A 19-year-old Ottawa man with autism has been found a home for the next few weeks after his parents dropped him off at a government office and sparked a national discussion about the lack of support services available to such families.

Amanda Telford and her husband left their son Philippe at the Ottawa office of Developmental Services Ontario this week, saying they could no longer protect him from wandering outside or getting into dangerous situations.

Philippe, who functions at the level of a two-year-old and also has Tourette’s syndrome and diabetes, has been found a home for the next few weeks -- perhaps months -- but only after CTV News told the family’s troubling story.

“I realize that I did make quite a statement,” Telford told CTV News three days after she made the “brutal decision” to leave her son.

The story has touched a nerve with many other parents who have children with autism.

One of them, Jocelyne Brault, told CTV that Canada should look to Germany when it comes to taking care of children and adults who have autism.

Brault, whose daughter is autistic, says her research shows that seriously disabled people in Germany are entitled to a spot in a group home within weeks. They can also get allowances and special employment conditions.

“Why haven't they gone bankrupt? They are the financial pillar of Europe. Obviously, they're doing something right,” Brault said. “So you need to look at the model and see what would fit a Canadian model.”

In Canada, many with severe autism need to live in group homes that offer 24-hour care, but there often are not enough spaces. Wait times can be as long as 15 or 20 years.

German centres for autistic adults provide constant supervision, social workers, remedial teachers and support staff, among other benefits.

But many Canadian families see autism support services disappear when their children turn 18.

Sarah Wilson, who has worked as a therapist in England for 20 years, also watched the Telfords’ story closely.

“In the U.K. (people with autism) are entitled to services, they are entitled to dignity, they are entitled to respect,” she said. “Coming over here, that just doesn’t happen.”

In Canada, it’s almost as if autistic children are forgotten once they become adults, Wilson said.

“Other countries are doing a really good job and I don't understand why Canada finds it so difficult.”

With a report from CTV’s Daniele Hamamdjian in Ottawa