The tragic death of seven-year-old Max, a boy with autism who was fatally struck by a city bus in Hamilton, has shed light on the challenges faced by students with special education needs. Max’s parents, Chris and Emily Simao, revealed that their son, who was non-verbal, was sent home from school due to a lack of special needs resources on the day of the accident.
Max had been placed on a modified schedule at school in October after an educational assistant was no longer available to support him. Despite his love for school, Max’s education was disrupted, ultimately leading to the fatal accident on December 11 when he was struck by a Hamilton Street Railway bus.
Kate Dudley-Logue, from the Ontario Autism Coalition, emphasized that many students with special needs are unable to attend school for full days due to insufficient resources. She has called on the government to allocate more funding for schools, particularly for special education workers.
The Simao family has expressed their frustration at the chronic underfunding that they believe led to Max’s modified schedule and tragic death. Premier Doug Ford stated that the government is providing significant funding for educators, although concerns persist regarding the overall support for students with special needs.
Hamilton police investigations have indicated that neither the bus driver nor the child’s caregiver were at fault in the incident, emphasizing the need for improved resources and support for students like Max.