This is part three of a three-part series looking at autism in Durham Region, including the services available and the experience of Durham families who have children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
DURHAM - With early intervention touted as key to the success of autism therapy, Durham children may be missing out as they languish on wait lists.
In Durham, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) wait about six months for an assessment, one year for applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy and up to four years for intensive behaviour intervention (IBI) therapy.
IBI consist of up to 40 hours a week of one-on-one treatment with a therapist and teaches children through positive reinforcement and repetition. ABA is less intensive, offered in weekly sessions over a two to six-month period.
"The prime age for IBI is between two and six years old; when kids are older it may not be helpful," said Frances Donovan, program director for autism services at Kinark Child and Youth Services, which delivers IBI services in Durham.
Launched in 2000, the Central East IBI program, which covers Durham, initially had capacity for 50 children. With the provincial government quadrupling autism spending to $186 million over the last decade, that has increased to 320.
Despite that growth, there are 264 families on the wait list in Durham, and 1,700 across Ontario, compared to 1,400 in treatment.
Given the four-year wait, Durham children may be missing crucial intervention.
"A child could potentially miss that prime age," Ms. Donovan said, noting staff have been working to minimize waits by increasing flow, ensuring children who are longer benefiting due to age or other factors are released in order to free up spots.
"We think the wait is too long, it's a real concern. While there's always going to be some benefit potentially to one-on-one intensive teaching, the question is if the child is older it may simply be too late to get the return you would expect."
Original post:
Wait lists for autism services setting Durham families back