Thornhill Progressive Conservative MPP Peter Shurman stated that he believes the treatment by the McGuinty government of autistic children and their families is a ?deplorable breach of trust?. Shurman attended proceedings at the Ontario Court of Appeal, where a three-judge panel was asked to decide if a class-action lawsuit can go ahead on behalf of autistic children seeking treatment within the Ontario public school system. Shurman was present at the request of parents whose Liberal MPP had declined.
?Autistic children are entitled to an education, just like any other child in Ontario,? said Shurman.
A March 2007 memorandum written by the Deputy Minister of Education entitled ?Ministry of Education Response to the Report of the Reference Group on Autism Spectrum Disorders? stated that the focus of a Policy/Program Memorandum on the subject of Autism Spectrum Disorders would be the use of Applied Behavioural Analysis teaching practices and not Intensive Behavioural Intervention.
?Prior to the autumn 2007 election, the McGuinty government promised $10 million in funding to provide IBI treatment in schools,? stated Shurman, ?By not allowing for Intensive Behavioural Intervention, or IBI, treatment within schools, the McGuinty government is forcing the parents of autistic children to choose between education and therapy.?
Currently, only two children in the province receive IBI therapy while attending public school full-time.
?This province needs a comprehensive strategy for education that addresses the unique needs of all Ontario children, including those with autism. What we don?t need is a government bent on denying access to the educational system to those who need it most,? said Shurman.