Video: Theres much more awareness of autism, but what support you get depends on where you live and how long the wait lists are. Shirlee Engel reports.
As we researched this autism series, we heard over and over again complaints about long wait times for diagnosis and treatment.
So producer Bryan Mullan and I decided to try to map it out for viewers. How long do you have to wait in each province?
We quickly discovered its not that simple.
READ MORE: Autism treatment means months on wait lists, relocation for some Canadian families
Provinces dont officially track these wait times. Unlike a hip replacement or a transplant list, there is no central database where parents sign up their kids to be assessed and treated.
Ontario alone is divided into nine different regions, each with their own lead agency that administers Intensive Behaviour Intervention services. I couldnt even get a ballpark figure from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
We started our search with the provincial ministries. Many got back to us with broad statements about the process for diagnosis and treatment, but no concrete information about how long families will be left to wait.
So we tried the experts.
Provincial autism organizations were much more helpful, having done their own homework on the subject. But their same frustration over the lack of information was palpable.
Continue reading here:
Autism treatment: A system bursting at the seams