THUNDER BAY - Advocates for people living with an autism spectrum disorder say the community is moving more towards acceptance, but recent changes to programming in the province means families still need to make their voices heard.
“We are kind of past the awareness point right now, we are going toward the acceptance and really trying to broaden our autism community,” said Michelle Pintar, president of Autism Ontario Thunder Bay Chapter. “It’s important that we get together and celebrate World Autism Day.”
A flag raising ceremony was held outside City Hall on Tuesday with students from Westmount Public School to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.
Corinne Scarfo, a teacher at Westmount, said it was an excellent opportunity for students to engage with the community and spread awareness about autism disorders.
Pintar agrees that it is important to continue to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders by highlighting what people living with these conditions are capable of and how they can contribute to the community.
“There are definitely things we have to work on as a community. Compared to many years ago, it has grown, to be really good and we are also fighting for inclusion,” she said. “The schools have grown for inclusion and the community has as well. We are accepting. We can see the potential, we can see what they are capable of doing and they can be in society. That is how it is growing.”
But families continue to be frustrated with recent changes by the Ford government to autism programming in the province.
The changes announced in February would see funding capped at $20,000 a year for kids under six-years-old, with funding of $5,000 available until the child turns 18.
“Parents are concerned about the changes that are happening and affecting their children,” Scarfo said. “The therapists are very important in helping them along and socialize. It’s very important that they continue to receive those services and hopefully, there will be changes along the way.”
Scarfo added reduced funding would mean fewer opportunities for one-on-one interactions with specialists to change some of the behaviours and allow someone on the autism spectrum to reach out and socialize in different aspects of his or her life.
“It’s very simple things we take for granted, life skills that are being impacted by the loss of funding for these programs,” she said.
On Tuesday, Lisa MacLeod, minister of children, community and social services, announced the provincial government will be consulting with parents starting on May 1 about changes to the program and how to better service children and teenagers with autism.
The consultations will be conducted through online surveys, telephone town halls, and roundtable meetings hosted by MPPs.
Pintar said the Thunder Bay Chapter of Autism Ontario has heard many concerns from parents about the changes to programming already, adding that the best way to create change is to continue to advocate and make their stories heard.
“The parents need to be heard, continue advocating, sharing your stories, your insights, your opinions, your feelings," she said. "I think it is important to get their voices heard and that way the ministry can hear it and respond.”
“Parents need to have an opportunity to engage and to voice their opinions from their perspective and their daily lives,” Scarfo added. “For sure, they need to be heard by the government in order to impact change.”
