Needs-based funding must be part of new autism plan

March 21, 2019

TORONTO — Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to today's autism announcement:

“The PC government needs to stop playing the blame game and take ownership for their flawed autism plan.

Why did it take unrelenting pressure from families for the government to realize its failure to consult has created chaos for families, schools and service providers?

The changes announced today do not fix the government’s flawed plan, though it is a small step in that direction.

The government’s OAP continues to rely solely on a direct funding model that does not work for all families and that has caused layoffs to service providers like KidsAbility. Their plan also fails to provide support for children with autism in schools and for adults with autism.

And the crux of this broken plan is a one-size-fits-all approach that ignores the complex needs of children on a spectrum. The minor tweaks announced today will continue to leave a majority of children out in the cold without the vital therapy they need.

This government continues to pat itself on the back rather than implementing the evidence-based, needs-based funding model that is desperately required. ”

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