Government can’t abandon children with autism

NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2016

Government can’t abandon children with autism: MPP Arnott

(Queen’s Park) –The Ontario Government needs to support all children living with autism, says
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.

In Question Period on May 5, in response to the Government’s decision to curb funding for
Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) therapy for children who have autism, Mr. Arnott raised
the example of Meghan Graham and her son Daniel.

“I have heard from Meghan Graham, who grew up in Elora,” Mr. Arnott told Premier Kathleen
Wynne. “Her son Daniel is autistic. Daniel needed, received, and benefited from IBI therapy
from the ages of seven to nine, and he has made great strides. Daniel’s mom has passionately
made the case that all autistic children need to be able to access IBI therapy.”

Mr. Arnott’s question was part of an effort by the Ontario PC Caucus to focus attention on the
Liberal Government’s mistaken decision to end funding for IBI therapy for autistic children five
years of age or older. The Ontario PC Caucus dedicated every question during Question Period
on May 5 to sharing the stories of children from across the Province who are affected by autism.

According to published reports, under the Liberal plan, the Government will limit funding for IBI
therapy to children between the ages of two and four. Families with children five years of age or
older who are currently on the wait list for IBI therapy will have their names removed from the list
and receive a one-time payment of $8,000.

“We need the Premier to stand up in this House, acknowledge that autism doesn’t end at age
five, and say, ‘We’re going to find a way to eliminate these wait-lists and help all autistic
children, including those older than five, to reach their full potential,’ and then work hard to bring
truth to that statement,” Mr. Arnott concluded. “Why won’t she do that?”

– 30 –

Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org

Ontario Hansard – 05-May2016
AUTISM TREATMENT
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final-
Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Second time for the member from Hamilton Mountain.
The member from Wellington-Halton Hills on the final supplementary.
Mr. Ted Arnott: Back to the Premier: The government’s answers to our questions on IBI funding seem to
display a callousness in contradiction to a government which claims to care.
I have heard from Meghan Graham, who grew up in Elora and, years ago, was actually a legislative page
here. Her son Daniel is autistic. Daniel needed, received and benefited from IBI therapy from the ages of
seven to nine, and he has made great strides. Daniel’s mom has passionately made the case to me that all
autistic children need to be able to access IBI therapy.
We need the Premier to stand up in this House, acknowledge that autism doesn’t end at age five, and say,
“We’re going to find a way to eliminate these wait-lists and help all autistic children, including those older
than five, to reach their full potential,” and then work hard to bring truth to that statement. Why won’t she
do that?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: Again, thanks to the opposition for the important question.
It’s important to clarify that children who are currently receiving IBI are not being immediately removed
from service. They will receive their clinical assessment at the regular six-month interval, Speaker, and a
transition plan will be identified that’s specific to their needs. So if they continue to need those kinds of
intensive services, they will get intensive services. It will be more tailored and more customized for the
right duration to meet that child’s needs.
1050
I encourage the opposition to reach out to my office. I’ve shared information with the opposition on the
facts of the new program. I do welcome opposition feedback; I appreciate the letters. I’ve talked to a
number of them. It’s important that we all have our facts straight. I worry a bit, Speaker, if the facts are
not clear, so I’m very committed to helping the opposition get clarity on that.