A tragic loss has sparked a call for action, highlighting the urgent need for improved school support systems. The death of a young boy, Max, has left his family and community devastated, and they are now advocating for change.
Max, a seven-year-old with autism, was non-verbal and relied on an educational assistant to attend school full-time. Unfortunately, due to a lack of available support, he was only able to attend half-day sessions for several weeks leading up to the fatal incident.
On December 11th, Max and his mother, Emily, were walking home from school when a tragic accident occurred. Max slipped, and a Hamilton Street Railway bus ran him over. His father, Chris Simao, believes that had Max been in school that day, this tragedy could have been avoided.
"Max should have been in school that day," Simao stated during a news conference at Queen's Park. He explained that they were promised a temporary modified schedule, but it extended far beyond the expected few weeks. Despite their persistent inquiries, the family was given no clear timeline for Max's return to full-day school.
Simao emphasized that he holds no blame towards the bus driver, his son's school, or the school board. Instead, he directs his concerns towards the funding levels provided by the Ministry of Education for classroom support for children with special needs. He believes that the current funding system disproportionately affects students with special needs.
"We've learned that exclusions like this are common, and it's a pattern that needs to be addressed," Simao said. He joined forces with politicians and the Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) to shed light on this issue, feeling that their family was robbed of a future with Max.
"We are heartbroken and angry. Max should still be with us," Simao expressed, adding that he and his wife got tattoos on their arms with their son's name and handprint.
Max's memory lives on through his father's words. Simao described him as a sweet boy who brought joy to everyone around him. Max's communication methods were unique, either through his captivating smile or his signature smirk. He loved his iPad, school, and Christmas, especially as he began to show interest in the holiday for the first time.
"Emily and I will never hear his sweet voice saying 'I love you, mom and dad,' or feel his loving hugs," Simao said, expressing the profound impact of Max's absence.
Kate Dudley-Logue, from the OAC, emphasized that Max's exclusion is not an isolated incident. The coalition's surveys reveal a province-wide pattern, with a quarter of students with special education needs not attending full-day school. The primary reason cited is a lack of resources to safely support these students.
Additionally, about a third of students with disabilities have experienced some form of exclusion during the 2024-2025 school year, and a concerning six percent were not attending school at all. This translates to over 150 students in Ontario schools facing exclusions, according to Dudley-Logue.
Premier Doug Ford, speaking on the matter, attributed the issue to the previous Liberal government's tenure. He highlighted his government's efforts, including increased funding for school resources, hiring more educators, and funding educational assistants at unprecedented levels.
However, Simao had a strong response to the Premier's remarks. "My son is dead, and they haven't done enough in eight years," he said.
Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP Leader, echoed the need for further action. "This is not an isolated story. Thousands of students with special needs face this reality daily. Exclusions are not new or uncommon. Parents and advocates have been raising the alarm for years, and we must address the unfairness these students face due to inadequate investment in our schools," she stated.
The tragedy of Max's death has brought attention to a systemic issue, and his family's advocacy aims to ensure that no other child faces similar exclusions. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of adequate support systems in our schools.
