Sudbury mother says new autism funding rules give families more control

A mother from Sudburywho has a child with autism says she's pleased changes are coming to the province's autism program.

• Ontario autism program to offer direct funding at families' urging

Andrea Felsman's five-year-old son Rielly was diagnosed with autism two years ago. Because of Rielly's age when he was diagnosed, Felsman was able to access payments from the province for private therapy, something that, until Thursday's announcement, was not possibe for all families.

She told CBC News she's pleased everyone will now have that option.

"We were able to come up with a schedule that was very flexible for our family," she said. "With our son, he's receiving his therapy during the day in his school. So they pull him out of class and they're able to do it during the day."

Thursday's announcement saw the province announce that the $533 million Ontario Autism Program beginning next month will soon include a direct funding option, something families have long been pushing for. Families can also choose to remain with the government-funded model.

"It gives them choice," Felsman continued. "Some families may not choose it simply because they don't want to fill out the time sheets and manage the money ... but for families that want it and want to have more control over who they choose to work with their child and what schedule suits them, I think think that it's wonderful."

According to a written release from the province, the new program will allow families to take advantage of services tailored to the unique needs of each child, regardless of age. It's slated to be fully in place by spring2018.

Provincial officials estimated there are 40,000 children and youth in Ontario with Autism Spectrum Disorder.