Why parents of some Ontario adults with severe autism say they’re ‘terrified’ for their futures – CBC

Not enough group homes in the province to accommodate growing need: advocates

Mar 14, 2023

Andrew Kavchak’s decision to retire was less about taking time for himself, and more about taking care of his 22-year-old son, Steven, who has severe autism.

Three days a week, Kavhak drives Steven to take part in a day program for adults with disabilities. He says the cost is high, though an Ontario government program called Passport does provide some financial assistance.

But he worries about the future. Steven needs constant care and cannot live by himself.

“Parents usually die before their children, and at some point my wife and I are going to be too old to take care of our son,” said Kavchak.

The former public servant has been navigating Ontario’s changing autism program for nearly two decades since his son was diagnosed with autism at age three.

“The truth is that it’s really difficult sometimes to take care of a child, even an adult child who’s severely disabled. It’s exhausting,” he said.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/parents-children-severe-autism-future-1.6778630