JONES CALLS FOR IBI THERAPY TO BE REINSTATED FOR KIDS OVER 5

(Queen’s Park) – Today, Sylvia Jones MPP Dufferin-Caledon urged the Minister of Children and Youth Services to reverse her to decision to remove children with Autism over 5 years old from receiving IBI therapy.

The waitlist for IBI therapy has increased because of years of inaction by the Liberal government. In 2014-2015 there were 16,158 children with Autism on the waitlist for IBI and Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) therapy. “Now the Liberal government has decided to stop providing IBI therapy to children over 5 years old,” Jones said.

“Since the Minister’s announcement I have heard from parents, family members and friends of individuals with children with Autism that are devastated by the Minister’s decision,” Jones said.

“One concerned parent contacted me and spoke of the outcry that would occur if this government chose not to help cancer patients because of their age. We would never push aside a cancer patient based on age, but that is exactly what the Minister is doing to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),” Jones said.

“Autism doesn’t end at 5 and children across the province are actually benefitting from IBI therapy even past the age of 5,” Jones said.

“The Minister has ignored numerous calls from parents, MPPs, and experts for a reversal of her decision that will abandon children over 5,” Jones said.

“The Minister was clearly upset with my question ‎which I hope means she is concerned about the many families who will be left behind because of her decision. I again call on the Minister to do the right thing and allow children over five years old access to IBI therapy,” Jones said.

To read more about what Jones is doing in the Legislature please visit: www.sylviajonesmpp.ca.

-30-

 

For more information, contact:
Christopher Dacunha
416-325-1898
sylvia.jonesla@pc.ola.org