Parents hold Kitchener protest over Ontario gov't changes to autism funding

Local families took part in a rally today outside Kitchener City Hall against the Ontario government's plan to cut funding for intensive behavioural interventiontherapy or IBI, a type of therapy for children with autism.

It was one of a number of ralliesthat took place across the province. The Liberal government recently announced children with autism over the age of 5 will be removed from a waiting list as of May 1st and instead receiveaone time payment of$8,000 to help cover therapy costs.The children will alsoget access to applied behaviour analysis, which is considered a less intensive form of therapy.

• Waterloo parent devastated by changes to the Ontario Autism Program

Niveen Shrem wore a blue hijab to the rally, because blue is the official colour of autism. She enrolled her son into private therapy since he was put on a waiting list almost two years ago. He'll be five in July and won't see the benefit of the government assistance.

"He's still non-verbal but when he does the therapy he actually communicates with the therapist and he talks a little bit more," she told CBC News. "But we're only doing sixhours a week. He's supposed to be getting 21 hours a week."

'Clearing a waiting list by kicking everyone off'

Chris Hall and his wife Lorraine express the same sentiment as Niveen.The Halls's son Ryan has been receiving IBI services athome since April of 2015.

"You see a non-verbal kid who goes from not being able to talk to telling his parents that he's got something to say, that he loves them. I don't care what anyone says, that's huge," said Hall.

While the Hallsknow the service is ending, they say theyhave not been given an exact date nor have they been given a transition plan. Hall admits he cheered when he first heard about the government's plan for $333 million for autism funding and the wait list reduction it would have.But that sentiment quickly changed, he said.

"In spirit we agree that waiting lists should be reduced and kids should absolutely get help sooner. I think as parents looked at it closer.basically they're clearing a waiting list, by kicking everyone off the waiting list," he said.

Nick Dokas worries about the long term effect for his daughter and other children.

"If you do the economics, if you do the math, by taking away this funding you've taken away the chance for these children to have the potentialto be who they can be. Down the road they're going to need other programs, maybe they wouldn't need that much if that funding is in place now."

Local rally organizer Janet McLaughlin hopes the government reverses their decision.

"The government has turned many other decisions around after pressure and we're hoping that's exactly what they'll do with their decision. Realize it was the wrong decision and change their mind," she said.