In a recent CTV News article, Elaina Groves, CEO of the Children’s Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin (CASDSM) spoke out about the critical lack of autism and complex needs supports in the region.
An estimated 70,000 children are currently on waitlists for autism services in Ontario. Families in Northern and rural communities are particularly affected, facing long delays and a severe shortage of professionals. The article shares the story of a Sudbury mother who, due to the lack of available local supports, was forced to place her nine-year-old daughter in the temporary care of a Children’s Aid Society facility five hours away from home.
Now, facing financial strain and unable to visit more than once a month, the mother has been left with a heartbreaking decision: renew her daughter’s CAS care for another six months or give up her parental rights entirely. She’s bravely sharing her story in the hopes it will shed light on the urgent need for increased funding and better supports for families of children with complex needs, especially in under-resourced regions like Northern Ontario.
At CASDSM, we remain committed to promoting neurodiversity, supporting families, and advocating for systems that respond to the full range of needs within our communities. Access to timely, meaningful services should never be out of reach for any child, youth, or family.
“They’re not children in need of protection. They’re children in need of services,” Groves said, highlighting the challenges families face when navigating a system that often falls short in meeting complex needs.
