The Brick Wall and Autism Treatment

Every time we feel like we are getting somewhere there seems to come a huge setback.  I am not looking for sympathy here. In fact, posting vaguely sad status updates on Facebook to look for attention is a major pet peeve.  I am just angry and this is as good a place as any to vent.  I know other autism parents are reading and I know some know too well how we feel right now.  We have made no secret of the fact that we are beyond frustrated with the wait for Kate's therapy to start.  Furthermore, we have been vocal about our issues with ABA.  If ABA worked for you I am thrilled for you.  I have no issues with whatever works for your child.  You are the parent and you know best.  Up until moments ago, we thought, we had solved those problems.  We had a progressive, holistic, multi-therapy trained autism support worker ready to begin Kate's treatment at her daycare.  It is Christmas Eve and I've just finished reading the email detailing to me why this will no longer be possible.  I don't fault the parties involved as much as I fault this bullshit issue of only allowing funding for one autism treatment in NB.  The NB government will only fund ABA, as I have said before, and for those of us that believe there are better suited therapies for our children it has caused immense difficulties.  The quality people we search for are usually unwilling to work under the NB governments current model for autism therapy. I understand, I really do.  It is difficult to maintain your integrity when you have spent your career working towards a multi-therapy approach, and work under a system that you believe is a disservice to the autism community.  What bothers me is that this issue is so polarizing that we cannot even find a middle ground for the sake of a child.  Surely, New Brunswick is not so short-sighted that we cannot see the future of autism therapy is changing.  Please allow us to direct our funds towards a treatment that we see fit.  We know Kate.  We know Kate's autism.  What is that saying, "If you've seen one kid with autism, you've seen one kids with autism."  You don't know our Kate like we do.  Don't make this huge decision for us.  This blanket approach to treatment is screwing us in more ways than one.  Alex is devastated at this current turn of events.  He worked so hard to organize all this.  You wouldn't believe the hoops he and others had to jump through to organize this.  There are phone calls and letters and emails and meetings with many different people. I am heartbroken to see how defeated he looks tonight.  Alex tells me I lose credibility when I swear on here.  He is so straight-laced.  I love him for that.  But for tonight, there is only one thing to say.  Stop fucking around and put the kids first.  These are our babies.  You are messing with their future.  EVOLVE!

---