Thank you for all for your feedback regarding the proposed MCFD funding changes! Your feedback is my inspiration and guides me in finding paths forward in all our undertakings! I will continue to support our joint efforts in making the Ministry aware and accountable for engaging in meaningful consultation with our diverse individuals and families. No real gains can be made by pitting one sector of our community against another.

For me, two recent experiences, however, have brought into focus the reality that our adults cannot wait – they are living their lives NOW, and need to be supported in post-secondary studies, in finding & keeping employment, and in building an intact, healthy belief in their self-worth as friends, lovers, and contributing members of their communities. We need to support them in finding a way forward.

The first experience that I speak of is our recent joint meeting with Autism BC on Adult Diagnosis. Our excellent and knowledgeable speakers were clear in articulating that there is no appetite for provincial government funding of adult diagnosis, or for the funding of mental health services within our Medical Services Plan. While continuing to push against these barriers, we must pursue some paths that are realizable and accessible.

Thankfully, the reality of COVID has created some opportunities. There is an increased appreciation of the negative mental heath impacts of social isolation, and consequently more programs to address these issues are being developed, a topic that had no traction prior to COVID. As well, technological platforms such as Zoom, are now providing excellent programs accessible when & where we choose. We must be pro-active in engaging with these online platforms & programs – many have been well-thought out, developed in consultation with autistic adults, users are able to choose the parts most relevant to their needs, and they will help you in pursuing your path to greater independence. Specifically, check out our website: www.squarepegsociety.ca for some past & upcoming meetings. Our May 2021 meeting on AANE’s LifeMAP coaching is a model of customized, life coaching that we believe has value, and are pursuing. Our Sept 2021 meeting, Autism Campus Training outlines the Sinneave Family Foundation online program for post-secondary students, and others transitioning to adulthood. Our upcoming meeting November 19, 2021, Launch + Skills, again with the Sinneave Family Foundation, is another program aimed at guiding individuals through the transition to adulthood. In January 2022, Jonathan Weiss, will be presenting his online Mental Health Literacy Guide. All of these offer paths to empowering ourselves.

The second experience that I referred to above, was this past week’s Stanford University’s Neurodiversity Summit. From their website, here is an excerpt that provides insight into their Positive Psychology approach, based upon a strength-based model:

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a concept that regards individuals with differences in brain function and behavioral traits as part of normal variation in the human population.

The movement of Neurodiversity is about uncovering the strengths of neurodiverse individuals and utilizing their talents to increase innovation and productivity of the society as a whole.

Our Key Objectives

  • Establish a culture that treasures the strengths of neurodiverse individual
  • Empower neurodiverse individuals to build their identity and enhance their long-term skills of daily living throughout the lifespan
  • Attract talented neurodiverse individuals to study and work at Stanford
  • Train talented individuals to work with the neurodiverse population
  • Disseminate the Stanford Neurodiversity Model locally, nationally, and internationally
  • Maximize the potential of neurodiversity

This positive, can-do perspective imbued this conference with many innovative ideas & programs – I will be looking for ways to keep in touch with this project!

Finally, the long-term “asks” regarding the lack of services & supports for ASD adults across their lifespans, that I will continue to advocate our provincial government for are:

  • That adult assessment & diagnosis be included under MSP.
  • That the government facilitate the increase, in BC, of medical practitioners with autism experience – making this a mandatory part of the curriculum for medical students, by providing seminars/workshops for existing practitioners, to increase their comfort with taking on clients with autism, to reduce the waitlists for diagnosis.
  • That the government provide support for programs that offer:

Life skills coaching, with a focus on coaching people to explore solutions & life skills that would work and/or are meaningful for them,

Employment skills focused on internships and on job supports & accommodations, to ensure better job retention,

Mental health supports, by offering more and better benefits within government jobs, and to promote the inclusion of more mental health benefits in employee benefits programs in the private sector.

Thank you; I welcome your continued input and engagement with Square Peg Society!