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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 8, 20 19 | 4 FREE 14 Day Trial WANTED PEOPLEWITHHEARING LOSS WhoWant to Try a Revolutionary Hearing Device.1 Hear the difference hearing aids can make. Try the latest advanced or premium digital hearing aids for 14 days.* Book your FREE hearing test and hearing aid trial - offer ends September 30th 2019. * Trial valid until September 30th, 2019 and is subject to changewithout notice. No-cost hearing tests are provided to adults ages 19 and older. A feewill apply for a copy of your audiogram. Child hearing tests are conducted at select locations for a fee, please contact us for more information. Offer not valid in Quebec. [1] https://www.oticon.ca/hearing- aid-users/hearing-aids/products/opn-s Promo Code NSP-TBYB-GIFP Call or book online: HearingLife.ca/FreeTrial Acton 31 Mill Street East | Call Kim at 1-855-803-9818 Georgetown 324 Guelph Street | Call Fanny at 1-855-803-9953 Melanie Fox is grateful for the latest changes made by the provincial government to its autism program. In an about-face, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced their plan to work with the Au- tism Advisory Panel to de- velop a needs-based and sustainable autism pro- gram by April 2020. The program funding has been set at $600 million per year, an increase of $278 million. But Fox says she was saddened that she - along with other families - had to "go through this roller coaster." "It takes a toll on fami- ly," the autism advocate with Project Autism Mil- ton said. "You got a lot of mental health issues, anxi- ety... you get angry, frus- trated, upset, because you want your child to thrive." The community outcry began back in February when the Ontario govern- ment tweaked its autism program with the goal of clearing the waitlist of over 23,000 children for au- tism therapy. Among the changes, the province provided funding directly to families instead of service care providers. Children under the age of six were eligible to receive $20,000 per year; and $5,000 annually for those over six up to 18. "That was not going to be enough," she said, espe- cially for children who are on the lower spectrum of autism that require more support. Similar concerns were echoed by Coun. Mike Cluett, who put forward a successful motion at coun- cil last week urging gov- NEWS ADVOCATE WELCOMES PROVINCE'S REVERSAL ON AUTISM PROGRAM BAMBANG SADEWO bsadewo@metroland.com Melanie Fox is an autism advocate with Project Autism Milton, as well as the Ontario Autism Coalition who recently spoke in Town Council. Nikki Wesley/Torstar THE ISSUE: AUTISM PROGRAM FUNDING CHANGES LOCAL IMPACT: PROVINCE IS CRAFTING A NEEDS-BASED PROGRAM WITH THE AUTISM ADVISORY PANEL WHILE INCREASING FUNDING FOR EXISTING THERAPY SERVICES FOR FAMILIES IN ONTARIO AND THE REGION See LATEST, page 5