INTENSIVE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR
CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

The Ernie Eves government cares about the needs of children with autism and respects the challenges their families face. Ontario continues to be the national leader in providing Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) services. That is why we are once again doubling our investment to more than $78 million in 2006/07 so that eligible young children can receive the help they need.

The 1999 Ontario Budget announced $5 million growing to $19.3 million annually in 2001/02. In May 2001, through Ontario's Early Years Plan, the annual funding increased to $39.3 million.

Through the Intensive Early Intervention Program, eligible children receive IBI services. Ontario developed the Intensive Early Intervention Program based on research that indicated that very young children receive the greatest benefit from IBI services, that is why these services are provided for children between the ages of two and five.

Currently, more than 550 children and their families benefit from existing services. By increasing funding, an additional 610 children will be able to get the support they need by 2006/07.

New funding means the following services through the Intensive Early Intervention Program will be expanded:

• Individual services plans and assessments for each child;
   
• Intensive behavioural intervention services for children between the ages of two and five years;
   
• Recruitment of additional staff for regional service providers;
   
• Training for professionals in early identification, diagnosis, assessment and behavioural intervention;
   
• Training for parents so they can support their child's treatment at home; and
   
• Evaluation that will ensure the program is effective.

To complement this investment, the Ontario government is launching a significant recruitment strategy to hire and retain IBI professionals to work in Ontario. The government is also working with Ontario colleges and universities to develop curricula to train IBI professionals.

Currently, nine regional service providers across the province deliver Intensive Early Intervention Programs for Children with Autism. Government program guidelines direct program delivery for regional providers.

Children with autism may also benefit from a range of other services available in communities across the province. To support these families, the Ontario government provided funding in 2002/03 for a broad range of services for children with special needs including:
- $29.4 million for respite services
- $42 million for Special Services at Home
- $53 million for Assistance with Severe Disabilities
- $38.7 million for special needs support for child care; and
- more than $370 million for children's mental health; including $42.5 million for the Intensive Early Intervention Program for Children with Autism.

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