Madam Chair and committee members, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak with you and the Standing Committee on Health.
As a director at Autism Ontario, one of the largest advocacy organizations in Canada, it's my honour to be working for such an organization that is led by 300 volunteers, mostly parents, through 28 chapters throughout Ontario.
People with autism spectrum disorders and their families in Ontario have been waiting a long time for national recognition as full citizens of Canada. They have tremendous gifts to offer despite their significant challenges with social understanding, sensory sensitivities, and fitting into a neuro-typical world, a world that seeks out novelty and yet finds the novel, sometimes unusual mannerisms and unconventional social responses of people with ASD to be uncomfortable or, at worst, unacceptable.
For many years, the media has portrayed autism as a condition associated with children. In their early years, their parents are desperate to find clear, accurate diagnoses, assessment, and evidence-based intervention that will help their children to get the best possible start in life. Canadians need to know that far too many families are waiting for these services and intervention, and missing vitally important and comprehensive supports.
In school years, children and teens with ASD have unequal access to quality, individualized education that meets their unique learning needs. They are frequent targets for bullying by peers, and often fail to achieve their potential through kind, but untrained, professionals in evidence-based practices. It has been said that when you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism. ASDs are complex. In addition to the difficulties they face in navigating social environments and societal demands, over 50% of people with ASD will also experience mental health challenges in their lifetime, many already beginning in their youth. With quality individualized health and education supports and tailored environments, these children can grow up to have jobs, make friends, and enjoy their families and communities.
Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. Their parents worry, “What on earth will happen to my son or daughter when we're gone?” Caregivers of children, young and adult, face enormous stress in raising their children across the lifespan. We can improve the experiences of these families through a day such as World Autism Awareness Day in Canada, so that there is greater understanding in communities across the country, and so that people with ASD might take their places as full contributing citizens of Canada.
In 2007, Senator Jim Munson sought a national strategy for supporting people with ASD and their families. The “Pay Now or Pay Later” paper identified the same points being made today. Such a strategy includes the funding of excellence in research, clinical services, education, and the creation of inclusive, welcoming communities. With one in 88 children being diagnosed in the U.S., and one in 100 children in Canada, in recent studies, the numbers are growing daily to crisis proportions. We must not fail to support people with ASD, our most vulnerable citizens. Autism Ontario strongly supports the passage of Bill S-206, An Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day as an important step in achieving acceptance and opportunities for all people with ASD.
Thank you very much.