The province is reversing its plans to limit funding for certain autistic children and their families.
Back in April, the Ontario Government announced it would stop intensive care funding for autistic children over the age of four. Instead families would have access to $8,000, which was supposed to last them until the province's new autism program rolled out in 2018.
"Intensive therapy costs around $1,000 a week," says Chatham-Kent's Jeff Moco, who's six-year-old son has autism. "So you would get intensive therapy for about six weeks, but then you'd be out of luck."
Following a public outcry, officials say families can now receive provincially funded care that's less intensive. But they can also choose to receive direct funding for full therapy through successive payments of $10,000.
The Ontario Government also plans to offer more transition services for autistic children entering school, and better access to diagnosis. Moco adds these are other important services families coping with autism have to face.
"Routines are a little more important [for children with autism]. They like to know what's going to happen next. When there's a disruption in the routine, you start to see other behaviours. I'd like to see more special education in schools for all children with disabilities," says Moco.
Officials expect the new promises to cost $200M, in addition to the $330M being spent on the new autism program for 2018.