04-09-2005, 03:30 PM
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/autism/
Quote:
INDEPTH: AUTISM
Making Sense of the Confusing World of Autism
CBC News Online | Updated Nov. 19, 2004
A child sits flapping his arms wildly in the air; another expresses his frustration by pushing aside a teacher's aide, a third retreats into playing computer games instead of playing with friends.
All three are showing signs of autism, a common neurological disorder. In fact, autism rates are on the rise in Canada, and it's estimated about 150,000 Canadian children have the disorder.
Autism's causes and treatments are the subject of much debate, but a therapy called Lovaas Applied Behavioural Analysis has been credited with helping autistic children overcome the disorder. The treatment is expensive, however, costing up to $60,000 a year.
In 1998, a group of families in B.C. took the provincial government to court for not funding Lovaas, which they described as a medically necessary treatment. They argued that by refusing the fund Lovaas, the province was violating the children's rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The province argued it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year to pay for the treatments. The parents replied that treatment at an early age would cost less than institutional care later in life.
Two provincial courts agreed with the families and ordered B.C. to play for the treatment.
However, in November 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it's up to the B.C. government to decide whether to fund the treatment, because its health coverage plan is "a partial health plan."
"The Canada Health Act and the relevant British Columbia legislation do not promise that any Canadian will receive funding for all medically required treatment," the court's unanimous decision read.
Making Sense of the Confusing World of Autism
CBC News Online | Updated Nov. 19, 2004
A child sits flapping his arms wildly in the air; another expresses his frustration by pushing aside a teacher's aide, a third retreats into playing computer games instead of playing with friends.
All three are showing signs of autism, a common neurological disorder. In fact, autism rates are on the rise in Canada, and it's estimated about 150,000 Canadian children have the disorder.
Autism's causes and treatments are the subject of much debate, but a therapy called Lovaas Applied Behavioural Analysis has been credited with helping autistic children overcome the disorder. The treatment is expensive, however, costing up to $60,000 a year.
In 1998, a group of families in B.C. took the provincial government to court for not funding Lovaas, which they described as a medically necessary treatment. They argued that by refusing the fund Lovaas, the province was violating the children's rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The province argued it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars a year to pay for the treatments. The parents replied that treatment at an early age would cost less than institutional care later in life.
Two provincial courts agreed with the families and ordered B.C. to play for the treatment.
However, in November 2004, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it's up to the B.C. government to decide whether to fund the treatment, because its health coverage plan is "a partial health plan."
"The Canada Health Act and the relevant British Columbia legislation do not promise that any Canadian will receive funding for all medically required treatment," the court's unanimous decision read.