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Early intervention key to unlocking autism Continued from page 10 affected by autism was made evident Autism Services, a learning centre to the Progressive Conservative's that operates 12 programs in the Ancaster-Dundas-FlamboroughHalton area, where Dorian previ- Westdale candidate, Donna Skelly, ously attended for two years, the who hopes to secure a seat at Queen's Burlington child flourished under Park in the next election. When the Tory hopeful was camthe one-on-one care. The individualized program came paigning last year, she was "absolutely shocked" by how often parents at a whopping $45,000 annual cost. Dorian, said his proud mom, is wanted to discuss better funding for now an A student -- an achievement autism. "They seem to be dealing with he's maintained throughout his eduthis quietly and privately, but they are cation at Woodview and his current school, Missing Links, which pro- truly desperate," said Skelly. The province's Ministry of vides academic and group Applied Behaviour Analysis and Intensive Children and Youth Services, which Behavioural Intervention (ABA/IBI) is responsible for autism services for therapies for children with autism. It children up to age 18, is determined to make further progress for these costs $24,500 per year. Determining the appropriate day- kids and their families. "Since 2003, we've more than to-day curriculum for children on the spectrum is a specialized pro- quadrupled funding for all autism cess that considers every aspect of a services to over $186 million. Ontario has almost tripled the number of child's individual needs. In assessing children with autism, young people receiving Intensive blueballoon maps out a child's Behavioural Intervention (IBI) services since 2003," strengths in said Gloria Baccinumerous areas, Puhl, spokesincluding gross person for the and fine motor ministry, adding skills, expresthat an additional sive language $25 million has and social skills. been allocated to Where gaps expand Applied are identified, Behaviour programs are Analysis-based designed to assist services and the child. supports across Children Ontario. with autism have According the capacity to to the ministry, learn the same some 8,000 chilthings as a typidren living with cally developing Max Carefoot ASD will benefit child, said Elms. annually from the However, in government's investments, but that some areas, they need support. The earlier those supports are still leaves 1,702 on the wait list, as put in place, the better. Early, intense of October. The tens of thousands of dollars intervention is a key element to sucinvested in therapies for little Max cess. "If you get them immediate early and young Dorian, are unmanageintervention, that could change the able for most families. The governwhole course of their lifetime," said ment, claimed Skelly, has the funds Trish Simons, a mother of three but isn't managing them appropriautistic boys and president of the ately. "These people aren't asking Hamilton-Wentworth chapter of for anything that is outrageous or Autism Ontario. It's the early intervention that unfair," she said. "I know we don't allowed Max to burst out of his have a lot of dollars but the dollars bubble, where he now leads a happy we do have, have to go to things we and fulfilled life. Had the family prioritize and this has to be made a waited an additional two years to priority." Gabe De Roche, senior advisor access government-funded therapy of communications for the Minister through Halton Region's service provider, Carefoot knows the outcome of Children and Youth Services, Eric Hoskins, acknowledged there is would have been different. "We would have missed the more to do. "Our new investment of $25 milboat," she said. Not all parents with children lion in ABA services for children and on the spectrum can privately fund youth with autism is an unprecethe necessary therapies. This, said dented expansion of this crucial proCarefoot, leaves families in autism's gram," said De Roche. "We've made tremendous progress but we know fog. "Families with low income are there's still more work to do, and we are determined to continue making discriminated against," she said. The sheer number of people progress on behalf of children with 11 · Thursday, November 1, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog a smile for the camera: Nine-year-old Dorian Poe smiles for Oakville Beaver photographer Eric Riehl, while playing on a backyard swing. The youngster's family has struggled with financial hardships because of the cost of programs that deal with autism. The Poes agreed to be interviewed for the four-part series, Navigating Through the Fog. their families to a variety of programs and services that best meet their needs in the adult system, according to Bacci-Puhl. The Autism Societies of Ontario and Canada offer services and supports, but if adults can't find full-time employment, their future financial stability is up in the air. In the meantime, families of those living with autism -- youths or adults -- continue to struggle. Hoping to help other families suffering financial hardship as a result of autism, the Poes created the Dorian Poe Foundation. The Burlington clan never managed to raise enough to help others. "Once we were secure enough for him, we were going to help other kids," Poe said, hoping that still happens one day. "I pray some big business will sponsor us." In Oakville, little Max's story has a happy ending. While he continues to undergo therapies at blueballoon, the six-year-old is in Grade 1 and thrives with the help of an educational assistant. And during recess, he plays with his classmates and even "flirts with the girls," said Carefoot, with a giggle. His successes, she said, are testament to the boy's hard work and determination. "When he is motivated and wants to do something, watch out," said Carefoot. See part three of this special series, Navigating Through the Fog, in the Nov. 8 edition of The Oakville Beaver. autism and their families." The more funding the government allocates to provide youths with the necessary intense therapies, the less money it will spend on caring for autistic individuals in the long-term, said the president of Autism Ontario's Hamilton-Wentworth chapter. Added Skelly, "If you invest the money, the child is healthier; there is less need to supply more dollars long-term. Why wouldn't we do this? Why wouldn't we support the intensive therapy? "It makes sense, why isn't it being done?" Currently, adults with ASD have few choices and receive little funding. As youths with ASD approach adulthood, government agency staff begin transitioning individuals and