A Critical Review of the Austim Support Mechanism in Ontario

In a scenario of increasing prevalence of autism in Canada, as well as in the world, this Major Research Paper (MRP) makes an attempt to critically review Ontario Autism Program which is the provincial autism support mechanism in Ontario. Using a critical disability lens this paper explores the challenges of autistic people including their families to receive services while the program is influenced by neoliberal ideology and a dominant biomedical model that aims to rectify and cure autism instead of creating a supportive environment by acknowledging their neurodiversive identity. The Ontario Autism Program mostly supports Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) based therapy for children but fails to accommodate many of them and put them in a gradually increasing waitlist. Autistic people are abused, stigmatized and often denied from their rights to have proper education, employment and social inclusion. Moreover, there is very limited support for autistic adults from the government which makes them live their lives in uncertainty. Recently, the Federal Government has taken initiative to develop a national autism framework. It is important to include the voices and concerns of the autistic community while developing the framework and ensure diversified services, social acceptance and inclusion.