Winnipeg families are calling on the Manitoba government to put more money into autism therapy for children.
Advocates worry some children aren't receiving the treatment they need because of wait lists and gaps in funding.
It's the focus of a petition started by families of children living with autism.
Guy Mercier with the group Manitoba Families for Effective Autism Treatment is worried the wait will only get longer.
Mercier says that's because the Manitoba government hasn't increased funding for programs.
St. Amant, an organization for people with developmental disabilities, has funding to provide services to 75 children, but as of October there were 68 kids on the waiting list.
"All of the evidence and the literature supports strongly that early intensive intervention is critical and essential for long-term outcomes and long-term benefits," said Kerri Walters, St. Amant's senior manager for autism programs.
Mercier started a petition lobbying the government to increase funding for Applied Behavioural Analysis therapy, saying right now some families don't qualify to get the help they need.
"The school-age program is not guaranteed for anybody and there's no dedicated hours, so we feel that there's only going to be about 15 to 20 per cent of the kids that are going to get into it and get services; the rest will get nothing," said Mercier.
Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said the province plans to roll out a new group program in January for children waiting to receive individual ABA treatment, which she said will help reduce wait times.
"It will be a preschool classroom model. We'll be able to see more children, but still in a very controlled environment, using the values and principles of ABA," said Irvin-Ross. "We have used that model before and it's been very successful."
Irvin-Ross said the province spends $37 million each year on support for children living with autism; $8 million goes directly to ABA programs.
