Autism Coalition draws attention to Ontario’s growing waitlist

The Ontario Autism Coalition held a rally on Monday to draw attention to problems in Ontario’s Autism Program.

The coalition says the waitlist for children to receive essential therapies is massive and it’s putting even more strain on parents.

READ MORE: Ontario autism program now funding over 8,000 kids for core therapy

Dozens gathered at Queen’s Park to call on Doug Ford’s government to address delays in the Ontario Autism Program.

Many who rallied today are parents whose children are on the waitlist for essential therapies.

“You’d think disabled people would be a priority, you think the autism file would be a priority.”

“Although we are being told that the government is helping, the wool is being pulled over our eyes a little bit, parents are not getting the type of assistance that they claim.”

CHCH News spoke with Ryan Davies from Hamilton in Mar. 2023 when he said the Ontario government failed his autistic son. Today, his frustration remains.

“The government lied to all parents in Ontario, we are not supposed to be standing here right now. As a result of their actions and in-action we have been forced to become the entire medical system for our kids, by ourself,” Davies said.

READ MORE: Hamilton man says the Ontario government has failed autistic son

New data suggests the number of children with autism in Ontario receiving publicly funded, needs-based core therapy, is only now returning to the level it was at five years ago. It comes after changes made by the progressive conservative government that parents say resulted in fewer children getting care.

Documents show that as of mid-July the families of more than 8,700 children had a signed funding agreement for core therapy services.

Monique Taylor, MPP for Hamilton Mountain and social service critic says the waitlist for children to receive funding for core services in the province is now over 60,000.

“Just because they signed an agreement, does not mean they’re in services. There’s just not enough service providers since the Ford government broke the system. The buck does stop with the premier, so he needs to get back to the table and ensure that his minister has the tools to provide the services to the families that they need,” Taylor said.

In a statement sent to CHCH News, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services said it is continuing to invite children into core clinical services in the order they registered in the Ontario Autism Program.

READ MORE: Shortage of core therapy funds for kids with autism sparks concerns

It says there are a large number of families who have not yet responded to their invitation despite multiple follow-ups. As a result, the government does not know when or if unresponsive families will respond to their invitations, which is impacting their ability to issue new invitations and enroll more children.

“AccessOAP is continuing to invite children into core clinical services in the order they registered in the OAP. There are a large number of families who have not yet responded to their invitation for core clinical services despite multiple follow-ups by AccessOAP. As AccessOAP does not know when or if unresponsive families will respond to their CCS invitations, it is impacting their ability to issue new CCS invitations and enroll more children into service.”

READ MORE: Parents of adults with severe autism say they’re ‘terrified’ for their kids’ futures

Tuesday morning, the Ontario Autism Coalition will be back at Queen’s Park to continue raising awareness of this issue. They will be holding a press conference at 9:30 a.m.