My #elxn41 autism request is a request to the Canadian electorate. Please listen to Senator, and long time autism advocate, Jim Munson about the need for action on behalf of autistic Canadians who deserve better, who deserve national treatment standards. and who deserve effective treatment regardless of where they live in Canada.
Take action, during this election, to vote for a candidate who will support autistic children and adults in Canada by voting for a candidate who will support a bill to expressly and specifically include autism spectrum disorders, soon to be grouped together and known, in the DSM5, as Autistic Disorder, in the Canada Health Act or in a federal Act specifically dedicated toward dealing with Canada's national autism crisis.
As Senator Munson said in an Ottawa Citizen article, Autistic Canadians deserve better, published on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day:
"In 2007, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released a report titled "Pay Now or Pay Later -Autism Families in Crisis," a comprehensive study of autism issues. As a Senator who initiated the study and a member of that committee, I heard heartwrenching testimony from parents so desperate to get help for their autistic children.
Many had uprooted their lives and moved to places where care options were significantly better than what they could access in their own home province.
Two recommendations from the report that I consider most crucial are national standards for treatment and research, and a national strategy for equal treatment and services across the country. Courageous actions are now needed to deal with this emerging crisis.
It isn't much to ask that a federal minister sit down with provincial counterparts and representatives from autism organizations to devise a better way to operate. It is time for federal politicians to take a leadership role.
Such courage would rouse this nation and render much-needed comfort to the thousands of Canadians affected by autism.
Take action, during this election, to vote for a candidate who will support autistic children and adults in Canada by voting for a candidate who will support a bill to expressly and specifically include autism spectrum disorders, soon to be grouped together and known, in the DSM5, as Autistic Disorder, in the Canada Health Act or in a federal Act specifically dedicated toward dealing with Canada's national autism crisis.
As Senator Munson said in an Ottawa Citizen article, Autistic Canadians deserve better, published on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day:
"In 2007, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released a report titled "Pay Now or Pay Later -Autism Families in Crisis," a comprehensive study of autism issues. As a Senator who initiated the study and a member of that committee, I heard heartwrenching testimony from parents so desperate to get help for their autistic children.
Many had uprooted their lives and moved to places where care options were significantly better than what they could access in their own home province.
Two recommendations from the report that I consider most crucial are national standards for treatment and research, and a national strategy for equal treatment and services across the country. Courageous actions are now needed to deal with this emerging crisis.
It isn't much to ask that a federal minister sit down with provincial counterparts and representatives from autism organizations to devise a better way to operate. It is time for federal politicians to take a leadership role.
Such courage would rouse this nation and render much-needed comfort to the thousands of Canadians affected by autism.
3 comments:
Autistics deserve better is Michelle Dawson's slogan. Interesting if not ironic.
I couldn't agree with you more. I have to go into Ontario to get my son the help he needs. It is seriously frustrating. Luckily, we have insurance, but as you know, it does not cover it all. There is very little support here in Quebec (especially for English speaking children). All of Canada needs to address this problem. All these children need help and they should be able to get it.
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