New Brunswick governments have been outstanding in establishing an internationally recognized early evidence based autism intervention service and have made some gains in autism training for Education Aides and Resource Teachers.
There has been no progress though in establishing an autism centre for adult treatment and permanent residential care for severely impacted autistic adults with a network of autism group homes around the province.
It is very easy to become discouraged in advocating for adult autism care in New Brunswick. The establishment of early evidence based autism intervention services was not easy but successes have been achieved. While there have been backward steps such as the recent hard line 95% attendance requirement, since revised, which did not appear to take into pressures and demands on family and the time available to them the NB early intervention program has been recognized as a leading Canadian model by the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Some gains have also been made in provision of autism trained Education Aides and Resource Teachers although much more needs to be done including training more aides and teachers and ensuring that autism trained aides work with autistic students and not be displaced by untrained aides with more seniority. Adult autism residential care and treatment however remains abysmal and the first signs indicate that things are not likely to change under the current Liberal government. The NDP and Green Party both addressed adult autism care issues during the last provincial election. Both the Liberal and Conservative parties were silent on autism issues.
The adult autism care problem, as reported by Samantha Magee and the Miramichi Leader, has flared up again recently in Miramichi when a 19 year old non verbal autistic man was given notice of eviction from the special care home in which he resided solely because he was now an adult. Several persons including me spoke out yet again asking our government to address the adult autism care issue in New Brunswick. Specifically we asked the government yet again to build an autism treatment centre in Fredericton near the expertise of the Stan Cassidy Centre which treats autistic children and youths and provide permanent residential care for those with severe dysfunctional autism disorder. The centre would also provide oversight and training for autism group homes in New Brunswick communities around the province.
The Miramichi Leader reported former Autism Society New Brunswick President Lila Barry's comments urging the establishment of the autism centre based network as described by UNB Professor Emeritus (Pscychology) Paul McDonnell in 2010 and asked the Minsiter of Social Development for a response. The government response came from Communications Officer Anne Bull:
"When
asked if the minister of Social Development has looked into the
possibility of building such a facility that could offer diagnosis,
treatment and long-term living arrangements, the Miramichi Leader
received the following response from communications officer Anne
Bull.
“The
Government of New Brunswick recognizes the need to provide high
quality services that support our province’s families and
individuals living with autism. As a government, we are committed to
continuing to improve services to families and individuals living
with autism. This includes examining the issues around living
accommodations and supports for those with high care needs who
require services beyond what is presently available. Government
continues to make significant investments in services to adults with
disabilities. Social Development works in collaboration with the New
Brunswick Disability Executive Network and other key stakeholders to
recommend on-going improvements to the Disability Support Program,
finding innovative ways to support adults with disabilities and their
families with the unique challenges they face.”
Communications Officer Bull did not provide a direct answer to the questions of whether the Minister of Social Development had even looked into the possibility of building the facility that could offer diagnosis, treatment and long-term living arrangements. Requests for such a centre have been made for years and it is easy to become discouraged when our government officials refuse to provide a direct answer to such an important question and instead pass the buck to a communication officer to provide a formulaic, meaningless answer.
A bright side to the recent events has been the support of Conservative MLA Jake Stewart and NDP Party Leader Dominic Cardy. Mr Stewart was also quoted by the Miramichi Leader's Samantha Magee:
A bright side to the recent events has been the support of Conservative MLA Jake Stewart and NDP Party Leader Dominic Cardy. Mr Stewart was also quoted by the Miramichi Leader's Samantha Magee:
"Jake
Stewart, Progressive Conservative MLA for Southwest Miramichi, agreed
that the system was failing the Keenans and other families like them
in similar situations. “Adequate
facilities are needed in New Brunswick to alleviate strain on
families found in this situation, and on individuals like Brandon who
clearly deserves better. Also, a change in policy in Social
Development is most likely needed,” said Stewart in an email to the
Miramichi Leader. “I’m
offering my support in the construction of new facilities, a
potential change in policy, and of course I can and will continue to
be a voice of reason for the Keenan family,” said the MLA. “But
first, it’s important to allow Brandon to stay at M.O.R.E. Services
from now on without worry of being displaced due to his age. If
another facility can accommodate, this too may be beneficial. Time is
of the essence.”"
NDP party leader Domonic Cardy responded to the recent events in Miramichi with a Facebook commentary:
autism
