Adult Autism Center Information Protest At The Legislature May 28 at 1:30

Autism Advocacy NB Event:  Adult Autism Center Information Protest

Where: NB Legislature Grounds, Fredericton

When: Thursday, May 28 at 1:30

Who: Anyone who wishes to advocate for an adult autism center as the first step in building a comprehensive adult autism care and treatment network with locations in communities around the Province of New Brunswick.

Suggestions: Bring a sign stating "Adult Autism Center Badly Needed" or some variation according to your own preference.

Demeanor: Polite, Courteous with a view to informing NB MLAs of the need for a NB autism center to provide treatment and residential care to NB autistic adults in need as described by Paul McDonnell way back in 2010:

""Our greatest need at present is to develop services for adolescents and adults," McDonnell writes.

"What is needed is a range of residential and non-residential services and these services need to be staffed with behaviourally trained supervisors and therapists."

...

"In the past we have had the sad spectacle of individuals with autism being sent off to institutional settings such as the Campbellton psychiatric hospital, hospital wards, prisons, and even out of the country at enormous expense and without any gains to the individual, the family or the community

Among the reforms that the UNB professor is calling for is an enhanced group home system where homes would be connected to a major centre that would develop ongoing training and leadership.

The larger centre could also offer services for people who have mild conditions. But, he said, it could also be used to offer permanent residential care for individuals with more severe diagnoses.

"Such a secure centre would not be based on a traditional 'hospital' model but should, itself, be integrated into the community in a dynamic manner, possibly as part of a private residential development," he writes.

"The focus must be on education, positive living experiences and individualized curricula. The key to success is properly trained professionals and staff."