October 18, 2003: Andy Scott Called for a Strong National Autism Strategy; Will October 19, 2015 Deliver A Government That Will Make It Happen?
Andy Scott called for a REAL National Autism Strategy that would ensure treatment for autism 12 years ago, Munson, Thibeault, and Stoffer have continued the fight tirelessy. Will October 19 bring Canadians a government prepared to make it happen?Some good work has been done during this current election campaign in drawing politicians attention to the need for a REAL National Autism Strategy. The Medicare for Autism Now's 1 in 58 campaign has produced considerable discussion in a number of selected ridings. In Saskatchewan Shannon Hill and the PAAT group have engaged federal and political politicians. &nbs...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - October 13, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
I Remember Canada - A Beautiful Reminder From Teresa Doyle
(Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick)
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - October 11, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Would My Son With Severe Autism Disorder Be Happier If I Had Listened to Robison, Ne'eman, Silberman & Other Strangers?
The picture above was taken a few days ago. I believe anyone can look at the picture and see the happiness on my 19 year old severely autistic son Conor ' s face. What is truly remarkable is that his happiness has been a constant feature of his life despite the very severe challenges that he faces with severe autism, intellectual disability (like 50% of persons with autism), epileptic seizures, life threatening adverse reactions to some seizure meds and self injurious behaviors. What is perhaps even more remarkable is that Conor ' s happiness has been a constant in his life even without his parents lis...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - October 10, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: Anonymous Source Type: blogs
Would My Son With Severe Autism Disorder Be Happier If I Had Listened to Robison, Ne'eman, Silberman & Other Strangers?
The picture above was taken a few days ago. I believe anyone can look at the picture and see the happiness on my 19 year old severely autistic son Conor's face. What is truly remarkable is that his happiness has been a constant feature of his life despite the very severe challenges that he faces with severe autism, intellectual disability (like 50% of persons with autism), epileptic seizures, life threatening adverse reactions to some seizure meds and self injurious behaviors. What is perhaps even more remarkable is that Conor's happiness has been a constant in his life even without his parents list...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - October 9, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Autism, Politics and the Return of the Run Jump Fly Boy
I have been engaged in autism advocacy during the recent Canadian federal election. I do so at the federal level for the sole purpose of trying to ensure that all Canadians with serious autism disorders have access to Applied Behavior Analysis for treatment of their core autism symptoms. I have advocated for over 15 years with other parents and with politicians like the late Fredericton MP Andy Scott who with Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer did manage to put autism on the Canadian political map with their joint private members' motion. The motion set out some directions for a federal National Autism Strategy...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - October 6, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Fredericton Liberal Matt DeCourcey: Liberal Party Committed to A National Autism Strategy Addressing Access to ABA/IBI
Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourceyEmail received October 2, 2015 from Fredericton Liberal Candidate Matt DeCourcey stating Liberal Party supports creation of a National Autism Strategy addressing ABA and IBI access and coverage under Medicare:Hi Harold,Thank you for the email. I apologize for the delay in my response. I want to let you know that the Liberal Party and I fully support the creation of a national autism strategy. Our party recognizes that in certain provinces, autism treatments, including ABA and IBI are covered under provincial Medicare programs and are more readily available in other provinces. Hea...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - October 2, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Mr. Mulcair Will the NDP Negotiate A New Health Accord to Include ABA for Autism Under Medicare?
September 30, 2015Thomas Mulcair Leader of the Official OppositionDear Mr MulcairThe Federal NDP has in the past been very helpful in addressing autism on a national level including efforts by Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer who worked with the late Fredericton Liberal MP Andy Scott to effect passage of a National Autism Strategy motion in the House of Commons albeit one which did not address autism treatment coverage under Medicare. In July 2014 I asked if the NDP would support a real National Autism Stragegy. I receivd the following positive response from your office:Dear Mr. Doherty,Thank you for wri...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 29, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Wow! Federal NDP Replies to My Inquiry This Morning Re Negotiations to Include ABA for Autism under Medicare
I confess I was surprised to get a same day response this evening from the federal NDP to my question this morning addressed to party leader Thomas Mulcair. The federal NDP committed to continuing the efforts which they have in fact made over the years in Parliament towards creation of an EFFECTIVE national autism strategy. To Canada's federal NDP and leader Thomas Mulcair I say thank you.8:20 PM (9 minutes ago)to meDear Mr. Doherty:Thank you for providing such a helpful summary of your discussions with us on this important issue.New Democrats have a proven record of working with the autism ac...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 29, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Join Fredericton Green Candidate Mary Lou Babineau In Signing the Medicare for Autism Now! Petition
https://www.change.org/p/government-of-canada-medicare-for-autism-nowStatement on Medicare for Autism now!While it is true that the tremendous advancements in medicine and technology have granted us longer lives, there are still distressing developments: for instance, the increasing number of illnesses and syndromes appearing and affecting our children. The rates of attention deficit disorder, autism and others are on the rise.The Canada Health Act has five general principles – public administration, comprehensiveness, univers...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 21, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Fredericton NDP Sharon Scott-Levesque Supports ABA Coverage For Autism Under A New Canada Health Act Accord
Hello Harold,I wish to thank you for your message regarding the inclusion of Applied Behaviour Analysis in Medicare. As you have noted, this is an issue affecting a growing number of Canadian families, and I understand the high costs of treatment are of great concern.As you know the Canada Health Act requires provinces to cover medically necessary services without naming any particular procedure. This means that the decision on what to cover has been left up to the provinces, creating a patchwork system where some provinces provide coverage for Applied Behavioural Analysis and others do not.-I recognize that thi...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 18, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
The Environment Is Of Vital Importance - Next Time Include Elizabeth May
This blog is focused on autism disorders, very closely related conditions including intellectual disability and epilepsy. It is about my son and the joy he brings me each day despite his serious disorders and challenges. Occasionally it is just a celebration via pictures of the pleasure I experience each day that I live in Canada's Green City .... Fredericton. Fredericton has been called the Green City, not because of any political party dominance under the green banner although Mr David Coon shook 'the traditional voting patterns one year ago when he was elected as an MLA in Fredericton , but because of ...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 17, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Research Review: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
We present data on the clinical characterization of children with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, discussing distinctive phenotypes in children with this comorbidity. Although some distinctive clinical features emerge, this comorbidity also informs convergent pathways in genetic variants that cause synaptic dysfunction. We then move beyond diagnostic categorization and consider the extent to which electrophysiology as a quantitative biomarker may help guide efforts in clinical stratification and outcome prediction. Epilepsy, and atypical electrophysiological patterns, in autism spectrum disorder may inform the defin...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 16, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Fredericton Green Mary Lou Babineau: A Resounding YES!!! to Including Science Based ABA/IBI Autism Treatment Under Medicare
"Dear Harold,It was wonderful to speak with you, too! This is an issue that is so critical to me and to my family.Please post my response as a resounding YES!!!Hope to see you again soon,Mary Lou"The One in 68 campaign of Medicare for Autism Now! is well under way. Candidates in various ridings are being asked to provide clear answers to the "One in 68 QUESTION": "As a member of parliament, will you introduce or support legislation amending the Canada Health Act to include science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) under Medicare"? The One in 68 refers to autism rates as estimated by credible US authorities. &nbs...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 15, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
Conor's Superstore Seizure
Yesterday Conor, his mother and I went to the Superstore on Main Street in Fredericton. As we moved to the express cash to pay for our purchases Conor began convulsing and a full scale tonic clonic or grand mal seizure was underway. I was able to hold him carefully as he fell to the floor to prevent head injury, placing him on his side so he would not choke. A shopper, who happened as it tourned out to be a paramedic, came by and provided assistance, including timing the convusions which lasted approximately 3 minutes. and providing assessment commentary as Conor recovered. The 3 minutes of convulsions and s...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - September 1, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: Anonymous Source Type: blogs
Conor's Superstore Seizure
Yesterday Conor, his mother and I went to the Superstore on Main Street in Fredericton. As we moved to the express cash to pay for our purchases Conor began convulsing and a full scale tonic clonic or grand mal seizure was underway. I was able to hold him carefully as he fell to the floor to prevent head injury, placing him on his side so he would not choke. A shopper, who happened as it tourned out to be a paramedic, came by and provided assistance, including timing the convusions which lasted approximately 3 minutes. and providing assessment commentary as Conor recovered. The 3 minutes of convulsions an...
Source: Facing Autism in New Brunswick - August 31, 2015 Category: Child Development Authors: H L Doherty Source Type: blogs
