Educating 21st Century Leaders · Preschool to Grade 8 · www.glenburnieschool.com dentistoakville.com 905-842-6030 www.carstaroakville.com SNA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2010 ontario's top newspaper - 2005-2008 Tots on Parade page 15 905-8457579 905-847 -2595 2212 Wyecroft Rd. 547 Trafalgar Rd. A member of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Vol. 50 No. 130 "Using Communication To Build Better Communities" THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 32 pages $1.00 (plus tax) ASD treatment a financial drain on families Somewhere in Ontario, a child would rather line up his toy cars than navigate them through an invisible maze. Somewhere in Ontario, a mother looks at her child and instinctively wonders. A doctor tells a father they should wait and see. Somewhere in Ontario, the diagnosis is confirmed -- autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Approximately one in every 100 children lives with autism, a neurodevelopmental spectrum disorder that impedes a person's ability to communicate and make friends. Statistics indicate about one per cent of the population is on the spectrum. In Hamilton, some 5,000 individuals are caught in its fog. The cause of the disorder remains unknown, but researchers believe the secret is in the genes. By Catherine O'Hara and Julie Slack, writers Eric Riehl, photographer METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Max Carefoot, 6, sits attentively at a pint-sized table, his hands gently resting on his knees. On cue, he vocalizes a series of words, carefully chosen to perfect his enunciation skills. Working on his bite and blow With no cure for autism, families affected by the disorder have turned to a variety of therapies that have proven successful in alleviating its wide-ranging symptoms. But accessing help is easier said than done. This is the second of a four-part Metroland series, Navigating Through the Fog, that attempts to piece together the puzzle of autism. sounds, the bright-eyed boy repeats after communicative disorders assistant Gwen Blackburn. My roof. My leaf. My calf. My knife. My cuff. My elf. My giraffe. My chief. Each letter of every word is audible. His speech is clear and his diction is precise. "He's doing amazing with words," said Blackburn, who has been working with the Oakville boy for the past year. And considering Max was nonSee Cost page 10 ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog BREAKING THROUGH the fog: Oakville's Max Carefoot, 6, serves up a smile while participating in Intensive Behavioural Intervention therapy at Burlington's blueballoon. "I call him the hardest working kid in autism," said his mom, Katrina Carefoot. MANUFACTURER REBATES ON NOW! Don't get Hooked! If an offer seems to good to be true... it probably is! At A1, we believe in straight forward pricing with no strings attached and our no-hassle installation and quality service always makes the bottom line look better. So before you bite - give us a call. We'll get you off the hook! 905-844-2949 905-333-1717 Call A1 for Honest Pricing and Quality Products - GUARANTEED Excellent Financing and Great Terms. Maintenance Specials on NOW!