Experts worried Quebec may opt to fund cheaper, less intensive autism therapy

As Quebec puts the finishing touches on its long-awaited autism action plan, the association that promotes applied behaviour analysis for autistic children is urging the government to impose minimum training standards for ABA therapists.

Quebec Association of Behaviour Analysis say minimum standards not being met

Leah Hendry · CBC News · Posted: Nov 17, 2016 5:30 AM EST | Last Updated: November 17, 2016

Saif Ullah, who has autism, works with his ABA therapist at a private clinic in Montreal. (CBC)

As the government puts the finishing touches on its long-awaited autism action plan, the Quebec Association of Behaviour Analysis (QcABA) is worried services may be watered down to save money.

The QcABA promotes the use of applied behaviour analysis, or ABA, which is considered by many researchers and clinicians to be the most effective therapy for children with autism. It is widely used across North America.

The action plan is supposed to reduce wait times for diagnosis and therapy, as well as improve funding options for parents.

The QcABA is concerned the government may be looking at including cheaper, more generalized autism programs such as social skills groups or play therapy, which are usually less intensive.

They also require less professional training, said Myra-Jade Lui, the association's vice-president.

Myra-Jade Lui, vice-president of the Quebec Association for Behaviour Analysis, wants the government to make clear what ABA therapy is and impose minimum standards of training for caregivers who supervise these programs. (CBC)

Lui and her group recently met with Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois to voice their concerns.

Lui also wants the government to impose minimum standards to ensure the people who supervise ABA programs have the right qualifications and training.

"It's kind of terrifying to think that the people in charge of that might not even have one class in ABA," she said. "You'd never want your doctor to be someone [who] didn't go to medical school."

Need for 1-on-1 therapy

ABA programs are typically drawn up according to each child's needs and involve intense one-on-one therapy, designed to teach language, communication and interpersonal skills to help children integrate into school.

It's still unclear exactly what services the government will offer, but Lui said her association wants to make sure the government clarifies what ABA is and what parents should expect to see practised.

Many of the clinics and people who offer ABA therapy aren't following best practices, said Lui. Although it's recommended parents choose behavior analysts who are certified, it's not mandatory in Quebec. The QcABA says that's led to many businesses popping up that claim to offer ABA services without properly trained therapists or supervisors.

"Can we at least make sure that we're offering what we say we're offering," said Lui, who has seen both public and private centres fall short of the mark.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Louis, who has autism, watches a video with his ABA therapist Odette Zarate at ASD Montreal - a private clinic. (CBC)

Action plan may be delayed

Charlebois held the first ever Quebec forum on autism last February, to hear people's concerns and to identify priorities.

Following that, an action plan was promised which was expected to be ready earlier this fall. It was then pushed back to the end of the year.

Lui said the minister now says there is still a lot of work left to do.

"She did say it's a huge file, and they'd like to do it right," said Lui, saying that leaves her group hopeful.

Quebec Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois is working on a long-awaited action plan on autism that is to address long wait times for diagnosis and treatment. (CBC)

Earlier this year, Ontario set the bar high, committing $333 million over five years for autism programs.

Their new plan will provide all children, regardless of age, with more flexible services and shorter wait times for diagnosis and therapy. It also increases the number of treatment spaces.

Until children get a spot in the public system, parents are paid directly to defray the costs of private therapy.

Lui would like to see an ambitious plan like Ontario's here in Quebec.

Right now in the Montreal area, many children can wait up to 12 months in the public system to be diagnosed and up to two years to get government-funded services.

For children diagnosed with autism between the ages of two and five, Quebec now pays for 20 hours a week of ABA therapy.

Research shows early intervention is key, so while they wait for a spot, many parents who can afford it turn to private therapy, which can cost thousands of dollars a month.