Parents of children with developmental disabilities are concerned about a new policy, which states that if the B.C. government feels a person-in-need is too intelligent, support from the province will be cut off.
The list of worried parents includes Dawn Steele, who has spent a great deal of time and money developing the social skills of an autistic child.
Dawn Steele is hoping that 15-year-old Sean will be able to hold down a job when he gets older.
But if he doesn't, he may be out of luck when it comes to help from the government.
That is because of a government order in council, which states that anyone over the age of 19, with an IQ greater than 70 is on their own.
"We're hearing from parents who are absolutely devastated by this, parents who are just hanging on by a thread,'' said Steele.
For those who help people with disabilities, the news is very disappointing.
"We're really concerned about what the impact will be on some very vulnerable youth,'' said John Greschner, a representative for Children and Youth B.C.
Without help, advocates are concerned that many of those youth will end up the street.
"They're prime victims for predators on the street, they're the kind of people who end up on the Downtown Eastside,'' said Steele
Critics say the move to cut off more intelligent youths seems heartless.
But when CTV News asked B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell about his government's decision, Campbell said it was only a temporary move. "We've done what the courts asked us to do, which say be explicit about it,'' he said.
Campbell said his government is working on a program that will benefit everyone.
But Dawn Steele isn't so sure.
"The government says this won't last, it's just a temporary thing,'' she said.
"Well if it's a temporary thing, he should have put an expiry date on the order in council. There's no expiry date."
With a report by CTV British Columbia's St. John Alexander
