B.C. cuts back autism funding

The B.C. Children's Ministry will stop funding a high-cost treatment program for 70 autistic children in order to give more money to about 800 autistic children in regular programs.

Children's Minister Mary Polak said Wednesday that the government wants to offer more treatment money to more children rather than pay for an intensive program that costs $70,000 per child.

The government will drop the $5-million early intervention program in January. In April, the amount of money provided to families with autistic children under age six will increase to $22,000 a year from $20,000.

Autism funding has been a matter of intense debate in British Columbia.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2004 that the government did not have to pay the costs of an early intervention treatment known as Lovaas therapy. The ruling overturned two lower court rulings that said the government's refusal to pay the costs was discriminatory.

'What is the best way to serve the most kids?' —Mary Polak, B.C. children's minister

Polak said that the creation of the B.C.early intensive therapy program was partly in response to the court battle, but that the time had come for more equality in allocating support.

"It was a matter of us looking at what is the best way to serve the most kids and give them the most funding we can," Polak said. "The reality is we need to look at the ability we have to serve as many children around the province as possible."

She said the ministry found little difference in progress among children in the intensive program and those in regular treatment.

"We have to look at the outcomes and when it comes to what was occurring … we were not seeing any appreciable improvements in the outcomes for those kids."

The Autism Society of British Columbia said cutting the intensive program will hurt, even if the government uses the money to help other children.

Michael Lewis, president of the society, said the additional $2,000 a year will barely cover the increased costs that families will have to pay next year because of the harmonized sales tax. Autism services are now subject only to the five per cent federal Goods and Services Tax.

'Staggering impact'

Lewis said he is not convinced by Polak's argument for dropping the intensive program.

"That potentially has a staggering impact on these children," he said. "If they are suggesting a 10-hour-a-week program is the same as a 40-hour-a-week program, I would certainly like to see that peer-reviewed data that suggests that."

'$2,000 per child … hardly meets the needs of the families.' —Marine Karagianis, B.C. NDP Children's Ministry critic

Polak said the seven B.C. locations providing the intensive autism therapy will continue to work with children, but families will be expected to pay for the treatment.

Maurine Karagianis, the NDP's children's critic, said costs continue to rise for families with autism.

"The autism community has been asking for more money (and) $2,000 per child under six hardly meets the needs of the families and their requirements," she said.

Lewis said families coping with autism are always fighting for money.

"If my child has cancer, my child is treated," he said. "My child happens to have autism. My child isn't treated to the level of best-in-class treatment."

Polak said the ministry will redirect about $1 million to create a new outreach program aimed to improve autism services for rural communities.

Autism funding for children and youth from six to 18 years old remains the same, at $6,000 a year, she said.

B.C. schools receive $16,000 for each child in school with autism.