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~ 5 minute read What was the problem identified in 2018? In 2018, in Autism Ontario’s provincewide survey of 1,514 caregivers and 87 autistic adults, Education support was identified as the highest area of need. Nevertheless, 69% of caregivers of elementary school and 77.8% of high school aged children agreed with the statement “We feel listened to by our child’s school.” Why is it still relevant? The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 changed the face of education in Ontario. Classes were shuttered and students sent home to attend school remotely. In the case of parents and

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, February 18, 2020 Autism Ontario's Pre-Budget Consultation Submission Autism Ontario's Submission to the 2020 Pre-Budget Consultation Download the PDF Link February 11, 2020 Honourable Rod Phillips Minister of Finance c/o Budget Secretariat Frost Building North, 3rd floor 95 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A 1Z1 Submitted by Email: submissions@ontario.ca Dear Minister Phillips, Autism Ontario is grateful for the opportunity to have verbally presented key highlights of this submission to you and your team on January 31, 2020. Now entering our 47th year,

~ 2 minute read The work of identifying Ontario’s top five priorities began in May 2018, when Autism Ontario surveyed caregivers and autistic adults across the province in an effort to better understand the experiences and needs of our community. Over 1,500 caregivers and 87 autistic adults responded, and these responses helped us develop an initial list of ten priorities. In 2019, we distributed these priorities in a second survey asking the same people to rank them; from there, we developed the narrower list of top five priorities you see below. Our continuous conversation with the community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, February 12, 2021 Autism Ontario 2021 Pre Budget Submission Autism Ontario 2021 Pre Budget Submission February 12, 2021 Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy Minister of Finance c/o Budget Secretariat, Frost Building North, 3rd floor 95 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A 1Z1 Submitted by Email: submissions@ontario.ca Dear Minister Bethlenfalvy , Autism Ontario is grateful for the opportunity to have verbally presented key highlights of this submission to you and your team on January 25, 2021 and from our York Region Chapter on February 05, 2021. This year, as the

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, July 29, 2019 Autism Ontario Responds to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announces focus on needs-based Ontario Autism Program Autism Ontario is committed to supporting families through this province-wide program change and will work with the members of the Autistic community, caregivers and professionals to find solutions to this process. Download the PDF link Today, after listening to service providers and families in various areas across the province, Minister Todd Smith

~ 2 minute read Trigger Warning: Police; Murder 1 in 5 teens with autism will be stopped and questioned by police by the age of 21. Autistic adults are five times more likely to be jailed than their neurotypical peers! Black men and boys are almost 3 times more likely than white men and boys to be killed by police. Black girls and women are almost 2 times more likely than while women and girls to be killed by police. Consequently, if you have a black and autistic child, you must prepare them for interactions with law enforcement within their social skills repertoire. Here are some tips: Plan

Click here to download the full PDF. Autism Ontario is pleased to announce the recipients of the Gerry Bloomfield Awards for 2020: David Baker, Brendon Pooran, and Connie Putterman. These individuals have been recognized for their outstanding professional contributions to the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Autism Ontario is thrilled to recognize the critical role they have played in the lives of people on the autism spectrum and their families. Gerry Bloomfield was a founding member of OSAC (Ontario Society for Autistic Children), which later became Autism Ontario. These awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, April 11, 2019 Autism Ontario Responds to the 2019 Ontario Budget Download the PDF Link Autism Ontario is committed to supporting families through this province-wide program change Ontario’s first Progressive Conservative government in 15 years presented its budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year today, giving families with autistic loved ones a solid idea of the autism-specific funding to expect from the province for the next four years. Outlined in today’s budget was the previously announced government plan to eliminate the waitlist for children and youth

Autism Ontario aims to support and advocate for all autistic individuals across the province, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, religion or gender identity. The recent harrowing events remind us of the systemic injustices that have always and continue to exist for many of our marginalized members of society. These deep-rooted barriers are especially amplified for people who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Along with the obstacles people on the autism spectrum may face, Black and Indigenous autistic people and their communities also struggle to acquire equitable access to

~ 1 minute read I want to inform you all of last month’s important event. Every year, on June 18th, the Autistic community celebrates Autism Pride Day. This is a reminder for autistic people and their families that autistic people don’t need so called medical intervention and treatment, we need a change in our environment that best fits us, and our individual needs. This is a reminder that autistic people matter and our needs are to be accommodated for, understood, and appreciated. Many autistic individuals are misunderstood, because we face a lot of challenges, and especially for people like

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, March 3, 2021 Statement by Autism Ontario: Guilty Verdict in Toronto Van Attack Trial has Lasting Implications for Autism Community Statement by Autism Ontario: Guilty Verdict in Toronto Van Attack Trial has Lasting Implications for Autism Community Download the PDF. FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE – Toronto, Ontario – March 3, 2021 - With today's verdict, there are no winners, but a measure of justice has been served for the families of those murdered: Beutis Renuka Amarasinghe, Andrea Knafelc Bradden, Geraldine Brady, So He Chung, Anne Marie D'Amico, Mary

~ 2 minute read Greetings! Welcome to our new Autism Ontario Blog! I am Ken Robertson, elected and volunteer Board Member and Treasurer for the past three years. I am Indigenous from Secwepemc Nation of the South Thompson Band of Neskonlith peoples, which is Interior Salish. My clan is the Cinnamon Bear, and my spirit name is “Skylux,” meaning Bear Cubs (a name that suits me well because I have an identical twin). I am proud to be able to give a voice to Indigenous people across Ontario. We on Autism Ontario’s Board want to make ourselves more available to you, to be more transparent, and to

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, February 4, 2021 Autism Ontario Responds to Needs-Based Autism Program Announcement Autism Ontario Responds to Needs-Based Autism Program Announcement Download the PDF. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Toronto, Ontario - February 4, 2021 -- Yesterday’s announcement from the Province of Ontario that it will begin core clinical services for approximately 600 children in the new needs-based Ontario Autism Program (OAP) this March is long-awaited news by families of children and youth on the autism spectrum. The announcement reflects key recommendations of the

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, April 2, 2019 Ontario Government Announces Inter-ministerial Approach to Supporting Children and Youth with Autism and Their Families Today’s announcement means families, Autistic self-advocates, clinicians and other professionals will have many different opportunities to play a larger role in shaping the Ontario Autism Program This announcement made by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education represents many important steps towards acceptance and opportunities for

~ 3 minute read This article was originally published in 2015. People of all ages can require strategies that help regulate (stimulate or calm) their nervous systems. “Sensory-seeking individuals often continue to crave input as they get older…sensory-seeking can impact an individual’s work, leisure and self-care. Remember the need for intense input does not automatically disappear just because a person is older”.1 What are fidget items? A fidget item is a small object used to provide input into any of the senses and “may help improve concentration and attention to task”.2 Unless specific

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, December 19, 2019 Autism Ontario Responds to Announcement Regarding Implementation of the Needs-Based Program Autism Ontario Responds to Announcement Regarding Implementation of the Needs-Based Program Download the PDF Link On December 17, MCCSS Minister Todd Smith, together with MPP Jeremy Roberts, announced the Government of Ontario’s endorsement of key recommendations in the OAP Advisory Panel Report that was released on October 30, 2019. The announcement identified signs of positive movement forward while also including some disappointing news that

~5 minute read Although printing may be like second nature to you, it is actually a very complex task. In order to become a successful printer, it is important to first develop the ‘building blocks’ of printing. These skills help develop the core foundations to which printing is built upon. Children who are taught printing before they are truly ready to master the skill may become discouraged and develop poor writing habits. I have highlighted 5 key building blocks below to help get your child started on a path towards printing success! Check how your child performs in these areas and try some