Parents say Saskatchewan funding for autism is lagging behind other provinces forcing families to move elsewhere.

Katie Emde’s life changed after her son Avery was diagnosed with autism. "Funding is a topic that not only our family has fought for, but every single family. It doesn't matter where your child falls on the spectrum, parents who have a child with severe needs on the spectrum or not as much. We all want the same thing, we all want our kids to have the best quality of life and have the best support and help."

"I know there has been talk and its not news talk, but talk that has been happening over the past 3 years, we've been very active in the Autism community about the fact that there isn't enough funding. There is not enough support, there are a lot of gaps within the system. When you are transferring from a program into the education system, there is a gap, there is a fall of services."

Emde has been working hard within the system and has a different perspective on how to develop change, "What can we learn from it though, this is how I try to think of it now, every time there is a problem or an issue how can we fix it? How can we fill those gaps, where do we need to improve, and how are we going to do that? Something we have been trying to do this year if you find a gap then talk about it. Bring it up to your MLA in your area, your school division, bring it up to your ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder Team). People need to talk about these gaps, we need to know where they are and how to fix them. It is going to take a lot of resources to fill in the gaps, and pertaining to the funding question, that is something our family has been advocating for, for 3 years now. Is to not only have individualized funding for children, right now in the province of Saskatchewan we do have individualized funding, but you know it's not exactly what everyone thought it would be. And it is something I have been involved with directly, to make sure the funding gets increased. That the age limit is increased and it can help support more families."

"I know when it was first rolled out, there was a lot of confusion as to what the funding could be used for." Emde goes on to share, "There have been a lot of families that have wanted more funding and support, and if you look at Canada as a whole Saskatchewan is falling behind. And that is why I advocate so strongly within numerous communities, schools, and wherever that may be. It is important that if you have a problem within the health system, education system, or private support, its so important that people bring those concerns forward. So that myself and others who advocate in Saskatchewan have something to build off of. And have examples to show that our province deserves more and better and that our kids deserve better. Every child on the spectrum deserves a chance and their shot to live their very best life."

"My job is to advocate for those families and make sure they have everything they need. The support, financial backing, anything I can do to make sure those families are living their best life."

In Saskatchewan, funding is provided to health regions, which then deliver autism services through existing programs. They only have so much money allocated for these kids, many children receive only several hours of therapy a week.

The parents of Saskatchewan are advocating and lobbying the government for more support just like Katie.