No funding for local 3-year-old with autism

Shawna McGuire is faced with a harsh reality. Her 3-year-old daughter, Claire, was diagnosed with severe autism on April 1. McGuire says it took months to get her into therapy, but it will be nearly two years before she gets funding to cover the cost. She explained 12 weeks of therapy is $4,400. 

The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) reports 11,090 children in service and 24,199 kids waiting for service. 

McGuire, who grew up in Oxford Mills and now lives in Prescott, says early intervention is important when it comes to autism. She explained Claire, who is non-verbal, can’t wait two years for therapy. 

McGuire estimates therapy will cost around $30,000 over the next two years, which won’t be reimbursed by the OAP. She noted kids under the age of six get $20,000 of funding and after that, it drops down to $5,000. She says Claire, who turns four in November, will likely be six by the time she gets funding. 

McGuire says she and her partner, Dave, had to get second jobs to pay for therapy. 

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family.