August 20th, 2000
The LAW ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES (ARTICLE 5) stipulates that
:``each person should receive long term and personalized Health and
social services from a scientific, human and social point of
view.``
Decades of research data has proven the effectiveness of early
intensive stimulation in treating children with autism. The
Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services was informed a
long time ago about the need to intervene as soon as possible with
these autistic children. In 1996 a planification and evaluation guide
was produced, stating this urgent request. Specific budgets should
have been granted for this purpose, unfortunately we are forced to
recognize that the government failed to take the appropriate
measures.
Numerous families have spent thousands of dollars to provide their
children with these special services, some others less fortunate and
wealthy are reduced to live with the guilt of not giving their
children appropriate medically necessary treatment.
Too many children will be disadvantaged their whole life
through.Families will be doubly hampered by this governmental
failure. The collective legal action will ask for compensation for
these families.
In Ontario, 55 families have brought such an action, Quebec families
want their rights to be respected since the primary objective of the
(HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES LEGISLATION?) is to provide universal
health care.
In British Colombia, the Supreme Court declared that early intensive
behavioural treatment is a medically necessary treatment for children
with autism. Thus the BC government is to cover its costs. Our
government should be inspired by this decision and should respect its
committments at last.
Provinces like Ontario, British Colombia, Alberta and Nova Scotia are
funding such services.
If your child with autism or PDD hasn't received free and adequate
early intensive behavioural intervention services (ABA, Lovaas)from
the health department in 3 years, you may contact Peter
Zwack for further information
about the class-action lawsuit and get the registration forms.