Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:00
Toronto recently held its first-ever Forum for Hispanic People with Disabilities, and Sharon Aschaiek of ARO was there to present about what it’s like to raise a child with autism in Ontario.
Held at the North York Civic Centre, the event attracted hundreds of members of the GTA’s Hispanic community who heard about Aschaiek’s tale of years-long wait lists for service, premature termination of therapy without evidence-based cause, and a severe lack of ABA instruction and support in schools.
Thursday, 03 December 2009 00:00
Toronto’s disability community gathered together for the city’s 5th annual International Day of People with Disabilities celebration, and ARO was on hand to raise awareness about gaps in autism services.
Taking place at Variety Village at 3701 Danforth Ave., the event attracted many families who were keen to learn about ABA inaccessibility in Ontario, or who work with children with autism and are interested in collaborating with ARO to better support them.
During the event, Sharon Aschaiek of ARO had the opportunity to speak directly with David Onley, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, and a staunch advocate for more accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Onley showed much interest in ARO’s movement and supported ARO’s efforts to make Ontario a better place for children with autism.
Thursday, 19 November 2009 00:00
The plight of children with autism in Ontario struggling to access publicly funded ABA therapy was raised among ABA professionals at the 2009 ONTABA conference.
Sharon Aschaiek of ARO shared with many ABA therapists the challenges kids with autism face in accessing timely, sufficient and individualized government-subsidized ABA, including years of waiting to get into the ABA program, premature discharge from the program without sufficient evidence-based cause, and a severe lack of ABA instruction and supports in school.
ARO participated in the event as part of its campaign to enlist the support of ABA professionals in advocating for better access to ABA, and several therapists who attended the conference expressed interest in supporting ARO’s movement.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009 00:00
The facts of ABA inaccessibility and the opportunity to achieve meaningful change for children with autism in Ontario were presented by ARO to Toronto’s Somali Parent Support Group.
Sharon Aschaiek of ARO spoke with the women of the support group about the ongoing challenges kids with autism face in having their basic developmental needs met. The women in the group shared their stories about their children being ejected from publicly funded ABA therapy after six months, and not being adequately supported in their schools.
The parents of the support group were keen to work with ARO to make Ontario a better place for children with autism.