News
As Published in the London Star and the Ottawa CitizenSubject: Hunger Strike At Queen's Park
Right now there is a man sitting on a lawn chair at Queen's park, choosing to starve. On May 4, Stephan Marinoiu, the desperate father of a 15 year-old autistic boy, began a hunger strike outside Queen's Park. Stephan is frustrated because despite lawsuits, court decisions, and some politically motivated claims to the contrary, for some reason our provincial government is not interested in providing appropriate services for autistic children.This man, like many others is almost completely financially ruined because he must pay for private services for his child. Soon he will have no money and his child will receive no help. In our country, with all our rights, freedoms and financial resources, this man has no other choice but to starve himself in public just so some one will care about the plight of autistic children.
I would find it almost unbelievable but you can see a video of him at http://www.ontarioautismcoalition.com/
As an education consultant and advocate I can confirm that Stephan is not alone in his frustration. I see the massive indifference towards the needs of autistic children on a daily basis. Wait lists are long and the red tape longer. The lack of help and understanding for autistic children and their families is disgusting. The parents of these children have been begging for help for years to no avail. No matter what announcement you hear from politicians in the next few days, no it isn't working. If it was, we wouldn't have a man starving on the front steps of the Legislature.
The starving father, Stephan, has asked the following from the provincial government: (1) The wait list must be eliminated by November 1.
(2) There must be ABA in schools.
(3) They need to work with the federal government to develop a national autism strategy and get more funding for Ontario and
(4) Therapists need to be regulated.
Enough is enough. Lets end the tragedy of lack of services for children with autism.
Dale Ford, Director
Edu-Advocates, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-769-8960, http://www.eduadvocates.com/
New Book series promoting Integration on the way!!!
Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a society where people were valued for who exactly they are regardless of "Disability"? Yes, this is lofty ambition and yes we are looking to change the world. Inclusion was a start, but really what all people with special needs require is integration. Very basically the difference is that inclusion means they are included. Integration is inclusion with "bridges", meaning special needs kids are accepted, properly accommodated and valued for exactly who they are.We are drawing a line in the sand and starting our quest with a wonderfully illustrated children's book series that is an exciting mix of education, advocacy and entertainment. Book one is written and promotes the understanding, integration and acceptance of Asperger's through the story of Arthur, a boy with Asperger's.
Please contact us for more information and check back often as we will post a updates on this unique and very important initiative.
Sarah (a child affected by ADD)is nearly complete and her brother Sam (affected by AD/HD)is on the way.
Interested in pre-ordering? Contact us and get on the list!
Disability Tax Credit.... TAX Time and here is the $$$$:
Tax Break for parents Click here for LD and disability tax credit information.
Have Your Say:
Tracking ASDs in Canada: Survey on ASD from Queen's University.
Taken from the email to Edu-Advocates: The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept strictly confidential. The survey will be posted until May 20th at www.asdsurveillance.ca. But why wait? Go to the web site now. Tell us what information you think is important to track about ASDs. Help us plan a better future for all Canadians.
April 2nd was World Autism Day!
It was great to see so much attention on Autism, it's about time. Now if only we can get the services to help every person affected with ASD... Taken from the original release: "On April 2, Autism World Awareness Day, CNN is planning a full day of autism coverage. You heard it right: a full day. To gather content for such a massive undertaking, CNN and Dr. Sanjay Gupta are soliciting public input in the form of stories and questions. Here's what it says on the CNN site: It's your turn to have some of your own questions answered. CNN is planning a comprehensive day of coverage in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that at least 1 in 150 children are affected in the United States . In a report called, the "Myths of Autism" we hope to dispel any misperceptions about the disorder and the people who live with it. We also want to be very clear that there is still a great deal the scientific community has yet to learn about autism and its related disorders." www.autismnewsarticles.blogspot.comJanuary 2, 2008
Happy New Year!!!! See us in Capital Parent. Does your child need an IEP?? Click here to download Jan 2008 Capital Parent.December 28
ADDitude has a great article on raising successfully raising children with AD/HD. Micheal Phelps, Ty Pennington from Trading Spaces,and Extreme House Makeover. A Good News Story: Click here.November 13
Wrightslaw: Special education website. American based news on special education legal issues. Edu-Advocates have been added to their yellow pages for kids. Give them a visit. Great article on parent advocacy...no you aren't alone. Click here.
October 18
Edu-Advocates on Daytime Ottawa. It was a great experience. Thanks Rogers TV.
October 11
Bursaries and grant information for LD students Click here.
Ottawa Citizen News on Edu-Advocates.
Read About Edu-Advocates in the Citizen- Click here to see what the Ottawa Citizen has to say.
October 4
October is Learning Disability Awareness Month - Download the Poster, Sign a Petition: Click here to visit LDAO
September 1
Education Funding information - Click here for the .PDF