The need for a national autism spectrum disorder strategy was first highlighted in 2007 when Senator Jim Munson helped lead a Senate inquiry into the challenges faced by those with autism and their families across Canada.

Atlantic Canada's biggest children's hospital was evasive and unable to answer many questions in an interview that aimed to bring "clarity" on concerns raised by several families dealing with severe autism.

While the province injects millions into class caps and pre-primary programming, parents of students with autism say their children are being left behind.