[bsharpe]

Thank you to the founder of FEATBC, Dr. Sabrina Freeman for providing this concise history.
<p align=”center”><b>How the BC Government Got Individualized Funding for</b></p>
<p align=”center”><b>Autism Treatment in British Columbia</b></p>
 

I thought it might be important to those of you in the new generation of parents to understand the history of individualized funding in BC, since you are fighting this battle again.

<b>The History of How BC Got Individualized Funding for Autism Treatment</b>

• In 1996, the B.C. government (NDP at the time) refused to accept the fact that there was an effective treatment for autism.  The Ministry of Social Services was only offering generic services (limited respite care for disabled children based upon a poverty/social services model).

• Local autism organizations at the time were not advocating for science-based treatment.

• Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC (FEATBC) was established in 1996 and started educating parents about science-based treatment.  In addition, FEATBC attempted to educate and lobby various bureaucrats and politicians.  Unfortunately, FEATBC was ignored despite considerable high profile publicity (see the FEAT-BC media page).

• Due to the complete disregard of autism treatment requirements, parents active in FEATBC organized their 1st lawsuit and invited everyone to join.  There were many brave parents (30 in fact) who stepped up to the plate and joined (and found the $5000 each to fund the lawsuit).

• As the lawsuit worked its way through the courts, parents kept advocating. Governments came and went but the unelected MCFD bureaucracy and technocracy still fought parents every step of the way.  It is important to understand that the last thing government apparatchiks want is to give parents the choices to decide what is best for their children.  The only way parents have power to choose in the current system is through individualized funding.  There was and still is an extremely paternalistic view of parents once they have a disabled child.  The system wants to keep them in the poverty model even though poverty has nothing to do with disability (until the government makes you poor because you’ve spent everything you have to provide treatment).

• When the Auton case was won at the BC Supreme Court level, the government was mandated to provide medically necessary autism treatment; however, the judge could not order the government to put autism treatment into Medicare, since micromanaging government is not the role of the judiciary. So the government decided to create three Hubs (sound familiar)?  They didn’t call them hubs but rather so-called autism treatment centers.  For $2,500,000 they were going to “treat” 25 children for 20 hours a week.  Their solution was to have 75 children inefficiently “treated” while thousands languished on the waiting list.   As you have probably figured out by now, it is blindingly obvious that MCFD <i>couldn’t run a hotdog stand at a baseball game. </i>

• While the Ministry for Children and Families was working on their autism centers to treat 75 children, families were busy at work lobbying for individualized funding.

• In 2001, families successfully lobbied to implement the individualized funding model you have today.   FEATBC developed a policy brief for Gordon Campbell’s newly elected government (here is a copy of the Choices in Autism Treatment brief which is the program template used by government). Within a week of the brief’s delivery, a first-of-its-kind individual funding program for autism treatment was announced.  That is the program you’ve had for the last 20 years.

• The capacity issue that government always uses for long waiting lists and a lack of autism treatment was actually solved by individualized funding.  The number of BCBAs flourished since this is now a well-funded profession where bright, young therapists can pursue advanced degrees and make a good living.  It’s basic Economics 101!  The shortage of autism professionals in the hinterland can be easily solved; give more money to parents in parts of BC where there are few professionals. Professionals will either travel or relocate into areas where they can now make a living.

<b>Government’s Likely Agenda</b>

• The number one reason that NDP governments dislike individualized funding is that the service providers are not unionized.  They care primarily about workers’ rights, not the treatment of children with autism.  If you do not believe me, I encourage you to read the Supreme Court of BC 2006 Hewko decision, which addresses the shocking incompetence of unionized paraprofessionals in the public school system.

• MCFD’s main argument today is that the <i>Hubs</i> will eliminate diagnostic waiting lists by eliminating the requirement for a diagnosis. That is interesting since it is the government that has <i>created</i> diagnostic waiting lists.  Any developmental pediatrician, psychologist or psychiatrist is capable of diagnosing autism.  Multidisciplinary teams are not essential.  If the government would not funnel children into centers that diagnose autism, there would be no bottleneck.  Moreover, the fact that they want to have children in hubs <b><i>without a diagnosis</i></b> indicates that they have no intention (not to mention ability) to effectively treat children for their core health need — autism!

<b>The Fear Factor</b>

• From 1996 to 2021, politicians and government bureaucrats respected and perhaps were somewhat intimidated by the parent lobby; however, after 25 years, there is a new generation of bureaucrats and politicians who have no collective memory of the public debate and the political price government paid for victimizing children with autism.

• In the provincial election of 2001, the NDP lost 77 out of 79 seats to the Liberals.  Some of this loss can be attributed to their disgraceful policies towards children with autism and the very loud media campaign waged by FEATBC.  Suffice it to say that there was a very public slagging of the NDP due to their abhorrent behavior with respect to children with autism.  Many staunch NDP supporters could not stomach these policies and voted accordingly (see the George Straight’s autism editorial opinion). Today’s NDP politicians and bureaucrats do not have the collective memory and are regrettably careening in the same direction.  Parent advocates would be wise to remind them of the political price reflected in that historic 2001 election.

<b>The Future</b>

I believe that in every generation there are competent parents who can organize the thousands of parents who are struggling to provide the best possible autism treatment for their children.  You need to find parents who are collectively oriented and are prepared to use their political and/or professional connections to find talented, strategic advocacy and legal representation.  These parents need to empower other parents who may never have engaged in any kind of advocacy until circumstances force them to protect their children from the MCFD’s politicians and bureaucrats.  Now is your time.

Best regards,

<i>Sabrina </i>

Note:  There is much detail at the FEATBC website (http://www.featbc.org ) for those of you who want to find more information.  We have kept a tremendous amount of material online, available to serve the needs of advocates and lawyers who choose to fight for the rights of children afflicted with autism, for moments such as this.

[bsharpe]

October greetings!

Here is the October newsletter from The Association for Science in Autism Treatment.

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_10

Articles include:

1. Review of Remaking Recess Intervention for Improving Peer Interactions at School for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder 
2. Review of Remaking Recess Intervention for Improving Peer Interactions at School for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Gary S. Meyerson.
3. An Updated List of Annotated Resources Related to Bullying Prevention

The Association for Science in Autism treatment offers a free, monthly publication.  Sign up now at:  asatonline.org

[bsharpe]

October greetings!

Here is the October newsletter from The Association for Science in Autism Treatment.

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_10

Articles include:

1. Review of Remaking Recess Intervention for Improving Peer Interactions at School for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder 
2. Review of Remaking Recess Intervention for Improving Peer Interactions at School for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder , Gary S. Meyerson.
3. An Updated List of Annotated Resources Related to Bullying Prevention

The Association for Science in Autism treatment offers a free, monthly publication.  Sign up now at:  asatonline.org

[bsharpe]

April greetings!

Here is an introduction to The Association for Science in Autism Treatment by actress Nikki Estridge:

https://fb.watch/4McWBiXDrU/

 

Here is the April edition of the ASAT newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_04?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

[bsharpe]

April greetings!

Here is an introduction to The Association for Science in Autism Treatment by actress Nikki Estridge:

https://fb.watch/4McWBiXDrU/

 

Here is the April edition of the ASAT newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_04?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

[bsharpe]

April greetings!

Here is an introduction to The Association for Science in Autism Treatment by actress Nikki Estridge:

https://fb.watch/4McWBiXDrU/

 

Here is the April edition of the ASAT newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_04?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

[bsharpe]

March greetings everyone!

Here is the Association for Science in Autism Treatment March newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_03

In this newsletter you will find articles on:

1.  Stem Cell Therapy – Is there science behind that?
2. Part 2 of an interview with Dr. Michelle Kelly whose contributions to the understanding and reach of behaviour analysis, evidence-based autism treatment in the Middle East.
3. Towards Meaningful Outcomes in Teaching Conversation and Greeting Skills with Individuals  with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
4. Strategies to Consider when Conducting a Comprehensive Literature Search.
5. Making the Most of Google Translate on asatonline.org

This newsletter is now a monthly publication that includes information on evidence -based treatment for autism, and related topics.  This is a free publication!

You can sign up at     asatonline.org

[bsharpe]

March greetings everyone!

Here is the Association for Science in Autism Treatment March newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_03

In this newsletter you will find articles on:

1.  Stem Cell Therapy – Is there science behind that?
2. Part 2 of an interview with Dr. Michelle Kelly whose contributions to the understanding and reach of behaviour analysis, evidence-based autism treatment in the Middle East.
3. Towards Meaningful Outcomes in Teaching Conversation and Greeting Skills with Individuals  with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
4. Strategies to Consider when Conducting a Comprehensive Literature Search.
5. Making the Most of Google Translate on asatonline.org

This newsletter is now a monthly publication that includes information on evidence -based treatment for autism, and related topics.  This is a free publication!

You can sign up at     asatonline.org

[bsharpe]

Hello everyone!

Here is the February newsletter from The Association for Science in Autism Treatment!

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_2

Thank you Dr. Sabrina Freeman, founder of FEATBC, for your introduction to the New Parent Packet for children just diagnosed with autism.  Your work, along with other ASAT board members, has provided a practical, no-nonsense guide for parents.  FEATBC thanks ASAT for letting us publish this New Parent Packet on our FEATBC website.

In this February ASAT newsletter you will also find the following articles:

“5 Principles of Ethical Journalism: Implications for Media Representations of Autism Treatment.”,

“What is the High Probability Instruction Sequence how can it help increase responsiveness to everyday tasks?”,

“Treatment Summary of Essential Oils”, and

“An Interview with Dr. Michelle Kelly who shares her extensive contributions in improving the understanding and reach of the science of behaviour analysis in the Middle East.”

This monthly newsletter is a free publication.  You can sign up for this publication at asatonline.org

[bsharpe]

Hello everyone!

Here is the February newsletter from The Association for Science in Autism Treatment!

https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2021_2

Thank you Dr. Sabrina Freeman, founder of FEATBC, for your introduction to the New Parent Packet for children just diagnosed with autism.  Your work, along with other ASAT board members, has provided a practical, no-nonsense guide for parents.  FEATBC thanks ASAT for letting us publish this New Parent Packet on our FEATBC website.

In this February ASAT newsletter you will also find the following articles:

“5 Principles of Ethical Journalism: Implications for Media Representations of Autism Treatment.”,

“What is the High Probability Instruction Sequence and how can it hep increase responsiveness to everyday tasks?”,

“Treatment Summary of Essential Oils”, and

“An Interview with Dr. Michelle Kelly who shares her extensive contributions in improving the understanding and reach of the science of behaviour analysis in the Middle East.”

This monthly newsletter is a free publication.  You can sign up for this publication at asatonline.org

 

 

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