As a lawyer representing a family with two autistic grandchildren, David Bertschi saw first hand the difficulties of navigating the health system for treatment.
Bertschi, a lawyer, autism advocate and former contender for the leadership of the federal Liberal Party, told a a Friends for Autism fundraiser Saturday about one boy whose autism spectrum disorder was discovered too late.
The boy, whose diagnosis took two years, followed by another two-year process to get treatment, now requires special support in school, and will likely need such help all his life, said Bertschi.
His younger brother was diagnosed much earlier, and because of that the boy is thriving in the first grade without a support worker, he added.
Thats an immense cost to the system, to the parents, to that child, said Bertschi.
Bertschi was the keynote speaker for a Friends for Autism fundraiser at the 1000 Islands Mall.
Organizers Leigh Bursey and his boss, Timothy Ross of Timothy Ross and Associates, had set out to raise $2,500 with the event, which included a silent auction.
As of Monday, the event had beat that goal, with proceeds sitting at $2,800, said Bursey.
The money will help pay for such things as safe activities for people with autism, respite for caregivers and the beginnings of a bursary fund, added Bursey.
Its also a welcome boost to the local group.
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Friends for Autism gets a boost