Parents of Autistic Children Communicated directly with Shawn Graham, No "Interpreter" Needed - Result: 400 UNB-CEL Autism Trained Teaching Assistants and Resource Teachers

This Autism Dad Says Thank You Shawn Graham

 Shawn Graham made promises to help autistic children in New Brunswick. He kept his word and autistic preschoolers and students are the better for it.  This is one father of an autistic 14 year old attending high school here in New Brunswick who knows how much Shawn Graham has done for our autistic children and I say .... thank you Shawn Graham. (2010, FANB)

Above is my thank you to Shawn Graham for all he did to help autistic children in NB during his term. Following  is the email I received from then Opposition Leader Shawn Graham in the lead up to the election which resulted in him becoming Premier Shawn Graham.  

His government implemented over the course of their 4 year term the training of 100 teacher aides per each year of their 4 year term which I highlighted below and which I specifically requested as a representative for the Autism Society New Brunswick.  

This is another example of why parent autism advocates accomplished specific focused goals by direct communication with government. We did not need a government financed "autism tour" with an interpreter who does NOT have adult autistic children to "interpret" or slant our needs for the PNB government. ... I do recognize that the political figures involved make a big difference as noted in our Thank Your to Shawn Graham who did a great deal to help autistic children in NB. Regardless we have to speak on our own behalf and focus on important goals.  The so  called "Autism Tour" is not the way to make progress for autism services iin NB ncluding the badly needed adult autism residential care and treatment services.

Bold highlighting added by H L Doherty

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	9/6/06

Dear Harold:

Thank you for your letter and for sharing your concerns with me.  In our
Liberal election platform that will be released later this week, we are
committing to the implementation of the recommendations of the
Interdepartmental Committee on Autism released in November 2001.
Although we realize this document is now nearly five years old, it does
provide a basis on which to develop, in partnership with the
stakeholders, a strategy that will assist children with autism from
early childhood and into adulthood.

As well, we will take two concrete steps to address the immediate needs
of children with autism in two areas:  a case management process and
UNB-CEL autism training.

A new Liberal government will:

1.                  Integrate services for young children and their
families by enhancing and expanding the Early Childhood Initiatives
Program to ensure a smooth transition into public school for children
identified as at risk or those with special needs, such as autism.

2.                  Provide UNB-CEL autism training for 100 additional
teaching assistants and Methods and Resource teachers each year for four
years.

I commend you and the members of the Autism Society of New Brunswick on
your tireless advocacy on behalf of children with autism.  You are truly
making a difference in many lives.  Please feel free to contact me at
any time.

Yours truly,


Shawn Graham

Leader of the Official Opposition