Feb 7, 2019, Newswire: Government "reforms" will leave families affected by autism on their own and struggling for support - CUPE joined by Ontario Autism Coalition in condemning decision that divides children with autism into "haves" and "have nots" https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-reforms-will-leave-families-affected-by-autism-on-their-own-and-struggling-for-support-cupe-joined-by-ontario-autism-coalition-in-condemning-decision-that-divides-children-with-autism-into-haves-and-have-nots--897114206.html The Ford government's reckless changes to the way it supports children with autism put desperately needed services at risk and make it clear to their families that they're on their own, say representatives of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and CUPE Ontario. They are joined in this assessment by the Ontario Autism Coalition, which has shared its concerns with the union…. Walton described wait lists and lack of supports for children with autism as "a scandal", but warned, "This move does nothing to train more educational assistants in ABA therapy. It doesn't promote inclusion in classrooms for children with autism. It doesn't provide more educational assistants, it doesn't increase services in rural and northern areas, and we're back to funding support based on age…. CUPE has called for a system of regional, publicly run centres to assess children with autism; needs-based funding for services for children with exceptionalities; and a high-quality, inclusive and supportive public education for all children…. This vision was championed in part by the Ontario Autism Coalition, which voiced its fears about the new limitations that Ford government is putting on services to children with autism…. Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario and himself a social worker who worked in developmental services, affirmed Smithers' view: "The Ford government has shown itself again and again to be completely out of touch with what happens on the ground, whether it's with children with autism, their families or workers. It is simply unwilling to commit to proper funding for education and what it takes to achieve better outcomes for students, for children with autism and for their families. …
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
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