Wynne Government Votes against Autism Therapy for Children over Five
May 17, 2016QUEEN’S PARK – Today in front of many affected families, the Wynne Government voted against the Official Opposition’s motion to reinstate life-changing autism therapy for children over the age of five. As of May 1st, the government has terminated Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) therapy for those aged five and above.
“Over the last couple of months, the Official Opposition has shared the stories of families that were counting on IBI as a last hope for their child’s future, only to be told they won’t be getting the treatment they have been waiting years for,” said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. “Despite the plea from parents across the province, the Wynne Government continues to show a lack of compassion by cutting these children from needed therapy.”
The government’s decision to cut autism therapy has been met with disbelief by affected families. By the Ministry of Children and Youth Services’ own numbers, approximately 85 per cent of children who receive IBI therapy are over the age cut-off.
During Question Period, Fedeli recently highlighted how the government`s autism therapy cuts were impacting local North Bay resident Kristen Tignanelli and her son Luca, who cannot receive the important therapy he needs simply because he no longer meets the new and arbitrary age cut-off being imposed by the government.
“Autism doesn’t end at five, but the government continues to cut autism therapy even though it has benefited so many children above the age cut-off,” added Fedeli. “It’s clear these cuts are the direct result of years of scandal, waste and mismanagement. Now the Wynne Government is attempting to balance the budget on the backs of some of our province’s most vulnerable.”
“The Wynne Government needs to re-evaluate its priorities, and offer transformational IBI therapy to children over five.”