Autism Awareness, or Lack Thereof, on a Halifax Bus

An autistic boy, one of 15 autistic children taking part in a field trip, was recently removed from a Halifax bus following what the transit authority described as disruptive behavior, piercing screams by the boy. The Canadian Press reports a difference of opinion over whether the boy was ordered to get off the bus by the driver, as alleged by his father, or whether the boy and his counselor left the bus voluntarily, as alleged by the transit authority spokesperson. The transit authority maintains an investigation is still ongoing even though it has already concluded that the boy was not ordered off the bus.

I find it unlikely that the boy and his counselor simply got off the bus without being either directed to get off ..... or being pressured to get off. The transit spokesperson has stated that the bus driver did not order the boy off the bus:

"The spokeswoman said images recorded by a surveillance camera aboard the bus indicate the driver told a counsellor that he couldn't keep driving unless Izaak's "piercing" outbursts stopped.

The spokeswoman quoted the driver as saying, "I can't drive if that keeps up."

"He said he was concerned that he couldn't continue to drive the bus because it was distracting."

Patterson said the driver did not ask to have the boy removed, and it appeared Izaak and his counsellor left the bus voluntarily."

If you accept the transit authority's position then it still seems likely to me that the counselor would have interpreted the driver's statement as an indication that the boy would have to be removed from the bus since they might not have been able to guarantee he would not continue with the screaming. I do not believe they felt that the boy's continued presence was wanted on the bus.

I am the father of a 13 year old boy with Autistic Disorder. He loves going for drives, even long drives, and is generally quiet and well behaved. There are times though, including yesterday, when his behavior could be described as "distracting". Sometimes he does engage in piercing screams, although they usually subside. Sometimes he pulls my hair or tries to grab my arm. When he does these things he is seated directly behind me; in close proximity. He is closer to me, arms's reach, then a boy on a bus would be to the driver.

I don't have the luxury of refusing to drive my son. I have to focus on the road despite any "distracting" behavior he might engage in. I don't know if the driver in question knew he would be driving a group of autistic children or whether the transit authority knew. It seems that the driver in question, accepting the transit authority's position on what was said, is not familiar with autism disorders and should not be driving autistic children without further training.

Anyone driving autistic children should be prepared to drive with some "distraction". As the father of a 13 year old boy with Autistic Disorder I know this, from experience, to be true.

autism

Autism Speaks, Autism Awareness .... and the Tall Ships

I was in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on business the past couple of days and finished up around 4 pm yesterday. Rather than drive home last evening I stayed over and went down to see some of the Tall Ships that had begun to arrive. I checked out of my hotel early, around 4:30 am, in order to get back to Fredericton for a 9:30 meeting. As I was checking out the gentleman at the desk asked about my blue Autism Speaks pin. We talked about autism generally and he told me he was a NASCAR fan and talked about the two NASCAR drivers who have ties to persons with autism and help raise autism awareness in conjunction with NASCAR and the Autism Speaks 400. I was asked several times about the Autism Speaks pin while in Halifax. I am often asked about it around Fredericton where I live. The pin, and the Autism Speaks 400, are but two elements of the outstanding work that has been done raising autism awareness and funds for autism research by the fine people with Autism Speaks. I hope Autism Speaks, the Wrights and others who make such an outstanding contribution with Autism Speaks are not dissuaded in any way by the pettey soap opera commentary of the internet. Keep up the good work folks. Oh, and here are some Tall Ships pictures, from an Indian Tall Ship, the Tarangini.

FEAT-BC Goes Coastal!!!

FEAT-BC is coming to Atlantic Canada.

FEAT and the families involved with FEAT have actively led the fight for autism treatment and services on the legal and political fronts in Canada. Atlantic Canadians with an autistic family member, autistic persons and persons with an interest in autism are encouraged to attend this event if at all possible.

This is huge folks. This is a great opportunity to thank political leaders like Shawn Murphy, Andy Scott, Peter Stoffer and Jim Munson who have cared; who have tried to help and are still trying to help persons with autism in Canada. Let's greet the folks from BC and show them "the very best". Lets thank Andy, Peter, Jim and Shawn. And let's send a clear and strong message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and federal Health Minister Tony Clement that their callous disregard for the health and well being of autistic Canadians will not go unchallenged.

I have already made my reservations at the Holiday Inn Dartmouth and I hope to see everyone there!!



"Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC Goes Coastal"

Vancouver……Ottawa……Toronto……Halifax

An Invitation to join Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC

(F.E.A.T. of BC) to say THANK YOU to:

Shawn Murphy, MP

Andy Scott, MP

Peter Stoffer, MP

Senator Jim Munson

For their dedication and commitment to improving the lives of
Canadians affected by autism…

….AND….

To hear about F.E.A.T. of BC's exciting plans to "go coastal" with
our national political initiative to achieve universal health care
coverage for EVERY Canadian affected by autism.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Holiday Inn, Harbourview

101 Wyse Rd.

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,

B3A 1L9

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

$25.00 per person – Refreshments will be served

Please make cheques payable to:

F.E.A.T. of BC, c/o Louise Witt, 2135 – 129th St., Surrey, BC, V4A 8H6

R.S.V.P. by May 20th. to Louise Witt, email: taylorwitt@shaw. ca or
call 604-538-1370.

For local enquiries: Luigi Rocca - luiroc@gmail. com 506 869-5444 (B) or
506 382-2239 (h)

*Donations are needed and welcomed! All donations will be used to
assist in F.E.A.T.'s national political initiative to achieve our
goal – universal health care coverage for EVERY Canadian affected by
autism.

Cheques should be payable to F.E.A.T. of BC, c/o the above address.

"We owe it to these families, to society and ourselves to share not
only the burden of autism, but also the collective responsibility to
act."

- Senator Jim Munson

"The access Canadian children with autism have to the treatment they
need sould not depend on how much money their parents have, nor in
which province they live."

- Shawn Murphy, MP

"We have the opportunity to positively change the lives of thousands
of autistic children and their families and ensure these Canadians
will achieve their potential."

Andy Scott, MP

"In a caring and progressive Canada, children with autism have a
right to health care."

- Peter Stoffer, MP