For one mother in Ontario, it hasn't been easy to use the province’s resources for caring for a child with special needs.
Carrie Adelstein is the mother of a five-year-old girl with autism in Napanee, Ont. Her daughter received an official diagnosis, which began the process of getting an Ontario Autism Program number. The province defines the program as providing “support to families of children and youth on the autism spectrum.” The program offers family services, caregiver-mediated early years programs, core clinical services, an entry to school program, and urgent response services.
Adelstein said it took five years to get funding for her services, and three months to get the program number.
Ultimately, finding out her daughter’s diagnosis and getting the care she needs has been a challenging process.
“The amount of grief that you go through is insurmountable,” she said, as she searched for the resources she needed.
Even with the current supports, Adelstein feels the services are difficult to access. She believes the province wants to shift the responsibility for supports to the private sector.
“Families are struggling to pay their grocery bills, let alone get services for their children,” she said, expressing concern that a more private-focused support system could sideline families with special needs children.
“We talk so much today about how important diversity, equity and inclusion is. This government needs to invest in helping families,” she said.
The province also provides home services, resources for childcare providers, rehabilitation services, and other related programs as part of the program’s services.
Adelstein’s concerns align with
the province’s recent announcement of a multi-million-dollar funding increase for autism supports, part of the Ontario government’s latest budget, bringing total funding for the Ontario Autism Program to $720 million. Nevertheless, there are worries that many children may not be able to access the therapy they need.
For another mother in Napanee, Ont., obtaining appropriate supports for her daughter with autism has been a challenging process.
