The Manitoba government is investing $5 million to strengthen children’s autism services delivered by St.Amant, helping more children and families access timely supports while reducing waitlists across the province.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and every family deserves access to the supports they need,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “By expanding autism services, we’re helping more children thrive and making it easier for families to get the care they count on.”
The $5-million investment is part of $30 million in autism-specific supports from the Department of Families in Budget 2026, growing existing services for children with autism here in Manitoba. The government remains committed to improving access to autism services for adults as part of the government’s response to the Integrated Adult Services report, with details to be shared later this year, the premier noted.
The funding will help St.Amant respond to growing demand for autism services, including case management, early intervention and behavioural supports, reducing waitlists and allowing more children and families to access services sooner the premier added.
“Our government knows the incredible impact St.Amant’s services have in supporting children with autism and their families,” said Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine. “This investment will ensure more children across Manitoba have early access to autism supports, while helping build a more responsive and co-ordinated autism service system for the future.”
The investment will support enhancements to existing autism programs, including changes to St.Amant’s Early Learning Program that will allow more preschool-aged children to access critical early intervention services each year.
“We know there is more work to do to strengthen disability supports in Manitoba,” said Carla Compton, minister responsible for accessibility. “While investments in autism services for children support critical early intervention, the Integrated Adult Services Report laid out a path forward to continue providing this support to all Manitobans regardless of age. I look forward to sharing our next steps later this year.”
The Manitoba government’s $30 million in autism-specific funding will also expand family supports through St.Amant, with a new 24-hour respite home offering overnight accommodation and therapy programs for children with complex care needs. Once fully operational, three respite homes will support up to 35 families.
“A growing number of children are being diagnosed with autism every year in Manitoba. While every family is unique, all families have questions about how to support their children to access the services and supports they need, at the time when they need it most,” said Ben Adaman, president and CEO, St.Amant. “We will now be able to answer those questions more quickly. We will also be able to deliver more of the services that help children to thrive at home, school, and in their communities.”
The Manitoba government is also making it easier for families to access autism services by accepting autism diagnoses from community pediatricians. The change will reduce diagnostic wait times and connect children to supports sooner, particularly children living in First Nations communities and in rural and northern Manitoba.
The $5-million investment is part of the Manitoba government’s commitment to improving services and supports for children with disabilities and their families, the minister noted, adding that the funding supports a more streamlined system that supports the health, developmental and educational needs of children of all ages and helps families access services across the province more quickly.
