To: Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Restore the IBI program to help Autistic kids in Ontario who are in most need
The Ontario government recently and with great cruelty and cynicism decided to throw a large number of children off the waiting list for IBI therapy based on subjective science at best. They have unilaterally decided to take all children off the list who are 5 years and older when the list is already 3 years plus in wait time and the majority of children don't get diagnosed until 3 to 4 years of age. Therefore, many children will be denied this much-needed help that was promised to them and their often poorly supported families who only have this hope of help.
IBI is an intense form of ABA and is needed by children who have more severe cases of Autism and therefore require the greatest amount of support. It is key in helping them overcome their developmental challenges together with life and social communications skills and makes all the difference between them becoming functional and independent or life-long dependents.
Parents whose children will be kicked off the list will receive a one-time payment of eight thousand dollars. This is not even enough to cover 2 months of therapy in most cases, and this therapy is usually needed for a few years to get the required results. This means many families will simply not be able to help their children, or might need to further mortgage their homes, or lose them all together.
We, the community of parents who have affected children, respectfully ask that the government not only keep promises made but actually increase the funding that is necessary to have children accelerated on the list because that is what it means to a be caring and fair society; that is what it means to be Canadian.
Help us, help our children, restore to them their basic rights to be a full part of their community and to have a voice and place in our world.
IBI is an intense form of ABA and is needed by children who have more severe cases of Autism and therefore require the greatest amount of support. It is key in helping them overcome their developmental challenges together with life and social communications skills and makes all the difference between them becoming functional and independent or life-long dependents.
Parents whose children will be kicked off the list will receive a one-time payment of eight thousand dollars. This is not even enough to cover 2 months of therapy in most cases, and this therapy is usually needed for a few years to get the required results. This means many families will simply not be able to help their children, or might need to further mortgage their homes, or lose them all together.
We, the community of parents who have affected children, respectfully ask that the government not only keep promises made but actually increase the funding that is necessary to have children accelerated on the list because that is what it means to a be caring and fair society; that is what it means to be Canadian.
Help us, help our children, restore to them their basic rights to be a full part of their community and to have a voice and place in our world.
Why is this important?
Protecting the most vulnerable autistic kids in Ontario. My family and child has been personally affected and many more as well.