EDITORIAL
Autism battles continue
October 19, 2008
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Relations between parents of autistic children and Queen's Park remain uneasy after years of battles over waiting lists and eligibility for government-funded therapy known as intensive behavioural intervention (IBI).
So it is not surprising that some of those parents are wary of a recent report by an expert panel that recommends a series of benchmarks to be used to monitor an autistic child's progress while receiving the costly one-on-one therapy.
Some are concerned the benchmarks could be used to ration the program by prematurely discharging children. They also worry there aren't enough supports available for children who are deemed not to need IBI any longer.
Kevin Spafford, a spokesperson for Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews, says the goal of the benchmarks is to ensure clinical decisions "are based on the best scientific evidence of which children will benefit, how long they will benefit for, and when they have reached their maximum benefit from the program." He says parents have asked for a more transparent and consistent IBI system, and points out that the expert panel included two parents.
Spafford also says the government funds many follow-up support services, such as speech and language programs, and is continually building on them.
But that may not be enough to reassure some parents, who remember bitterly the fight they had to wage against a government age cap, which used to cut off IBI once a child turned 6.
The government is reviewing the panel's recommendations. However it proceeds, it will have to do more to allay parents' fears.
Toronto Star