Autism advocacy events Saturday October 22, 29 NB Legislature Grounds Fredericton. Time to Act, Time to be Heard!
The early intervention program in NB has been recognized internationally. It happened because of autism advocacy led by parents. The autism trained TA's and resource teachers also happened because of parent led autism advocacy. ... Services for neither age range is perfect but nothing has been accomplished on adult care and treatment. The priority as stated on the pinned commentary and post from CBC NB Votes 2010 is to advocate for adult autism services, specifically an autism network with a central facility in Fredericton for those needing permanent care and to provide consultation and oversight to a network of autism specific group homes around the province. It is now time for the members of Autism Advocacy NB to become more active. To that end anyone interested in actually advocating for the adult autism network and participating in the October 22 and 29 events can contact me at hldoherty5463@gmail.com.
The principles of a humane, evidence based, modern adult autism care and treatment network were enunciated by Professor Emeritus (Psychology) and NB Autism Expert Paul McDonnell in a 2010 CBC interview:
"Paul McDonnell, September, 2010
"Our greatest need at present is to develop services for adolescents and adults. What is needed is a range of residential and non-residential services and these services need to be staffed with behaviourally trained supervisors and therapists. In the past we have had the sad spectacle of individuals with autism being sent off to institutional settings such as the Campbellton psychiatric hospital, hospital wards, prisons, and even out of the country at enormous expense and without any gains to the individual, the family or the community.
We need an enhanced group home system throughout the province in which homes would be linked directly to a major centre that could provide ongoing training, leadership and supervision. That major centre could also provide services for those who are mildly affected as well as permanent residential care and treatment for the most severely affected. Such a secure centre would not be based on a traditional "hospital" model but should, itself, be integrated into the community in a dynamic manner, possibly as part of a private residential development.The focus must be on education, positive living experiences, and individualized curricula. The key to success is properly trained professionals and staff."
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