Autism experienced trial laywer needed urgently

[dadx3]

Hi,
I need urgently an autism experienced lawyer (ideally family law specialist) for upcoming trial. Your recommmendations are much appreciated.
best regards
dadx3

[blinkandimgone]

Can you explain a little more about what you mean by 'autism experienced?

[arabian]

What part of the country do you live in?

[Janus]

Can you explain a little more about what you mean by 'autism experienced?

Presumably his kid has autism, and the ex is using that to leverage for custody (for "stability" or some other reason). He wants a lawyer who has worked a similar case.

Perhaps what he needs is a medical professional to provide an expert opinion?

[arabian]

dadx3 - as you can see people make assumptions if you don't provide any details.

[blinkandimgone]

Presumably his kid has autism, and the ex is using that to leverage for custody (for "stability" or some other reason). He wants a lawyer who has worked a similar case.

Perhaps what he needs is a medical professional to provide an expert opinion?

Could be.

Or perhaps either he or a friend has Autism or Asperger's and is looking for a lawyer experienced in dealing with clients with special needs.

Who knows unless he provides more info.

[standing on the sidelines]

his middle child has a mild case.

http://www.ottawadivorce.com/forum/f...liation-12099/

[FightingForFamily]

You can check out Canlii for "autism" and find lawyers who have been involved in the cases. Also read the cases to understand how/when the issue of special needs becomes relevant to the judges.

I've found that even parents with autistic children are still expected to support themselves eventually.

[sahibjee]

also depends on what is available for the child. i.e. my son is diagnosed with autism. the daycare opened a rec for a special needs worker and was provided one, so my son goes to day care sametime as every other child and gets picked up the same time. nothing is hindering his mother's ability to earn.

[FightingForFamily]

Indeed, my son is also diagnosed with autism and attends regular SK but only for half days. Once he's in school full days the ex is definitely expected to support herself and him.

[dadx3]

Many thanks to all who responded and apologies for the prolonged silence for valid reasons.

I live in the GTA and my situation is that I have been our son's primary caregiver including doing home therapy with him and engaging him with his sisters until Mom moved out strategically to establish a new status quo. The OCL acknowledged me briefly in their report however made the traditional recommendation.

I am interested in a lawyer with experience in autism trial cases but also perhaps more importantly in an autism expert witness who could talk to his need to continue intensive home therapy with me. Any references would be greatly appreciated and thank you for the link

Dadx3

[Mess]

Not specifically autism, but I believe she has the expertise you require.

[Tayken]

My recommendation would be to contact Dr. Barbra Landau to see if she can recommend someone:

Welcome to Cooperative Solutions: A better way to resolve conflicts through mediation and training in Toronto and the GTA.

In the alternative the only other lawyer I would recommend to handle such a file is Phil Epstein:

Epstein Cole LLP : : lawyer profiles

Also, hopefully you have access to 100-150K to support the legals for expert witnesses and a lawyer who can handle the file. You would need to have a Section 30 qualified Psychologist review the OCL report and provide a counter. Someone who may be able to assist in doing that might be Dr. Irwin Butkowsky.

This thread may be helpful:

http://www.ottawadivorce.com/forum/f...55/#post114738

I rarely recommend professionals so do consider the names given come with some serious considerations prior to being provided.

[OhMy]

Also, hopefully you have access to 100-150K to support the legals for expert witnesses and a lawyer who can handle the file. You would need to have a Section 30 qualified Psychologist review the OCL report and provide a counter. Someone who may be able to assist in doing that might be Dr. Irwin Butkowsky.

Yes, this would be expensive. Not only that you will need proof regarding the statement below as to why it is so important that you, and no one else provide his in home therapy?

Assuming therapy has been provided since separation, who has been doing it? What has the progress been or set backs been?

Keep in mind set backs are a common response for children even without Autism during divorce.

You will need proof if the position you are taking is that you are the only one that can provide his therapy. An expert witness in your case to provide what you are looking for would of had to have been privy to seeing how he was before in home intensive therapy, during, and after when the other parent moved out with him. Otherwise, much will be speculation, subject to possible bias, and will be heavily scrutinized by the other party.

I am interested in a lawyer with experience in autism trial cases but also perhaps more importantly in an autism expert witness who could talk to his need to continue intensive home therapy with me.

Dadx3

[dadx3]

3 young kids, 1 autism, OCL and CAS involvement NEW Qs please

Many thanks to the replies and especially to Tayken. Seeking much appreciated further commentary on the below. I will contact the professionals recommended.

Please note that my historical involvement, ability, skill and willingness to care for the kids is established and especially the involvement with our autistic son is reflected in the OCL report based on several professionals comments and reports. The OCL report mentions that our son improvement is mostly due to my efforts at home (took professional autism intervention training and also self educated in SLP, OT and PT). Also all 3 children are very attached to me and this has been established as well and is reflected also in the OCL report on our family.

Am seeking joint custody with a parental coordinator and equal time. I work full time (mom stays home) however with an extremely flexible work schedule which permits me to do daily drop offs and pickups in spite of the distance and also can drop things on no notice to attend emergencies. Bottom line with all 3 kids in FT programs for a long time my availability and mom's to them is the same. I am also prepared to move to keep the kids in the same school.

The OCL however recommended sole custody to her with the exception of joint medical on our son based on mom' allegations of me being controlling and obsessive re our son's medical treatment. Mom also made false allegations of all the types of abuse (domestic violence, financial, etc) against her. As a matter of fact however it is her who was violent and the is a documented incident of domestic violence iwhen she punched me and I called the police as it was not the first time. She denied hitting me however she acknowledged this to the CAS which got involved a few days later (this is in the OCL report). She stopped doiing it after that.

New Qs please

How to get CAS records? How can I get a psychological assessment ordered for Mom (am prepared to pay for and subject to same)
1. Mom has CAS recommendations from a year ago (anger management, autism awareness and positive parenting training, no physical disciplining) and recently CAS went to her house to remove the locks from the children's bedrooms as locking them along with physical is part of her disciplining style. Both were my referrals. Mom refuses to provide consent to access CAS records and all I have on the above is verbal statements from CAS workers nothing in writing. Short of a motion to get the CAS records, is there any other way to get the CAS records? And how can this be expedited?


Autistic 5 yr old son does not want to return from me to Mom. How to put this on record (evidence, etc)
1. Drop offs are extremely stressful for our son as he says that he is afraid of mommy, etc and he runs always when I try to get him to her door. Also have recordings of him on such and an independent witness. Asked the CAS to witness the drop offs and I got a negative. Asked mom's consent to hire an independent firm to witness the drop offs also negative. Also asked another social worker to witness the drop offs and I will likely gets another negative. How can I get this on the record to get it addressed? Are you aware of a Private investigator, supervising access type firm, etc that you could recommend. Asked a firm and they will only get involved with either consent from Mom which does not happen or court order.

Arbitration or Trial?
Money and the argument of choosing an arbitrator versus getting the roulette on a judge both set aside, which one would you recommend in light of the above. And also my case is heavy evidence (among other things, mom does not agree with therapy for son in spite of professional recommendations, with family doctor recommended optional meningitis and hepatitis vaccination for the kids, etc)
Currenty considering Douglas Millstone and Herschel Fogelman as mediators/arbitrators as mom does not want dr Barbara Fidler.
Can witnesses be cross examined in an arbitration?

Should I go for Phil Epstein as mediator/arbitrator as opposed to lawyer in my case?


Many thanks in advance and best regards
Dadx3