[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC

As a parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others! Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision.

Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts.

This workshop will teach you how to:
Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager
Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers
Design an effective IEP
Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters
Prepare for and manage school meetings
Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide
Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant
Replace an SEA “who has gone bad”
Identify when to “lawyer-up”

We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun!

This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions.

Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives.
Spaces are limited so register today.
Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org

About the presenters:
Dr. Sherri Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

David Marley has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions. Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Jean Lewis has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system. In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

[Mike & Jean]

You can Hewko, too – School Advocacy Workshop Saturday, November 21st, 2015 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Coal Harbour Community Centre – Multi-purpose room 480 Broughton Street, Vancouver, BC As a parent of a special needs child, you must represent your child’s interests at school, in the community, everywhere. You cannot leave this job to others! Advocacy is not a complex or mysterious process. It requires clarity, focus and persistence. To be successful in the school setting, parents really need to understand the precedent-setting Hewko decision and its powerful implications for every BC school-aged child with autism who is in an ABA treatment program (Hewko v. B.C. 2006 BCSC 1638). It also requires parents understand their school district’s obligations under the school act as well as those ordered in the Hewko decision. Due to the enormous interest from parents, this workshop will focus specifically on how to leverage the Hewko decision for all school children in an ABA program, across all BC school districts. This workshop will teach you how to: Understand the basics of the Hewko decision Become your child’s case manager Understand your school district’s “rules of the game” and help you identify who are the players and decision makers Design an effective IEP Create effective paper trails, prepare documentation and letters Prepare for and manage school meetings Get an SEA/school aide who is trained specifically in your child’s ABA treatment protocol hired as their aide Gain school access for your child’s Behavioural Consultant Replace an SEA “who has gone bad” Identify when to “lawyer-up” We believe people learn best by “doing” rather than watching – so – be prepared to participate and receive on-the-job coaching. We’ll create some of the most common and troubling “school scenarios” for us to practice our newly-acquired advocacy skills. You will also receive examples of effective advocacy letters. We promise you’ll have fun! This workshop is for parents only, and will focus on ABA advocacy as defined in both the Auton and Hewko decisions. Admission is by a minimum donation of $20.00 per person – all proceeds will go to Medicare for Autism Now’s advocacy initiatives. Spaces are limited so register today. Register today at: http://youcanhewkotoo.eventbrite.ca or email sherri@medicareforautismnow.org
About the presenters: Dr. Sherri Brown Dr. Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She has lectured widely in HIV treatment access issues in Africa and has also been an organizer of community lecture and fundraising events around these issues. She is an award-winning scholar, including Canada’s Trudeau Scholarship. Sherri is also a published author and a book co-editor whose works address issues on advocacy and access to health care in Canada and the developing world. In 2013, following her son’s autism diagnosis, Sherri’s research and advocacy interest shifted as she navigated complex public health and social service systems to access health care and treatment for her son. She now orients part of her research and volunteer efforts to the autism community. She is the Vancouver facilitator for the Autism Support Network as well as the founder of http://www.projectbearings.com; a new website and blog dedicated to providing evidence-based and empowerment-centred navigational and advocacy resources for parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities. David Marley David has spent his professional career as a trial lawyer, public policy analyst or senior political advisor at both the federal and provincial government levels. Since 1972, he has performed leading roles in over a dozen election campaigns in BC or Ontario. David’s political activity has involved organizing and presenting at many campaign schools and constituency association training sessions. Throughout his career, he has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations including, Medicare for Autism Now! and Civil Rights Now!, providing them with strategic counsel. In 2005 and 2008, David designed and helped implement a national political strategy for FEAT of BC and is a co-founder of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society. David is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of his outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, David Marley was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Jean Lewis Jean has been actively involved in the autism treatment movement since 1996, when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. She became the co-founder and leading spokesperson for FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), an organization dedicated to obtaining science-based autism treatment (ABA) within BC’s healthcare system. Jean was the co-chair of the litigation steering committee for Auton, a Canadian landmark Charter disability case. She performed the same role in Hewko, litigation aimed at ensuring children with autism gain equal access to BC’s education system. In 2008, Jean co-founded the Medicare for Autism Now! Society, a non-partisan, national advocacy group focused on making science-based autism treatment (ABA) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. Since 1996, Jean has advised hundreds of parents about advocacy, treatment and education issues related to autism. Jean is also the co-producer of the award-winning documentary, Medicare’s Orphans. In recognition of her outstanding work on behalf of persons with autism, Jean Lewis was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.She has presented at numerous rallies, workshops and conferences in BC, Ontario and the Maritimes. Jean is also a member of Civil Rights Now! board of directors.

[Mike & Jean]

Just taking a few moments away from our One in 68 campaign to let you all know that the date for our, "You can Hewko, too" advocacy workshop has been changed to Saturday, November 21st. It will be at the Coal Harbour Community Centre in Vancouver from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Circle the date and stay tuned for more details after the election. Almost 3 months into the new school year is more than enough time for parents to experience a dose of "school reality" and be perfectly primed to learn necessary advocacy skills to ensure their child is getting what they need and is their right in school. Advocacy is not complex or mysterious, it requires clarity, focus, persistance and certain skills which you will learn in this highly interactive workshop….so circle November 21st. and stay tuned for details. Spaces will be limited. Check medicareforautismnow.org for details after October 19th…okay…now back to campaigning

[Mike & Jean]

Just taking a few moments away from our One in 68 campaign to let you all know that the date for our, "You can Hewko, too" advocacy workshop has been changed to Saturday, November 21st. It will be at the Coal Harbour Community Centre in Vancouver from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Circle the date and stay tuned for more details after the election….okay….back to campaigning.
Almost 3 months into the new school year is more than enough time for parents to experience a dose of "school reality" and be perfectly primed to learn necessary advocacy skills to ensure their child is getting what they need and is their right in school. Advocacy is not complex or mysterious, it requires clarity, focus, persistance and certain skills which you will learn in this highly interactive workshop….so circle November 21st. and stay tuned for details. Spaces will be limited. Check medicareforautismnow.org for details after October 19th.

[Mike & Jean]

Important announcement for parents and supporters!

Medicare for Autism Now's "One in 68" Campaign training sessions originally scheduled for Aug. 18th and 19th in Surrey and Vancouver are cancelled and are now going to be one session and available to everyone across Canada via webinar on Wednesday, August 19th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PDT. Parents and supporters living anywhere in Canada can join us live to learn how to engage their local candidates to advance policy change which will make science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. It's as easy as following the instructions in this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist…/4708086068839319042

Can't join us live? Watch our facebook page at the end of next week to see where you can download the recorded session.
We look forward to meeting you and taking your questions on-line next Wednesday evening. Please share this information with all your parent/supporter groups.

[Mike & Jean]

Important announcement for parents and supporters!

Medicare for Autism Now's "One in 68" Campaign training sessions originally scheduled for Aug. 18th and 19th in Surrey and Vancouver are cancelled and are now going to be one session and available to everyone across Canada via webinar on Wednesday, August 19th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PDT. Parents and supporters living anywhere in Canada can join us live to learn how to engage their local candidates to advance policy change which will make science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. It's as easy as following the instructions in this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist…/4708086068839319042

Can't join us live? Watch our facebook page at the end of next week to see where you can download the recorded session.
We look forward to meeting you and taking your questions on-line next Wednesday evening. Please share this information with all your parent/supporter groups.

[Mike & Jean]

Important announcement for parents and supporters!

Medicare for Autism Now's "One in 68" Campaign training sessions originally scheduled for Aug. 18th and 19th in Surrey and Vancouver are cancelled and are now going to be one session and available to everyone across Canada via webinar on Wednesday, August 19th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm PDT. Parents and supporters living anywhere in Canada can join us live to learn how to engage their local candidates to advance policy change which will make science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) universally accessible and covered under Medicare. It's as easy as following the instructions in this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist…/4708086068839319042

Can't join us live? Watch our facebook page at the end of next week to see where you can download the recorded session.
We look forward to meeting you and taking your questions on-line next Wednesday evening. Please share this information with all your parent/supporter groups.

[Mike & Jean]

Dr. Sherri Brown is a director of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society and campaign chairman for it’s “One in 68” political campaign. Her accompanying letter, published today in ASAT’s (Association for Science in Autism Treatment) summer newsletter powerfully explains why Canada needs ABA treatment to be covered under Medicare. Watch Medicare for Autism Now’s facebook page and website: http://www.medicareforautismnow.org for campaign information.

A Canadian Love Letter to American Autism Votes Supporters and (Specified) State Legislators: http://www.asatonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SIAT-Spring-2015.pdf
By Sherri Brown, PhD

Dear Neighbours to the South,

First, an admission. We often walk around up here, north of the 49th parallel, with puffed out chests when comparing our universal and publicly funded health care system to your system. We may even sneer a little, “Can you imagine having to live in the US. where a private health insurance company dictates decisions about your health? Your child’s health?” When I began my postdoctoral fellowship in 2012 in San Francisco I certainly arrived at the airport full of this brand of arrogance. This was before my child’s autism diagnosis. This was before I realized how having a child with a disability could change everything you thought you once knew. Indeed, when we became increasingly concerned about our son’s development my first instinct was to race back home to the supposedly safe haven of Canadian healthcare. My arrogance and ignorance would end up costing us all dearly. Because much to my surprise health insurance in Canada does not cover ABA treatment for children with autism. Despite decades of research that have demonstrated ABA as a highly effective treatment intervention in reducing or eliminating symptoms of autism and yielding improvements in behaviour, communication, and social skills, Canadian governments do not see it as “medically necessary”. Some provinces provide partial coverage, but it varies widely and treatment waitlists can be as long as four years. Now, I know you have serious challenges with HMOs and private health insurance- I do not wish to dispute or minimalize this. However, from one neighbour to another, I want you to take a moment to congratulate yourselves for your hard won successes of having 41 of 50 states who have enacted insurance reform laws to mandate coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders. By mandating coverage for ABA, state legislators have recognized and enshrined your children’s rights to medically necessary treatment. These state legislators, however, have largely come to this conclusion through sustained advocacy of parents like yourselves, and in particular through the efforts of Autism Votes. With 1 in 68 children in the US now diagnosed (we suspect autism prevalence is similar in Canada, but we have NO national autism surveillance program so we’re basically guessing), Autism Votes harnesses the power in numbers of voters in states (and Federally) to lobby and advocate for insurance reform, new legislation (the ABLE Act, for example) and other state and federal initiatives benefitting families and individuals with autism. You should be very proud of this, of Autism Votes, and of your state legislators who took seriously the very real threat of a large cohort of voters who presented them with a reform agenda. They listened this time. You have 8 states remaining (as of May 6, Hawaii is poised to become the 42nd state to pass insurance reform), but even when these states sign on, and I hope they will, the one thing I have learned in the short two years since my son’s diagnosis is that advocacy is chronic. None of us live in the kind of society yet that treats our children with the respect, support, and justice to which they are all entitled. A group of parents in Canada took their complaint regarding the absence of insurance coverage for ABA to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004, and the Court ruled that while ABA was a "medically necessary" treatment, the Court was not in a position to compel the Government to pay for it. So, Canadian parents are now left to learn from and emulate your successful advocacy efforts; we must compel legislators to change the law (the Canada Health Act) to include ABA treatment for individuals with autism. I am a proud Canadian, but this pride will never override my love and concern for my disabled child. I wish we had stayed in California. I wish I didn’t have to fight this fight. I wish I could simply parent my child with the knowledge that his disability is well supported with effective treatment interventions. Raising a disabled child is difficult enough without having to assume another full-time job of chronic advocacy. But you, dear neighbours to the south, have shown me change is possible, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for renewing and sustaining my hopes for a better future for our children.

Love,
One Canadian Autism Mom

Dr. Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She is the mom to five year old Quinn, a nonverbal 5 year old boy with autism spectrum disorder

[Mike & Jean]

Dr. Sherri Brown is a director of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society and campaign chairman for it’s “One in 68” political campaign. Her accompanying letter, published today in ASAT’s (Association for Science in Autism Treatment) summer newsletter powerfully explains why Canada needs ABA treatment to be covered under Medicare. Watch Medicare for Autism Now’s facebook page and website: http://www.medicareforautismnow.org for campaign information.

A Canadian Love Letter to American Autism Votes Supporters and (Specified) State Legislators: http://www.asatonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SIAT-Spring-2015.pdf
By Sherri Brown, PhD

Dear Neighbours to the South,

First, an admission. We often walk around up here, north of the 49th parallel, with puffed out chests when comparing our universal and publicly funded health care system to your system. We may even sneer a little, “Can you imagine having to live in the US. where a private health insurance company dictates decisions about your health? Your child’s health?” When I began my postdoctoral fellowship in 2012 in San Francisco I certainly arrived at the airport full of this brand of arrogance. This was before my child’s autism diagnosis. This was before I realized how having a child with a disability could change everything you thought you once knew. Indeed, when we became increasingly concerned about our son’s development my first instinct was to race back home to the supposedly safe haven of Canadian healthcare. My arrogance and ignorance would end up costing us all dearly. Because much to my surprise health insurance in Canada does not cover ABA treatment for children with autism. Despite decades of research that have demonstrated ABA as a highly effective treatment intervention in reducing or eliminating symptoms of autism and yielding improvements in behaviour, communication, and social skills, Canadian governments do not see it as “medically necessary”. Some provinces provide partial coverage, but it varies widely and treatment waitlists can be as long as four years. Now, I know you have serious challenges with HMOs and private health insurance- I do not wish to dispute or minimalize this. However, from one neighbour to another, I want you to take a moment to congratulate yourselves for your hard won successes of having 41 of 50 states who have enacted insurance reform laws to mandate coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders. By mandating coverage for ABA, state legislators have recognized and enshrined your children’s rights to medically necessary treatment. These state legislators, however, have largely come to this conclusion through sustained advocacy of parents like yourselves, and in particular through the efforts of Autism Votes. With 1 in 68 children in the US now diagnosed (we suspect autism prevalence is similar in Canada, but we have NO national autism surveillance program so we’re basically guessing), Autism Votes harnesses the power in numbers of voters in states (and Federally) to lobby and advocate for insurance reform, new legislation (the ABLE Act, for example) and other state and federal initiatives benefitting families and individuals with autism. You should be very proud of this, of Autism Votes, and of your state legislators who took seriously the very real threat of a large cohort of voters who presented them with a reform agenda. They listened this time. You have 8 states remaining (as of May 6, Hawaii is poised to become the 42nd state to pass insurance reform), but even when these states sign on, and I hope they will, the one thing I have learned in the short two years since my son’s diagnosis is that advocacy is chronic. None of us live in the kind of society yet that treats our children with the respect, support, and justice to which they are all entitled. A group of parents in Canada took their complaint regarding the absence of insurance coverage for ABA to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004, and the Court ruled that while ABA was a "medically necessary" treatment, the Court was not in a position to compel the Government to pay for it. So, Canadian parents are now left to learn from and emulate your successful advocacy efforts; we must compel legislators to change the law (the Canada Health Act) to include ABA treatment for individuals with autism. I am a proud Canadian, but this pride will never override my love and concern for my disabled child. I wish we had stayed in California. I wish I didn’t have to fight this fight. I wish I could simply parent my child with the knowledge that his disability is well supported with effective treatment interventions. Raising a disabled child is difficult enough without having to assume another full-time job of chronic advocacy. But you, dear neighbours to the south, have shown me change is possible, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for renewing and sustaining my hopes for a better future for our children.

Love,
One Canadian Autism Mom

Dr. Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She is the mom to five year old Quinn, a nonverbal 5 year old boy with autism spectrum disorder

[Mike & Jean]

Dr. Sherri Brown is a director of the Medicare for Autism Now! Society and campaign chairman for it’s “One in 68” political campaign. Her accompanying letter, published today in ASAT’s (Association for Science in Autism Treatment) summer newsletter powerfully explains why Canada needs ABA treatment to be covered under Medicare. Watch Medicare for Autism Now’s facebook page and website: http://www.medicareforautismnow.org for campaign information.

A Canadian Love Letter to American Autism Votes Supporters and (Specified) State Legislators: http://www.asatonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SIAT-Spring-2015.pdf
By Sherri Brown, PhD

Dear Neighbours to the South,

First, an admission. We often walk around up here, north of the 49th parallel, with puffed out chests when comparing our universal and publicly funded health care system to your system. We may even sneer a little, “Can you imagine having to live in the US. where a private health insurance company dictates decisions about your health? Your child’s health?” When I began my postdoctoral fellowship in 2012 in San Francisco I certainly arrived at the airport full of this brand of arrogance. This was before my child’s autism diagnosis. This was before I realized how having a child with a disability could change everything you thought you once knew. Indeed, when we became increasingly concerned about our son’s development my first instinct was to race back home to the supposedly safe haven of Canadian healthcare. My arrogance and ignorance would end up costing us all dearly. Because much to my surprise health insurance in Canada does not cover ABA treatment for children with autism. Despite decades of research that have demonstrated ABA as a highly effective treatment intervention in reducing or eliminating symptoms of autism and yielding improvements in behaviour, communication, and social skills, Canadian governments do not see it as “medically necessary”. Some provinces provide partial coverage, but it varies widely and treatment waitlists can be as long as four years. Now, I know you have serious challenges with HMOs and private health insurance- I do not wish to dispute or minimalize this. However, from one neighbour to another, I want you to take a moment to congratulate yourselves for your hard won successes of having 41 of 50 states who have enacted insurance reform laws to mandate coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for children with autism spectrum disorders. By mandating coverage for ABA, state legislators have recognized and enshrined your children’s rights to medically necessary treatment. These state legislators, however, have largely come to this conclusion through sustained advocacy of parents like yourselves, and in particular through the efforts of Autism Votes. With 1 in 68 children in the US now diagnosed (we suspect autism prevalence is similar in Canada, but we have NO national autism surveillance program so we’re basically guessing), Autism Votes harnesses the power in numbers of voters in states (and Federally) to lobby and advocate for insurance reform, new legislation (the ABLE Act, for example) and other state and federal initiatives benefitting families and individuals with autism. You should be very proud of this, of Autism Votes, and of your state legislators who took seriously the very real threat of a large cohort of voters who presented them with a reform agenda. They listened this time. You have 8 states remaining (as of May 6, Hawaii is poised to become the 42nd state to pass insurance reform), but even when these states sign on, and I hope they will, the one thing I have learned in the short two years since my son’s diagnosis is that advocacy is chronic. None of us live in the kind of society yet that treats our children with the respect, support, and justice to which they are all entitled. A group of parents in Canada took their complaint regarding the absence of insurance coverage for ABA to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2004, and the Court ruled that while ABA was a "medically necessary" treatment, the Court was not in a position to compel the Government to pay for it. So, Canadian parents are now left to learn from and emulate your successful advocacy efforts; we must compel legislators to change the law (the Canada Health Act) to include ABA treatment for individuals with autism. I am a proud Canadian, but this pride will never override my love and concern for my disabled child. I wish we had stayed in California. I wish I didn’t have to fight this fight. I wish I could simply parent my child with the knowledge that his disability is well supported with effective treatment interventions. Raising a disabled child is difficult enough without having to assume another full-time job of chronic advocacy. But you, dear neighbours to the south, have shown me change is possible, and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for renewing and sustaining my hopes for a better future for our children.

Love,
One Canadian Autism Mom

Dr. Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University with research interests and experience in the politics of access to health care and treatment. She is the mom to five year old Quinn, a nonverbal 5 year old boy with autism spectrum disorder

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