‘This isn’t the answer’; Parents push for reverse on autism funding changes in Kamloops

“The problem is that a lot of our kids that you would consider invisible are the kids that don’t show very easily that they have autism or don’t have intellectual delays,” Chantal White, owner and behavioral consultant of Social Butterflies told CFJC.

“They’re not going to receive funding, so we’re worried about their mental health and the family’s mental health.”

White says the uncertainty surrounding the changes is affecting not only families, but also the businesses that provide behavioral services for the kids.

She says they’re still looking for more details from the province about how the new funding model will work and who will qualify, with hopes that rallies like Saturday’s – and one held in March outside Kamloops City Hall – will encourage the government to revisit its plan before the changes take effect.

“I want to tell them to come spend a day with some of the kids that we work with that aren’t going to qualify under this funding,” White added. “I just don’t think they really get the consequences of this action.”

“It needs to be reversed. I’m not saying the funding is good as it is because it’s not… but this isn’t the answer.”

There are plans to hold more rallies in the future in Kamloops and across the province to keep raising awareness and to push for changes, before the new funding system takes effect.

by Jeremy Russo

‘This isn’t the answer’; Parents push for reverse on autism funding changes in Kamloops

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