Whistler, BC

Resources for British Columbia

Below is a compilation of resources for getting a diagnosis, applying for funding, building a support team, and securing extra support and human resources pertaining to the province of British Columbia.

How to Get a Diagnostic Assessment

  1. Visit a family doctor

  2. Referral to your pediatrician or other qualified and registered professionals for an assessment

— Or —

  1. Visit a family doctor

  2. Referral to the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) for a free assessment

— Or —

  1. Go to a qualified B.C. specialist in private practice

  2. Get an autism assessment

Extra People to Go to for Support

Other than your family doctor or pediatrician, there are extra people that you can go to for support.

Early Awareness — Child Behaviour & Development

If you think that your child may need support, visit a public health unit to talk to a nurse about child development, screening, and referrals.

The goal is to ensure that all children can grow up healthy.

This applies to any developmental disabilities, not just autism.

Find a public health unit

Autism Support Specialists

Autism Support Specialists can provide information or guidance about autism.

You can call or email:

  • Call: 1 844 878-4700

  • Email: AutismInformation@gov.bc.ca

  • Visit: 3688 Cessna Drive, Richmond, B.C.  V7B 1C7

    • 8:30am - 4:30pm (M-F)

    • Excluding statutory holidays

Assistance is available in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and Tagalog; and staff have access to interpreters to support in over 50 languages.

Autism Funding

Below are some general steps to follow to help you navigate the funding process for autism much easier.

After getting a diagnosis of autism, contact a local Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) office to meet with a worker who will explain the available programs and assist parents to apply for funding.

You will need to fill in some forms before you meet with a CYSN:

  • Autism Funding Application

  • Documentation of Autism Diagnosis

  • Proof that the child is under age 18 (birth certificate)

  • Current BC Services Card/Driver's License (as proof of residency)

A CYSN worker will walk you through the funding process.

Find a children and family services office

Ask the Autism Funding team for help with funding forms:

Visit this link to access the required forms and additional support material.

Building a Support Team

After you receive the autism funding, use it to build a support team.

Possible specialists that might be part of your support team:

Behaviour Consultants (BC)

  • Assess child development and behaviour

  • Design and implement a behaviour plan of intervention

  • Coach parents

Behaviour Interventionist (BI)

  • Implement strategies outlined in a behaviour plan of intervention designed by a supervising professional

  • Help children build life skills

Occupational Therapists (OT)

  • Help children participate in everyday activities

  • Address motor, perceptional, social, or sensory challenges

  • Provide assessment, diagnosis, or consultation

Physical Therapists (PT)

  • Help children understand how and why movement and function take place

  • Assist with managing physical conditions, limitations, or restrictions

  • Provide diagnostic assessments and implement strategies

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)

  • Develop communication skills

  • Introduce communication tools

  • Help with oral motor skill development (eating, drinking, swallowing, etc.)

  • Provide assessment, diagnosis, or consultation

Find service providers for your support team through the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP).

Early Childhood Intervention Programs (Pre-Autism)

Certain programs exist for infants and young children who show signs of—or who are at risk of having—a development delay or disability.

To access these services, you will need to be referred to these programs by your public health nurse or physician:

Early Intervention Therapy Program

This program provides community-based occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech-language pathology and support services for eligible children and their families.

It is provided from birth up to school entry.

Visit this pdf handout for more information.

Additional Community Programs and Resources