“It Takes a Village to Support Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
Autism Advocacy New Brunswick is pleased to announce we will be hosting a meeting concerning the lack of Autism Adult Care Services in the Province of New Brunswick.
This will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 1:00-3:30 pm at the VILLE Cooperative, 241 Canada St., Fredericton.
We are extending an invitation to parents, self-advocates, and families, as well as persons who have a strong interest in supporting adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
We have three guest speakers and they will be speaking on the following topics:
1. Harold Doherty, is a father of an adult son with Autism, a long- time Autism advocate and recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (Autism advocacy) who is currently practicing law in Fredericton. He will speak on the history of Autism services in the Province of New Brunswick, and will illustrate the advancements that have been made in the past 15 years. Harold will also speak about the current lack of services for adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. His talk will address issues in regards to adults who have high needs, with limited to zero communications, who are intellectually challenged, and may have an existing co-morbid condition such as a seizure disorder. He will talk about the challenges that he and his family face with his own son on a daily basis. He will also emphasize the importance of being a unified voice if changes are to be made in this province. Parents, self-advocates and the community must be united, and become the voice for the adult population.
2. Lila Barry is a mother of an adult son who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Lila is a former president of Autism Society New Brunswick, and a retired Executive Director of Autism Resources Miramichi. The scope of her career covers a span of 42 years, working in the field with persons with special needs. Currently, she volunteers at Autism Resources Miramichi, and her volunteer work encompasses advocacy within the Province of New Brunswick. A typical example is preparing for today’s event. She is a behind the scene girl, and is passionate in supporting persons with ASD. Lila will speak on her experiences raising, and working with children and adults who live with Asperger’s Syndrome or HFA.
3. Dr. Paul MacDonnell is a retired psychologist who specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a Professor Emeritus in Psychology at the University of New Brunswick, he has distinguished himself in his career. He has received international recognition for his research, and has been viewed as a model for others in the field. In 2004 the government of the day funded a province–wide Autism Intervention Training program, for preschool-aged children. The lead consultant was Dr. Paul MacDonnell. Years later, he was also the lead consultant when funding was made available to train Educational Assistants and Methods and Resource Teachers within the Department of Education. In 2015 Dr. Paul MacDonnell submitted a proposal on Adult Autism Care Services to the Province of New Brunswick. This proposal is called, “It Takes a Village to Support Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” In simple terms, it is a comprehensive document that addresses all the needs of the adult population. Dr. Paul MacDonnell will be giving an overview of the proposal. It encompasses the needs of the full spectrum, including the needs of severely affected adults living with Autism, all the way to the adults who are living with Asperger’s Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism. The needs vary on the spectrum so it’s important to recognize that not all persons have the same needs and challenges.
Please note, as of today’s date Dr. Paul MacDonnell’s submission paper remains in the hands of the Province of New Brunswick. There has been no response or action, nor do we anticipate any in the near future without everyone's involvement. It is only through efforts and dedication of parents, self-advocates and community that changes will be made. Please be the voices these adults need you to be. The announcements of the Preschool Autism Intervention Training Program and the training for Educational Assistants, Method and Resources Teachers, Autism Clinical Supervisors for School-Aged Children were announced a few weeks prior to 2 elections. This is why we must give voice now, otherwise there is a high likelihood the inaction will continue.
We encourage all parents to attend (who have sons or daughters, who are preschool age, a teen or adolescent, caregivers, a young adult or middle-age adult or senior who are living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.)
“A child with Autism, grows into an adult with Autism.”
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