case by the Ontario families was similar to one brought
in 2004 on behalf of autism-affected families in British Columbia,
in which the Supreme Court suggested that decisions about policies
on social programs belong in provincial legislatures and not
in the courts.
Having failed to see results in the courts, parents such as
Ms. Deskin of Hamilton feel they now have no choice but to pressure
Ottawa. Ms. Deskin, who has another son, Noah, 10, called Mr.
Levy a month ago and asked if he would join her fight. Mr. Levy,
a character-actor best known for his roles in films such as
American Pie and A Mighty Wind , studied up on the court cases
and medical evidence, and realized his decision was an easy
one.
"I started doing homework and realized that this is a good fight
here," said Mr. Levy, who yesterday met Michael for the first
time. "It's breaking families - the emotional trauma and expense
alone."
________________________________________________________

Treatments by province
Globe & Mail
Jun 13, 2007.
Page: L2
Section: Globe Life
Edition: Metro
Byline: Geoff Nixon
The availability and access of treatment programs for children with autism spectrum disorders varies widely across Canada.
Depending on family income, proximity to treatment centres and
the efforts of their family physicians, autistic children can
receive different levels of help and their outcomes can
vary.
In British Columbia, parents have a high degree of autonomy
when it comes to treating their kids. They have the option of
using up to $20,000 in government funds for their child's therapy
or they may opt to have therapists bill the government directly,
says Lindy Chau of the Autism Society of British Columbia. It's
still not enough, she says - especially when therapy costs can
run up to $60,000 a year.
In Ontario, parents can choose between therapy at regional provincial
centres or in-home therapists of their own choice - with both
options offering at least 20 hours of intensive behavioural
intervention therapy a week, says Marilen Miguel of Autism Ontario.
Ontario has had problems with children waiting up to two years
for treatment.
In the Atlantic provinces, there is generally less autonomy
in treatment choices but, in some cases, more guaranteed hours
of therapy. Christopher Dedde, an autism program co-ordinator
in Newfoundland, says that the province now provides autistic
children with up to 30 hours of applied behaviour analysis (ABA)
therapy a week paid for by the government.
Prince Edward Island's autistic children are budgeted up to
20 hours of ABA a week, with parents paying partial costs on
an income-adjusted scale.
And in Nova Scotia, autistic children have access to innovative
early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) treatment, a
practice involving the whole family, funded by the
government.
The downside, says Vicky Harvey, an activist and parent of an
autistic child in Dartmouth, N.S., is that since the EIBI therapy
program is relatively new, it is still expanding and has so
far been available on a lottery basis only.
__________________________________________
Eugene Levy spokesman for autism treatment
The Sault Star

Jun 13, 2007.
Page: B6
Section: Entertainment
Dateline: Toronto
Canadian actor and director Eugene Levy has signed on as a spokesman for autism and is calling for a national strategy to help those affected by the disorder.
Levy and Senator Jim Munson are holding a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday to speak about what they consider the need for affordable and accessible autism treatment.
"I feel extremely passionate about the need for a national autism strategy,'' Levy said. "Canada is blessed in so many ways but somehow some of our most vulnerable citizens are being wrongfully neglected. It is time to address this wrong and provide these individuals with the same access to medically necessary treatment that the rest of us enjoy throughout our lifetimes under our country's alleged universal health-care system."
Autism is a developmental disability resulting from a disorder of the central nervous system.
_________________________________________
IN BRIEF Parents won't have to pay for autism-funding suit
Globe & Mail
Jun 13, 2007
Page: A8
Section: National News
Edition: National
Toronto
A group of families with autistic children who launched a lawsuit
against the Ontario government and seven school boards won't
have to hand over $85,000 in legal costs to the province, an
Ontario judge has ruled.
There was nothing "frivolous" or "vexatious" about the $1.25-
billion lawsuit, Mr. Justice Maurice Cullity noted in his decision
released yesterday, adding that it would have been "unjust"
to penalize the families by ordering them to pay the costs.
__________________________________
Parents don't have to pay costs for Ont. autism funding lawsuit: judge (Autism-Lawsuit)
Canadian Press
Jun 12, 2007
By Maria Babbage
TORONTO (CP) _ A group of families with autistic children who launched a lawsuit against the Ontario government and seven school boards won't have to hand over $85,000 in legal costs to the province, an Ontario judge has ruled.
There was nothing ``frivolous'' or ``vexatious'' about the $1.25-billion lawsuit, Justice Maurice Cullity noted in his decision released Tuesday, adding that it would have been ``unjust'' to penalize the families by ordering them to pay the costs.
``It is not disputed that many of the parents have made significant financial sacrifices and have suffered serious financial consequences because of a lack of public funding for the programs they consider to be necessary for the educational and social development of their children,'' he wrote.
The families, who say they've spent their savings and taken extra jobs to pay for a costly treatment for their children, launched the lawsuit in 2004, alleging the government failed autistic kids by not providing access to the specialized treatment in school. The Intensive Behavioural Intervention therapy can cost between $30,000 to $80,000 per child each year.
Cullity rejected most of their claims in March, but the families are trying to appeal that decision.
Lawyers for the government and school boards had argued in court Monday that they were not asking for the full costs, and that the province would have been willing to wait for the money until after the appeal process was completed.
By deciding not to award legal costs, the judge was clearly indicating that the case should proceed because it's in the public interest, said David Baker, a Toronto lawyer representing the families.
``He did not use a cost order to force the plaintiffs to the sidelines, to deter them from proceeding by making it financially impossible for them to proceed,'' he said.
``So he's clearing the way so that they will ultimately have their day in court and have the case adjudicated on its merits.''
Taline Sagharian, one of the parents who launched the lawsuit and whose son is autistic, said the judge's decision came as a relief.
``It's not like we were able to plan and put aside money for (the legal costs),'' she said.
``How do you put aside money that you don't have? I don't know how we would have paid for it.''
While fighting the families in court, the Ontario government has publicly announced increased spending on the program to provide the IBI therapy.
But Tuesday's decision has given the governing Liberals a ``black eye,'' said NDP critic Shelley Martel.
``I thought that it was really outrageous that they would be seeking costs in the first place against these families who have children with autism,'' said Martel, who is also fighting the province to obtain the cost of its ongoing legal battle with the families who want the province to pay for IBI therapy.
``Today they were told it was clearly wrong, and I think in a lot of the public's mind, what they're trying to do to these parents and what they've been doing to other parents with children with autism is just dead wrong.''
The federal government has been urged by a Senate committee to develop a national plan to deal with autism, including new measures to help families saddled with huge bills for therapy. The committee noted that almost 50,000 children and 150,000 adults in Canada have autism.
_____________________________________
Once again, the Alliance for Families with Autism (AFA) would like to thank all of you who attended the debate last week. We also would like to thank the community for their input into the questions.

As promised, the AFA is forwarding the written responses from the debate that took place on Monday, June 04, 2007.

It is important for the autism community to know the position of all three parties so that we can make an educated decision for the upcoming election this fall.

If you are interested in purchasing a DVD copy of the debate, please email Lisa at lisa.prasuhn@sympatico.ca. The cost of the DVD will be $10.00 to cover the costs involved for the DVD, packaging and postage. There is also a portion that will go to the Alliance for Families with Autism inorder to cover costs associated with the debate and other operational expenses associated with the AFA.

As always, the AFA's mission is to improve the lives of children and adults affected by autism and to provide factual information in a non-partisan approach to all stakeholders.

Thank you,

The Alliance for Families with Autism



NDP WRITTEN RESPONSE
Question:
1) There has been an incredible increase in the number of children on the waitlist to receive IBI therapy from the AIP. What is your party’s plan if it forms the next government, to eliminate the waitlist and what is the timeline involved? As well, what will you do to ensure that all Regional Programs and Direct Funding Programs are consistent with the admission, review and discharge of children with autism from the AIP?
Response:
The wait list has grown 1,100% under the McGuinty Liberals’ watch. When the Liberals were elected, only 89 children were waiting for IBI treatment to begin. Now, the wait list of children assessed and eligible for IBI therapy has grown to 985 children. The provincial government must make a significant financial investment up front to ensure children who need IBI can receive it. Otherwise, as a society, we will pay so much more when these children are unable to finish school, find themselves in the court system, or end up in a group home or an institution, because they were not able to receive the treatment they needed.
New Democrats believe that we must make an important investment now. The current wait list must be completely cleared and new children who qualify for IBI treatment must be able to start their services as soon as they qualify. We believe doing both could be completed in a maximum of 3 years.
The issue of the consistent and fair delivery of Regional and Direct Funding Programs, across the province, is an important one. Parents of children with autism need to know that regardless of where they are receiving services in Ontario , access to these services is fair and consistent. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services has contractual agreements with the Regional providers to provide IBI treatment. In addition, the Ministry is the funding agent for both the Regional and Direct Funding Programs, and as such, has an obligation to guarantee that all policies and procedures set out by the Ministry are being applied consistently by all providers. If not, the Ministry must be accountable to parents and intervene directly with providers to guarantee that the rules regarding admission, review, and discharge of children from programs are properly followed.
Finally, we must ensure there is no cost for parents to choose the Direct Funding Option (DFO) as opposed to the Direct Service Option (DSO). The decision between DFO and DSO is often income based for families living on a tight budget. Current DFO rates do not cover all the costs, making it still difficult for the families with the most limited finances to choose DFO.


Question:
2) With the recent announcement regarding Policy/Program Memorandum 140 to incorporate ABA into schools, how will your party, if elected, develop and monitor ABA models for school age children with ASD and ensure the proper qualifications and mandatory training will take place? Please explain what would be your action plan and timeline to ensure that each child with autism is receiving the services they require within the education system and would that include making the Individual Education Plan (IEP) legally binding like the Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC)?
Response:
The recent announcement regarding Policy/Program Memorandum 140 to incorporate ABA techniques into schools, falls short of what New Democrats believe is required in the school system today – that IBI therapists must be permitted into the classroom.
We appreciate that for children with ASD who are mild on the spectrum, the application of general ABA principles might be enough to support their learning. But for many other children with autism, especially those who are severe on the spectrum, their own therapist, in the classroom, is what is required to allow them to learn.
New Democrats believe that the 7000 children with ASD currently in the public school system must have the services they require to learn incorporated into their Individual Education Plans and that a copy of these plans, must be submitted to a separate office in the Ministry of Education to ensure boards are meeting their requirements in this regard.
A fundamental shift in the attitudes of some school boards and Ministry personnel is required with respect to ensuring children with ASD are having their education needs met. Justice Kiteley’s Court decision of March 2005, (Deskin/Wynberg case) made it very clear that too many boards were not providing the supports and services children with autism required, and that the Minister of Education was not giving direction to school boards to do so. This must change.


Question:
3) Does your party’s plan, if it forms the next government, include children that need to receive intensive ABA therapy within the education system? If so, please explain the plan and who would be accountable for putting together such programs and overseeing them? If not, how will your government, if elected, integrate children receiving intensive ABA therapy if it is not taking place within the education system? Once again, please indicate a timeline for each stage.
Response:
The NDP would ensure that IBI therapists are allowed into classrooms in Ontario . For many children who are severe on the spectrum, having their IBI therapists with them at school allows them to learn and to access the public education system – a right they are entitled to in Ontario. Unless and until the Minister of Education directs school boards to permit IBI therapists into the classroom, children with autism will continue to be denied the public education every child in Ontario is entitled to receive. Justice Kiteley said it best in her March 2005 Court decision in the Deskin/Wynberg case,
“The Minister of Education failed to fulfill the statutory duty to ‘ensure that appropriate special education programs and special education services’ were available to all exceptional pupils without payment of fees. In particular, the Minister of Education failed to develop policy and give direction to school boards to ensure that ABA/IBI services are provided to children of compulsory school age. Indeed, the actions and inactions of the Ministry of Education and the Minister created a policy barrier to the availability of IBI/ABA in schools. The absence of ABA/IBI means that children with autism are excluded from the opportunity to access learning with the consequential deprivation of skills, the likelihood of isolation from society and the loss of ability to exercise the rights and freedoms to which all Canadians are entitled.”
The NDP would require the Minister of Education to take the lead and guarantee that all children with autism can access IBI therapy in the classroom if they need this to learn.


Question:
4) Families are being given true choices between direct funding and direct services for their children receiving IBI from the AIP. Will there also be a choice of funding for families not wanting to send their children with autism into the public school system?
Response:
The NDP supports public education. Every child in the province, including a child with autism, has a right to public education.
The unfortunate reality is that as a result of the failure of the Ministry and Minister of Education to fulfill their statutory duties to ensure appropriate programs and services are available for children with autism in the public school system, parents have been forced to send their children to private schools to access supports. They are being forced to pay out of their own pocket to secure an education for their son or daughter because they can’t get what is needed in the public school system.
New Democrats believe that the Minister and Ministry must fulfill their obligations to ensure the appropriate supports and services are in place (including having IBI therapist in the classroom), so that children with autism can fully access a public education in Ontario .


Question:
5) What does your party, if elected, feel will be their greatest challenges with regards to the autism community and why? What are your plans to overcome these challenges?
Response:
The greatest challenge facing the provincial government is to recognize the incidence of autism spectrum disorder is rapidly increasing (1 out of 150 children) and we are not ready to meet the needs of those children who are being diagnosed now and will continue to be diagnosed in ever increasing numbers in Ontario . Meeting this challenge will require substantial public investments in supports and services for children, both pre-school and school-age, and support for research to unlock the reason for the “epidemic” of ASD.
We will need to be steadily increasing the number of health care professionals who both diagnose and treat children with autism, including paediatricians, psychologists, senior IBI therapists and therapists. A specific strategy for recruitment and retention of these providers is required.
Given the number of therapists must grow to meet the increasing need for IBI treatment, more spaces must be made available in the college system to qualify and graduate more therapists. This will also lead to a need for some form of regulation of therapists in order to ensure the provision of high quality IBI services to children with autism.
The budget for IBI treatment must grow to ensure we are able to start services for children with autism once they are assessed and qualify for funding for treatment. This increased budget is also critical to ensure we don’t have children who qualify for IBI languishing on wait lists.
As children with autism grow into adulthood, and in recognition of the fact that many adults with autism now lack programs and services to support them in the community, we will need supportive housing, employment supports, etc., to ensure they can fully participate in the community.


Question:
6) How will your party, if it forms the next government, ensure families receive the proper services they need when they are faced with linguistic and cultural barriers? As well, we often concentrate our efforts on the children and youth affected by autism in Ontario . What are your party’s plans for adults outside of the preschool and education system, in terms of assigned living, work opportunities, and ensuring these individuals do not slip through the cracks?
Response:
The face of Ontario is changing and it is imperative that our public services take that reality into account and reflect cultural and linguistic diversity. The Regional Program providers, as employers, must develop a recruitment strategy for staff which recognizes the diversity of the families and communities they are working with. The provincial government must also provide public information about autism and available government services in appropriate languages to newcomer and settlement agencies, doctors’ offices, family health teams, community health centres, and childcare centres. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, in delivering college programs for IBI therapists, must also be conscious of the need to do outreach to attract potential students who reflect the diversity of the children with autism who they will be working with.
Adults with autism deserve access to community supports and programs. Many never received any treatment, so those who are severe on the spectrum may have more challenges with respect to community living than others who received treatment at a younger age. Given the increase overall in the number of children now being diagnosed with ASD, adults with ASD and those moving to adulthood require a much broader range of supports and services than we are currently providing in Ontario. We need assistive/supportive housing to accommodate adults in the community; vocational training and supervised co-op placements which also support employers who are keen to participate; adult day programs for those unlikely to participate in co-op placements; and respite services for caregivers who care for their adult children with ASD at home. It is imperative that individuals who work with/support adults with ASD in the community have specific training to be able to recognize and respond appropriately to their needs.


Question:
7) Does your party support a National Autism Strategy and if so what will you do to ensure you are working towards this goal? If elected, what would be the components of a National Autism Strategy that Ontario should support?
Response:
The NDP supports the creation of a National Autism Strategy to ensure that parents of children with autism, wherever they live in Canada , have equal access to basic supports and services their children need – at home, in school, and in the community. Unfortunately, this is not happening.
Under the McGuinty Liberals, in May 2006, Stacey and Jonathan Haley of Bowmanville moved to Alberta so their twin boys could receive a full range of publicly-funded services and programs. “It was a heart-breaking decision – we don’t know a soul in Alberta and we have a great support network in our local community,” said Stacey. “But, we really didn’t feel that there was any other alternative. If we wanted 40 hours of IBI for each of our boys, we were looking at costs of almost $200,000 a year.”
Deborah Campbell left Ontario in August 2005 because her son Johnathan, was unable to access the autism programs he required. In Alberta , he receives publicly-funded IBI and other services which meet his needs. “Government ministries and school boards in the province of Ontario are forcing parents to become both political and educational refugees,” said Campbell .
These forced relocations must stop and the federal government needs a national strategy which establishes a range of publicly-funded autism services to be available in each province. The federal government must also provide funding to all provinces and be accountable to ensure each reaches that service level.
The federal government must also step up to the plate with significant funding for autism research, especially in light of the sharp increases in incidences of ASD. While many organizations are fund-raising for research (i.e. Autism Speaks Walk), the burden cannot fall exclusively to families, friends, and the private sector to pay for autism research.
The real way to ensure families with children with autism get the IBI treatment they need, wherever they live, would be to bring autism under the Canada Health Act. We support the work done by NDP MP Peter Stoffer, and other MPs who feel the same way, to try and make this an important national issue.


Question:
8) There are several legal battles being fought on the issue of ABA and IBI in Ontario . 120 Ontario Human Rights Commission cases under the group name Arzem, the Class Action case of Sagharian, and the Class Action case of Hartley. What will your government do, if elected in power this fall to compensate these families and to reach a fair resolution that will put an end to the legal battles? Will the governing parties categorically say that they will not seek compensation for legal fees which are a major risk for these members of the autism community seeking what they believe is a fair treatment for their children?
Response:
New Democrats would not seek compensation for costs from parents with children with autism who have gone to court to try and get the services their children needed. These parents have struggled enough. They should never have been forced into court in the first place, but were, because their government was not providing what their children were/are entitled to receive.
In the last election, Mr. McGuinty said, “I also believe that the lack of government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children is unfair and discriminatory. The Ontario Liberals support extending autism treatment beyond the age of six.” If Mr. McGuinty really meant what he said, then once he was elected, he would have stopped the court case against the Deskin/Wynberg families and settled with them. Instead, Mr. McGuinty fought these families in Court for another 11 months. He only stopped the age 6 cut-off of children’s IBI treatment when Justice Kiteley forced him to with her court decision at the end of March, 2005—a full 18 months after Mr. McGuinty had been elected. Taxpayers’ money, that should have been used to pay for IBI, was instead squandered by the Liberals to fight these families, not once, but twice, in Court. And now Mr. McGuinty is prepared to squander even more money by going to Court on June 18th, to try and block the release of information requested over 3 years ago by NDP MPP Shelley Martel on how much the Liberals spent fighting these families.
With IBI therapists in the classroom, the elimination of the wait list, province-wide autism program consistency, education programs that reflect linguistic and cultural diversity, increased support and services for adults to enjoy a quality of life in the community and an open ear to further assist families and individuals living with autism, the need to go to court should end.
No Ontario family with a child with autism should have to go to court to get the services they need—at home, at school, or in the community—because their government refuses to provide what is needed.
PC PARTY WRITTEN RESPONSE
Debate Questions
1) There has been an incredible increase in the number of children on the waitlist to receive IBI therapy from the AIP. What is your party’s plan if it forms the next government, to eliminate the waitlist and what is the timeline involved? As well, what will you do to ensure that all Regional Programs and Direct Funding Programs are consistent with the admission, review and discharge of children with autism from the AIP?
Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory announced in February that, if elected, a PC government would take action to help parents and children dealing with autism. The first step in the PC party’s plan is to begin by clearing the existing wait list for autism treatment for children under age of six by providing direct funding immediately for every child on the waitlist. Specifically, any child on the waitlist would immediately be offered direct funding.
The PC Party’s fiscal plan includes a new targeted investment of $70 million to clear Dalton McGuinty’s wait list (estimated at 1,400 waiting without service).
2) With the recent announcement regarding Policy/Program Memorandum 140 to incorporate ABA into schools, how will your party, if elected, develop and monitor ABA models for school age children with ASD and ensure the proper qualifications and mandatory training will take place? Please explain what would be your action plan and timeline to ensure that each child with autism is receiving the services they require within the education system and would that include making the Individual Education Plan (IEP) legally binding like the Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC)?
AND
3) Does your party’s plan, if it forms the next government, include children that need to receive intensive ABA therapy within the education system? If so, please explain the plan and who would be accountable for putting together such programs and overseeing them? If not, how will your government, if elected, integrate children receiving intensive ABA therapy if it is not taking place within the education system? Once again, please indicate a timeline for each stage.
Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory announced in February that, if elected, a PC government would partner with the education system, child support workers and school boards to ensure that upon reaching school age, children with autism have the supports they need – including, when recommended by a qualified professional, ABA and IBI - as part of a continuum of services to help these children integrate and succeed.
A John Tory government would not have age cutoffs and will provide the right, appropriate and best treatment at any age, as prescribed by an appropriately qualified professional – be it IBI or other services.
Furthermore, a John Tory government would seek more transparency within the public school system in relation to the almost $2 billion allocated to special needs children. A John Tory government will work with school boards, teachers and their representative organizations to ensure appropriately qualified professionals are in the schools to guide and deliver services and programs.
A John Tory government would also look at best practices and adopt international standards to accredit professionals who provide educational support for children with autism.
The PC Party has also included investment in our college and university system in our fiscal plan so that it can meet the appropriate standards and ensure we have adequate supply of accredited trained professionals here in Ontario.
4) Families are being given true choices between direct funding and direct services for their children receiving IBI from the AIP. Will there also be a choice of funding for families not wanting to send their children with autism into the public school system?
The PC Party believes in giving parents choices. Parents know their child best and understand what their needs and abilities are and the environment in which they learn best. A John Tory government would support parents in making the best choice for their child.
In Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario , there is no consistent option across the province. Under John Tory parents will be provided with flexible options that work for them.
A John Tory government will give parents the choice to meet the needs of their children in the best way they see fit – either through a regional service provider or through managing their own child’s services with direct funding for accredited providers.
A John Tory government will also invest an additional $5 million annually in respite programs to give parents and families the support they need and deserve.
5) What does your party, if elected, feel will be their greatest challenges with regards to the autism community and why? What are your plans to overcome these challenges?
The PC Party believes the greatest challenge with respect to the autism community will be restoring their trust in the government.
It is not surprising that parents are disillusioned - Dalton McGuinty has made so many promises and parents have been disappointed so many times. Dalton McGuinty made a promise but then said he didn’t have the resources to follow through and provide the services children so desperately need. When Dalton McGuinty turns around and commits $400 million to retrofit a casino, you have to wonder where social justice has gone in the decision-making process.
A John Tory government has made a commitment to you and to your children and – unlike Dalton McGuinty – he has costed that commitment and he has planned for it in his fiscal plan with the allocation of $75 million starting in the first year of his mandate. John Tory will do what he has said he will do.
6) How will your party, if it forms the next government, ensure families receive the proper services they need when they are faced with linguistic and cultural barriers? As well, we often concentrate our efforts on the children and youth affected by autism in Ontario . What are your party’s plans for adults outside of the preschool and education system, in terms of assigned living, work opportunities, and ensuring these individuals do not slip through the cracks?
Ontario is a culturally diverse province and so our programs and services need to be designed and implemented with that in mind. The PC Party understands the importance of awareness and education that cuts across cultural and linguistic lines and is committed to reaching out to all families in need of support to ensure that these families are aware of what services are available to them.
With respect to adults with autism, the PC Party understands that services have been heavily focused on early childhood interventions. It is important to address the very different set of challenges that adults with autism face.
The PC Party believes that there is more work to be done to provide vocational training for adults with autism to allow these citizens to benefit from the pride that comes from meaningful work. The PC Party believes in an inclusive Ontario and understands the need for more social, recreational and respite programs so that adults with autism are not left unengaged.
7) Does your party support a National Autism Strategy and if so what will you do to ensure you are working towards this goal? If elected, what would be the components of a National Autism Strategy that Ontario should support?
The PC Party would absolutely support a National Autism Strategy.
The PC Party believes a National Autism Strategy should begin by focusing on taking the lead role in three important areas:
1. Coordinating levels of service and programming being delivered across the country to ensure comparable services are being provided across the country, that all jurisdictions are learning from one another’s best practices, and that parents don’t feel pressure to move to another jurisdiction simply to access services for their children.
2. Showing leadership in autism research and sharing lessons from international best practices.
3. Providing more tax credits and programs that will improve the ability for parents, who are too often forced into bankruptcy, to better plan for the future.
8) There are several legal battles being fought on the issue of ABA and IBI in Ontario . 120 Ontario Human Rights Commission cases under the group name Arzem, the Class Action case of Sagharian, and the Class Action case of Hartley. What will your government do, if elected in power this fall to compensate these families and to reach a fair resolution that will put an end to the legal battles? Will the governing parties categorically say that they will not seek compensation for legal fees which are a major risk for these members of the autism community seeking what they believe is a fair treatment for their children?
The PC Party believes it is shameful that parents have spent years fighting with Dalton McGuinty in court to obtain the services for their children that he promised to them in his election campaign.
A John Tory government would not penalize parents in courts and would not be seeking any compensation for any legal fees.
LIBERAL PARTY WRITTEN RESPONSE

Alliance for Families with Autism Debate Questions: Liberal Response
Question #1
There has been an incredible increase in the number of children on the waitlist to receive IBI therapy from the AIP. What is your party’s plan if it forms the next government, to eliminate the waitlist and what is the timeline involved? As well, what will you do to ensure that all Regional Programs and Direct Funding Programs are consistent with the admission, review and discharge of children with autism from the AIP?
We need to talk about where we plan to go but we also need to talk about the progress we have made to-date. Our government is building an improved and expanded continuum of service. We have more than doubled annual spending on services for children and youth with autism to more than $130 million. We’ve hired almost 300 new therapists and established the Ontario College Graduate Certificate Program in Autism and Behavioural Sciences - 100 graduates in 2006, 100 graduates in 2007, and another 200 expected in the next two years. It’s about building the capacity to provide the services needed. More than 1,100 children are now receiving IBI– an increase of 105 percent since April 2004.
Wait list management teams, internal to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, have given the families of the most recent 231 children real choice when it comes to the Direct Funding Option (DFO) and Direct Service Option (DSO). We are changing the way parents get to choose in the future.
We ended an age cutoff that was implemented by the Conservative government. Since July 2005, children have no longer been discharged on the basis of age. That has caused both the number of children in service and the number of children waiting for service to rise. Approximately 60% of the children receiving IBI services are now age six or older. Approximately 45% of the children currently on the wait list are age six or older.
We also assess children for appropriate services sooner. There were more than 1,000 children waiting for assessment when we took office. By assessing children sooner, we have reduced the wait list for assessment by more than 65%. However, this has also contributed to the growth of the wait list for service.
We struck an Expert Clinical Panel for the Autism Intervention Program, an independent arms-length body that is developing a set of clinical practice guidelines to enable consistent and evidence-based clinical decision-making in the program. The Panel is chaired by Dr. Peter Szatmari and includes a number of experts, including a parent of two children with autism.
Question # 2
With the recent announcement regarding Policy/Program Memorandum 140 to incorporate ABA into schools, how will your party, if elected, develop and monitor ABA models for school age children with ASD and ensure the proper qualifications and mandatory training will take place? Please explain what would be your action plan and timeline to ensure that each child with autism is receiving the services they require within the education system and would that include making the Individual Education Plan (IEP) legally binding like the Identification Placement Review Committee (IPRC)?
Since taking office in 2003, our government has undertaken a number of key initiatives to focus on better student outcomes, including better outcomes for children and youth with autism.
Our government has committed itself to improving supports for children and youth with autism in schools. We launched the Autism Spectrum Disorder Reference Group to provide our government with recommendations on how best to provide this enhanced support. The Reference Group’s recommendations have set the course for the progess we are making.
On May 18, 2007 , the Ministry of Education released a Policy and Program Memorandum (PPM) on the use of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) in schools. School boards have been directed through the PPM to use ABA methods with students with ASD, in accordance with their individual education plans. This includes intensive forms of ABA .
The PPM provides direction to school boards, principals and educators in the following areas:
• To support the use of ABA as an effective instructional approach for many students with ASD ;
• To ensure that ABA methods are incorporated into the Individual Education Plans of students with ASD , where appropriate;
• To ensure that parents and relevant professionals are invited to provide input and participate in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process;
• To plan for students’ transitions and to use relevant ABA methods to support transitions, where appropriate;
• To develop a plan for the implementation of the PPM and to consult with their local Special Education Advisory Committees ( SEAC ) regarding the implementation; and
• To consult with their local SEACs regarding the monitoring of the implementation of the PPM, at least on an annual basis.
• The Minister’s Advisory Council on Special Education, as well as members of the Ministers’ Autism Spectrum Disorders Reference Group who wish to be involved, will be consulted twice a year regarding the implementation of ABA methods by school boards.
To support school boards in the successful implementation of the PPM on ABA , extensive staff training will be provided. Our government is currently implementing training on ASD for school board teams, up to six to eight representatives from every school board, including superintendents, principals, teachers, teachers’ assistants, school support staff and SEAC members. The school boards’ team training will be followed by principal training and training for school teams - funded through a $1-million investment. Both training opportunities will take place over the summer months to prepare staff to implement the PPM in September 2007. It is estimated that up to 1,400 principals will be trained as well as 1,400 other staff directly working with students with ASD , including principals, teachers and teachers’ assistants.
In addition, our government has provided a grant of $2.75 million to Geneva Centre for Autism. The Centre has committed to use this investment to provide further team training on ABA approaches with school staff in the fall.
We will hold school boards accountable for the implementation of the PPM, as it is a fundamental component of our efforts to strengthen the supports available to children and youth with autism in schools.
Question # 3
Does your party’s plan, if it forms the next government, include children that need to receive intensive ABA therapy within the education system? If so, please explain the plan and who would be accountable for putting together such programs and overseeing them? If not, how will your government, if elected, integrate children receiving intensive ABA therapy if it is not taking place within the education system? Once again, please indicate a timeline for each stage.
Our government recognizes that all children, regardless of their needs, are entitled to a high quality education in Ontario .
Directing school boards on the use of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) with students with autism in schools, through the PPM released on May 18, 2007, was an important step forward in addressing the need for ABA methods to be available to students with autism who need it in schools across the province. We will be carefully monitoring the implementation of the PPM in September in school boards across the province. As previously mentioned, the implementation of the PPM is supported by a number of training initiatives our government has undertaken.
Our progress to-date has been made possible by working in patnership with parents, school boards, teachers, educators, and experts in the field of autism. We will continue to work in collaboration with our partners to implement ABA in schools, including intensive ABA , such as Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI).
Question # 4
Families are being given true choices between direct funding and direct services for their children receiving IBI from the AIP . Will there also be a choice of funding for families not wanting to send their children with autism into the public school system?
Our government looks forward to a time when all schools across the province are supportive of children with autism in their schools and are able to provide the services they need. However, we believe that it is important for parents and families to not feel that they are being forced to send their children to school to receive services that they are not comfortable receiving within that system of service provision. The important thing is ensuring that kids who require support be able to get it. We will continue to strengthen and improve all the service options available for children and youth with autism and their families.
Question # 5
What does your party, if elected, feel will be their greatest challenges with regards to the autism community and why? What are your plans to overcome these challenges?
The best way to overcome challenges is by working together, in partnership. The improvements we have made to the provision of services for children with autism would not have been possible without us having the opportunity to hear the advice and the experiences of parents. We have learned much from the parent community and the progress we have made is the result of that.
Funding is not the only answer to improving services for children and youth with autism. As funding increases and the demand for service grows, we must also build and retain the human resource capacity to absorb this growth. That's why we started a college-level program to train new therapists. We are also working to overcome a significant shortage of child psychologists in Ontario . We will continue to grow the capacity of the system to better meet the growing demand for service in the long-term.
We plan to continue the good work we have already done to improve the learning environment for our children and youth with ASD. We plan to continue building the relationships we have with members of the autism community – with parents, community groups, educators, school boards, and within government.
Question # 6
How will your party, if it forms the next government, ensure families receive the proper services they need when they are faced with linguistic and cultural barriers? As well, we often concentrate our efforts on the children and youth affected by autism in Ontario . What are your party’s plans for adults outside of the preschool and education system, in terms of assigned living, work opportunities, and ensuring these individuals do not slip through the cracks?
We recognize that families with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds can also have different needs. Addressing this need is part of our effort to build the capacity within the service system.
Services for children, youth, and adults with autism must be provided through a collaborative, interministerial approach. By working through interministerial collaboration, we are able to offer a broad range of coordinated services to address the needs of children, youth, and adults with autism as they move along the service continuum.
As announced in our 2007 Budget, our government is investing $200 million more over the next four years to strengthen the developmental service sector. Our government has begun drafting of a new piece of legislation for the developmental services sector. This piece of legislation is the first new piece of legislation in this area since the 1970s. The McGuinty government wants to bring the developmental services sector into the 21st century. We are proposing an enhanced consistent approach to determining eligibility for developmental services by updating the definition of developmental disability, which will benefit autistic adults in that they may have the intelligence to perform daily tasks but not the social skills that help them do so. This new piece of legislation will also allow families and individuals the choice to receive services through a transfer payment agency or to receive funding directly to purchase the services themselves. It will also allow funding to transfer with the client if they move from one community to another. Outside of this legislation, we are adding autism clinical expertise over time to our specialized networks of care, which includes long distance teleconference diagnosis.
Question # 7
Does your party support a National Autism Strategy and if so what will you do to ensure you are working towards this goal? If elected, what would be the components of a National Autism Strategy that Ontario should support?

Our government is on record as supporting a National Autism Strategy.
On November 8, 2006 , Minister of Children and Youth Services Mary Anne Chambers appeared before The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology in Ottawa , where she presented her case for a national autism strategy to benefit children with autism and their families across the country. She was the only elected official across the country who accepted the invitation to appear before the committee. In her presentation, she suggested the federal government consider the following:
• A public awareness campaign to help more people understand autism, including how to socialize and live with those with autism;
• Direct grants or tax deductions for parents/families with children with autism, similar to support for caregivers who provide babysitting services and for people who look after their senior relatives;
• More funding for research on autism;
• Recruitment of more child psychologists to work with children and youth with autism;
• More funding for residential supports to provide respite for parents and help children with autism learn to take care of themselves to some degree;
• Standard certification for service providers nationally; and
• A regulatory body for behaviour analysts and therapists.
The full transcript of the Minister’s presentation can be found at:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/39/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/soci-e/10eva-e.htm?Language=E&Parl=39&Ses=1&comm_id=47

Question # 8
There are several legal battles being fought on the issue of ABA and IBI in Ontario . 120 Ontario Human Rights Commission cases under the group name Arzem, the Class Action case of Sagharian, and the Class Action case of Hartley. What will your government do, if elected in power this fall to compensate these families and to reach a fair resolution that will put an end to the legal battles? Will the governing parties categorically say that they will not seek compensation for legal fees which are a major risk for these members of the autism community seeking what they believe is a fair treatment for their children?
Our focus has been, and will remain, improving the services and supports available to children and youth with autism, and their families. Our interest is to work in partnership with families because our experience has demonstrated that working with the parent community yields real results.
The Ontario Court of Appeal decision in the Deskin-Wynberg case left the government with the option of reinstating the IBI age six cutoff. We chose not to because our commitment is to improve services for all children and youth with autism, regardless of age.



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