Neighbours of a group home for children with autism operated by Community Living Toronto don’t understand what the big deal is in Rexdale, where Councillor Doug Ford has sparked a firestorm with his criticism of a Griffin Centre group home location.

“(The residents) really don’t bother me at all,” said Frank Teles, 51, who has lived directly across from the Community Living Toronto home near Jane St. and Weston Rd. for a decade. “I have no problem whatsoever. They’re as good of neighbours as everybody else.”

The freshly renovated two-storey house has been home to five children on the autism spectrum, between the ages of 12 and 21, for the past 18 months. It has a new garden out front, planted and tended by the residents.

Several neighbours approached by the Star had no complaints about the centre’s operation. It has been on the street for roughly 30 years, serving adults in its earlier life then converting to a home for children.

Among them is Monica Richardson’s son, Matthew, 21, who is non-verbal and requires round-the-clock care. She said she was “outraged” at Ford’s comments. Matthew has been in care for about five years, she said, and being in the community is essential.

“We all need to be integrated into a community, regardless of what needs we might have,” said Richardson, who also manages fundraising for Autism Ontario, a non-profit service and advocacy organization.

“We all need human contact. My son, Matthew, is non-verbal so he can’t speak to anybody but he is very much aware of people around him and very much wants to engage with people in his own way. He learns from them and I think we all can learn from people like Matthew.”

Across Ontario, about 18,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities live in group homes in neighbourhoods.

Margaret Spoelstra, executive director of Autism Ontario, said it’s common for group homes to experience some problems when moving into a new area, but stressed the need for dialogue.

“It’s a new group home, so I’m not surprised (they are having problems). When any of us moves anywhere, life is unsettled for a while and things can sometimes happen and we are not necessarily on our best behaviour when we are moving,” she said.

“People do need to ask questions. I’m grateful that neighbours are asking questions. But I hope that they also want to hear the answers and that they will go out of their comfort zone to find out and be that neighbour.”

Ford has faced a firestorm of controversy and opposition from politicians, community leaders and mental health advocates for his comments about a home for children with developmental disabilities and autism operated by the Griffin Centre. Three young adults live with 24-hour care in the home on Jeffcoat Dr. near Kipling Ave. and Westhumber Blvd. in Ford’s Etobicoke ward.

“No one told me they’d be leaving the house,” Ford said at a recent meeting with staff from the home and a group of apprehensive residents. He also said the home “ruined” the neighbourhood.

He doubled down on his comments on CP24 Sunday, saying, “It’s turned into an absolute nightmare.”

Ford did not return a call from the Star Tuesday night.

Some neighbours living near the home, which opened in March, told the Star residents should find a new place to live.

Gord Ardron, 69, said he heard screaming at night and alleged that the residents were responsible for break-ins to his vehicle, while another neighbour complained of broken windows.

Deanna Dannell, Griffin House director of youth and family support services, said the centre is staffed overnight by two employees and has had no reports of screaming at night in the course of its operation.

“I would strongly state that any damage to this neighbour’s car is not a result (or) responsibility of our youth. Again, our youth are supervised and we have had no contact from the police or neighbours about our youth being involved in vehicle break-ins,” she said.

“We are concerned if our youth will be blamed for ‘nearby’ incidents for no other reason than we are living in the neighbourhood.”

Dannell acknowledged that one youth broke the front window of the residence but that staff were present and responded immediately. The window is being fixed.

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There have been no confrontations between any youth in the home and nearby residents, said Catia Valenti Mishaiel, fundraising director for Griffin Centre.

Since the meeting, the centre has been preparing a fact sheet to distribute to neighbours that includes how to contact the Griffin Centre with any concerns. Mishaiel said another meeting will be scheduled by Ford later this week.

With files from Graham Slaughter, Laurie Monsebraaten and Betsy Powell

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