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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019 $2.00 WEEKLY IN PRINT. MUCH MORE ONLINE ANYTIME. TheIFP.ca Six-year-old Acton boy Dylan Payne has been receiving therapy for just under a year, after his fami- ly waited two years for an autism di- agnosis and two additional years before he entered into his current program. After seeing her son begin to make progress, Maxine Payne says the Progressive Conservative gov- ernment's Feb. 6 announcement about reforming the provincial au- tism program has her terrified for Dylan's future. Dylan receives 30 hours a week of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapy at a private facility through Halton Region. The program helps Dylan, who is non-verbal, develop critical life skills, Payne said. "It's helping to give him coping skills, and giving him the opportu- nity to communicate and thrive in real life situations," Payne added. "This is going to be so extremely distressing for him and our family overall." The new provincial plan aims to cut waitlist times by providing fam- ilies with childhood budgets for their children with autism who are under 18 years of age. It also prom- ises to double the funding for the province's five diagnostic hubs. The reforms target lower and middle-income families (making less than $250,000 annually), with the largest sum of up to $140,000 be- ing given to families of children two to five years of age. "Today, almost three out of every four children who require autism supports continue to be stranded on waitlists due to the cynicism and incompetence of the previous gov- ernment," Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services said during the announce- ment on Feb. 6. "We cannot, in good conscience, continue treating these parents and children like lower- class citizens." Under the new provincial changes, Dylan would only be enti- tled to a maximum amount of $55,000 from this point forward up until he turns 18. This would translate to approxi- mately two hours of therapy per week - a 93-per-cent decrease from the frequency of support he is cur- rently receiving. "You're putting a one-size-fits- all on a diagnosis," Maxine said. "We feel defeated and we deserve better." Georgetown dad David Galvao, HALTON HILLS PARENTS SLAM PLAN FOR ONTARIO AUTISM PROGRAM REFORM VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com See HORRENDOUS, page 8 Georgetown residents David and Linda Galvao are wondering how the government's new plan for autism funding will impact their sons. The Galvao family from left to right: Linda, Isabella, Toby, Luke and David. Galvao family photo MORE ONLINE AT THEIFP.CA • your window & door professionals • 11 Mountainview Rd., N. Georgetown, ON L7G 4T3 905.873.0236 www.buy-wise.ca info@buy-wise.ca • awarded readers choice 28 times • Visit our showroom DISPOSAL A FAmILy TrADITIOn SInce 1953! "Scrap orWaste" S.O.W 1-877-688-6406 One of a kind same day service Bin Rentals for waste, wood, scrap and landscape www.sandersondisposal.ca 519-833-2614 S O LD krausemorris.ca 905.877.5211 23 MOUNTAINVIEW ROAD S., GEORGETOWN Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage. Independently Owned and Operated 1195 Steeles Ave. East, Milton, Ontario, L9T-2X8 866.620.3248 achillesmazda.ca Visit TheIFP.ca to keep your local news alive!