[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone,

For years we have been lobbying/begging/fundraising to have Autism treatment covered under Medicare. The lack of treatment funding has been an incredible financial burden for many, and has even bankrupted some families, thereby making this truly a two-tiered system, with access to treatment only available to those lucky enough to be able to provide it.

We have an opportunity to change this!

The following resolution, calling on the Federal Government to make ABA treatment universally accessible and covered under Medicare, was developed in collaboration with Medicare for Autism Now! Society and the South Surrey White Rock federal Liberal riding executive.
Thanks to Paula Williams, the organizational Chair, and her riding colleagues! They presented this resolution at the Liberal Party of Canada’s BC Policy convention in Victoria. 600 delegates voted on 69 resolutions with our resolution receiving the SECOND highest votes! This moves it to the Liberal Party’s National Convention, in Winnipeg, at the end of May!
Never before has Autism treatment been on a policy agenda of ANY federal political party, let alone the governing party!

What can you do??

• Contact your federal liberal riding association’s president and policy chairperson (each riding has their own website. Google your riding plus “liberal.ca”
• Send them a copy of the resolution and ask them to instruct their delegates, going to the Winnipeg convention, to support it.
• If you live in a Liberal held riding, contact your MP and ask that they do the same.
• Forward/email the resolution to your friends, family, colleagues across Canada and ask if they will also contact their Liberal riding associations and MPs.
• Email mfanow@gmail.com and let them know who has been contacted.

The Resolution follows (you can cut and paste this from the Chat, or go to the MFAN website or facebook page for a copy and a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Autism and ABA treatment):

S3 – Medicare Coverage for the treatment of Autism

WHEREAS the rate of autism spectrum disorder (“ASD”) among Canadian children is now a shocking 1 in 68, constituting a national epidemic and, for reasons unknown, continues to rise;

WHEREAS Canada’s “universal” health care system currently excludes from coverage the recognized, effective, science-based treatment for ASD called Applied Behavioural Analysis (“ABA”), despite the deplorable incidence of this neurological condition and advocacy from numerous citizen groups;

WHEREAS the BC Supreme Court, in 2000, found that ABA was “medically necessary treatment” and that “there were no effective competing therapies”, a decision which was upheld on appeal by the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada;

WHEREAS funding in Canada respecting ABA for ASD currently is not only grossly insufficient, it varies widely between provinces;

WHEREAS the lifetime cost of an individual receiving inadequate treatment (or none) for ASD is reliably estimated between $2.4 – $3.2 million, excluding indirect costs to society; and

WHEREAS the US Government requires all states to provide treatment for ASD as part of state-wide Medicaid programs and 43 out of 50 states require private health insurers to provide coverage for ASD treatment;

BE IT RESOLVED the Canada Health Act be amended to include Medicare coverage for ABA for ASD or, alternatively, the Government of Canada work with all provincial and territorial governments to ensure inclusion of ABA for ASD within their respective Medical Services Plans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Government of Canada provide funding to each province and territory to fully cover the costs associated with the provision of ABA treatment of ASD.

South Surrey-White Rock

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone,

For years we have been lobbying/begging/fundraising to have Autism treatment covered under Medicare. The lack of treatment funding has been an incredible financial burden for many, and has even bankrupted some families, thereby making this truly a two-tiered system, with access to treatment only available to those lucky enough to be able to provide it.

We have an opportunity to change this!

The following resolution, calling on the Federal Government to make ABA treatment universally accessible and covered under Medicare, was developed in collaboration with Medicare for Autism Now! Society and the South Surrey White Rock federal Liberal riding executive.
Thanks to Paula Williams, the organizational Chair, and her riding colleagues! They presented this resolution at the Liberal Party of Canada’s BC Policy convention in Victoria. 600 delegates voted on 69 resolutions with our resolution receiving the SECOND highest votes! This moves it to the Liberal Party’s National Convention, in Winnipeg, at the end of May!
Never before has Autism treatment been on a policy agenda of ANY federal political party, let alone the governing party!
What can you do??

• Contact your federal liberal riding association’s president and policy chairperson (each riding has their own website. Google your riding plus “liberal.ca”
• Send them a copy of the resolution and ask them to instruct their delegates, going to the Winnipeg convention, to support it.
• If you live in a Liberal held riding, contact your MP and ask that they do the same.
• Forward/email the resolution to your friends, family, colleagues across Canada and ask if they will also contact their Liberal riding associations and MPs.
• Email mfanow@gmail.com and let them know who has been contacted.

The Resolution follows (you can cut and paste from this Chat or it will also be available, with Frequently asked Questions about Autism and ABA, on the MFAN website):

S3 – Medicare Coverage for the treatment of Autism

WHEREAS the rate of autism spectrum disorder (“ASD”) among Canadian children is now a shocking 1 in 68, constituting a national epidemic and, for reasons unknown, continues to rise;

WHEREAS Canada’s “universal” health care system currently excludes from coverage the recognized, effective, science-based treatment for ASD called Applied Behavioural Analysis (“ABA”), despite the deplorable incidence of this neurological condition and advocacy from numerous citizen groups;

WHEREAS the BC Supreme Court, in 2000, found that ABA was “medically necessary treatment” and that “there were no effective competing therapies”, a decision which was upheld on appeal by the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada;

WHEREAS funding in Canada respecting ABA for ASD currently is not only grossly insufficient, it varies widely between provinces;

WHEREAS the lifetime cost of an individual receiving inadequate treatment (or none) for ASD is reliably estimated between $2.4 – $3.2 million, excluding indirect costs to society; and

WHEREAS the US Government requires all states to provide treatment for ASD as part of state-wide Medicaid programs and 43 out of 50 states require private health insurers to provide coverage for ASD treatment;

BE IT RESOLVED the Canada Health Act be amended to include Medicare coverage for ABA for ASD or, alternatively, the Government of Canada work with all provincial and territorial governments to ensure inclusion of ABA for ASD within their respective Medical Services Plans.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Government of Canada provide funding to each province and territory to fully cover the costs associated with the provision of ABA treatment of ASD.

South Surrey-White Rock

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone,

We are now in the position of having to find a new B.I. for our home team, as our fabulous BI of eleven years moves on to begin her own family.

We are located in South Surrey and our program is overseen by Consultant Sharon Baxter.

Work Hours would be Tuesday/ Thursday 3:15 to 6:16 and Friday 2:15 to 5:15.

We have a monthly team meeting. It is presently Mondays at 3:30, but could sometimes change in the summer months.

Wage will depend on experience. We do pay for training and training workshops.

The applicant should have a clear criminal record check and be 19 years, or older. You will require a LOT of energy and patience.

My son is 17 (almost 18) and will only be in school one more year. He already has an ABA trained Support Worker – but your hours with him will count toward your required 1000 hours for the Surrey School District or toward future work in the adult Teaching Homes.

Don't be scared off by his size, he is almost 6 feet tall and weighs 195lbs, but has been in a home program for 15 years – he knows the drill. He will be a great teacher for anyone considering a future in this incredibly rewarding field.

Contact Debra at debra @ marketing604 . com

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone!

After attending a few parent workshops, over the last year, it has come to my attention that some parents either have moved, or are moving, into the Surrey School District to access the ABA Support Worker program.

I have heard from parents that support for our kids, in some Districts, is dismal. I have also had a school board trustee tell me he does not feel it is necessary to follow the directives of "Hewko" as "there simply isn't the same demand for ABA trained workers" in his district. I have a hard time imagining this is the case.

I know that privacy is a large concern for many people but I would like to get an estimate of how many families have been forced to move (or are thinking of moving)to access proper support for their child.(and, perhaps, even an idea of how many are forced to stay in a particular area, but are not pleased with the service provided)

Could you please email me at: dmantifaev @ shaw . ca ?

I will only use the number and the district and will keep all other information completely confidential.

Thanks so much :-)

Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone!

After attending a few parent workshops, over the last year, it has come to my attention that some parents either have moved, or are moving, into the Surrey School District to access the ABA Support Worker program.

I have heard from parents that support for our kids, in some Districts, is dismal. I have also had a school board trustee tell me he does not feel it is necessary to follow the directives of "Hewko" as "there simply isn't the same demand for ABA trained workers" in his district. I have a hard time imagining this is the case.

I know that privacy is a large concern for many people but I would like to get an estimate of how many families have been forced to move (or are thinking of moving)to access proper support for their child.(and, perhaps, even an idea of how many are forced to stay in a particular area, but are not pleased with the service provided)

Could you please email me at: dmantifaev @ shaw . ca ?

I will only use the number and the district and will keep all other information completely confidential.

Thanks so much :-)

Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone!

After attending a few parent workshops, over the last year, it has come to my attention that some parents either have moved, or are moving, into the Surrey School District to access the ABA Support Worker program.

I have heard from parents that support for our kids, in some Districts, is dismal. I have also had a school board trustee tell me he does not feel it is necessary to follow the directives of "Hewko" as "there simply isn't the same demand for ABA trained workers" in his district. I have a hard time imagining this is the case.

I know that privacy is a large concern for many people but I would like to get an estimate of how many families have been forced to move (or are thinking of moving)to access proper support for their child.(and, perhaps, even an idea of how many are forced to stay in a particular area, but are not pleased with the service provided)

Could you please email me at: dmantifaev @ shaw . ca ?

I will only use the number and the district and will keep all other information completely confidential.

Thanks so much

Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

Hi Everyone,

Is anyone doing a Training/Introduction to ABA Workshops this summer?
I have a girl, who has just started training, and I would like her to attend one.

Thanks,
Deb

[Debra Antifaev]

It has come to the attention of the ABA Support Network that many people (interventionists and consultants) have not been paid in a timely manner by the Autism Processing Unit. One interventionist told me she has contacted the APU twice, over July and August, and still has not been paid. She has been threatened with eviction.

We will be meeting with our MLA/ Ministers shortly and would be grateful if anyone who has been adversely affected by this change from individualized to invoice funding.
While you do not have to include too many personal details in your accounts, it would be helpful to know how long you have been waiting and if (how many times)you have contacted the APU.

We would like to include these personal accounts at the meeting..

Please contact the ABA Support Network and send your comments to:

dmantifaev (at) shaw (dot) ca

[Debra Antifaev]

I couldn't enjoy the last rant by Andrew as it began with a slur against ALL politicians and questioned the integrity of salespeople.
As a salesperson and parent of a child with autism, I have been lied to many times and treated poorly by:
social workers, teachers, Union reps, Union reps, Union reps, the head of CUPE, integration teachers, Supreme Court Judges and dozens of others…take your pick.
In fact, one of the only people who has treated me with respect and honesty was the guy who sold me my Honda.
Lets be careful where we go with the name-calling. There are a great many people who have stood against our desire for Medicare for Autism Now and they are not used car salesmen. I would be hard pressed to support someone who called me names.

[Debra Antifaev]

It is entirely up to you, Trudy, but we found Montessori focused a little too much on the children-leading-children theory.
If your child is learning appropriate social conduct by observing other children and those other children are really well behaved…this may work well.
If the other children are not setting good examples this can be very difficult.

My suggestion would be to find a more structured setting. If you are in Langley/South Surrey, Wind and Tide preschools and kindergarten were absolutely outstanding!!

Good Luck!

[Author]

Posts