Wednesday’s provincial budget announcement saw an increase for autism individualized funding for children six-years-old and under.

In the 2018-19 budget, the province announced each child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who meets the age requirement would receive $4,000.

This year, it is increased to $6,000.

While some considered the boost a positive enhancement, one mother is expressing disappointment.

Rolynne Rahier and her eight-year-old son, Riley, drove to Saskatoon from their rural home outside Rosthern every weekend for three years.

Driving from Rosthern to Saskatoon takes about 45 minutes.

Riley, who was diagnosed with ASD on the low functioning end of the spectrum at age five, needed speech language pathology and occupational and physical therapy.

“That all was spent out of our own pocket,” said Rolynne. “The amount (of funding) to me doesn’t make much of a difference because we don’t get it either way.”

She said she does not understand why the province chose a six-year-old age limit.

“He still has autism. It’s not like he stopped having autism when he turned six,” emphasized Rolynne.

She said Riley mainly struggles with behaviour.

“He does a lot of slapping or hitting other kids at school. When he gets frustrated, he kind of reacts without thinking,” she explained.

Health Minister Jim Reiter said the government is following through with its commitment from a previous election campaign.

“The original intent at the time (was) ‘You have to start somewhere’…At the time, there was some supports in the school systems, so it started with the youngest ones that weren’t in the school system yet,” he said.

According to Autism Canada, most children will not receive a diagnosis until after they begin school and some aren’t diagnosed until their teen or adult years.

Those who are eligible can use the money for therapeutic interventions and supports like speech language pathology and occupational therapy, as well as travel required to access these resources.

Medical services, house renovations and recreational activities are not included.

The executive directors of two autism organizations are supportive of the increase in funding.

“A critical point in time to implement services for young children with autism is those preschool years,” said Keely Wight with the Autism Resources Centre in Regina.

Lynn Latta, who is with Autism Services in Saskatoon, agreed: “I think it was a wonderful place to start.”

Each of these organizations also received $100,000 to support mental health for young children with autism.

“Mental health issues and autism are so closely connected. I would hope that that is a beginning point to build on those kinds of services, but also any time that new funding is initiated for autism, it’s one more opportunity. The whole picture has to be looked at because it’s such a growing concern,” said Latta.

A news release said the individualized funding will benefit about 700 children across the province.

According to an Autism Ontario report from 2018, one in 66 Canadian children are diagnosed with ASD.