Facing Autism in New Brunswick

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Shining A Light on Autism in Barrie, Ontario
2007-10-02 20:00:00
Parents of autistic children, siblings, friends and neighbours held a sunset vigil outside the office of Barrie MPP Joe Tascona's constituency office to "remind themselves to be vigilant in the fight to equip their children to shine." The six year age limit on government funded Intensive Behavioural Intervention has been lifted in Ontario - theoretically. Practically, waiting lists for services have grown longer and more children are on the waiting lists than 4 years ago. Parents will undoubtedly have to remain vigilant to ensure that promises are kept, and waiting lists are eliminated. Bitter experience has already taught them that. The vigil is a good reminder.
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11 Year Old Autistic Boy In Zealand Killed In Traffic
2007-10-02 02:36:00
I felt a real jolt when I saw this story from New Zealand on Hawke's Bay Today of an 11 year old autistic boy killed running alongside an expressway after sneaking out of his home clad only in his pyjamas. Police said Andrew had managed to flee his home in Spriggs Avenue despite his family doing all they could to ensure he stayed safely inside.A few years ago Conor snuck out of the house without me noticing while I was engaged in a long business call. He crossed a parking lot in front of a busy drinking establishment and was crossing a busy main street when a good Samaritan stopped and took him to safety in a nearby service station convenience store.Conor is alive and well, unlike Andrew Seong Nam Chan of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, because of good luck and a good Samaritan. I have never in my life felt such intense fear, and intense guilt, as I did after realizing Conor had left the house. To this day, neither feeling is ever too far from my conscious mind. My thoughts are very...
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Peer Reviewed Study Claiming to Confirm Mercury-Autism Connection Published
2007-10-01 12:31:00
David A. Geir and Dr. Mark R. Geir have published a new study, “A Prospective Study of Mercury Toxicity Biomarkers in Autistic Spectrum Disorders” in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A (volume 70, issue 20, pgs 1723-1730). The Press Release issued by Coalition for Mercury-free Drugs (CoMeD) claims that the study "confirms that many children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) suffer from mercury poisoning." The Press Release also goes on to claim that:This study utilized urinary porphyrin profile analysis (UPPA) to assess body-burden and physiological effects of mercury in children diagnosed with ASDs.Using UPPA, Geier and Geier (2007) examined 71 children diagnosed with ASDs, 9 neurotypical siblings, and 5 general population controls. The researchers studied urinary porphyrin patterns using results reported both by the US Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) and the French Laboratoire Philippe Auguste.Their findings demonstrated that:• Onl...
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Autism In Ontario Election 2007
2007-10-01 12:00:00
Autism appears to be an impact issue in the current Ontario election campaign. On the first day of October, which is the Autism Awareness month in Canada, the Globe and Mail has an article on autism in the campaign which also highlights NDP candidate and autism mother Nancy Morrison. Ms. Morrison is the mother to whom Ontario Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty promised help for autistic children in the 2003 campaign before breaking the promise and fighting parents of autistic children in court."Mr. McGuinty promised in the letter to end the previous Progressive Conservative government's "unfair and discriminatory" practice of cutting off funding when children turned 6. "These children need - and deserve - our help and support," the letter says. The problem for Mr. McGuinty is that Ms. Morrison kept her end of the bargain and he didn't."- Karen Howlett, Globe and Mail, Plight of Autistic Children Resonates in Campaign It would be great if the NDP or Conservative Parties formed the...
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Jenny McCarthy Knocks Over Neurodiversity Hornet's Nest
2007-10-01 02:14:00
As expected, Jenny McCarthy’s appearance on Oprah has stirred up the Internet’s Neurodiversity bloggers. During the past week they buzzed about in a paroxysm of sarcastic rage over Ms McCarthy's audacity in speaking out about autism. Some of the Neurodiversity commentary has been mean and snide. Some of it has been outright offensive. Following is a list of Neurodiversity Hub bloggers who fell over themselves taking cheap shots at Ms. McCarthy and her views on the nature of autism, autism causes and cures. Some, like Mike Stanton, Educator, and Kristina Chew, Educator, Ph.D., felt compelled to belittle her more than once. Ms Chew in fact featured Ms McCarthy in no less than 7 of her commentaries over the past week. What will the Neurodiversity Hub bloggers ever do with themselves until the next autism appearance by Ms McCarthy? Mike StantonRespectful InsolenceAutism StreetLeft Brain/Right Brain (Kevin Leitch)Natural Variation (Joseph)Autism ...
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Trail Walking with Conor
2007-09-30 20:53:00
Today was another perfect day in Fredericton.This afternoon Conor did some Nashwaaksis trail walking with Dad.
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Dr. Wendy Edwards, Pediatrician and Autism Mother, Advocates Treating Auti
2007-09-30 17:22:00
The Times Colonist has an article on yesterday's Autism Canada conference and its focus on treating autism as a whole body medical illness. Speakers included Dr. Derrick MacFabe of the UWO team which recently released its findings on proprionic acid and Dr. Martha Herbert of the Harvard Medical School. Much of the article though focused on Dr. Wendy Edwards , a Southern Ontario pediatrician whose son was diagnosed with autism at age 3. The message at the conference as summarized by the Times Colonist is that autism is a full body illness and is not limited to the brain.Dr. Edwards advocates the use of biomedical treatments in addition to applied behaviour analysis in treating autism. She recommends diets aimed at eliminating toxins and reducing digestive tract inflammation and describes some elements of such diets including melatonin, antioxidants and the GF-CF free diet. Dr. Edwards acknowledges that her biomedical recommendations are not supported by scientific study but...
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Yes, Autism Should Be Cured
2007-09-30 13:17:00
Autism should be cured.Most parents of severely autistic children will answer that question as I have just done. There are some high functioning autistic persons who argue that autism should not be cured. There are some parents of high functioning autistic persons and professionals who work with them who argue that autism should not be cured. Some simply ask whether we should seek to cure autism. The answer to any such question is yes, yes, yes, we should. We should seek to cure autism so that severely autistic people can be cured and their lives enhanced. That is really all there is to it. This is not to suggest that the higher functioning autistic people who push their views on the internet should be forced to be cured. Absolutely not. But for severely autistic children, whose parents, legally, morally and practically speak for them, the answer is yes they should be given the chance to be cured. What other medical condition do we not seek to cure, or at least to give peopl...
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A Perfect Day
2007-09-30 00:22:00
Today was a perfect day in Fredericton. A clear blue sky, a beautiful sunny day with a comfortable fall breeze.Conor enjoyed the cool breeze ... and the McDonald's Hash Browns.A visitor also enjoying the breeze ... and showing us some flying techniques.The view from the picnic bench.
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FEAT-BC - Fund-raiser at CAPONES & Bill Good Show
2007-09-29 14:04:00
FEAT-BC continues its relentless campaign to ensure that all Canadians with autism receive full Medicare coverage for the costs associated with the treatment of their often devastating medical condition. Today, Saturday, September 29th, FEAT-BC welcomes a full house of parents and supporters to a fund-raiser at CAPONES, in Yaletown. The evening promises lots of fun, a silent auction featuring a truly incredible array of donated items [ie. a three day stay in a deluxe Whistler condo; a Vancouver Canucks' jersey, signed by the entire team; a case of Burrowing Owl merlot; etc.], and the opportunity to play an important part in the early stages of what is going to be a successful campaign! We're told that CBC-TV's "National" news team intends to cover the event, as part of their plan for a possible mini-documentary on "autism activism". On Tuesday, October 2nd, for one half-hour beginning at 11:30am, FEAT-BC founding director Jean Lewis and moi will be guests on CKN...
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Autism Symposiums In The US (Open, Democratic) vs Canada (Closed, Undemocra
2007-09-29 12:11:00
In the United States there are currently several autism symposiums scheduled or underway.It is interesting to note that public participation is encouraged at these American events. In some cases American law requires public input. They do not appear to dictate who can and can not attend. Nor do they attempt to pass off government selected delegates as representatives of community organizations as is currently occurring in Canada with the CIHR Autism Symposium. Here in Canada, the CIHR has bypassed community organizations like the Autism Society New Brunswick and decided for itself who will represent community organizations at this event.A little tip for the esteemed scientists at the CIHR from a humble small town lawyer, father of a profoundly autistic boy and long time autism advocate. In democratic societies organizations select their own representatives. Government bureaucrats, even those with Ph. D.'s, their Public Relations advisers, and their Political superiors, do not ...
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Autism Symposium Invitation Nov 8 -9 In Toronto
2007-09-29 01:35:00
Following this comment is the official invitation that was sent out to the government hand picked invitees to the Autism Symposium scheduled for Nov 8-9. As previously mentioned, the government has decided who will attend as representatives of community organizations. In New Brunswick invitations were sent by the CIHR to individuals without consulting the provincial Autism Society New Brunswick. So what community organizations will the New Brunswick invitees be representing? Who gave the CIHR the mandate, the authority, to determine who would represent autistic persons in New Brunswick?If you read the official invitation you will also see that the discussion sessions will be professionally facilitated with the goal of making this a positive and constructive experience for all participants. I have attended "professionally facilitated" events in the past. Professionally facilitated is another way of saying "scripted" or "staged". A positive and constructive experience means tha...
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Autism: A Medical Condition
2007-09-28 17:33:00
An autism conference featuring doctors and researchers organized by Autism Canada and featuring Dr. Martha Herbert, Dr. Derrick MacFabe and Dr. Wendy Edwards will take place this Saturday at the University of Ottawa. As the title indicates the focus will be on autism as a medical condition. Gord McDougall at 580 CFRA has commented that "governments have been reluctant to tie autism to health issues, because that would commit them to spending money from the already stretched health envelope." Mr. McDougall's comment is absolutely right.8 years ago the lead Minister on autism issues being examined by a government of New Brunswick InterDepartmental Committee on Autism Services was the Health Minister. When funding for autism specific services was first announced it was by the Health Minister. Then the programs and leadership on the autism portfolio were transferred to the Department of Family and Community Services. The Province of New Brunswick, like other governments, did not w...
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Conor Tracks
2007-09-28 11:50:00
I have mentioned before that my son Conor , now 11 1/2, with Autism Disorder and profound developmental delays, is a great joy in my life. His autism presents serious challenges and precludes him from having an independent life. Despite the many challenges though, Conor adds much to my life. When I see him at the end of the work day, face pressed against the window waiting for Dad, or when he walks into a room, I get a "Happy Buzz". I feel better, my spirits are lifted. Sometimes I get a Conor Happy Buzz even when I don't see him.Last night, after Conor was asleep in his room, and during a commercial break from the season premiere of "My Name Is Earl" I went to the kitchen for a glass of water and spotted something on the kitchen floor. The ABC 's are Conor Tracks , signs that he had been there. And once again I got a Conor Happy Buzz.

$13.8 Billion Surplus But Nothing To Help Autistic Children and Adults
2007-09-28 11:04:00
The Stephen Harper Conservative government has announced a $13.8 billion surplus. The Harper Conservatives celebrated the huge surplus at an announcement in Toronto. As pointed out in the Globe & Mail "Celebrating the huge surplus — which grew 50 per cent above forecast — was a change of tune for the Conservatives, who used to savage Liberal governments from the opposition benches for big windfalls. " Despite the huge surpluses the Harper government does absolutely nothing to help autistic children and adults. Well not quite nothing. They have put up a mediocre autism web site. And of course there is the Autism Symposium exercise in "community building" with government picked community representatives scheduled for early November. You would think with all that money Harper's government could do more to address Canada's autism crisis than a web site with borrowed information and a government scripted autism symposium.
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Proprionic Acid - UWO Scientists Find Potential Autism Gut-Brain Connectio
2007-09-28 00:04:00
Scientists at the University of Western Ontario, responding to parents' reports of significant improvement in behavior of their autistic children after elimination of wheat and dairy products from their diets, have conducted a lab study using rats which appears to confirm an autism gut-brain connection.Dr. Derrick MacFabe, director of the UWO research group reported to CBC that the research focused on propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid found in the gut and in bread and dairy products. When the compound was administered to rat's brains:"They immediately engaged in bouts of repetitive behaviour, hyperactivity and impaired social behaviours which had close similarity to what parents are seeing with autism,"The rat's brains were later examined and found to contain inflammatory processes similar to those in the brains of autistic children. Screening studies looking at effects of dietary changes in the general population are now under way with MacFabe's team at UWO, Queen'...
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An Open Letter to the CIHR Concerning the New Autism Symposium
2007-09-27 07:50:00
September 27, 2007CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and AddictionScientific DirectorDr. Rémi Quirion Assistant Director, OttawaDr. Barbara Beckett Project Officer Asimina SaikaleyDear CIHR DirectorsI have been active in autism advocacy in New Brunswick, and federally, for 9 years, since my son was diagnosed with Autism Disorder at the age of 2. Prior to the previously canceled Autism Symposium I contacted your office with respect to your procedures for selecting community representatives as delegates to the symposium. The symposium was canceled at the last minute. Now I am aware that you are inviting representatives from the "autism community" to attend the newly scheduled "Autism Symposium without input from the provincial societies. At least, you did not contact the Autism Society New Brunswick and request the name or names of delegates to attend at the Toronto airport symposium in early November. Instead you picked the delegates who would attend on behalf of the "a...
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Stephen Harper's Hand Picked Autism "Stakeholder Representatives"
2007-09-26 17:58:00
The Stephen Harper government has a pathetically feeble national autism strategy. Essentially it consists of a mediocre Autism Web Page and a Postponed Autism "Stakeholder s' Symposium". The "Stakeholders' Symposium" was postponed at the last minute; purportedly because the Government of Canada couldn't find a big room in which to hold the event. In reality it was cancelled because too many outspoken autism advocates, including me, were being nominated by autism organizations to attend the symposium.Now the government, and CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction are sending out invitations to a rescheduled Autism Symposium to be held November 8th-9th, 2007, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Toronto Airport . Prior to sending out the invitations the government, and CIHR, solicited names from various professionals and other individuals from the various regions of Canada to attend. They did not ask the provincial autism societies for names, even tho...
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Conor Eager to Get to Middle School
2007-09-26 12:39:00
We were anxious about how Conor would handle the transition to middle school this year. We put a plan in place and carried it out with the help of the school team. But Conor is the main player on the team and he has done very well. These pictures taken yesterday show Conor ready to go to school, heading out the door 20 minutes early. He wants to get to middle school!C'mon Dad get away from the computer.Dad put the coffee down, let's go.Dad, you are so old and slow!Ah! Finally, it's about time!
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Glutathione Autism Treatment Study Planned
2007-09-26 09:44:00
Kosair Children's Hospital and the University of Louisville are planning a study of the use of glutathione, an amino acid that neutralizes harmful molecules. The study, as reported by WHAS11News and Reporter Joe Arnold will involve providing glutathione to 50 autistic children.Dr. Stephen Wright, the Kosair Medical Director, says he has seen "remarkable" progress in two of three children to whom he has provided glutathione treatment after considering the experience of the Riggle family and reviewing research presented to him by the family. The Riggles saw dramatic improvement in their autistic son after some glutathione treatment. According to Mrs. Riggle the glutathione treatment helps boost a child's' own natural glutathione production and reduces oxidative stress rendering the child less combative.Dr. Wright expresses some guarded optimism for the treatment (not cure) potential of glutathione based on the Riggle family experience with their autistic son, his own observation o...
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Charges Against 6 Year Old Autistic Boy Dropped
2007-09-25 23:52:00
Charges against a 6 year old autistic boy were dropped in a Kentucky Court today. That is the positive side of the story involving assault charges brought by a teacher's aide against the autistic boy who grabbed and hit her. The down side is that the charges were ever laid and proceeded to court at all. As the parent of a profoundly autistic 11 year old boy I know that it can be very challenging and can often involve risk of personal injury to anyone working with an autistic child. It takes special individuals and I am not sure that someone who files criminal charges against a 6 year old autistic child is up to the challenge.
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Tory Pledges $75 Million To Clear Ontario Autism Wait Lists
2007-09-25 22:17:00
The National Post reports that Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory has pledged to clear Ontario's autism wait lists. He has pledged $75 million to clear the lists in 2 years stating that experts have told him it would take at least 2 years to clear the wait lists. The National Post article quotes Autism Canada President David Patchell-Evans as saying that he trusts Tory because he is a businessman. Personally, I suspect that all of the leaders will keep their autism pledges after the grief Liberal leader McGuinty suffered over his broken pledge and betrayal of autistic children and their families.On an interesting note the National Post indicates that the Liberals lead 41% to the Tories 33% and the NDP 18%. I am not a political analyst but I understand that the Conservatives fumbled badly with the denominational schools issue and stalled any momentum that might have been building. If they have recovered and pick up steam it could suggest a minority government - with NDP holdin...
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The Help Group - UCLA Autism Research Alliance
2007-09-25 09:57:00
"Applied research is essential in furthering the development of evidence-based best practices for the effective education of children with autism spectrum disorders" - Dr. Barbara Firestone, President & CEO of The Help Group and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism On Monday, September 10, 2007, the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior held a special reception to mark the launch of The Help Group - UCLA Autism Research Alliance .Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 24, 2007 -- On Monday, September 10, 2007, the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior held a special reception to mark the launch of The Help Group - UCLA Autism Research Alliance. This spirited occasion was hosted by Dr. Peter C. Whybrow, director of the Semel Institute, and Dr. James McCracken, director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at UCLA. The event was attended by UCLA and The Help Group colleagues, faculty and friends, and...

Autism Debate Heats Up Ontario Election
2007-09-16 01:04:00
Autism issues are heating up the Ontario election campaign, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the Ontario Autism Coalition, which has been very well organized and effective in getting autism issues in front of political participants. Today the NDP and Liberals squared off over the issues of age cut off and school provision of ABA/IBI services for autistic children.The Canadian Press is reporting a commitment by NDP leader Howard Hampton to provide publicly funded Intensive Behavioral Intervention in classrooms for all autistic children. The NDP has committed to providing IBI therapy for an autistic child from the day they qualify and an end to waiting lists. Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers retorts however that there simply aren't enough trained autism support workers to provide one on one treatment to every child who needs it.In New Brunswick we have faced the same issues over the past several years. The UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training progr...
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1 in 94 Autism Rate In New Jersey AND The USA?
2007-09-15 17:45:00
One of the interesting discrepancies, amongst many, in the autism world is the difference between the 1 in 150 rate cited by the CDC in the US and the 1 in 100 rate cited by Simon Baron-Cohen and other experts as the autism rate in the UK. What is also interesting is the 1 in 94 rate cited by the CDC for New Jersey which is obviously much closer to the UK figure. Is the 1 in 94 NJ rate more representative of actual rates across the US ?If the rates of autism are affected, in whole or in part, by environmental considerations then it would be difficult, if not impossible, to reach any conclusions about USA rates based on the NJ figures. But if there are no environmental factors influencing the development of autism, if autism is, as some argue, simply a naturally occurring genetic variation, then it may well be that the NJ rate is representative of the USA as a whole with the higher NJ rate, which brings it much closer to the UK, being attributable to better awareness, diagnosis an...
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Autism School Launches in New Jersey
2007-09-15 12:39:00
New Jersey is making a lot of positive autism news of late. The autism legislation passed, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling, and now the launch of the Bankbridge Development Center, an autism school in Gloucester Country New Jersey. Apart from autism specific programs and support the school is environmentally tailored for autistic students with features like non glare lighting and quiet interiors.The opening is featured at the Courier Post On Line and includes some nice pictures from the opening yesterday of the grounds, some staff, Gov. Jon Corzine and most importantly some students. As described in the Gloucester County Press Release:This state-of-the-art facility will serve up to 200 students from age 3 to 21 years. The Autism school maximizes classroom design to address specialized lighting, textures and bathroom accessibility so that difficulties related to the disorder are minimized and the learning environment is maximized. In addition to an educational facility...
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Autism Day of Action - September 15
2007-09-15 04:39:00
Saturday, September 15 is the Ontario Autism Coalition Day of Action with events across Ontario. The OAC is doing an outstanding job of bringing autism issues to the attention of politicians during this Ontario election and into the public consciousness. September 15, 2007 will be marked by events held at MPP riding offices including Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, Windsor, Essex, and Sarnia. "Autism issues fall under the mandate of the UN declaration of the rights of the Disabled, a declaration to which Canada is signatory", says Laura Kirby-McIntosh, a member of the OAC executive committee." In Ontario, the current government has failed children with autism by denying them full and immediate access to ABA/IBI within the school system. This has resulted in a growing waitlist that is now in excess of 1,000 children. Parents have no option but to go into financial hardship in order to provide this necessary therapy for their children. "Autism rights are universal and every provinc...

New Jersey Supreme Court Tells Insurer to Cover Autism Therapy
2007-09-14 11:56:00
The New Jersey Supreme Court has done what Canada's Supreme Court would not do, it has ordered a health insurance plan for state workers to cover the cost of therapy for a 5 year old autistic boy. As reported in the Star-Ledger online the therapy cost the boy's family about $35,000 per year. The NJSC upheld two earlier appellate rulings: The Supreme Court upheld two appellate rulings that came down in January and May 2007. The January decision said the commission could not deny treatment for "a class of dependents, notably afflicted children, based on the nature of their mental illness." In Canada we can sometimes be smug about our "universal" health care coverage believing our system of health care coverage to be superior to that of our American friends. But in Auton the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that governments which provide our primary health care coverage in Canada were not required to provide coverage for ABA treatment for autistic children. For autistic children in Can...
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Autism Mom Nancy Morrison Gets Political
2007-09-14 03:26:00
Nancy Morrison is the NDP candidate for York-Simcoe in the Ontario Election 2007. She is also the mother of two children, including eight year old son Sean who is autistic. Nancy is the "autism mom" who wrote to then Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty during the last Ontario provincial election campaign asking for help for her autistic son. Mr McGuinty promised to help. You know the rest of the story. Promise broken. Court fights to prevent families from obaining services for their autistic children. Court costs pursued against the families of autistic children that Mr McGuinty had promised to help.Nancy is not taking the Promise Breaker's betrayal lying down. She is getting political in a big way, running as the NDP candidate for York-Simcoe in the Ontario Election. She has herself gone out on a limb and stated that she has full confidence in Howard Hampton and the NDP autism platform:"I have been in discussion with him about what they will be doing, and I want the party to be...
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Autism Reality - Conor Gets A Haircut
2007-09-13 11:05:00
Yesterday was a haircut day for Conor as these before and after pictures show.Ordinary events in everyday life can become big challenges with an autistic child. Haircut s with the noise, the temporary restraint of the barber's chair, the itchy discomfort, the intrusion by another person into the child's personal space, can all add up to serious resistance by Conor.A few years ago I would have to hold him, restrain him, in the barber's chair. He would get so upset that he would literally bite into my shoulder. Things are better now but it is still a challenge getting Conor's hair cut.Haircuts are planned for times when few other clients will be around, in a smaller establishment, with the same lady who has been cutting Conor's hair for several years. With all that it is still not easy.It is the skills, understanding and patience of the lady who cuts Conor's hair that makes it happen fairly smoothly. Sometimes we all take people, and what they contribute to our lives, for g...
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