Guest guest Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 Laurie, I am with you on every point you made. Unfortunately, this is one of many issues. I would prefer to address all of the issues but right now this is the one issue we have the most leverage on and here we fall far behind the US. I am taking baby steps because doing something is better than doing nothing. Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind a few more Canadians putting down their beer and getting off their as**s, regardless of what " camp " they are in. Therefore, if you have the time, could you ammend my post, insert your biomed information and re-circulate as I have little information on it and/or hard facts. Then, that would cover everything. As an aside, I did not specify only ABA - Research, diagnostic ability etc. were also listed. Cheers, - the beer swilling Canadian > > Lenny, I hope this is ok to post. Let me know if not. Thanks. > > > > > > Friends, > > > > Please take some time on Monday to call in or write in to CKNW. We > > will be trying to get parents/friends of children to pose the > > question to Mr. regarding lack of funding and the ongoing > > need for parents to pay out of pocket to get diagnosis. Below is > > some information you may want to use in your calls/e-mails. > > > > > > Please join Bill Good this Monday and Tuesday as he broadcasts the > > Bill Good Show live from Ottawa. First on the agenda, starting at > > 8:35 a.m. Monday morning, an exclusive chat with Prime Minister > > . You can speak to the Prime Minister - on the phones at 1- > > 877-399-9898, locally at 604-280-9898 or *9898 on your cel phone. > > You can also submit questions for the Prime Minister which Bill will > > pose on your behalf here. > > > > > > > > > > ISSUES AND FACTS: > > > > > > Some 370,000 Canadians are affected by autism. This is a half the > > population of Newfoundland and Labrador, and more than the combined > > populations of the Yukon, North-West Territories, Nunavut and Prince > > Island. But comprehensive and proper treatment for this > > neurological brain disorder is not provided by any Canada's > > provinces. We are calling on all Federal Parties to grant autistic > > children and their families the right to access the health care they > > need–scientifically validated treatment for autism. > > > > > > Autism is a medical condition > > > > A neurological brain disorder. > > Strikes children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years > > Results in comprehensive developmental delays; speech and language, > > cognitive ability, social maturation, physical coordination and > > others. > > Children become withdrawn, do not engage peers, siblings or parents; > > loose language and are unable to talk, display extreme behavior > > patterns of tantrums, compulsiveness, rigidity, and repetition. > > Without immediate intensive treatment the condition becomes > > permanent. > > The Treatment works > > > > Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), otherwise known as Intensive > > Behavioural Intervention (IBI). > > Recommended by the US Surgeon General and the New York State Board > > of Health as the most effective means of treating autism. > > Requires intensive (30 to 40 hours per week) one-on-one therapy for > > retraining of the brain, treatment intensity is gradually reduced > > and in most cases eliminated entirely. > > Extensive research and clinical studies have been conducted in the > > U.S. and other countries. > > 47% effective; original clinical trials published in 1987 (Ivar > > Lovaas, UCLA) and follow up studies indicate that 47% of children > > receiving this treatment are able to achieve normal function and > > that this is maintained throughout life. > > Canada is facing a Health Care Crisis > > > > The incidence of autism is on the increase with 3000 new cases every > > year in Canada. > > Number of diagnoses for children under 5 has increased 150% over the > > last 6 years. > > Autism is currently affecting 370,000 Canadians (100,000 sufferers > > and their families). > > Canada has no plan > > > > No research centers in Canada. > > No universities graduating ABA treatment specialists. > > Extremely limited diagnostic ability. > > No treatment available through the public health care systems. > > > > > > > > The social impact of untreated autism is staggering > > > > Most autistic children and adults who do not receive treatment > > require 24 hour-a-day supervision. > > Parents are required to fund treatment with after tax dollars (up to > > $60,000/year/child). > > Families who are unable to pay are forced to stand by and watch > > their children collapse into a world of severe mental disability. > > Financial bankruptcy, divorce, stress related health problems, and > > severe depression are common in families. > > The economic impact of untreated autism is unprecedented > > > > The social care required for an untreated autistic adult can be as > > much as 6.8 million dollars over their lifetime ($100,000/year over > > 68 years). > > A comprehensive treatment program is approximately $400,000 to > > $600,000 in its entirety ($40,000/year to $60,000/year over 10 > > years). > > Short term economic losses in productivity and tax dollars as > > parents withdraw from the labour force to care for their disabled > > children. > > Long term economic losses in productivity and tax dollars; autism > > sufferers who receive proper treatment are employable, contributing > > members of society. > > Ongoing litigation and court costs; there are more than 180 > > litigations across Canada where more than 1600 families are seeking > > access to ABA treatment. Litigation and social activism will > > continue as long as treatment is rendered inaccessible due to > > financial reasons. > > The Parliament of Canada has an immediate responsibility > > > > Act immediately and amend the Canada Health Act and require the > > Provinces to provide scientifically validated treatment for autism, > > regardless of age, according to medical necessity. > > Establish more university research chairs to build Canada's capacity > > in the treatment of autism. > > Modify the Income Tax Act to allow full deduction of autism > > treatment expenses from personal income tax. > > > > > > > > > > Your help in this matter is truly appreciated. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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