"Families with children with autism in Ontario can either watch themselves go bankrupt or they can sit back and watch their child deteriorate," said the mother of three-year old Mitchell.

"Few people understand that with present government policies, approximately 700 children in this province are being sacrificed. There are no services for them."

Cindi Buick's 11-year old son was two when he was diagnosed.

"We funded his treatment ourselves," the Richmond Hill resident said.

Oak Ridges Tory MPP Frank Klees lashed out at the Liberal government.

"It's shameful what the government is doing to you. They have turned their backs on you and your children. It's unconscionable."

But Liberal Thornhill MPP Mario Racco said in an interview Mr. Klees' remarks were "laughable", considering his government has done more for children with autism than when Mr. Klees was in cabinet.

"When he had the opportunity to write the cheques, he chose not to," Mr. Racco said.

The government's autism strategy has added 160 new therapists to the public school system and has reduced wait lists for assessments by 79 per cent, from more than 1,000 children in April 2004 to 215 children in June 2005, he said.

The province invested $10 million to hire 110 pre-school IBI therapists and increased the number of children receiving IBI by 39 per cent, he added.

Mr. Klees said he will press the province to accelerate funding for autism programs.

Meanwhile, autism is reaching epidemic levels, Ms DeCarlo said. Ten years ago, one in 10,000 children were diagnosed. Today the ratio is one in 165.

The rally called on the province to eliminate wait lists, stop appealing the court ruling that it's d discriminatory to cut off treatment for children at age six, register applied behaviour analysis therapists and support ABA in schools.