Province's back-to-school plan failing kids with autism, Ottawa mom says

An Ottawa mother is giving the province a failing grade when it comes to supporting children with autism as they return toschool thisfall.

Kate Logue, whose 10-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son both have autism, said she's concerned aboutclass sizes, a lack of teaching assistants and other changesbrought in to deal with the pandemic.

"The government really has made very little effort to even discuss how children with special needs are going to be taken care of through COVID," Logue said.

Logue'sdaughter Ruby will be returning to school this month, but Logue said it wasa difficult decision.

Initially, Logue opted for remote learning for Ruby,but after learningmore about herboard's virtual school plan, she said it no longer felt like the best choice because her daughter would be losing touch with the teachers and classmates she'sknown for years.

"Socialization, for autistic children, is very important.She goes to great lengths to communicate with others," Logue said.

Logue said distancing rulesmakeit especially difficult for her daughter, who finds it challenging to stay seated for a long period of time.

She said she is continuingtoworkwith her daughter's school toensure she will get the necessary support.

Meanwhile, her son is staying home because he is non-verbal and needs "a great deal of support."

'What we need is more staff'

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said it's providing $10 millionin one-time spendingto support students with special needs in the classroom.

The statement also notedthat the federal government hascontributed $12.5 million forstudents with mental health issues and other unique needs.

For Logue, that's not nearly enough.

"What we need is more staff," she said, particularlypersonal education assistants.