'Exhausted' parents leave autistic son at government office

[xox2010]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...?autoplay=true

I don't understand why there is no funding for people with autism spectrum disorders. It's awful that people have to resort to this, to get help for their children.

[acosta]

From my understanding, (from families who have children with autism), there definitely is funding for parents who have children with autism.

Parents who have children with Down syndrome, do not.

[xox2010]

There are LONG waitlists though... kids need to be helped at a young age in order for the treatment to be successful.

[acosta]

There are LONG waitlists though... kids need to be helped at a young age in order for the treatment to be successful.

Oh, I definitely agree with you there!

[Shwa Girl]

If I can throw out a positive thought to this situation- at least the parents left the son in a safe place. Some parents have chosen other options in the past:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/...-homicide.html

[Patty Smyth]

This is so sad, I feel so bad for the parents. TO do this you really have to be out of options.

[abbasgirl]

From my understanding, (from families who have children with autism), there definitely is funding for parents who have children with autism.

Parents who have children with Down syndrome, do not.

In Ontario there is basic funding to cover services for children with all disabilities - usually a few thousand a year. There is additional funding for specialized developmental programming for children with autism - if the child meets the government's arbitrary list of qualifications. The waiting lists are very long.
In this case, their son is an adult. There are a lot less resources all around for adults with disabilities.
No matter what, there is never going to be enough funding to meet all the very real and overwhelming needs of families dealing with disabilities. Maybe if the government stopped wasting money it would help, but even if there was enough to go around, there aren't enough qualified workers in the field.

[abbasgirl]

I'm not sure why the CBC decided to put "exhausted" in quotes. These parents have given all of themselves day and night for 19 years.

[Darth Penguin]

I'm not sure why the CBC decided to put "exhausted" in quotes. These parents have given all of themselves day and night for 19 years.

Makes thier reason for such an extreme action into a soap-opera style drama since all parents get tired with young children rather than explaining the soul-breaking exhaustion of bringing up and caring for a grown teen who had disabilities which this case is.

[i_forget]

Exhausted is right.

There is not enough help out there for adults with developmental delays, and that is disgusting.

[thriftygranny]

From my understanding, (from families who have children with autism), there definitely is funding for parents who have children with autism.

Parents who have children with Down syndrome, do not.

I think the issue here is he is not a child, he is 19 and the funding changes when they are adults. It is a sad situation for sure, very brave mother.