I am calling on the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to take immediate action to improve support for children with special needs and their families.

I am the parent of a wonderful autistic, nonverbal son. He has many strengths, talents, and tremendous potential, but our family continues to face significant barriers in accessing the care and support he needs to thrive. Unfortunately, our experience is not unique. Families across Canada are struggling to access essential services for their children due to long wait times, limited resources, and inadequate support systems.

One of the most urgent issues is the lengthy wait for assessments, therapies, and specialized services through children’s healthcare programs, including Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre. These delays can have serious consequences for a child’s development, well-being, and future success. Early intervention is critical, yet many children wait months or even years to receive the services they need.

Children with special needs and their families need action, not promises. Increased funding is urgently needed to reduce wait times, expand access to services, and ensure children receive support when they need it. Families also need better financial assistance to help cover the costs of therapy, specialized equipment, transportation, respite care, and other essential supports.

Support must extend beyond healthcare. Schools need adequate funding, qualified staff, specialized programs, and appropriate resources to meet diverse learning needs. Communities should invest in inclusive recreation programs, family support services, and opportunities that allow children with special needs to fully participate in society and reach their full potential.

When it is safe and in the best interests of the child, parenting arrangements should support the active involvement of all parents and caregivers in a child’s life. For children with special needs, this includes access to information, participation in healthcare and educational decisions, and cooperation among caregivers to provide consistent, informed support. Children benefit when the important adults in their lives work together to meet their needs.

Mothers, fathers, and other primary caregivers should have access to the information, support, and resources needed to actively participate in their children’s care and well-being. Strong family involvement is essential to helping children with special needs reach their full potential.

We are specifically calling on the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to:
• Increase funding for autism services, children’s mental health services, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural supports, and other specialized services for children with special needs.
• Reduce wait times for assessments, diagnoses, and treatment programs by hiring additional qualified healthcare professionals and expanding available services.
• Provide greater financial support to families to help cover the costs of therapies, specialized equipment, transportation, respite care, and other essential supports.
• Increase funding for schools to ensure children with special needs have access to appropriate educational resources, educational assistants, support staff, and individualized learning opportunities.
• Expand community-based programs and inclusive recreational opportunities for children with disabilities and special needs.
• Promote policies that support the active involvement of parents and caregivers in healthcare, educational, and developmental decisions affecting their children.
• Establish accountability measures to ensure children and families receive timely access to the services and supports they are entitled to receive.
Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential in an environment that values and nurtures their unique abilities. By increasing funding, improving access to care, strengthening educational supports, and investing in families, we can build a more inclusive, compassionate, and effective support system for children with special needs throughout Canada.
Please sign this petition and join us in calling for immediate action. Children with special needs deserve timely access to healthcare, education, therapies, and community supports. Families deserve the resources and assistance necessary to help their children succeed.

We urge our elected officials to act now by increasing funding, reducing wait times, and strengthening supports for children with special needs and their families. Every delay is a missed opportunity for a child to reach their full potential.

Children cannot wait any longer.