In West Kelowna, British Columbia, concerns are rising among parents regarding a new 'needs-based model' for funding autism therapy. Sarah Balkenhol, who has two children on the autism spectrum, fears that the revised funding will drop significantly, nearly two-thirds of what her children currently receive. This reduction, she notes, poses a dire dilemma for families like hers, where affording therapy will become more complicated, potentially forcing them to choose between essential needs and necessary treatment.

Balkenhol highlights troubling implications of the new model, indicating that her sons will be classified as having only moderate needs, which drastically limits the financial assistance they can access. This stipulation, she argues, unfairly sidelines children with an autism diagnosis who do not have concurrent disabilities, implying that their needs are not significant enough to warrant funding. As a result, families may face substantial setbacks despite having invested considerable time and resources into therapy for their children.

The community reaction underscores a broader concern about mental health and disability funding in Canada, particularly as it relates to the support and resources available for children with autism. Many parents echo Balkenhol’s sentiments, stressing the importance of adequate funding for developmental therapies that can lead to improved long-term outcomes for children on the autism spectrum. As public discussions ensue and pressure mounts on policymakers, the urgency for reassessment of the funding allocations in the new model becomes increasingly apparent.