Autism Society Canada
Société Canadienne de l'Autisme

News Release October 31, 2001

Autism: 100 Families in Quebec Undertake A Class Action Suit Against their Provincial Government

With today's announcement in Quebec of a class action suit by nearly 100 families of children with autism, this brings to six provinces in which parents of children with autism have been forced to undertake legal action to access a medically necessary treatment. This treatment, intensive behavioral therapy, can significantly alleviate and, in many cases, almost eliminate the often severe symptoms of autism which can include the inability to communicate, repetitive behaviors, and little or no social interaction. Research indicates that the earlier treatment begins, the better are the results.

Autism epidemic: the hidden Canadian human and financial cost

The recent rapid increase in the number of cases of autism in Canada has accelerated at what many cite as epidemic proportions. It is estimated that about 1000 Canadian children born each year will develop autism spectrum disorders by the age of 3, but difficulties with delayed diagnosis are resulting in an estimated 3000 new Canadian cases being identified. Using data from three provinces, it is also estimated that there are over 100 000 Canadians with autism conditions. A large number of these people, because they receive ineffective or inappropriate treatments, or for whom effective treatment is inaccessible for political and financial reasons, will remain severely handicapped and will require as much as $2 million each in public services over their lifetimes. In Canada, this translates into an annual cost of about $3 billion. In addition to this multi-billion dollar health, education and social service expenditure, the cost in human terms in incalculable. On the other hand, scientific studies have shown that effective treatment, especially when undertaken early, reduces significantly both the human and financial costs, with lifetime financial costs being cut in half.

Autism: a failure of the Canadian health system

The Canadian service systems, in most regions of the country, continue to fail to provide what the British Columbia Supreme Court has declared a medically necessary treatment while continuing to misuse hundreds of millions of dollars on ineffective and inappropriate treatments. What other medical condition is so poorly addressed that families are driven to pursue litigation to obtain a medically necessary treatment? No other medical conditions have produced so much avoidable tragedy including, in the last 5 years, the apparent murder of 3 children with autism spectrum disorders by their parents. Autism Society Canada calls on the Canadian Government for the immediate establishment of an Autism Secretariat to address these autism issues, including development of national standards based on best practices and universal no-cost accessibility to effective treatments and adequate supports for people of all ages with autism conditions.

Contacts:

Lisa Simmermon President ASC Regina, SK (306) 545-0966
Laurie Turza Executive Director ASC Orangeville, ON (519) 942-8720
toll free 1-866-874-3334 E-mail: asc@on.aibn.com