Autism services in London and Ontario are always changing due to the government and how they run things. A lot of people don’t agree with the recent changes over the past few years to autism in Ontario, as now to receive services is much more difficult than before. Families or kids struggling with autism or disabilities use to have many services offered to them for free to help their child. Now you must pay for most of the helpful services instead of being able to go in and get help anytime.
There have been many complaints over the last few years towards the government and the changes that were made to autism by the government. For families that struggle financially, if their child or someone has autism, receiving help for them is much more difficult now than it used to be as funding for most services is required now. Yes, the government will help to a point but not as much as a lot of the families need as they can receive help a couple of times but then might not have the funds to continue.
London does their best to offer programs and services for families dealing with autism, when talking with Colleen Riggin who is the family and community consultant at Thames Valley Children’s centre she expressed that London offers a number of different services for kids and families dealing with this has they are doing their best to help out since the government changes aren’t really doing that.
Riggin said, “It is hard for some kids and families to receive help when they don’t have the funds for it which I don’t think that is fair”.
Riggin also said, “We are funded provincially so every time there is an election it seems like policies change, and services change, and I do feel really badly for families because they have a lot on their plate right now and with the current model in my opinion it’s harder on them.”
Autism has been changing every year as they are founding more out about it but also changing a lot that has to do with it, there are many services offered throughout Ontario and London but if the families in need of those services are unable to afford it since the government changes were made, then we aren’t really making up any ground. The services are there but not able to use for a lot of people that need it. Autism is becoming a lot more accepted by people now and needs to continue to grow because even if someone struggles with communication or expressing themselves, we are all still the same.
