Eugene Levy says national autism strategy needed

Eugene Levy on autism (CTV photo)

Updated Wed. Jun. 13 2007 CTV.ca News Staff

Comedic actor Eugene Levy has thrown his celebrity status behind a national strategy for autism.

Alberta is currently the only province in Canada that pays up to $60,000 each year for intensive autism treatment, covering eligible children up to the age of 18. 

“The financial aspect of this is incredibly expensive,” Levy told CTV Newsnet on Wednesday.

“Right now, it’s like every many for himself. Families are doing whatever they can, with lawsuits or whatever, to try and get the government to help pay for this treatment.”

According to the Autism Society of Canada, autistic people can find difficulty in social interactions, communicating with others, and learning in a normal educational setting.

However, symptoms of the disorder can vary wildly from person to person. Some patients display repetitive behaviour and can even suffer from self-inflicted injuries.

“It’s a very complicated issue, because in some cases you need a team of people to work with an autistic child,” said Levy.

He said part of a national strategy should include more Canadian research into autism and treatment methods.

Levy agreed to become a spokesperson for the issue when he was approached by his cousin Brenda Deskin, who has an autistic son.

Deskin has fought legal battles to get better funding for autism treatment, and decided to speak with her famous relative after consulting with Norrah Whitney, executive director of Families for Early Treatment of Autism.

Levy said he was alarmed how some Canadian families have to struggle to pay for the therapy, which can sometimes cost a year’s salary.

“It’s a real travesty that these families have to suffer as much as they do, almost becoming destitute in some cases, as they try to pay for therapy, which absolutely should be covered,” said Levy.

Activists say intensive therapies like Applied Behaviour Analysis and Intensive Behavioural Intervention are medically necessary, and have the support of the scientific community.