The Northern Lights, NT

Resources for the Northwest Territories

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 Northwest Territories.

How to Get a Diagnostic Assessment

If you live in Yellowknife: 

  1. Visit a primary care physician or allied health professional

  2. They can make a referral to the Stanton Child Development Team (CDT)

  3. The coordinator will schedule an appointment for your family with a pediatrician where you may discuss your concerns and perform screening tests

  4. You will be referred to further support or a diagnostic specialist for an assessment if necessary (This referral will most likely be to the Glenrose Autism Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.)

If you live outside of Yellowknife:

  1. Visit the nurse in charge at your local health centre

  2. Referral to a pediatrician in Yellowknife

  3. They can make a referral to the Stanton Child Development Team (CDT)

  4. The coordinator will schedule an appointment for your family with a pediatrician where you may discuss your concerns and perform screening tests

  5. You will be referred to further support or a diagnostic specialist for an assessment if necessary (This referral will most likely be to the Glenrose Autism Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.)

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 Childhood Program – Early Childhood Development

  • Supports your child’s early learning

  • Provides child care for children 0-11 years of age

  • Provides play-based exploratory environments that supports children’s development and where required, enables parents to access employment or training opportunities

For more information:

  • Visit: Education, Culture and Employment, Early Childhood and School Services, P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2L9

  • Call: 867 767 9354

Community Respite

  • Provides social respite services to families outside of Yellowknife who have children with special needs

  • Respite is provided by community based respite workers who are recruited and trained by the NWT Disabilities Council

  • Respite referral form

For more information, contact the Respite Program Coordinator:

  • Johnelle Joseph, Manager of Community Supports and Outreach

  • 1 867 873 8230 (tel.)

  • 1 800 491 8885 (toll free)

  • 1 867 873 4124 (fax)

  • info@nwtdc.net

  • Mail:

    Suite 116, 5102 50th Avenue
    Yellowknife, NT
    X1A 3S8

Refer to the Respite Program Brochure for more information.

Autism Funding

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

Northwest Territories (NWT) Child Benefit Program

After getting a diagnosis of autism, you can see if you are eligible for funding through the Northwest Territories (NWT) Child Benefit Program.

NWT Child Benefit provides low-to-modest income families with funding to assist with the costs of raising children.

The benefit is non-taxable and is based on the number and ages of children in a family along with your family’s net income declared in the previous year’s income tax return.

*You do not need to apply for the NWT Child Benefit. If you are already enrolled in the Canada Child Benefit program and meet the criteria, you will automatically qualify.

Families with a net income under $30,000 will receive the full benefit. Families with a net family income between $30,000 and $80,000 may receive a portion of the NWT Child Benefit.

Visit the official website of the Government of the Northwest Territories for more information.

Building a Support Team

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

Your support team might include:

Behaviour Consultants (BC)

  • Assess child development and behaviour

  • Design and implement a behaviour plan of intervention

  • Coach parents

Care Providers

  • Provide medical care/treatments

Educators/Tutors

  • Assist in the learning and knowledge intake of the child

  • Aid the child in following provided instructions

Health Professionals

  • Will be of assistance when concerns relating to the health of the child come up

Social Workers

  • Work with the child to enhance overall well-being

  • Help the child meet basic and complex needs

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP)

Support Workers

  • Work with the child directly

  • Promote independence and wellbeing

  • Provide direct physical help when called for

Therapists

  • Work directly with the child

  • Practice skills with the child

  • Work towards individual goals with the child

  • Find autism therapists

Additional Community Programs and Resources

Here is a non-exhaustive list of other available programs and resources within the Northwest Territories. Feel free to share some with us should you have any more!