Autism needs national strategy, Sask. group says

An advocate for more treatment of autism is hoping federal politicians will support a national strategy to address the need.

"This is a really important issue that touches many, many families across the country with a prevalence rate of one in 68," Shannon Hill, president of Parent Advocates for Autism Treatment in Saskatchewan, told CBC News Saturday. "We know there're so many families that are affected by this and it would be good to know our candidates opinions on this going into the election."

Hill said she was hoping candidates in the election campaign would respond to the group's questions about autism and, while some politicians provided detailed answers, not everyone did.

"That's typical of an election campaign, they try to divert people onto things that are more emotionally charged rather than focusing on tough questions that don't have easy answers like working towards a national strategy for autism," she said.

The group noted that the Conservative government earmarked $2 million in the 2015 budget for a new Autism Spectrum Disorder Working Group to develop a plan for a Canadian Autism Partnership.

Hill said she is concerned about the future of that work.

"Hopefully, whichever party is elected will recognize a strategy would benefit not only those directly affected by autism, but also taxpayers who carry the heavy burden of life-long medical and social support for individuals with autism," she said.

Her group is also lobbying the provincial government for more support.

"Our group is lobbying the Saskatchewan government to provide us with individualized funding," she said, noting that B.C. has a system that provides direct support to families.