For Immediate Release:
April 2, 2019
Input will be used to determine how best to provide additional needs-based supports
Queen’s Park – The Ontario government is putting families first by engaging with parents of children with autism on further enhancements to the Ontario Autism Program.
“This is great news and I certainly gained valuable information at the round table I held a few weeks ago with parents and caregivers from Haldimand-Norfolk,” said MPP Toby Barrett. “I look forward to collecting feedback and learning more from families about how we can best support children with diverse needs on the autism spectrum.”
Starting in May 2019, the government will engage in public consultations through an online survey and telephone town halls. These consultations will run for one month and help inform how our government can better support children and youth with autism who have complex needs, including through additional direct funding. More information can be found at: http://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/2019/04/province-consulting-with-parents-on-enhancements-to-the-ontario-autism-program.html
A new advisory panel will be made up of parent and autism advocates with lived experience navigating the Ontario Autism Program. It will include experts from a range of disciplines like psychology, behavioural analysis and rehabilitation services as well as education, developmental pediatrics and research.
The panel will review the results of the survey and telephone town halls. It will put forward its advice later this summer on a new needs assessment process as well as an approach to provide support through Childhood Budgets, one that is responsive to children’s abilities and needs to improve their long-term outcomes.3
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