Strengthening Ontario's Autism Program - by Councillor Paula Fletcher, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll

While Autism Spectrum Disorder affects every child differently, their symptoms, abilities and experiences can improve over time with the help of therapies and supportive practices; with evidence demonstrating that when children start behavioural intervention between ages 2 and 5, they gain improvements in cognitive and language development, are better prepared for school and have better long-term outcomes in adulthood. The Provincial Government has recently introduced new funding programs and service delivery approaches intended to address waitlists for treatment and other challenges within the existing Autism Spectrum Disorder support system. Considerable concerns have been expressed about these funding and program changes by a broad variety of stakeholders including Autism Ontario, physicians, educators, therapists, clinicians and parents. These concerns speak to such matters as the inadequacy of funding, inflexibility of treatment programs and lack of appropriate training and resources within classrooms that will be expected to support Autism Spectrum Disorder students - any of which can detrimentally affect families across Ontario including those in Toronto.

that autistic children receive the support they need to thrive within their communities, and City Council direct that a copy of this Item be forwarded to Premier Ford, Minister Mulroney and the Association of Municipalities Ontario.