The provincial government has tripled the amount of funding for children with autism since the Liberals have been in office, says the Ontario children and youth services minister.

But advocates respond that more money is needed for therapies to relieve parents of the prohibitive cost of paying for the essential services.

"These therapies are definitely lacking in funding," said Vicky Wilson-Sher, president of the Hamilton Wentworth chapter of Autism Ontario. "A lot of parents are trying to get the services their children need. It's a tremendous financial burden."

Ontario minister Deb Matthews, who attended a news conference March 7 at the Chedoke Presbyterian Church to announce $3.9 million this year for seasonal camps for children with autism, said any disagreement between parents of autistic children and the provincial government has been settled.

First time

She emphasized that for the first time the Ontario government is recognizing the struggles of parents with autistic children experience and the need for them to have a break .

"This is the kind of support families need," she said. "(Parents) acknowledge we've tripled the funding for autism since we were elected. Almost tripled the number of kids getting Intensive Behavior Intervention (IBI) therapy. (But) it's not just IBI, it's about respite."

Some parents last month attempted to revive a $1.2 billion class action lawsuit against the provincial government and school boards to redress what they say is the failure of autism services in Ontario.

Last year Superior Court Justice Maurice Cullity struck down claims by families that alleged the defendants were negligent, and deliberately misused their offices and violated the children's rights to security of person. Parents argue they are forced to choose between educating their children or providing them therapy.

Ms. Sher, who has a 19-year-old youth with autism, acknowledged providing her son with speech therapy was "expensive."

She said there are children who are not accepted into IBI. Money is then needed, she said, to provide alternative therapies for those youths.

"It has been a struggle to afford the services you need," said Ms. Sher.

Also, she said, there are not enough day-care spaces for children with autism.

"We are making small steps," acknowledged Ms. Sher. "Every year we gain some ground."

Studies indicate one in 165 children is affected by some form of autism, a complex neurological condition with no known cure.

Ms. Sher said she is unaware of how many children with autism live in Hamilton.

"We continually are searching, but a lot of families are not on our radar," she said.

Ms. Matthews acknowledged the Ontario government doesn't know how many autistic children live in the province.

"We are still in the early days of understanding autism and understanding support for autism," said Ms. Matthews.

Meanwhile, the provincial money that was announced means helping the financial needs of the Hamilton Wentworth chapter of Autism Ontario's camp programs. Across the province the provincial government estimates more than 500 children with autism took part in March Break camps.

About 16 children attended the March Break camp at Chedoke Presbyterian Church, said Ed Mahoney, who helps run the camp. The Hamilton Wentworth chapter received about $15,000 from the provincial money. It will go towards offsetting the cost of operating March Break and the popular Winner's Circle summer camp the chapter offers.

"We started out funding our camps from the local chapter," said Ms. Sher. "So this (funding) is a big step."

Over 30 children take part in the summer camp experience, said Mr. Mahoney. Expenses, which the chapter has to pay for, are about $25,000, said Mr. Mahoney.

"The needs are many," said Mr. Mahoney, who is a resource teacher at Mohawk College.

"This has been a watershed two years (for autism funding)," he said. "Once you start offering the services, you can't retreat."