BRADFORD, Ont. — New
Democrat Leader Howard Hampton says he would spend $100-million a year to
provide intervention services for children with autism if elected Oct. 10.

Mr. Hampton says he would provide publicly funded
Intensive Behavioural Intervention — a very expensive, one-on-one treatment — in
classrooms for all autistic children.

He says his plan would clear the waiting list within
three years.

The NDP says 1,100 children were waiting for autism
treatment as of March 31, 2007.

Funding for treatment for children with autism has been
a sticky issue for the Liberal government.

Critics have said the Liberals haven’t done enough to
help parents cover the costs, yet it spent $2.4 million to fight parents suing
for treatment for kids over six.

More to come…

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