There are times when a government should stick to its guns however fierce the opposition, and times it should give in and offer people something totally different.

When it comes to the Ontario government's deeply flawed plan to revamp its programs for autistic children, it's time to raise the white flag.

Not only has their proposed overhaul of autism services been soundly rejected by behaviour experts and countless impacted families, the Progressive Conservatives' bungled rollout of the plan has antagonized the very people they claim to be helping.

The upshot? This policy is untenable and must be replaced.

That's not to say Doug Ford's government was wrong to tackle the issue. A developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction, autism places enormous pressure on tens of thousands of Ontario families. Yes, the government should consider better ways to help these people.

Early intervention must always be a priority. But although an estimated 40,000 children in Ontario have the disorder, only 8,400 currently benefit from behavioural therapies while 23,000 are stuck on the wait-list for help. Thousands of others are just waiting for a diagnosis.

The solution offered by Children, Community and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod was to clear that waiting list while introducing age-based funding. At first glance, it seemed bold, even sensible.

Providing help to young children ASAP could be key to reducing the impact of autism and, if it limited the need for future interventions, prove a more effective use of limited public dollars. Moreover, MacLeod said autism is one area where the PC government has increased spending, from $256 million a year under the Liberals to $321 million.

But critics insisted it was wrong to gear funding according to age, not need. Young children at the low end of the autism spectrum could get more government-funded help than older children with greater needs.

And while the government's offer of a lifetime maximum of $140,000 for therapy sounds like a lot of money, intensive programs for children with severe problems cost up to $80,000 a year.

Opponents said too many needs would go unmet. And the decibel level of their outrage has soared as the PCs dug in.

If the government was taken aback by the furious protests at Queen's Park and across Ontario, its dubious response only exacerbated the situation. MPP Randy Hillier was tossed from the PC caucus on Wednesday amid accusations he heckled parents of autistic children.

Last week, Children, Community and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod apologized to a group of behaviour experts who said she had threatened them if they didn't support the government's overhaul of autism programs.

Meanwhile, Ford's complaint as a Toronto city councillor in 2014 that a group home for autistic children "had ruined the community" has come back to haunt him, evidence for his critics that he doesn't really care.

Starved of public support and stripped of credibility, this government's autism policy is a wreck. Ford should press the reset button.

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It's not as if there's a looming deadline by which Ontario's autism programs must be changed. Having said he's open to hearing from the parents of autistic children, the premier should keep his word. Talk to them. Listen to the professionals. Show compassion — and wisdom.

Yes, with a debt over $350 billion, the Ontario government has to spend more wisely. But with renewed effort and consultation, the PCs could create a smarter plan for thousands of vulnerable children and their stressed-out families. Everyone could come out of this ahead. Even the government.

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