Autism extension not a fix, says mom of autistic teen (3 photos)

Kim Coulter is not impressed with Ontario Premier Doug Ford's announced Monday extending the Autism program for six months.

"They are still going to take it away. It'll still be cut," Coulter said, adding that Ford simply said that to satisfy protesters for the moment.

The outspoken Richards Landing resident voiced her displeasure with the provincial government on World Autism Day.

"You hear stories how programs have cost families to the point of having sell their homes to keep services going for their autistic children," she said. "It's ridiculous."

The Coulters have been one of the relatively lucky families who have not experienced major-out-of pocket expenses for programs for their son, Connor, who is a high-functioning autistic teenager.

The services he has at the moment do not come out of their pockets, but that could change quickly.

Living in a rural setting, families sometimes have to drive long distances to places where services they need are offered or fight for services not available in the school system.

The government's model of disbursement of funds to different age levels makes no sense, Coulter said. 

"Cuts don't lay solely with programs but the spin-off, including the cuts in education and the special education programs within the schools," she added. "Those affect my son."

For nearly 10 years, Coulter has been advocating for her son, from insisting he be identified to ensuring he get the medication and lobbying for the best programs possible for him.

"I had to strongly advocate for my son since he was a young boy," she said. 

Now he's 15 and she's looking at the prospects of provincial funding for programs he needs to help him prepare for future years. 

Coulter said she will continue to advocate for quality education for her son and others in Ontario who are on the Autism spectrum.

Connor benefited hugely from the quality education he was introduced to in elementary school, she said, but it's a constant battle. There were, and will continue to be challenges ahead as he goes through transitions his life.

"Each change – whether it's stage of life, change in educators or the change from his elementary school to Central Algoma Secondary School, (presents challenges)," Coulter said, adding she continues to advocate for change looking toward the ultimate goal of seeing Connor living independently.

"But he needs to know who and where to turn if he needs help."

Coulter is totally opposed to class size increases and the addition of mandatory e-learning credits expected to be introduced in secondary schools in Ontario next year.

Some autistic students do not adapt to crowds. In larger classes, hyper-sensitive students will suffer sensory overload which will cause big problems for them, she said.

On Monday, the Education Minister said, "Larger high school class sizes will make children more resilient."

"It's absolutely ridiculous. How's that going to help?" Coulter replied.

In her opinion, there is a time for e-learning but not at the expense of educators, adding there are not enough teachers for the number of students in classes now and introducing an electronic means of learning will be, in the end, at the expense of our teachers.

"If they want to cut costs, start at top government positions not students' education," she said.

If you want viable people in society, then provide them with all the opportunities you can so they can realize their greatest possibilities, Coulter added.

Connor, an avid cooking show fan, is interested in baking and cooking both at home and school.

He has started putting his own spin on recipes, some of which he will showcase at a bake sale of his own creations at CASS on Monday.

Also a big fan of Survivor, Connor enjoys games that challenge him and is an enthusiastic participant in Intramurals at CASS.

For the past seven years, Coulter with the help of close friend Rhonna Bomhof have held Autism Awareness fundraising bake sales at the Northern Credit Union, Richards Landing branch.

Coulter and Bomhof, both delegates with NCU, host the one-day event.  

About $840 was raised Tuesday with a second smaller sale to be held at St. Joseph Island Central School on Wednesday.

Each year, funds raised are shared with two of three Sault Ste. Marie and Area programs such as Community Living Algoma, Thrive Children Development Centre or Algoma Autism Foundation.

Over the past six years, more than $5,700 has been raised locally.

This year's two door prize winners were Patti Aelick and Carol Bessie.