Romano, PCs, call for more support for local children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PC CANDIDATE ROSS ROMANO

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On May 23, Ontario PC Leader (Patrick Brown) and PC candidate Ross Romano held a roundtable with the Algoma Autism Foundation and were shocked to learn the lack of support for children in Sault Ste. Marie with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“We need to do better for children in Sault Ste. Marie. Currently the wait list for IBI is 2.5 years,” said Brown. “It is discouraging that these families are left with little resources and support, and unacceptable that the wait lists here are so long.”

Brown and Romano participated in the Foundation's presentation which showed that those diagnosed in Sault Ste Marie is twice as worse as the rest of the province. While 1 in 34 children in Sault Ste. Marie have autism, the provincial average is 1 in 68.

“These statistics are shocking and these children and families have gone for so long without a voice to fight for them,” said Romano.

The Ontario PCs were successful in 2016 to force the Ontario Liberal government to reverse a decision to cut off children with autism aged 5 and older for intensive therapy. PC Leader Patrick Brown and his party fought for the re-instatement of this funding after the controversy outraged thousands of Ontario families.

“Sault Ste Marie families deserve better. They face challenges in getting diagnosed quickly and receiving timely services,” added Romano. “I will stand up for these children and families and fight to reverse this lack of support.”

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