Shortage of core therapy funds for kids with autism sparks concerns

According to families and advocates, life-altering decisions could be on the rise as most kids living with autism likely won’t see money for core therapy anytime soon.

This is following the provincial documents showing the Ford government may only serve a third of children on the waitlist.

Three-year-old Wyatt Copeland has the space and toys needed to thrive at home in Dunville. However, his father Josh Copeland says that’s not enough for his non-verbal son, because government funds for expensive therapy is lacking.

“We would put everything we have into it, and pretty much sell our house over it because he’s more important,” said Josh.

He says the financial support is crucial now, during Wyatt’s developmental years. Josh says his active son is only receiving three hours a week of occupational and communication therapy – a huge gap from the 30-to-40 hours doctors are recommending.

READ MORE: Most kids with autism won’t get core therapy funding soon: Ontario ministry document

In the meantime, Josh says his family is holding a fundraiser for their son in August.

“With his services, they could add up to 70 to 100 thousand dollars a year. the average family can’t afford that.” He said. “Everything is coming out of our pocket and we’re on a waitlist.”

Josh says since March of 2021, Wyatt was diagnosed with autism at 16 months old and applied to the program. Today, the family has yet to see a dime.

According to the provincial documents obtained by the Canadian press, only a third of the 60,000 kids in Ontario’s autism program will be served, and it’s estimating 7,000 more will be added to the list annually.

The documents also state, “more children and youth register for the program than age out each year, which means that the waitlist for core clinical services will continue to grow without further investment.”

READ MORE: Niagara Health hosts event for mannequin that simulates childbirth

CHCH News asked families and social services minister Michael Parsa, who took over the file in the spring, how long wait times will be for unpaid families, but his office didn’t answer the question and responded by saying it doubled the program’s budget to $660 million.

“I would say families will be waiting 8 or nine years if things don’t improve. They didn’t meet their target for kids in core services last year,” said Bruce McIntosh.

Founding member of the Ontario autism coalition Bruce McIntosh says families with provincial invites from late last year aren’t seeing appointments until 2024 for funding consultation. Time, he believes cannot be wasted during a child’s early years.

“I know this improves all of their lives, it gives them a shot at better outcomes. It’s basic human dignity we’re talking here,” said McIntosh.

The provincial documents went on to say 12,000 children have registered since March, but it didn’t say how many received cheques.

READ MORE: Trudeau shuffles cabinet, creating new team before next election