Alberta Government FSCD MDT Process

Family with children with Autism have to fight a buraucracy, even when what they are asking for is in the Legislation. Hundreds of families across Alberta experience the same/similar situations year after year. The FSCD workers are misinterpreting what their own act states and enforcing that parents go through a grooling process that is not legislated. All 3 colleges, College of Alberta Psychologists, College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and Alberta College of Occupational Therapists state in a letter dated April 2009 that they do not support their members participation in the MDT process!

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News & Politics

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• MOV079

[NicholetteW]

Great job bringing so many important issues to the public media! We live in Edmonton, though, and have always been able to show a 5-min video of our child to the panel. It just highlights what she is able to do in each therapeutic area: SLP, OT, and PT, plus socialization. Instantly, the panel sees the level of my child's disability far more clearly than any reports or service plans can convey.

[tdhssp]

Now, couple the latter scenario with a family who is not as sophistocated in navigation, nor a persistant voice... The end result is dire for the child. Early intervention and continued support is key to success.

[tdhssp]

Obtaining services for children who require intervention should not be a maze for parents. Often, it is the caseworker one is assigned who makes all the difference: Some are wonderful information providers, but others are either not as knowledgable - or - sadly, trying to save dollars and will not willingly divulge options.

[tdhssp]

Way to go, Allison! Good job bringing awareness to these issues on behalf of the countless families facing similar bureaucracy red-tape. You are absolutely correct - as another friend of mine, also a social worker and mother of a child with severe disability - relays: Having an "inside edge" due to career has, at least, made navigation of the system somewhat more accessible, that this is an issue is a problem in and of itself. The system should NOT be difficult to approach.