[FEAT BC Admin]

In this topic area, discussion is about the fight to secure Government funding for your A.B.A. treatment program. It is also the place to talk about your thoughts and ideas about how to establish new Government programs specifically designed for autism treatment.

This is the place to hear input from parents who have fought for funding and won, as well as those who have fought for funding and would like to share their horror stories. There is a tendency to not share success stories once funding is secured. Please fight that tendency. By sharing our experience, we all become stronger.

 

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—-By FEAT BC (Freeman) on Saturday, January 3, 1998 – 03:16 pm:

-Hi everyone!

These are some things to think about in your dealings with government to help you to obtain support for your child’s Autism Treatment Program. These are my personal opinions and do not represent those of FEAT of BC or any other organization.

Many of these observations are based on my personal experiences (and I believe it poetic justice to help every parent avoid being systematically abused by their social worker the way I was).

Good luck to everyone! (Let’s all pull back the curtain on the Wizard of OZ).

Sabrina

 

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How To Fight for Funding for Autism Treatment and Appropriate School Placement

1. Establish a Paper Trail

Always take notes, documenting major points of all conversations with government and school officials.

This includes casual, in person conversations with social workers as well as ALL telephone conversations. All key points of discussion must be written down in your notes including the date and time of the discussion. This includes what was agreed upon, as well as what was not agreed upon.

Then the notes should be used to write a letter recapping the substance and content of the conversation. This letter must then be mailed or faxed to the person with whom you had the conversation. In addition, a copy must be kept in your file (see section on the icci game).

Why?

It is important to formalize the interaction between you and Government officials. In addition, everyone is put on notice that they must closely adhere to their responsibilities, regulations and laws., Furthermore, they must then consider the paper trail you have created. This lets everyone know that the interaction can become public and that any abuses of power and authority can be formally appealed and/or publicized.

In other words, they canit use discretion unfairly under the cloak of secrecy.

2. Submit all Requests in Writing

All your requests for your child must be submitted formally in writing with a copy included in your file and a copy, if necessary, sent to their immediate superiors.

3. Set Deadlines for Action

All formal requests for action must have a reasonable deadline set for that action. If no action or response is received by the deadline you have set (two weeks for example), then you will interpret the lack of response as a formal declination (a formal NO) of your requests.

Why Set Deadlines?

When bureaucrats do not want to do something, they will stall by ignoring you and your request. (As an aside, in the study of the bureaucracy, this is known as ithe power to do nothingi). They can string you along for years. When you have determined that the person you are interacting with is not inclined to help you or is not dealing in good faith, then you must take the initiative and formally label his/her behavior as obstructionist and de facto as a declination (a NO to your requests). This allows you to move to the next level of authority on your timetable to present your case. This takes the power to do nothing away from the bureaucrat with whom you are dealing. Simple stated, a bureaucrat who stalls and does nothing becomes irrelevant (use your invisible spray) and you move on to the next level of authority.

How to icci?

A cc. is a copy of your letter sent to someone other than the person you are writing. You put the cc. at the bottom left-hand corner of your letter followed by 2 spaces and the name of the person or people to whom you want to send a copy of the letter.

Who to icci to?

Sometimes it is best not to icci at all, especially in the early stages of the relationship (for example, your first letter to a social worker requesting assistance). This gives them the opportunity to do the right thing and does not present you as an overly combative person. When you start to run into problems, it is a good idea to send the icci to the 2 immediate superiors of the person you are having problems with. We do not recommend icciing all the way up the chain of command, since you want to give them a chance to solve the problem at the local level.

Why send a icci copy?

The reason for playing the icci game is that you want your interactions with the official to be known to his superior and possibly to other organizations so that 1) their action or inaction becomes a matter of record and 2) the individual knows he is being monitored. This helps minimize abuses of power and authority and helps encourage the official to meet their obligations and do the right thing.

What is the sequence of letters?

Find out the chain of command of the particular bureaucracy you are battling.

TOP

Minister
Deputy Minister
Children’s Ministry’s local region chain of command, all the way down to the District Supervisor
and Social Worker
Contacts can be found at the government directory: http://www.dir.gov.bc.ca/

BOTTOM

Start at the bottom and climb. At the Regional Operating Officer (ROO) level (once you have been declined) you have to decide whether to jump up to the top, threaten and then go to the media, or both. A word of wisdom: DO NOT BLUFF. If you are not willing to go all the way, they will ‘smell’ this. You must be prepared to take it right up to the Minister and beyond.

Documentation from Experts:

In your arsenal to fight for your child, it is wise to get his/her pediatrician and/or psychiatrist to write a letter on your childis behalf. In addition, any other experts who know your child and are sympathetic to what you are trying to do should become involved.

When to hire a lawyer?

If money is not an issue, you can hire a lawyer when you get to the area manager level. Make sure that you have a paper trail so the lawyer has something to work with. Also, have the lawyer give F.E.A.T. of B.C. a call, and we will send him/her information that will help.

If money is an issue (as it is for most of us running autism treatment programs), you might want to hire a lawyer once you have been turned down by the Minister.

How to hire a lawyer?

The type of lawyer needed is a litigator, or trial lawyer. S/he does not need to be an expert in autism, or special needs; s/he needs to be experienced in suing governments, and enjoys being in court. Word of mouth is a good way to find a lawyer.

Topic

[Isaac]

Hello everyone,

Important events are unfolding in Ottawa.

There's a raging debate happening in Parliament over proposed legislation that would, at long last, end the autism treatment vacuum in Canada. It's about whether children afflicted with this debilitating disorder should be covered under Medicare, for their medically necessary treatment.

Courtesy of our man in Ottawa (Andrew Kavchak), I would like to share the Hansard record of December 7, 2006 with our group. It's a fascinating read, and highly recommended. Click on the link below for a front-row seat to the debate.

–> https://featbc.org/downloads/Hansard_12_07_06.pdf

Isaac

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hello My Dear Friends in B.C.!

Tomorrow is a special day for me. It will be the third anniversary of my son's diagnosis.

I started lobbying in January 2004 and it has now been three long years in which this activity was my priority. We have come a long way. Three years ago autism was not on the radar screen in Ottawa. Now, after telling us since the last election that autism is entirely a provincial problem, the feds have realized that there are some gaps, and to use Health Minister Clement's words: "doing nothing is no longer an option". Regrettably the autism initiatives he announced on November 21 were nowhere near enough to fill in the gaps, but it was a start. Similarly, Andy Scott's motion for a National Autism Strategy was just approved in the House of Commons two days ago. The timing was remarkable with yesterday's passed in the US House of Representatives of the Combating Autism Act (which will pour $1 billion into research, screening and treatment over 5 years). Furthermore, we have two Bills on the Order Paper in the House of Commons. And on top of it all a Senate Committee inquiring into "Funding for the Treatment of Autism" that is expected to issue a report with recommendations in May, 2007. Our community can be proud.

In the past three years I have observed and communicated and networked and joined many individuals and organizations in different forms of lobbying and action and information sharing, etc… I want to express my profound admiration, respect and gratitude to all of you at FEAT of BC who have been so strong and led the way on behalf of kids and families across the country for years. I remember when I was demonstrating before the Supreme Court of Canada in June 2004 and met some of the families involved in the Auton case. It was a pleasure to meet Dr. Sabrina Freeman, Isaac Tamir, Jean Lewis, Bev Sharpe, and others. I consider these leaders to be the premier autism advocacy leaders in the country from whom I have learned a lot and been inspired. You are heroes and we thank you for all your efforts over the past.

Going forward, there is still soooo much to do. Neither the motion nor Clement's initiatives can be expected to make any changes to the lack of treatment in Medicare. We must therefore continue to lobby. However, more people across the country have to speak up and get involved. More people have to contact their MPs and tell them that the Motion must be followed up with action and the inclusion of treatment in Medicare.

I appeared yesterday as a witness before the Senate Committee. I was just one person on a panel of four. I tried my best with the few shifts of ice time that I had at the microphone. I did not get everything out because there is so much to say. However, it is clear that if more people were to write and send messages to the committe with the same message and singing the same song, it would help. The lack of consensus is regrettably a problem. One Senator came up to me afterwards and told me that we have to develop a consensus to get action. I told him that we never get consensus in Canada on anything and we are asking for them to support scientific evidence-based treatment. I also told him that the weight given to the evidence of some witnesses must be adjusted sometimes when it is clear that some witnesses base their evidence on scientific studies and others lack any quality supporting evidence. Would you help in the effort and send a message to the committee with your input? Now is the time! All contact information for the committee and its members (and MPs) is available from http://www.parl.gc.ca

Bill C-304 is up for debate soon. If passed, autism treatment would be part of Medicare from coast to coast. The Bill also create a two-phased approach for the Minister of Health to develop a National Autism Strategy with the provinces and table a plan in the House of Commons. If passed, it would become law.

Regrettably, this Bill has more opposition than the Motion that was just passed (which is not binding). Just two days ago, Mike Lake, the MP from Edmonton who has a child with autism, told me that he does not support Bill C-304 and if it proceeds to a vote he will vote against it. Clearly, our community has a long way to go.

Personally, I did my best over the past three years and honestly don't know what more I could have done to get autism on the radar screen on Parliament Hill. As part of an overall personal strategy of "pacing" oneself, I plan to take a break from lobbying over the Christmas holidays and possibly longer. Accordingly, I would like to wish you all a very happy holiday season!

Andrew Kavchak
Ottawa
_____________
Provinicial Journal
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Dec 6, 2006

Autism

Commons favours national program

OTTAWA – Fredericton MP Andy Scott hopes that federal, provincial and territorial health minister discuss autism at their next meeting. He issued a statement Tuesday after the House of commons voted 231-45 in favour of a Liberal motion calling on the government to develop a national autism strategy. Scott, who advanced this motion in May, says that provincial health care programs should cover the costs of treatment and therapy for autism spectrum disorders. Scott also commended the grade 12 political science class of Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, led by teacher Greg Peters, for help in developing the motion.
___________________________
News Release
December 5, 2006

OTTAWA – The M.P. for the Fredericton riding is celebrating a historic vote in the House of Commons as Parliament has passed a Liberal motion calling on the Federal Government to develop a National Autism Strategy.

Private Member’s Motion M-172 was advanced in May by the Honourable Andy Scott. The four point plan was debated for two hours and amended in cooperation with the Conservatives and the New Democrats.

The House of Commons passed the motion by a vote of 231-45 with the Bloc Quebecois voting against. The motion calls upon government to advance a National Autism Strategy that includes:

(a) the development, in cooperation with provincial-territorial governments, of evidence based standards for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder;

(b) the development, in cooperation with provincial governments, of innovative funding methods for the care of those with autism spectrum disorder;

(c) consulting with provincial-territorial governments and other stakeholders on the requirements of implementing a national surveillance program for autism spectrum disorder;

(d) the provision of additional federal funding for health research into autism spectrum disorder.

Scott appreciates the support from the Motion’s seconder, Nova Scotia NDP MP Peter Stoffer along with British Columbia Conservative MP’s Mike Lake, Russ Hiebert and Steven Fletcher from Manitoba. Scott recognizes each of them for “working in cooperation and good faith to help improve the lives of many thousands of Canadians”.

“It is my hope government will follow through with the provision of funding. The Minister of Health should place this on the agenda during the next federal-provincial-territorial ministers meeting. Persons with autism spectrum disorders require treatment and therapy for their condition and the associated costs should be covered by the health care insurance plan of every province” the Fredericton MP added.

Scott commends the grade 12 political science class of Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton led by teacher Greg Peters. The class met with Scott four times along with a number of people in helping develop this motion. They also wrote all 308 MP’s asking them to support the Private Member’s Motion.

“These students have learned a tremendous amount in a very short period of time about parliamentary procedures, legislation and autism. They should be very proud about making a difference and having an influence on the process”.

Media contact: Andrew Holland Executive Assistant – MP Andy Scott, (506) 452-4110
_________________________

Autism motion approved in Ottawa; Process is learning exercise for political science students
Times & Transcript (Moncton)

Dec 6, 2006
By CAMPBELL MORRISON

Political science students at Leo Hayes High School scored a success yesterday as the autism motion they championed was approved in the House of Commons.

"My students are excited," said political science teacher Greg Peters.

"They really have made a difference, if only a small one." Last year's grade 12 political science class got the ball rolling by helping draft a private member's motion that was proposed by Fredericton Liberal Andy Scott, and this year's class closed the deal by lobbying MPs via email.

"I thought
this thing honestly would die on the order paper, and a lot of my students did
too," Peters said. "But they really wanted to craft something that would pass
and make a difference. It has been a tremendous learning experience for them
and for me too because I have never done anything else like this."

The
experience has been an empowering one, he added.

"The kids have all said this
is something they never really thought they could do. They thought they would
pretend to do it. Now they think, 'Wow, we really can do this and people will
listen to us' which is great," he said.

"They learned an incredible amount
about Parliamentary protocol and procedure generally and about private members
bills and motions specifically."

Motion number 172 passed 231 to 45 with
only the Bloc Québéois MPs voting against it because they consider it an
intrusion into provincial jurisdiction.

"It is an historic moment for the
House of Commons and the federal government," said Scott. "Up until two weeks
ago the department of health was sending out letters saying this was a
provincial responsibility. We have moved that a very long way."

Families
with autistic children can face enormous bills for intense one-on-one therapy,
sometimes reaching $60,000 a year.

In New Brunswick, such treatment is
covered by public health insurance until children turn six, while Alberta
offers the most generous program that covers the treatment until 18 years of
age.

Autism can be a debilitating condition, condemning people to a life of institutional solitude as they lack the skills to communicate with others.

The
original motion called on the government to establish a four-element national
strategy that included funding, national standards, surveillance and research.

"Now the community, myself and others will hold their feet to the first and see that we get a national strategy," Scott said.
______________________________
Ottawa backs Leo Hayes students' autism motion
The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)
Dec 6, 2006
By CAMPBELL MORRISON

Political-science students at Leo Hayes High School scored a victory Tuesday as the autism motion they championed was approved in the House of Commons.

"My students are excited," said political-science teacher Greg Peters.

"They really have made a difference, if only a small one."

Last year's Grade 12 political-science class got the ball rolling by helping draft a private-member's motion that was proposed by Fredericton Liberal MLA Andy Scott.

This year's class closed the deal by lobbying MPs via e-mail.

"I thought this thing honestly would die on the order paper and a lot of my students did too," Peters said. "But they really wanted to craft something that would pass and make a difference. It has been a tremendous learning experience for them and for me too because I have never done anything else like this."

The experience has been an empowering one, he said.

"The kids have all said this is something they never really thought they could do. They thought they would pretend to do it. Now they think, 'Wow, we really can do this and people will listen to us,' which is great," he said.

"They learned an incredible amount about Parliamentary protocol and procedure generally and about private-members bills and motions specifically."

Motion No. 172 passed 231 to 45, with only the Bloc Quebeois MPs voting against it because they consider it an intrusion into provincial jurisdiction.

"It is an historic moment for the House of Commons and the federal government," said Scott. "Up until two weeks ago, the Department of Health was sending out letters saying this was a provincial responsibility. We have moved that a very long way."

Families with autistic children can face enormous bills for intense, one-on- one therapy, sometimes reaching $60,000 a year.

In New Brunswick, such treatment is covered by public-health insurance until children turn six, while Alberta offers the most generous program that covers the treatment until 18 years of age.

Autism can be a debilitating condition, condemning people to a life of institutional solitude as they lack the skills to communicate with others.

The original motion called on the government to establish a four-element national strategy that included funding, national standards, surveillance and research. The government amended it to ensure it is developed in consultation with the provinces.

"Now the community, myself and others will hold their feet to the fire and see that we get a national strategy," Scott said. "If we have an election in the spring, my guess is they will be under a great deal of pressure to announce a national strategy by that time."

Peters said he doesn't know whether the new class will take up a new project.

"It has taken up a huge amount of our time, but it certainly was worth it," he said.

"We would probably be a lot more efficient if we do it again."
_______________________________

[Andrew Kavchak]

HOUSE OF COMMONS
EDITED HANSARD
Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Private Members' Business

Autism Spectrum Disorder

The House resumed from November 27 consideration of the motion, and of the amendment.

The Speaker:
Pursuant to order made on Friday, November 24, 2006 the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the amendment to Motion No. 172 under private members' business.

* *

(The House divided on the amendment, which was agreed to on the following division)

(Division No. 92)

YEAS

Members

Abbott
Ablonczy
Albrecht
Alghabra
Allen
Allison
Ambrose
Anders
Anderson
Angus
Arthur
Atamanenko
Bagnell
Bains
Baird
Batters
Beaumier
Bélanger
Bell (Vancouver Island North)
Bell (North Vancouver)
Bennett
Benoit
Bernier
Bevilacqua
Bevington
Bezan
Black
Blackburn
Bonin
Boshcoff
Breitkreuz
Brown (Oakville)
Brown (Leeds—Grenville)
Brown (Barrie)
Bruinooge
Byrne
Calkins
Cannan (Kelowna—Lake Country)
Cannis
Cannon (Pontiac)
Carrie
Casey
Casson
Chan
Charlton
Chong
Chow
Christopherson
Clement
Coderre
Comartin
Comuzzi
Cotler
Crowder
Cullen (Skeena—Bulkley Valley)
Cullen (Etobicoke North)
Cummins
Cuzner
D'Amours
Davidson
Davies
Day
Del Mastro
Devolin
Dewar
Dhaliwal
Dhalla
Dosanjh
Doyle
Dryden
Dykstra
Easter
Emerson
Epp
Eyking
Fast
Finley
Fitzpatrick
Flaherty
Fletcher
Fry
Galipeau
Gallant
Godfrey
Goldring
Goodale
Goodyear
Gourde
Graham
Grewal
Guarnieri
Guergis
Hanger
Harris
Harvey
Hawn
Hearn
Hiebert
Hill
Hinton
Holland
Hubbard
Jaffer
Jean
Julian
Kadis
Kamp (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission)
Karetak-Lindell
Keddy (South Shore—St. Margaret's)
Keeper
Khan
Komarnicki
Kramp (Prince Edward—Hastings)
Lake
Lapierre
Lauzon
Layton
LeBlanc
Lee
Lukiwski
Lunn
Lunney
MacAulay
MacKay (Central Nova)
MacKenzie
Maloney
Manning
Mark
Marleau
Marston
Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca)
Martin (Winnipeg Centre)
Martin (Sault Ste. Marie)
Masse
Mathyssen
Matthews
Mayes
McCallum
McDonough
McGuinty
McGuire
McKay (Scarborough—Guildwood)
McTeague
Menzies
Merasty
Merrifield
Miller
Mills
Minna
Moore (Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam)
Moore (Fundy Royal)
Murphy (Charlottetown)
Nash
Neville
Nicholson
Norlock
O'Connor
Obhrai
Oda
Owen
Pallister
Paradis
Patry
Peterson
Petit
Poilievre
Prentice
Preston
Priddy
Proulx
Rajotte
Ratansi
Redman
Regan
Reid
Richardson
Ritz
Robillard
Rota
Russell
Savage
Savoie
Scarpaleggia
Scheer
Schellenberger
Scott
Sgro
Shipley
Siksay
Silva
Simms
Skelton
Smith
Solberg
Sorenson
St. Amand
St. Denis
Stanton
Stoffer
Storseth
Strahl
Stronach
Sweet
Szabo
Telegdi
Temelkovski
Thibault (West Nova)
Thompson (New Brunswick Southwest)
Thompson (Wild Rose)
Tilson
Toews
Tonks
Trost
Turner
Tweed
Valley
Van Kesteren
Van Loan
Vellacott
Verner
Wallace
Wappel
Warawa
Warkentin
Wasylycia-Leis
Watson
Wilfert
Wilson
Wrzesnewskyj
Yelich
Zed

Total: — 231

NAYS

Members

André
Asselin
Bachand
Barbot
Bellavance
Bigras
Blais
Bonsant
Bouchard
Bourgeois
Cardin
Carrier
Crête
DeBellefeuille
Demers
Deschamps
Faille
Gagnon
Gaudet
Gauthier
Guay
Guimond
Kotto
Laforest
Laframboise
Lavallée
Lemay
Lessard
Lévesque
Lussier
Malo
Ménard (Hochelaga)
Ménard (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin)
Mourani
Nadeau
Ouellet
Paquette
Perron
Picard
Plamondon
Roy
St-Cyr
St-Hilaire
Thibault (Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques)
Vincent

Total: — 45

PAIRED
Nil

The Speaker:
I declare the amendment carried.

The next question is on the main motion, as amended.

Hon. Jay Hill:
Mr. Speaker, I recognize it is unusual, but I wonder, with the consent of the House, whether we could apply the results of the vote just taken to the vote that is currently before the House.

The Speaker:
Is there agreement to proceed in this way?

Some hon. members: Agreed.

Some hon. members: No.

The Speaker:
Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion as amended?

Some hon. members: Agreed.

Some hon. members: No.

The Speaker:
All those in favour of the motion will please say yea.

Some hon. members: Yea.

The Speaker:
All those opposed will please say nay.

Some hon. members: Nay.

The Speaker: In my opinion the yeas have it.

An hon. member: On division.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

(Motion agreed to)

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,

Andy Scott's Motion for a National Autism Strategy was voted on and passed in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Up next: Shawn Murphy's Bill C-304 to create a National Autism Strategy will be debated later this week.

The Senate Committee inquiring into funding for the treatment of autism will hold more hearings this week with witnesses including Health Minister Clement, and others (including me). We should expect to see a report, hopefully with meaningful recommendations, by May 2007.

Cheers!
Andrew Kavchak

____________________________________

Motion M-172, as passed by the House of Commons on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

That, in the opinion of the House, the government should create a national strategy for autism spectrum disorder that would include:

(a) the development, in cooperation with provincial/territorial governments, of evidence based standards for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder;

(b) development, in cooperation with provincial governments, of innovative funding methods for the care of those with autism spectrum disorder;

(c) consulting with provincial/territorial governments and other stakeholders on the requirements of implementing a national surveillance program for autism spectrum disorders; and

(d) the provision of additional federal funding for health research into autism spectrum disorder.

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,
From today's "Projected Order of Business" on the Parliamentary website…

After Question Period at 3pm…

M-172 —Mr. Scott (Fredericton) — Autism spectrum disorder (deferred recorded division on the amendment of Mr. Murphy (Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe))

Recorded division on the amendment — deferred until the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions, pursuant to Order made Friday, November 24, 2006.

Voting on the main motion — immediately after the amendment is disposed of, pursuant to Standing Order 93(1).

_____________________
and from the "PROJECTION FOR SUBSEQUENT DAYS"

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2006

Private Members' Business

C-304 — Mr. Murphy (Charlottetown) — National Strategy for the Treatment of Autism Act — Second reading (first time debated)

__________________________________

[Andrew Kavchak]

Hi Folks,

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs' website is:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/committee_Senhome.asp?Language=E&parl=39&Ses=1&comm_id=47

If you are interested, there will be some interesting hearings that should be "webcast" this week, including one on Wedneday at 4pm ET or 1pm in BC.
____________________

Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 When the Senate rises but not before 4:00 pm
Location: Room 705, Victoria Building 140
Wellington Street

(Webcast)

Agenda for the meeting – Senate Item Details

1. The inquiry on the issue of funding for the treatment of autism.

Witness(es)
(4:00 pm-5:00 pm)
As Individuals
Andrew Kavchak
John Erb
Lisa Simmermon
Dr. Sheila Laredo
(5:00 pm-6:00 pm)
As individuals
Kristian Hooker
Brigitte Harrisson
Jason Oldford

[Isaac]

Hello everyone,

The autism wars are in the news, again. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/y8axy4

Isaac

[Isaac]

Hello everyone,

Mr. Garth Turner, Member of Parliament, has produced an 8-minute video piece about the recent autism rally in Ottawa. If you've not had a chance to watch this one yet, I'd set aside the eight minutes to do so — it's well worth the time. This is grass roots, unfiltered Internet journalism at its best, in my view.

The link to the video clip is below.

http://tinyurl.com/yh97sq

Jennifer Ralph, a member of the FEAT-BC delegation that traveled to Ottawa for this rally, gives Mr. Turner a wonderful interview in the clip. Also, Peter Stoffer, MP, offers up a gem of a quote, that I'm compelled to reprint here in advance, before you sit back and enjoy the rest of the interview: "I remind Mr. Clement, [that] he only won his seat by 29 votes the last time. He is the Health Minister of Canada, and he can make this happen [autism treatment under Medicare] with the stroke of a pen, if he really wanted to."

Quite true.

The stroke of a minister’s pen is all it would take to change the regulations that enable and enforce the Canada Health Act, so that autism treatment is covered by health insurance.

Do check out the video clip, and please ask your MP to support the upcoming Stoffer autism motion and the autism bills that are currently in the House of Parliament. Garth Turner informs (on video tape!) that he's voting in favour of our kids next week, but he's also asking for some help from us, to convince a few of his more recalcitrant compatriots in Ottawa to do likewise.

Isaac

[Isaac]

MP Murphy calls for a national autism strategy
*******************************************************

Shawn Murphy, MP, states:

"There has to be a national [autism] strategy … Right now we have tremendous differences between what is offered in British Columbia, what is offered in Alberta and Ontario and what is offered in some of the Atlantic regions … It's mind-boggling, the difference. This is a health issue. It's not a social services issue. It's a health issue. And it should be treated as such under the Canada Health Act."

It's comforting to know that at least some politicians in Ottawa are starting to get the key point that medically necessary autism treatment is, in fact, a health issue that should no longer be the purview of demonstrably incompetent provincial social services ministries across the country.

The reality for children afflicted with autism in Canada is that the social services model does not work, continues to fail and has created a national patchwork of autism services. This has caused — and continues to cause — the migration of families from one province to another, all in the search of adequate, publicly funded autism healthcare!

The Canada Health Act was supposed to prevent all of that.

Isaac

_________________________________________
Note: The full CBC piece on MP Murphy's thoughts is available via the link below:

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/11/29/autism-strategy.html

[Andrew Kavchak]

From MP Shawn Murphy's website at http://www.shawnmurphymp.ca/
regarding the rally on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 on Parliament Hill.
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Shawn Murphy Speaks at a Rally on Parliament Hill to Call for Medical Coverage for Children with Autism

Ottawa – Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, today spoke at a rally for the families of children with Autism on Parliament Hill. The rally was organized by Families for Early Autism Treatment, an organization that is calling upon the federal government to develop a National Autism Strategy and to increase the access autistic persons have to medically necessary services.

The rally and Mr. Murphy’s comments came a day after Health Canada unveiled a number of new initiatives on Autism. “I was disappointed that yesterday’s announcement did not meet the expectations of families of persons with autism,” said Mr. Murphy. “Aimed at limited research initiatives and early detection measures, the announcement fell short of providing increased services to those affected by autism, and I strongly believe this is what is needed.”

Research shows that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which affects two in every thousand Canadian children, can grow up to function independently in society when they receive Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) from an early age through to adulthood. Provincial health insurance programs differ widely in the level of coverage they provide for ABA and IBI.

Mr. Murphy has introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons that calls on the government to produce a National Autism Strategy by the end of next year and to amend that Canada Health Act to ensure that the cost of ABA and IBI is covered by the health care insurance plan of every province or territory. It is set to be debated at First Reading Stage on December 5, 2006. The Bill is part of a number of motions and bills currently before the House of Commons that are pressing the government to take on a more proactive role in responding to the needs of Canadians with autism and their families.
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