Jaden Lake's Autism on the Hill Rally - Well Done Jaden!

Edmonton MP Mike Lake, whom I have met (at IMFAR 2012 in Toronto) and communicated with a few times about autism in Canada, have different perspectives on the proper role for Canada's national government in addressing Canada's autism crisis.  The government of Stephen Harper, of which Mike Lake is a member,  is not a strong supporter of Canada's national medicare system generally and has done nothing to advance in a meaningful way the National Autism Strategy advocated for by former and present opposition MP's Andy Scott,  Peter Stoffer, Shawn Murphy and Glenn Thibeault and by Senator Jim Munson.   I know though that Mike Lake is a dedicated father and a strong advocate for his 17 year old autistic son Jaden, who appears to have many similarities to my own son with autism of the same age.  I enjoy seeing Jaden in television and video appearances and was pleased to read the Ottawa Citizen article about the Autism on the Hill Rally and the pictures featuring Jaden Lake.

Thank you for advocating for autism awareness and services Jaden! Well Done!

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#elxn41 Autism Request

My #elxn41 autism request is  a request to the Canadian electorate.  Please listen to Senator, and long time autism advocate, Jim Munson  about the need for action on behalf of autistic Canadians who deserve better, who deserve national treatment standards. and who deserve effective treatment regardless of where they live in Canada.

Take action, during this election, to vote for a candidate who will support autistic children and adults in Canada by voting for a candidate who will support a bill to expressly and specifically include autism spectrum disorders, soon to be grouped together and  known, in the DSM5,  as Autistic Disorder, in the Canada Health Act or in a federal Act specifically dedicated toward dealing with Canada's national autism crisis.

As Senator Munson said in an Ottawa Citizen article, Autistic Canadians deserve better,  published on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day:

"In 2007, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released a report titled "Pay Now or Pay Later -Autism Families in Crisis," a comprehensive study of autism issues. As a Senator who initiated the study and a member of that committee, I heard heartwrenching testimony from parents so desperate to get help for their autistic children.


Many had uprooted their lives and moved to places where care options were significantly better than what they could access in their own home province.


Two recommendations from the report that I consider most crucial are national standards for treatment and research, and a national strategy for equal treatment and services across the country. Courageous actions are now needed to deal with this emerging crisis.


It isn't much to ask that a federal minister sit down with provincial counterparts and representatives from autism organizations to devise a better way to operate. It is time for federal politicians to take a leadership role.


Such courage would rouse this nation and render much-needed comfort to the thousands of Canadians affected by autism.

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Renewed Calls for a Real National Autism Strategy

Canada does not have a real national autism strategy but it is not for lack of trying by some dedicated federal politicians  including  Liberal  Senator Jim Munson and  NDP MPs Glenn Thibeault and Peter Stoffer who     have renewed calls for a real National Autism Strategy for Canada.

The struggle for a National Autism Strategy began many years ago including here in New Brunswick where Andy Scott issued a public call for a National Autism Strategy on October 18 2003:

""Fredericton MP Andy Scott said Saturday he has been lobbying prime- minister-to-be Paul Martin for a federal program to help young children with autism. "I desperately want a national autism strategy - and let me just assure you that Paul Martin knows it," Mr. Scott told supporters at a party celebrating his 10th anniversary as an MP in Fredericton Saturday evening.

Early work by therapists with young autistic children, Mr. Scott said, can make a big difference in their capacity to lead fulfilling lives as adults - and can save money in the long run. But the costs of starting such early intervention programs are high and should be borne directly by Ottawa rather than each individual province, he said. "We have responses and therapies and so on that I genuinely believe can work," he said. "You're going to save millions of dollars over the lifetime of an autistic adult. If you can get in at the front end, you can make enormous progress.

"But it's very expensive, and there's not a lot of stuff being added to Medicare, generally - that's why we have catastrophic drug problems and other things," he said. "In the province of New Brunswick, P.E.I., or even Quebec or Ontario it's very, very expensive. The feds are going to have to step up to the plate." "

Tali Folkins, Telegraph Journal, October 20, 2003

Mr. Scott was successful in getting a commitment by the federal government to a National Autism Strategy recognized in principle but the strategy at that time did not commit to the hard action necessary to provide assistance to all parts of Canada in providing early autism intervention programs.  Even the National Autism Symposium which came out of that commitment was a sham, pure and simple, a sham.  Public autism advocates, including me were excluded from the Symposium.  Those in attendance were all screened by federal health agency involved with organizing the event to ensure that they would go along with the government's do nothing to help autistic children agenda.

Senator Munson has been literally crossing the country for several years fighting for a real national autism strategy  and he has not given up on his efforts.  He organized and  spoke in Ottawa yesterday at an event to mark World Autism Awareness Day this Friday, April 2, 2010:

“There’s no reason why we cannot treat autism within our own communities equitably across the nation,” said event organizer Senator Jim Munson. “There is a crisis and I know that we can come up with a plan to deal with the issue that is so important to all of us.”

MetroNews.ca, Ottawa, March 31, 2010

The event was also co-hosted by  NDP MP's Glenn Thibeault and Peter Stoffer who spoke at the event.  Mr. Thibeault also  introduced a private member's bill, seconded by tireless autism advocate Peter Stoffer,  to create a real national autism strategy, one that would actually help autistic children and their families by having the federal government work with the provinces:

"“Autism doesn’t discriminate based on geography.  It’s time for federal leadership to ensure that no matter where a child is born with autism, they receive equal treatment and services of the highest caliber.”

Glenn Thibeault,  March 30 2010

“I’m very pleased that my colleague has done this.  We’ve been asking for many years for the federal government to work with the provinces to develop a national autism strategy. I hope this will become a reality in the near future.”

Peter Stoffer, March 30 2010

Senator Munson and MP's Thibeault and Stoffer have been fighting for a National Autism Strategy for several years.  

As World Autism Awareness Day approaches this "autism dad" says thank you.

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A REAL National Autism Strategy Request for Mr Ignatieff and Mr Layton

Dear Honourable Leaders, MP's and Senator Munson

I am the father of a 13 year old boy with Autistic Disorder, assessed with profound developmental delays living in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I have addressed this email correspondence to Mr Ignatieff and Mr Layton as the leaders of the two parties, Liberal and NDP, that have recognized the need for a real National Autism Strategy. I have also copied some of the members of both parties in the House, and Senator Munson, who have made outstanding individual efforts on behalf of autistic children and adults in Canada and who have fought for a real National Autism Strategy.

The motion by Mr. Stoffer and our former Fredericton MP Andy Scott achieved recognition by the House of Commons of the need for a National Autism Strategy. Unfortunately the private members bill brought by Mr. Shawn Murphy from PEI which would have done so much to ensure that autistic children across Canada have real access to evidence based autism interventions was defeated notwithstanding the solid support demonstrated by both of your parties. I humbly ask that both the Liberal and NDP parties not give up on autistic children and adults and continue the fight for a real National Autism Strategy one that would see a federal government commitment to funding evidence based autism interventions and decent residential care for all Canadians with Autism Spectrum Disorders regardless of their province of residence.

Canadians have moved from province to province seeking appropriate help, particularly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), for their children. Gains have been made by provincial action across Canada but there are huge gaps in the services available. As a New Brunswicker I am proud of what our province has done with relatively limited resources to help autistic children but much more needs to be done here, particularly for autistic youths and adults in need of decent residential care. Even a family with two medical professionals left Nova Scotia to seek ABA help for their autistic child in Manitoba. In Ontario, where I visited in the spring of 2008 as part of a national autism advocacy tour organized by our good friends from FEAT BC, more autistic children are languishing on waiting lists than are actually receiving treatment.

I remind you of the well informed comments of Ms Dhalla when she spoke on behalf of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, on October 27, 2006, in support of the Scott-Stoffer motion calling for a National Autism Strategy:

"We must make sure that regardless of where one lives in Canada, whether it is on the west coast, the east coast or in the Northwest Territories, all children who are affected by autism actually have the opportunity to receive the treatment they need throughout their lives until the age of 18.

I am sure this national strategy is going to ensure that we have the proper investment to do further research into whether there are other treatment options available and into how this type of condition can be prevented. We must invest in a comprehensive strategy to address this very complex disorder. (1420)

As I have mentioned, we know the cost is upwards of $70,000 per year, but we have to ensure we give the opportunity to these families so their children can obtain treatment and provide them with the quality of life they need. These families should be able to do this without having to mortgage their homes, or sell their cars, or go through those financial hardships. Many families that have been affected by autism simply cannot afford this treatment.?"

I ask that both the Liberal and NDP parties keep the need for a real National Autism Strategy in mind as you go forward and work toward a strategy which sees Canada invest in autistic children and adults regardless of their province or territory of residence. Canada is more than a place where one's health, one's quality of life depends entirely on jurisdictional boundaries. Our national health care scheme generally, which results in longer life expectancy and greater infant survival rates than that of our good neighbours to the south, is a testament to that fact.

Please do your best to ensure the enactment of a REAL National Autism Strategy for all autistic Canadians.

Respectfully,

Harold L Doherty
Fredericton, New Brunswick

autism

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Autism Action NOW! Contact Your MP to Support Bill C-360 An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Contact your MP - TODAY - and urge him or her to support Bill c-360

An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Canada, like the US and the UK, is experiencing a national autism crisis. In the UK the latest figures report that 1 in 60 children have, or will have, an autism spectrum diagnosis. In the US the figure is reported at 1 in 150. Both of these figures are shockingly higher than the 1 in 1000 figure that existed prior to the change in diagnostic criteria in the 1993-4 DSM revision period. Even since those revisions which do account for a significant increase the numbers have risen dramatically. It is long past time to stop pretending that we are not experiencing an autism epidemic.

Here in Canada it is long past time that we stopped pretending that we are not experiencing a national autism crisis with families relocating from province to province in search of funded effective ABA treatment for their children and ABA based education when they reach school age. This is not a partisan political issue. Both Liberal and Conservative governments have ignored the autism crisis in Canada. NOW is the time to do something about it. Andy Scott, Peter Stoffer, Shawn Murphy and Senator Jim Munson have been valiant advocates begging their political colleagues to take autism action. Now Glenn Thibeault, Sudbury NDP MP, has moved to introduce Bill C-360, an Act to amend the Canad Health Act (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Canada's National Autism Crisis is a matter which ""goes beyond local or provincial concern or interests and must from its inherent nature be the concern of the Dominion as a whole" as the Privy Council said in upholding the POGG, Peace Order and Good Government, constitutional authority of the federal government to act to address national issues beyond the scope of the province's ability to address. The National Autism Crisis begs for a national solution. The Government of Canada has to stop ignoring this crisis.

Ask your MP to deal with Canada's National Autism Crisis and support Bill C-360. Your MP can be contacted via the link provided at this site:

http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E

.......................................................................................................................................................................

40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION
EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 040
Friday, April 3, 2009

Canada Health Act

Mr. Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury, NDP) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-360, An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

He said: Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the seconder of this bill, the hon. member for Nickel Belt.

I am pleased today to introduce this private member's bill, an act to amend the Canada Health Act, and to look at how we can include autism spectrum disorder in it.

Yesterday was World Autism Awareness Day. I still wear my awareness pin proudly. We as parliamentarians need to work together to provide individuals with ASD and their families with the right supports. IBI training is a step in the right direction, but we need a national strategy.
I look forward to the day when all parties can stand together and show our support for individuals and families dealing with autism.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)


SUMMARY

The purpose of this enactment is to ensure that the cost of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) for autistic persons is covered by the health care insurance plan of every province.


BILL C-360
An Act to amend the Canada Health Act
(Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. Section 2 of the Canada Health Act is renumbered as subsection 2(1) and is amended by adding the following:

(2) For the purposes of this Act, services that are medically necessary or required under this Act include Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) for persons suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder.


"Peace, Order and Good Government" (POGG)

In particular, the "national dimensions" (originally called "national concerns") doctrine was an alternate means of applying the POGG powers that found use in the mid 20th century. It allowed Parliament to legislate on matters that would normally fall to the provincial government when the issue became of such importance that it concerned the entire country.

The doctrine originated from a statement by Lord Watson in the Local Prohibition case, wherein he stated:

"Their Lordships do not doubt that some matters, in their origin local and provincial, might attain such dimensions as to affect the body politic of the Dominion, and to justify the Canadian Parliament in passing laws for their regulation or abolition in the interest of the Dominion".

After this case the doctrine was completely ignored until 1946 when Viscount Simons brought it back in the case of Ontario v. Canada Temperance Foundation, [1946] A.C. 193 (P.C.). The test as stated in Temperance Foundation was whether the matter "goes beyond local or provincial concern or interests and must from its inherent nature be the concern of the Dominion as a whole".

Find your M.P. at:

http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E


autism

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No Autism Funding Just Jibber Jabber In Harper Budget

Shelly Berman as Judge Robert Sanders on Boston Legal
"What is this jibber-jabber? I don't like jibber jabber in my courtroom"

Senator Jim Munson, who has been an unrelenting advocate on behalf of Canadians with autism disorders and their families, questioned Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government and Minister of State (Seniors) yesterday over the lack of funding for autism in the Harper government budget:

"Hon. Jim Munson: Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Last week's federal budget talked a lot about infrastructure. My question is about another kind of infrastructure, namely, social infrastructure.

(1505)

I talked about it yesterday, as did Senator Oliver, in dealing with autism. I do not need to go over all the figures. One in 150 families is affected by autism.

Parliament has taken steps. We lobbied hard and Minister Clement listened and did some work.

Will the government consider taking a further step to create a division for autism within the Public Health Agency of Canada so that this condition can be looked at, receive the attention it deserves, and families can receive the help they so desperately need? I am looking for that national leadership focus.

Hon. Marjory LeBreton (Leader of the Government and Minister of State (Seniors)): I am well aware of the honourable senator's hard work on the subject of autism.

As the honourable senator knows, when Minister Clement was Minister of Health he set up a research chair to study ways to move this issue forward. Autism is one of many conditions that falls within the purview of provincial departments of health and, of course, health care is delivered by the provinces.

With regard to the budget, a great deal of money has been set aside at universities for research in science and technology. It is hoped that indirectly, through the money that has been provided to universities, to the science community and to the health system, in addition to all the money that the government transfers to the provinces for health care, the treatment of autism will move forward quickly in the near or immediate future.

With the budget and the actions that the government has taken, in our consultations in various areas, we have tried to reach out to the good suggestions that are there, including the worthy ones of the honourable senator.

I am sure that Minister Aglukkaq � who is from the North, I am happy to say � and her officials, will have reviewed the files that Minister Clement was working on in terms of autism. I cannot say definitively what they are but I will find out."

Debates of the Senate (Hansard) 2nd Session, 40th Parliament,
Volume 146, Issue 7 Thursday, February 5, 2009

The reply by the Honourable Marjory LeBreton betrays no actual knowledge of autism or the evidence based effective autism intervention, ABA, that so many autistic Canadian children require to help them overcome their deficits and live fuller lives. In case someon on Ms LeBreton's staff Stumbles Upon or otherwise inadvertently reads this blog site I offer the following information from the American Academy of Pediatrics, also found on the upper right hand corner of this blog site:

The effectiveness of ABA-based intervention in ASDs has been well documented through 5 decades of research by using single-subject methodology21,25,27,28 and in controlled studies of comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention programs in university and community settings.29–40 Children who receive early intensive behavioral treatment have been shown to make substantial, sustained gains in IQ, language, academic performance, and adaptive behavior as well as some measures of social behavior, and their outcomes have been significantly better than those of children in control groups.31–4

American Academy of Pediatrics, Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

I also bring to the attention of the Honourable Ms LeBreton that many autistic Canadian adults are living in reprehensible residential care facilities if they are lucky and are not simply living on the ward of a general hospital as has occurred here in New Brunswick. Some are actually exported to the United States to receive residential based treatment not available here in New Brunswick and other parts of the country.

Please Ms LeBreton, stop posturing with nonsense about autism research dollars. Canadian research for autism is not generally directed at finding cures or treatment for autism. At least some of it goes to researchers more interested in promoting feel good "autism is beautiful" nonsense.

If Ms LeBreton has a conscience, and any integrity, I ask her to please stop with the "jibber jabber" (parents advocating for autistic family members have heard it for years) and start talking about funding ABA services for autistic children and decent residential care and treatment facilities for autistic adults wherever they happen to live in Canada.

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Harold Doherty's Autism Advocacy Awards

#1 Autism Advocacy Award - Conor's Smile, Joy and Happiness

#2 Autism Advocacy Award - An ASNB Mug

Given To Me By Fellow Parents, Friends and Officers of the Autism Society of New Brunswick. The Mug was given to me a couple of years back and, like me, shows the wear and tear of time. The Hulk was a nickname given by former ASNB President Lila Barry, who has been a force for autism in New Brunswick. The picture is my "mug" superimposed on a target background.

#3 Loyal Order of the Flying Swine Award

I was one of the recipients of the Flying Swine Award handed out by Jean Lewis and David Marley. This award has been handed to few people but includes some very distinguished autism advocates including Jim Munson, Shawn Murphy, Andy Scott and peter Stoffer.

With these three awards I have been truly honored and will continue my autism advocacy efforts.

autism

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Medicare For Autism NOW! Two Percent Solution In The Epoch Times

The Epoch Times in Parents Lobby Swing Ridings in Autism Fight by Joan Delaney features the Medicare for Autism NOW! Two Percent Solution campaign for autism coverage in Medicare. The article includes commentary by Senator Jim Munson, Medicare for Autism NOW! activists Louise Witt and Beverley Sharpe, and humble parent advocate Harold Doherty from New Brunswick.

autism

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Jonathan Howard Runs The Dream and Raises Autism Awareness in Ottawa

Jonathan Howard Meets Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion
Photo from Run the Dream - Jonathan's Blog

Jonathan Howard Runs the Dream across Canada to raise funds to support people with autism and raise autism awareness. He began in March in St. John's, Newfoundland and hit Fredericton, New Brunswick where I met him on June 5. I had the opportunity to talk with Jonathan at that time and I was very impressed. He is a sincere and dedicated young man of 24 who has committed the better part of a year of his life to help people with autism.

Jonathan has met, and raised autism awareness, with provincial premiers along the way. This week, as detailed in his hometown journal, The Mississauga News, Jonathan arrived at Ottawa where he was joined on his run by Kathleen Provost, executive director, Autism Society Canada, and Senator Jim Munson. Jonathan also met with federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion. Jonathan reports on his blog that he had extended an invitation to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Jonathan, very diplomatically, states:

For those wondering- What about the Prime Minister Stephen Harper? The invitation was sent a week ago and I am still awaiting a response. Lets Hope!

Far be it from me to challenge Jonathan in the Hope department. If anyone can get Mr. Harper to wake up to the realities of autism in Canada it just might be him.

Keep up the good work Jonathan!

autism

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Medicare for Autism NOW! in Oakville, Organizing and Sending A Message

It was a warm sunny day in Oakville yesterday as the Medicare for Autism NOW! team gathered at the Iroquois Ridge Community Centre to meet families in the communities west of Toronto, to organize and to send a message to ALL federal politicians: Canadians are suffering from a NATIONAL autism crisis. Some autistic children, depending on where they live, receive NO treatment for autism. The lack of treatment prevents some autistic children from living a full life and imposes emotional and financial hardship on family members.

Many of us have talked about a National Autism Strategy to address Canada's national autism crisis for years. Some politicians of character and conscience, people like Senator Jim Munson and MPs Andy Scott, Peter Stoffer and Shawn Murphy have actively campaigned for a National Autism Strategy. Stephen Harper, alleged Health Minister Tony Clement and Conservative MP and autism father Mike Lake on the other hand have largely mocked the efforts for a national autism strategy. Aided and abetted by Dr. Rémi Quirion and the CIHR the national autism strategy has been reduced to a less than mediocre web site and a secretive, politicized and staged National Autism Symposium that resulted in absolutely NO autism information being disseminated to Canadians.

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at the Oakville rally along with Jean Lewis who has led litigation and political autism battles in British Columbia and experienced political organizer David Marley. We were joined by Jennifer O'Brien from Oakville, autism winter trek hero Stefan Marinoiu from Toronto, Barry Hudson from Toronto and constitutional lawyer Deborah Coyne from Toronto. Medicare for Autism NOW! is national in scope. We are organizing coast to coast and we have a message for federal politicians of all stripes. Something must be done NOW. We need Medicare for Autism NOW. David Marley, show in the bottom picture below has prepared a strategy. A number of ridings that were decided by 2% or less in the last election will be targeted for election action by the Medicare for Autism NOW team. We will be making an impact in those ridings on behalf of the candidates, whatever their political stripe, who support Medicare for Autism NOW. David Marley is also organizing of team of people with political organizing skills and experience to help get our message across effectively.

One of the key ridings will be the Parry Sound Muskoka riding of Alleged Health Minister Tony Clement. Mr. Clement won by one of the smallest margins of any MP in Canada in the last election. Stefan Marinoiu, David Marley and Jean Lewis toured the riding this week and apparently there is already, for various reasons. substantial dissatisfaction with Mr Clement amongst his riding constituents who were also very supportive of the Medicare for Autism effort. Medicare for Autism NOW! will be active in the riding of alleged Health Minister Clement to remind constituents of Mr Clements refusal to help autistic Canadians and their families.

Iroquois Ridge Community Centre in Oakville

Jennifer O'Brien

Jean Lewis

Stefan Marinoiu

Deborah Coyne

Barry Hudson

David Marley

autism

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Canada's Autism Disgrace

What is Canada's National Autism Strategy? The answer is simple; we don't have one. And as long as Stephen Harper's Reform-Alliance-Conservative government rules Canada with an iron fist we will not have a National Autism Strategy. My friends of Conservative background in Canada may not like it but that is the hard brutal truth. Canada will not have a real National Autism Strategy as long as Stephen Harper is Prime Minister of Canada.

We certainly had the beginnings of a National Autism Strategy with the passing of the Andy Scott-Peter Stoffer motion in the House of Commons. And MP Shawn Murphy fought the good fight with his private member's initiative; defeated in the House of Commons by the alliance between the Harper Conservatives and the separatist Bloc Quebecois. Senator Jim Munson has continued his valiant efforts to keep the need to address Canada's national autism crisis alive in the media but even those efforts are becoming more challenging as the Harper-Clement team simply ignores these initiatives, ignores the needs of autistic children and adults in Canada, and proves day in and day out that they don't give a damn about the fate of autistic Canadians.

The National Autism Strategy of Prime Minister Harper really amounted to nothing but a mediocre web site and a promise of a National Autism Symposium. The National Autism Symposium was postponed when it became clear that real autism advocates, parents fighting for their autistic children, wanted to attend the symposium. A second symposium was scheduled for November 8 and 9 in Toronto. The invitation process was itself secretive, parents were largely unrepresented and any outspoken advocates were intentionally excluded from the Symposium.

The lists of speakers and symposium themes were never made public. The list of Harper government, hand picked delegates, to the symposium was never made public although it is a good bet that anti-ABA activists like Michelle Dawson and Laurent Mottron would have been invited. The Quirks and Quarks duo rarely miss an opportunity to promote their fringe anti-ABA views, contrary to hundreds of studies over 5 decades and numerous reviews of those studies by organizations such as the US Office of the Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics, that ABA is a scientifically supported, evidence based, effective treatment for autism. Their long held, closed minded views, so at odds with mainstream professional opinion, come in handy when needed by a government seeking excuses to camouflage their do nothing approach to addressing Canada's National Crisis. Just a guess, but I am betting that the Harper team was quite happy to invite Mottron and Dawson to the invisible, forgotten, National Autism Symposium.

The Autism Symposium went ahead on November 8 and 9 in Toronto and Canadians STILL don't know a thing about what was said; or what conclusions, if any, were reached. It is likely though that the Harper spin doctors will ultimately issue a summary indicating that there is lack of agreement on issues on the effectiveness of any one intervention in treating autism. The results of hundreds of studies over five decades of research, the reviews by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Office of the US Surgeon General, the MADSEC Administrators, the New York and California state agencies, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment; all will be ignored.

The views of a few fringe anti-ABA activists will be used to prop up a cynical do nothing Harper autism policy. And Canada's National Autism Strategy will remain as nothing more than what it now is - Canada's Autism Disgrace.

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