Families with autistic children say there is no way they can wait two years for a new provincial autism program to be phased in.
The province has announced it will be fully in place by 2021.
Krista Smith is with Northern Autism Families Matter and says after cuts to the program began, the government realized it needed more than a year to fix it.
“But they keep pushing back that time,” says Smith. “These are kids that are waiting for therapy, there is no time, these kids just can’t wait.”
The Smith adds she understands the government’s claim the autism file is complex. She is happy about some aspects of the plan such as mental health supports starting in the new year.
“With autism comes a whole slew of things from anxiety to depression, and once kids reach adolescence, those numbers just increase.”
Smith notes the new program was originally supposed to be ready now, then it pushed back to April 2020 before extended to the new timetable.
Smith doesn’t believe the government understands the unique challenges facing the north.
“Kids can’t sit in the car for four hours, get therapy, and then sit in the car again for four hours and go home.”
