The long-feared announcement by the MCFD Minister Mitzi Dean has been made. Individualized autism funding will become a thing of the past by 2025.
Is this a good thing?
It could be if the BC government provides a massive increase in funding. However, I’m too old and cynical (or perhaps realistic) to believe that the government is going to get it right. Honestly, the writing has been on the wall for a long time. When was the last time your autism funding received an inflation increase?
Funding for our kids will now be divided amongst all disabilities. For example, a child with Down’s syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) may very well see an increase in funding and that is a good thing. A child with autism will more than likely see a decrease in funding. Given that autism funding was intended for evidence-based treatment, the inevitable result will be poor outcomes which are going to cost society in the end.
One thing is abundantly clear and that is that individualized funding is going away. The government will choose the services and level of support on behalf of your child. For some marginalized families who have difficulty obtaining services this is a huge plus. For families who know how to navigate the system and obtain the services their child needs, this is going to be a huge blow.
The new system sounds great in theory, but if the experience in Ontario is anything to go by, there is trouble on the horizon. Ontario moved to a “needs based” approach a few years ago and it was nothing short of disaster. The result was a massive increase in waitlists and less choice for families. How ironic that BC is following the lead of the Ford government.
Some points that greatly concern me are:
- The complete lack of consultation with autism groups
- Less choice for families
- Fewer hours of therapy available
- Who will decide the needs of the child? What will be the qualifications of Case Managers?
- Union wages and accompanying benefits for Interventionists leaving less funds available
- The possibility that home based therapy may be a thing of the past
- Will the “needs based” approach allow for Behaviour Consultants to work with the school districts?
- The possibility of many highly skilled Behaviour Consultants leaving the province if they are not well accommodated in the new system
During the news conference announcing the new system, Minister Mitzi Dean evaded questions relating to funding. This leads me to believe that there will be no real increase although they will tinker around the edges to give the appearance of increases.
For a more in depth look at what is wrong with the plan, The Autism Support Network has put together an excellent briefing.
Previous generations of families fought tooth and nail to get autism funding. You have been warned of the dangers. What are you going to do to fight this? Now is the time to show the government what the new generation of families are capable of.
Autism Funding in BC 
Definitely a huge concern. As I think extending the funding to other disabilities and conditions is long long overdue. Giving the government to determine what therapies are best for my child is not promising and I’m sure it will at the cost of many children. Every child with autism needs are different. I know that I don’t use all my funding, I use what my son needs. This is an an attempt to cut funding and its a very poor decision considering the percentage of children diagnosed increases every year.
I’m guessing they are going to cut the equipment funding as well?!?
Of that I have no doubt
Yes, it’s now time to start the fight, … We should set up a platform, association, etc. to start hard with this.
I would agree with you.
The wording was confusing in the email saying ‘during transition Autism Funding Unit will remain open’ and to call if any questions 😛
Essentially during the period before 2025, they will be opening the hubs to administer this new “needs based” approach. Once this process is complete, the AFU will shut down and there will be no more autism funding.
This is actually awful. It’s going to benefit people in larger communities or cities and I have no confidence from the experts they’re talking about.I spent the better part of the night crying and trying to figure out why I was so upset. My children actually participate in the direction Of their therapies. Focussing on things that they enjoy with Interventions Has been a game changer. As an autistic parent With autistic children I feel I should be able to have a say. I’m tired of Nuro typical people making decisions and policies that will negatively impact people like us. I wish I did not struggle with language so much and then I could better explain the issues for me.
I completely agree. The notion that government knows best and does not need to consult with the community is just dead wrong.
Sadly I agree 100 percent with everything you’ve said, Milburn. Thank you for putting the above into words for easy distribution to parent groups. We must remain vigilant for our kids.
Thanks for your comment. I certainly hope that as a community we can do something about this.
The government will say that they have exact data on families’ expenditures of ASD funding – but they must be held to account that services all but stopped, online therapies don’t work for ASD therapies, and that no one spent or is spending any money during the pandemic – including public schools. In fact, a few IEPs were deactivated, and we got a sheepish apology and excuse about a new universal database for IEP information.
They will get it wrong.
You have that right. They will get it wrong. Good point about the pandemic funding