Not So Distinct: Quebec's Long Waits For Autism Treatment

Ontario is not the only Canadian province with lengthy waiting lists for ABA treatment for autistic children. Quebec, the home province of determined anti-ABA advocates Dr. Laurent Mottron, and his colleague Michelle Dawson, is also marked by lengthy waiting lists that frustrate the efforts of parents to seek evidence based, effective, ABA treatment for their autistic children.

In Long waits for autism services: parents Nav Pall, of Montreal's West Island paper the Chronicle, reports on two parents who had to fight lengthy waiting lists to get ABA treatment for their autistic children. Pall also reports on Quebec's arbitrary age 6 cut off for ABA treatment for autistic children:

"Once ABA therapy stops and kids enter school, the WMRC offers several other services such as anger management, respite and more social skills groups, but at reduced hours.

“We stay implicated, we see how they are doing in school,” said Moxness. “The ages between two and seven are the best time for ABA. Six years old was chosen as the cut off year because it coincides with kids entering schools. The decision was more administrative than clinical.”

Nevertheless, the Oliver’s and Mason’s are concerned about their son’s future. “The cut off (from ABA) at six years old is ridiculous,” said Mason. “ABA costs $100 to $150 per hour, right now I can’t afford it, so I’m taking full advantage.” "

With long waiting lists and an arbitrary age 6 cut off for provision of ABA services Quebec has much in common with its neighbor Ontario.

When it comes to frustrating the efforts of parents to obtain evidence based, effective treatment for their autistic children, Quebec is not quite the distinct society it purports to be.

autism