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Strengthened in-school autism support among changes continued from p.5 next year. urgency of the need to move forward with the accelerated "Some people have made comments that we can't make a Other changes stemming from the Province's June 28 implementation and the assurance that the 2,200 children difference on this because it's at the provincial level. But the 49 announcement include: removed from the waiting list are not left behind while also municipalities, including Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills, · Strengthened in-school autism supports to help children ensuring the needs of those in service continue to be met," said have all made that (program change) possible. Advocacy at our transition to and continue in full-time school a statement from the coalition. "This program will be addressing level toward the Province can work." · Increased access to diagnostic assessments to allow for the unique individualized clinical needs of each child with Cluett also largely credited parents and their intensive efforts earlier diagnosis and treatment autism living in the province of Ontario." to stop the autism program changes as a major factor in the · Greater access to information and direct supports for families In light of the changes at the provincial level, Cluett said he Province's about-face. to help them navigate the transition to the new program. will likely amend his motion before he brings it forward at the "It's only because of thousands of parents advocating, While the Ontario Autism Program was originally slated to Halton Council table. attending rallies, talking to their MPPs, talking to members of begin in 2018, it will now come into effect next June, cutting the "We want to make sure the advocacy for change continues," council, that's what got it done," he said. transition period in half. he said. "I will continue my call for the Province to come up Among those advocates is local resident Jeannie White, who The changes are being lauded by many representing the with an overall autism strategy that will deal with people from appeared before council June 27 with fellow supporter Melanie autism community, such as the Ontario Autism Coalition. a young age into their teens and then adulthood. This is not Fox to share her personal story and urge councillors to support "We are delighted that the government has recognized the something that will go away." the motion. White told council about her three-year-old autistic nephew, who was added to the government's IBI therapy SUMMER CLEANING SPECIAL OFFER: wait list in April 2015 and told it could be more than two years before he receives service. Not wanting to wait, the family banded together to privately pay for the therapy at a cost of about $40,000 per year. * "We're not wealthy people, but as a family we're trying to work together to provide the much-needed support," Save $25 off your she said. "Families are selling their homes to be able to Schedule 3 cleans, 1st regular service clean pay for this." $ While the families who were slated for removal from and 50 off your 4th get the 4th free* Same Reliable Owners Clean Every Visit the wait list were originally going to receive a one-time *Receive the 4th of four cleans at no charge Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products up to $125 Not valid on prior services. *Not valid value. on prior services. Not redeemable payment of $8,000 to pay for private services, that amount Colour-Coded Cloths Reduce Cross Contamination for redeemable cash. Applies to cash. new customers only. Not for Applies to new is now being increased to successive payments of $10,000 EnviroShield® Whole Home Disinfecting customers only. SM Strongest Guarantee In the Industry that will be made available for families for continuous 289.809.9823 (XXX) XXX-XXXX service until their child enters the new autism program localurladdressgoeshere.com Oakville.MaidRight.com 11 | Thursday, July 14, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com As a Maid Right owner you have my quality guarantee with every clean. FREE SPECIAL $ 75 Off CLEAN ©2015 Maid Right Franchising LLC. Maid Right and JAN-PRO International are subsidiaries of Premium Franchise Brands LLC.