Wales Takes National Autism Action While Canada (Harper) Ignores National Autism Crisis

New, wide-ranging efforts to tackle autism and improve services for those who are affected by the condition were announced today by the Welsh Assembly Government. The Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategic Action Plan is to be launched today at the 3rd Wales International Autism Conference organised by Autism Cymru in Cardiff. Funding for the next three years has been identified with the first years funding of £1.8m being announced to drive forward key actions for the first years. Wales is the first country in the world to have established a cross-cutting national strategic action plan for ASD that will help the estimated 30,000 people that are either directly or indirectly affected by Autism in Wales.

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The Action Plan will drive improvements across both children, young people’s and adult services in health, social services and education services – and also expand into areas of housing, leisure and society in general.

- Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Communities , Health on Tuesday 22nd April 2008 - 12:13pm

It is encouraging to see a national government tackling its autism issues head on, without hiding behind any contrived excuse they can find to avoid helping the many citizens with autism disorders. Canadians, on the other hand, have a national government led by Prime Minister who is oblivious to autism and the autism crisis in our country. The nicest thing that can be said about Alleged Health Minister Tony Clement is that he doesn't really appear to know much about autism. MP Mike Lake of the governing Conservative party, and father of an autistic child, is an occasional autism "spokesman" for the governing Conservatives; usually helping Harper pass the buck. Of course Mr. Lake has more pressing matters on his agenda .... like presenting a petition to the House of Commons to protect the mythological Bigfoot creature. As for autistic children in need of treatment in Saskatchewan or Manitoba or the Yukon? Well Mike Lake needn't worry he lives in oil rich Alberta his child can receive government funded intervention until age 18.

Congratulations to the Welsh Assembly Government for doing what the Canadian government of Stephen Harper has not done; launch a national autism strategy to provide autism help to all its autistic citizens.

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