Autism Ontario acknowledges the proposed governance changes to Ontario’s education system announced by Education Minister Paul Calandra. We recognize the government’s stated intention of the Putting Student Achievement First Act is to strengthen accountability within the education system. 

At the same time, we know that for autistic students and their families, how decisions are made matters. We strongly believe that any proposed changes must be made in consultation with students, families, and educators. Strong local voices, informed by lived experience, are essential to ensuring resources for autistic students are responsive, consistent, and tailored to individual needs.

As these proposed changes move forward, it will be important to determine how they will protect and strengthen the supports that autistic students and families rely on every day. We believe that any changes should be grounded in evidence, transparency, and accountability.

Autism Ontario will continue to monitor developments and advocate to ensure that the needs of autistic students remain at the center of Ontario’s education system. We will provide a more detailed response in the coming days.

For more information, please email Autism Ontario’s media team at media@autismontario.com.

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About Autism Ontario

Autism Ontario is the province’s leading source of information and referral on autism whose mandate is to build a supportive and inclusive Ontario for autism. It provides autistic individuals and families across their life course with community-based access to meaningful supports, social learning opportunities, information, and connections. The organization’s commitment to significantly and positively impacting the autism community is driven by its vision: Best life, better world, making autism matter!