Parents of Hamilton boy with autism killed by HSR bus cite lack of school supports

The family of a seven-year-old Hamilton boy who was struck and killed by an HSR bus last month say their child should’ve been in school at the time of the tragic incident.

Chris and Emily Simao spoke at Queen’s Park today, saying their son Max — who was non-verbal and autistic — was placed on a modified schedule due to the lack of educational support to keep him in the classroom throughout the day.

The Simao family was joined by the Ontario NDP and advocates for students with special needs, taking the Ford government to task, arguing about underfunding at Ontario schools.

Chris and Emily Simao say due to the educational gaps, they feel “cheated out of a future” with their son.

“We feel robbed and cheated out of a future with Max. We’re so heartbroken and mad. He should still be here with us and should’ve had a chance to celebrate Christmas that he was so excited about,” said Chris, Max’s father.

The family says Max couldn’t stay in school for a full day due to a lack of available staff.

They added Max was put on a modified schedule, consisting of three hours in school. The school told them the arrangement would only be for a few weeks.

“If he would’ve had the support, he wouldn’t have been on that bus with my wife to slip and have all that happen. He would’ve been in school. So yeah, I think it is right to compare the both. He had a right to a safe education,” said Chris.

Chris says Max would usually finish his day just after lunch.

In the afternoon hours of Dec. 11, Max was struck by a slow-moving HSR bus after exiting a bus stop at the corner of Emerald and Wilson streets.

Max then died in hospital from his injuries, and police determined the bus driver and his caregiver were not responsible for his death.

“If the government takes anything from this today, they will honour Max’s life by committing to actually ensuring that our schools are properly funded so that children like Max are no longer excluded,” said NDP leader Marit Stiles.

READ MORE: Vigil held for boy struck and killed by Hamilton bus

Stiles and the Ontario NDP were also joined by the Ontario Autistic Coalition, calling on the Ford government to address gaps and hire more educational assistants.

“There are approximately 358,000 disabled students attending Ontario schools, which means that well over 115,000 students are experiencing exclusions,” said Kate Dudley-Logue from the Ontario Autism Coalition.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated press conference, Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to the blowback.

“We’re actually going to be hiring 6,000 educators on both sides. Actual educators and EAs. Again, we’re funding it at an unprecedented amount. We are looking at making sure that we have enough teachers,” said Ford.

Ford also went on to defend his government’s plan to boost the workforce in schools, adding that the Tories will drop the duration of teachers college from two years to one.

WATCH MORE: Child killed after being struck by city bus in downtown Hamilton