Many families don’t know what to do when they think their child exhibits signs of autism. We are here to help.

What to Do if Your Child Exhibits Signs of Autism?

General steps to follow when your child exhibits signs of autism:

  1. Understand what is autism

  2. Get a diagnostic assessment

  3. Access/apply for funding

  4. Build a support team/get support

Understand What Autism Is

Before registering for a diagnostic assessment, it’ll help to understand what autism exactly is. Feel free to visit the links below to gain a deep understanding about the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

How to Get a Diagnostic Assessment

1. See your family doctor

If your child demonstrates signs of ASD (autism spectrum disorder), the first person that you should go to for a diagnosis is your family doctor.

2. Pediatrician

Your family doctor will then refer you to a pediatrician for closer inspection. For families who mainly go to a pediatrician already for check-ups, you may go to them first.

*Note: pediatrician can also be spelled paediatrician (British spelling).

3. Visit a health centre

If your pediatrician thinks that your child may need further assessment to be sure, they will refer you to the nearest health centre near you for a complete assessment. You will then receive your child’s diagnosis.

Feel free to check out our self-diagnosis guide before applying for a formal diagnosis assessment!

From here, subsequent steps will vary by province or territory, including diagnosis processes specific to each province or territory. Please visit the page below that corresponds to your location for more details on what to do after a diagnosis.

Provinces

Territories

 FAQs

  • No. The diagnosis process will differ based on your home province or territory. The 3-step process listed above is simply the basic process that people should follow. The specifics will differ. Please see the specific page pertaining to your region for more information.

  • No. Unfortunately, to this day, scientists have yet to find a cure for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As of our current knowledge, it is a lifelong development disorder and impacts different people in different ways. This is why support cannot be generalized and is often specific to the child themself. Visit the pages above regarding specific regional support for your child.

  • Early diagnosis is important as the earlier you provide support to your child, the more you are maximizing his/her developmental potential. Early intervention services help the child develop necessary skills to function in society and better empower them to support themselves. Get an autism diagnosis if you suspect that your child demonstrates signs of autism.

  • No. Funding is generally not guaranteed, yet policies will differ by province and territory. Visit the corresponding provincial/territorial page for more information on specific funding programs pertaining to your region.