The government of Saskatchewan is accepting applications for individualized funding for children under six with autism spectrum disorder.

$2.8 million has been allocated in 2018-19 to provide $4,000 per child.

Health Minister Jim Reiter said that's a start, and that $4,000 can buy some services - depending on the kind of services parents are purchasing.

"We'd like to do more," he said. "Obviously there's fiscal restraints. Part of the platform was that it would start at $4,000 and into the out years as finances permit we would be increasing that. I expect in future years you'll see an increase to this."

Reiter added that part of the platform commitment was that the scope of people who can receive funding would grow.

"It was part of the platform commitment, it was for children under six," he said. "The other part of the platform commitment is that in future years while we'll increase the funding for children under six, we'll probably also be providing some funding for school-aged children up to the age of 18. The idea was it targeted children under six because, depending on the schools and the situation, there is some programming available for children with autism during the school years now."

Reiter said the dollars should "start to flow" come August.