Autism Spectrum Disorder Education

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #203, 8912-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

January IIIrd, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

It seems to me that your department has done a rather poor job of ensuring there are the maximum dollars allotted to students of folks with autism or the type of have, high functioning autism, commonly known as Aspberger's Syndrome. Its not just I who thinks that, it is the parents & guardians of many students who have this disorder. As well as students who are afflicted with Attention Deficit Disorder, Hyperactivity Disorders, Schizophrenia, as well as other mental/genetic spectrum disorders.

David, you need to convince Finance Minister Iris Evans, Treasury Board President Lloyd Snelgrove & Premier Ed Stelmach to increase funding for these programs. Just look what you could do if you cannibalized & gutted horse racing & equine event government subsidies. This sport is a money loser, both for attendance and the Province's share of gambling revenues generated.

So let this sport be completely privatized. Set up a special education disability fund for autistics and let horse racing live or die on its own. Thats the free market system. I am sure there are many folks out there who agree with me. Investing in kids with disabilities now is more productive immediately & therefore more profitable in the future. Horse & equine events are a thing of the past. They provide jobs and entertainment sure, but like casinos and other forms of private enterprise gambling endeavours, they should receive not 1 red cent of my tax dollars!

Always Appreciative,

Rory J. Koopmans

Source: "Autism Society" in Edmonton Alberta.