Pandemic further delays autism support for kids who've spent years on wait lists
CBC
Sonja Elliott is in a panic for her son Travis.
The sixth grader was diagnosed with autism four years ago and has been on a wait list for core clinical services from the Ontario government since.
In the meantime, she's paying about $2,100 out of pocket each month for support, but estimates it's still only half what Travis needs. The problem is, therapy centres aren't taking on new kids.
"Every therapist I call ... is a minimum six month wait time. A lot of them are up to a year or even longer."
Some centres in Ottawa have closed their wait list altogether, according to Elliott.
"It feels horrible because I'm his mom. That's my job. I'm supposed to look out for him."
Travis just turned 11.
"I'm petrified that he's going to age out before he even received service," Elliott said, referring to her son reaching an age where he will no longer be eligible for supports.
It's a stress for families that has become more severe through the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents and advocates say the wait for supports has grown and staffing has shrunk, all while waiting on the province to whittle down its own wait list for funding, which they say is keeping kids from care.
A search of local therapy and support centres shows a similar pattern for ADHD programs.
The wait list at Thinking in Pictures Educational Services (TIPES) in Ottawa is generally around 30 kids long and typically takes about three months from sign up to receiving support, said executive director Jennifer Wyatt.
She described the list as something she struggles with daily.
"It's really unfair. They should have access to treatment," Wyatt said of the children who are waiting.
She's seen parents take out a second mortgage on their home to pay for the support their child needs. Others have tapped into an inheritance or asked their extended family for help.