Waterloo region group 'cautiously' calls Ontario Autism Program changes 'step in right direction'

Parents of children with autism in Waterloo region are "cautiously" calling an announcement by the province to make changes to the Ontario Autism Program "a step in the right direction."

The Waterloo Region Alliance Against the Autism Funding Changes said in a statement "it will take quite a lot of work to undo the damage inflicted by the freezes and cuts to autism services in Ontario under the first year of the Ford government."

On Monday, Children, Community and Social Services Minister Todd Smith announced the province will look to change the Ontario Autism Program to a needs-based system. He admitted the government's first attempt to revamp the program did not work.

"We didn't get the redesign right the first time. I'm here to tell you that we will now," he said in a news conference.

The current childhood budget plan, which gives money to the families to decide where to access services rather than to service providers, will continue until there's a new plan in place.

The local alliance against the funding changes said they will continue to advocate for a system that provides "individuals with autism access to the services and supports that best serve the needs of each individual throughout their lives; at home, at school, at work and in the community."

"Although today's announcement is a step in the right direction, there is much damage to be undone and much progress yet to be made," the group said.

Smith also announced a new mandate for the autism advisory panel. Members of the panel will work on developing recommendations for a new, needs-based and sustainable program.

Janet McLaughlin of Waterloo is an autism researcher at Wilfrid Laurier University who is part of the panel. She said given her involvement in the panel, she was unable to comment on Monday's announcement.

'We are all in this together,' MPP says

Kitchener South-Hespeler MPP Amy Fee says she believes the best way to serve children with autism is through a needs-based program.

"We cannot proceed with a band-aid solution, we need a long-term solution and we need to stop putting families through the turmoil of massive change with every switch of government," Fee said in a statement after Smith's announcement.

She said as a mother of two children with autism "we are all in this together."

"Change, in my opinion, cannot come soon enough," she said.

Guelph MPP and Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreineralso issued a statement saying the province "is finally doing what they should have done last summer consult with families."

He also cautioned that the news will not change the fact that KidsAbility has said it will need to lay off half of its autism staff.KidsAbility said last week that would have to happen in January 2020 due to funding changes to the Ontario Autism Program.

Dayna Giorgio is thecommunications officer for KidsAbility.In an email, she saidthat while they don't know the finer details of the plan, the agency "is delighted that the government has decided to adopt a needs-based program."

"We are awaiting further information as to the extension of contracts for children currently in service and how children will move off the waiting lists.Until we have that information, we cannot reconsider our plan" for layoffs, she said.

As well, Schreiner said Smith needs to be clear about how the province will support children with autism as they return to school in September.

'We all want to believe'

Sarah Jones is aco-founder of the Waterloo Region Alliance Against the Autism Funding Changes and she says while they're happy with the announcement, they want more details.

"Having to have fought for this for so hard for so long now, we're obviously a little sceptical. We want to actually see this rolled out and in person and all the details," she said in an interview.

She said while Smith "sounds sincere" in his promise to make changes to the program, parents will have to wait to see what the outcome is for families.

"I want to believe. We all want to believe, we all want to put this behind us and not have to protest, but they don't have a great track record," she said, adding they will continue to advocate for changes, including taking part locally in province-wide protests scheduled for Aug. 6."

"We know we need to keep pressure up. Unfortunately it's what works. We hopefully don't have to keep doing this," she said."We can't let them think that we're letting up for a second."