Autism and Related Disorders in New Brunswick: October - Autism Awareness Month in NB

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

October - Autism Awareness Month in NB - Adult Autism Care is Long Overdue

In Canada October is Autism Awareness Month

New Brunswick Is An Internationally Recognized
Early Autism Treatment Leader:
BUT Has Nothing For Adults with Severe Autism

October 18, 2017

Premier Brian Gallant

Families & Children Minister Stephen Horsman

Health Minister Benoît Bourque

Dear Premier Gallant and Ministers Horsman and Bourque:

Re: Autism Awareness Month: Adult Autism Treatment and Care

October is Autism Awareness Month in Canada although that is sometimes lost in the Blue Light celebrations of April n the United States.

I am sure you are all aware that New Brunswick has an early autism intervention program for which we can all be proud. The NB program resulted from determined parent autism advocacy. It was developed at the UNB-CEL in Fredericton which established a program in both official languages that has been used in Saskatchewan and more recently in France. Conservative and Liberal governments contributed to the implementation and delivery of the early autism services. The Association for Science in Autism Treatment recognized the program as a model for consideration by other provinces and some US states.

Parent autism advocacy also resulted in the training of approximately 500+ teacher aides/ education aides and some accommodation of autistic students in learning environments appropriate for their severe autism challenges. Parent autism advocacy also resulted in the reversal of the decision to close the Stan Cassidy Centre Autism Team which provides consultation up to age 16.

Nothing meaningful has been done though to address the very serious issues facing adults with autism in NB. …. NOTHING. In 2010 Professor Emeritus (Psychology) Paul McDonnell articulated the need for an adult autism network comprised of autism specific group homes located in communities around the province and a centre to provide the training and oversight for staff in the group homes. A further extremely important function would be to provide permanent residential care, treatment and continuing education in a modern setting for those with severe autism challenges. In a meeting two years ago then Minister of Social Development Rogers in the presence of Department advisers appeared to give careful consideration to a detailed proposal presented by Paul McDonnell and parent autism advocates.

Since the meeting with Minister Rogers nothing has been done to advance the development proposed. I ask you again, and will keep asking you, to stop ignoring the needs of adults with autism who can not be provided for in the community facilities that now exist.

I have been a parent autism advocate for more than 18 years plus. I was pleased with the early autism intervention program developed for autistic children even though the program arrived too late for my severely autistic now 21 year old son to be eligible.

If your government does not intend to work on and develop the adult autism network please advise.

Sincerely,

Harold L Doherty

Conor’s Dad

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipient (Autism Advocacy)

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NB Needs an Adult Autism Center and Network

"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."