Alina Cameron

@alinacameron.bsky.social

778 Followers 2075 Following

President Ontario Autism Coalition @ontautism.bsky.social Epidemiologist (Laboratory & Public Health) Settler - Robinson Superior Treaty (1850) Land I ❤️ Science

Official statement for world autism awareness day 2025 from the Ontario autism coalition available to read here: https://wawa-news.com/index.php/2025/04/02/ontario-autism-coalition-recognizes-world-autism-awareness-month/
Page 1 of the OAC press release available here to read: https://ontarioautismcoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MEDIA-RELEASE-April-1-2025-Student-Danger-Due-to-Lack-of-Resources.pdf
OAC statement (condensed): FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2025-2-6 6 Yrs Later: Ontario Autism Program Promises Broken Today marks 6 yrs since the announcement of the Ford Government’s plans for the OAP; a file that sat stagnant & seemingly forgotten since Ford had taken office. The former Minister of Children Community & Social Services (MCCSS), Lisa MacLeod announced a complete program overhaul describing a situation that abandoned families & blocked access to early intervention. The Minister declared the state of the waitlist “unconscionable:” 23,000 children/youth “languishing” & waiting upwards to 2 yrs for necessary services. Despite initial promises to “clear the waitlist,” reduce wait times & connect families with funding for therapy, Feb 6 remains an anniversary unworthy of celebration. Today, despite a government claim to have delivered a program designed “by the community, for the community,” the waitlist number once deemed “unconscionable” has now more than doubled in size & the government’s self-described “needs-based” program layers age on top of need as criteria to issue funding. The rate at which children are coming off the waitlist is exceeded by that of those joining it. More than 50K children/youth continue to wait for an invitation to access Core Clinical Services. Whereas new, smaller, limited-time programs have been introduced for some, access to ongoing, individualized, clinical supports are wholly out of reach. Our community remains in crisis, many with yrs left to wait for clinical therapy & without an estimated wait time. The OAC reminds the Minister that the OAP is a time-sensitive file & new offerings for preschool-aged children do not benefit others who have already spent 5 years on a waitlist for clinical services. We continue to call on the Premier & MCCSS to make urgent improvements that eliminate discriminatory assessment criteria, address countless systemic barriers & direct adequate funding efficiently to the core services that matter most
A dark blue background covered in different sized golden stars, and golden buntings across the top. The text (golden) reads "HAPPY NEW YEAR” then "2025" below that. Under that it reads "WISHING EVERYONE HEALTH & HAPPINESS IN 2025". Beneath that is the Ontario Autism Coalition Logo (with figures of red, gold, violet).
Photo of Ontario Premier Doug Ford (at the premiers meeting) in front of a row of Canadian provincial flags, seated at a table. He is speaking, one hand slightly raised, and is flanked by reporters holding microphones. Cameras and phones are held towards him to record what he is saying. On top of this photo are the words in bold typeface: "50K+ Children waitlisted for autism services. Special education is imploding. Every 3 days, a child in care dies. 'Leadership'". At the bottom are the Ontario Autism Coalition logo and hashtags #50KIsNotOK #WeHaveReceipts
Autism doesn't end at a specific age so neither should needed support, services, or therapies. #AutismIsLifelong Awareness. Acceptance. Action. Ontario Autism Coalition.