Autistic kids and Ontario schools
#31
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Location: Cumbernauld, near Glasgow
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
As an example we have no real support during the school holidays. The summer break is painfully long and we manage as best we can without support. At the moment our little boy has taken to emptying his bowels and before we can catch him he will have left the contents where ever he chooses including his mouth. We've dealt with this by buying special clothing that stops him from accessing his diaper but who do we turn to for help with this. Resources are very poor.
Despair at the situation saps my strength from writing more but we do contemplate moving back to England in the hope of better support. I just don't have the confidence that it is there.
We have no support over school holidays either and programs like ABA and other intervention programs cost thousands of pounds here (whether you think they work or not is another topic). I don't think it matters much where you are, when you have an Autistic kid, you need to learn to be an expert pretty quick.
Are you happy with what the school provides?
#32
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
Husband looking at Vankleek Hill Eastern Ontario/Quebec border. He has family in the area and seems ideally placed for commute to either Montreal or Ottawa.
Very rural and very french. Cafe au lait will only get me so far!
I imagine Canada very similar to UK in it depends which local authority you live in. I live in Oxfordshire which is rubbish but boys just started school in Northamptonshire and their autism intervention team is fab.
Also my local children's centre runs a three day per week school holiday club for children with special needs - higher child to adult ratio/smaller groups - he falls apart in large settings.
Although social settings can be a nightmare, my three children are like puppies and like to be exercised every day! I worry we are going to end up back of beyond with only the odd moose to talk to and no access to services.
Very rural and very french. Cafe au lait will only get me so far!
I imagine Canada very similar to UK in it depends which local authority you live in. I live in Oxfordshire which is rubbish but boys just started school in Northamptonshire and their autism intervention team is fab.
Also my local children's centre runs a three day per week school holiday club for children with special needs - higher child to adult ratio/smaller groups - he falls apart in large settings.
Although social settings can be a nightmare, my three children are like puppies and like to be exercised every day! I worry we are going to end up back of beyond with only the odd moose to talk to and no access to services.
You need to do what is right for your own sanity as much as what's right for your kids. Services and facilities for appropriate education and even respite, will they be found in a rural area?
#33
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
Thank you for your experience with regard to the toilet issue. It was interesting to read and definitely gives us something to work with. As big a challenge as it is!
We like his school very much and his EA is a remarkable woman. My worry is that at some point she will change and just as with any school, any teacher, any child, there are some better than others. When we lose her then I imagine the care changing too. When he was at daycare the city provided him with an EA and we found that the interest and care varied considerably each time a different person was assigned.
The school in the past has arranged special farm trips for the special needs children that included horse riding and it was a big success but these things cost money and the financial resources are limited. They really seem to try their best.
I suppose the bottom line is that we have been on what seems forever a never ending learning curve. Whenever we think we know our son something new comes up. It's a continual test of him trying to get past everything we try to do to keep him safe. He's a thrill seeker and it's scary to see. He has no fear.
We like his school very much and his EA is a remarkable woman. My worry is that at some point she will change and just as with any school, any teacher, any child, there are some better than others. When we lose her then I imagine the care changing too. When he was at daycare the city provided him with an EA and we found that the interest and care varied considerably each time a different person was assigned.
The school in the past has arranged special farm trips for the special needs children that included horse riding and it was a big success but these things cost money and the financial resources are limited. They really seem to try their best.
I suppose the bottom line is that we have been on what seems forever a never ending learning curve. Whenever we think we know our son something new comes up. It's a continual test of him trying to get past everything we try to do to keep him safe. He's a thrill seeker and it's scary to see. He has no fear.
#34
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Joined: Mar 2012
Location: UK
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
I have been there with the poo thing and using it as wall art.
Husband seems to think if only we he can return to Canada then all will be right with the world. He has very tunnel vision about the whole thing and this is why I have taken to researching the forum.
Thanks guys for all your advice.
Husband seems to think if only we he can return to Canada then all will be right with the world. He has very tunnel vision about the whole thing and this is why I have taken to researching the forum.
Thanks guys for all your advice.
#35
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Location: Cumbernauld, near Glasgow
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
Thank you for your experience with regard to the toilet issue. It was interesting to read and definitely gives us something to work with. As big a challenge as it is!
We like his school very much and his EA is a remarkable woman. My worry is that at some point she will change and just as with any school, any teacher, any child, there are some better than others. When we lose her then I imagine the care changing too. When he was at daycare the city provided him with an EA and we found that the interest and care varied considerably each time a different person was assigned.
The school in the past has arranged special farm trips for the special needs children that included horse riding and it was a big success but these things cost money and the financial resources are limited. They really seem to try their best.
I suppose the bottom line is that we have been on what seems forever a never ending learning curve. Whenever we think we know our son something new comes up. It's a continual test of him trying to get past everything we try to do to keep him safe. He's a thrill seeker and it's scary to see. He has no fear.
We like his school very much and his EA is a remarkable woman. My worry is that at some point she will change and just as with any school, any teacher, any child, there are some better than others. When we lose her then I imagine the care changing too. When he was at daycare the city provided him with an EA and we found that the interest and care varied considerably each time a different person was assigned.
The school in the past has arranged special farm trips for the special needs children that included horse riding and it was a big success but these things cost money and the financial resources are limited. They really seem to try their best.
I suppose the bottom line is that we have been on what seems forever a never ending learning curve. Whenever we think we know our son something new comes up. It's a continual test of him trying to get past everything we try to do to keep him safe. He's a thrill seeker and it's scary to see. He has no fear.
Best of luck.
#36
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Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,152
Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
There are 2 more points I should forward to you from my wife (she told me they were important). It may sound unbearable, but if you decide to take the route she did, she - and another parent who went through the same - stopped using nappies during the day. The other is to take away his favorite toy or whatever he has at the time of the accident and don't give it back for some time. He will probably go nuts and our boy certainly did, but for all his problems, he knows what he likes and he eventually caught on to what was going on.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
But your experience has encouraged us to persevere with a more positive approach and we thank you for that. Very informative and useful.
#37
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Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
I don't know if these links are of any use, but thought I would post them. They are related to respite care for children with autism located in Ontario and where to get help.
http://www.autismontario.com/client/...s?OpenDocument
http://www.autismontario.com/client/...s?OpenDocument March break respite funding
http://www.respiteservices.com/Durham/index_e.aspx * drop down list of different cities is available. *
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs.../programs.aspx (including respite)
http://www.footprints4autism.org/
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs.../08142008.aspx
A google search bought up quite a few - I am sure there are services in other Provinces too. There are also grants available to hire 1 on 1 assistance for up to 7 days a year, amongst other programs with grants for things like March Break respite etc.
http://www.autismontario.com/client/...s?OpenDocument
http://www.autismontario.com/client/...s?OpenDocument March break respite funding
http://www.respiteservices.com/Durham/index_e.aspx * drop down list of different cities is available. *
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs.../programs.aspx (including respite)
http://www.footprints4autism.org/
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs.../08142008.aspx
A google search bought up quite a few - I am sure there are services in other Provinces too. There are also grants available to hire 1 on 1 assistance for up to 7 days a year, amongst other programs with grants for things like March Break respite etc.
Last edited by Siouxie; Mar 14th 2012 at 4:15 am.
#38
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
Souxie, thanks for the links - especially the ones for support with respite. It's something we've yet to use but are at the stage now where our older boy, who is fine, is looking for a bit more adventure than what we can provide when his younger brother is with us. Actually, it feels quite depressing typing this, but we knew it was coming.
Stepnek, yes my wife had the summer from hell that year but she was so fed up with the whole toilet thing and the so called "support" were beginning to question our ability as parents to deal with it.
Our son is stubborn too. He also knew that he was being manipulated and tried to retaliate. It took what felt like an eternity of cleaning the floor and changing his clothes before he eventually caught on that it wasn't actually so bad. Buy him a new toy that he would like and use it as a training tool. You've probably heard of autism being compared to animal instinct. When I first heard this, I thought it was cruel but in many ways it's true. Behavior intervention methods like ABA were originally developed to train animals and were later adapted for Autistic children. Language is not of much use so routine and reward can be used to get results. I would say that our boy is now more or less toilet trained but still requires routine and prompting to help avoid soiling himself - it still on occasion happens but increasingly rarely.
Reading back on what I've written, I sound like a bit of a smart arse! I don't mean to - just wanted to pass on our experience. When you eventually get through it, your life, and his will vastly improve.
We're at the stage right now of him and me going into a cubicle in a public toilet and looking conspicuous. Even better, an airplane toilet. It's not a good look!
Stepnek, yes my wife had the summer from hell that year but she was so fed up with the whole toilet thing and the so called "support" were beginning to question our ability as parents to deal with it.
Our son is stubborn too. He also knew that he was being manipulated and tried to retaliate. It took what felt like an eternity of cleaning the floor and changing his clothes before he eventually caught on that it wasn't actually so bad. Buy him a new toy that he would like and use it as a training tool. You've probably heard of autism being compared to animal instinct. When I first heard this, I thought it was cruel but in many ways it's true. Behavior intervention methods like ABA were originally developed to train animals and were later adapted for Autistic children. Language is not of much use so routine and reward can be used to get results. I would say that our boy is now more or less toilet trained but still requires routine and prompting to help avoid soiling himself - it still on occasion happens but increasingly rarely.
Reading back on what I've written, I sound like a bit of a smart arse! I don't mean to - just wanted to pass on our experience. When you eventually get through it, your life, and his will vastly improve.
We're at the stage right now of him and me going into a cubicle in a public toilet and looking conspicuous. Even better, an airplane toilet. It's not a good look!
#39
Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
The way the respite programs work is that the parent finds someone to offer the care and the government pays that person directly through a system of timesheets signed by the parent. The pay isn't much, worse than minimum wage, iirc, so it's difficult to find people to take on the work. You could, of course, find someone to not do the work and to split the respite funding with you, there are lots of people happy to do that.
#40
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
Some extremely useful info on this thread.As a parent of a 4 year old with ASD the soiling/smearing issue is hard to bear sometimes.We are at the stage where we put ds on the toilet and distract him with messy play eg jelly,playdoh slightly warm so it has the same consistency as the poo. This has worked a couple of times with ds and the rewards and praise he gets for using the loo are brilliant.We are looking at the emigration process at the moment,hubby got a bit of interest from some employers in Kelowna,BC.We were originally going to look at NB or NS.However it looks like it will be Kelowna.Have to say we are gonna come on TWP as Im so scared of us being rejected if we apply for PR.We are going to apply for PR when we are in Canada.My ds currently attends a special needs nursery here in the UK, but other than that and family support groups I go to,we have no help.He is not on any meds,however I feel the Canadian authorities may feel he is a drain on society,but heyho we will cross that bridge when we get to it.Once again thanks for the info on this thread.
#41
Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
Some extremely useful info on this thread.As a parent of a 4 year old with ASD the soiling/smearing issue is hard to bear sometimes.We are at the stage where we put ds on the toilet and distract him with messy play eg jelly,playdoh slightly warm so it has the same consistency as the poo. This has worked a couple of times with ds and the rewards and praise he gets for using the loo are brilliant.We are looking at the emigration process at the moment,hubby got a bit of interest from some employers in Kelowna,BC.We were originally going to look at NB or NS.However it looks like it will be Kelowna.Have to say we are gonna come on TWP as Im so scared of us being rejected if we apply for PR.We are going to apply for PR when we are in Canada.My ds currently attends a special needs nursery here in the UK, but other than that and a special needs nursery I go to,we have no help.He is not on any meds,however I feel the Canadian authorities may feel he is a drain on society,but heyho we will cross that bridge when we get to it.Once again thanks for the info on this thread.
I know all about the house looking like the H Block. That's the sort of behaviour brought on by stress. I can't really imagine anything more stress generating than taking the child out of "a special needs nursery" away from "family support groups" to a foreign country where there's no support and to do so on a temporary basis to be followed, as likely as not, by moving back to the original place the child having lost his or her place in queues for schools and support groups. I don't think this is a well thought out plan.
#42
Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
It's just that if you go over on a TWP there is no guarantee you'll be able to stay, so it is a big upheaval if you think your child may fail the medical and not get PR.
Best of luck with it.
#43
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
I am aware its the same process whether we apply here or in Canada yes. Our general feeling is that we would like to give our family a chance of a future,we have 5 kids altogether,currently live in a cramped 3 bed house with no parking facilities,husband works all the hours god sends to support us. Family to be quite honest dont give a toss about us.All we want to do is have a better life for ourselves and the kids, I am fully qualified special needs ta and would educate ds from home if necessary.To say its not a well thought out plan is pretty condescending really.Its all we have thought about for the last year.This country is going to the dogs as far as education and employment prospects and are we really so selfish to deny our children a future somewhere else just because one has a disability?
#44
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Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
.To say its not a well thought out plan is pretty condescending really.Its all we have thought about for the last year.This country is going to the dogs as far as education and employment prospects and are we really so selfish to deny our children a future somewhere else just because one has a disability?
Do all the research you can before you go, maybe even one of you take a trip out. Best of luck.
#45
Re: Autistic kids and Ontario schools
I am aware its the same process whether we apply here or in Canada yes. Our general feeling is that we would like to give our family a chance of a future,we have 5 kids altogether,currently live in a cramped 3 bed house with no parking facilities,husband works all the hours god sends to support us. Family to be quite honest dont give a toss about us.All we want to do is have a better life for ourselves and the kids, I am fully qualified special needs ta and would educate ds from home if necessary.To say its not a well thought out plan is pretty condescending really.Its all we have thought about for the last year.This country is going to the dogs as far as education and employment prospects and are we really so selfish to deny our children a future somewhere else just because one has a disability?