Autism Services in Ottawa - May 16, 2016
I have been holding back on posting for some time now as I sorted out my thoughts and reaction to the changes the Ontario government is making to Autism Support Services. I think the changes that are coming are going to affect a lot more than we even realize now. My greatest fear at this time (aside from the lack of service for children who have been been waiting on the list for 2+ years) is for the school system. With both Ottawa school boards committing to massive cuts in the area of Special Education, I am not sure that the schools can even begin to handle what is coming to them.
I have a therapist I oversee (who shall remain anonymous) who works as an EA at a school outside of the Ottawa core, who is one of two full time EAs (there's also a .5). Which means this school has 2.5 EAs. For 450 kids. With more than 60 with IEPs. What. Are. We. Thinking.
More than that, the cuts mean even less staff available in the schools to help students who need assistance. Add to that the many, many stories I've gotten that EAs are frequently underqualified, and unable to help given their lack of familiarity, this is going to be a huge problem.
I work with a family where one member of the family is on an advisory panel for CHEO (I don't know specifics). They held an information session for members so they could gain knowledge about the upcoming changes. Lo and behold, the presenter couldn't answer basic questions, and would only direct the parents back to information posted online that was even more vague.
What I did learn from my conversation with this person is that service will be provided in blocks of time (what kind of service - I don't know) but divided into several weeks of service. You may be thinking: great! That means that more kids will get service. Well, yes. You're not wrong. However, what are parents going to do with children their "block" of service ends? Do we think we're going to put them from part time to full time in school all of a sudden? Then when their block of service resumes just pull them out again? What will this do to schools.
My focus now has been on how to structure my service to best meet the needs of the Ottawa/ Ontario community now that these changes have been proposed. Do I offer my service in both continuum and service blocks to meet the need? I'm not sure.
I too am waiting with baited breath for what's to come.
