Experts push for changes despite MacLeod apology for warning over autism funding

TORONTO — A group of behaviour analysts acknowledged an apology Friday from Ontario’s social services minister for warning them of consequences if they didn’t support her new autism program.

The Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis said it is still calling on Lisa MacLeod to abandon a “one-sized fits all” funding model that will leave many families without enough funding to pay for the level of treatment children need.

“We acknowledge that Minister MacLeod now regrets her comments,” the group said. “We are still calling upon the government to reconsider its approach.”

MacLeod’s apology came late Thursday after the premier was peppered with questions about her remark to the association.

“It’s been an emotional time,” MacLeod wrote on Twitter. “This is an issue I take very personally, and I apologize if my comments made anyone feel threatened or uncomfortable.”

MacLeod has faced calls this week to resign from parents, opposition politicians and critics, but the behaviour analyst group said it was not interested in seeing the minister lose her job.

“Emotions do run deep when you’re talking about support for Ontario families of children and youth with autism,” it said.

MacLeod and her staff requested a quote of support from the association a few days before the revamped autism program was announced, the group said.

“(They) indicated that failure to do so would result in ‘four long years’ for the organization,” the association said.