Peggy’s Cove, NS
Resources for Nova Scotia
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 Nova Scotia.
How to Get a Diagnostic 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.
Community Child and Adolescent Clinics
Clinics offer diagnostic assessment and treatment for children with ASD.
For more information, contact Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA):
Halifax area: 1 888 429 8167
South Shore area: 902 543 5400
South West area: 1 844 380 4324
Valley West area: 1 855 273 7110
Pictou area: 902 755 1288
Cumberland/Colchester: 1 844 855 6688
Antigonish/Strait area: 1 888 291 3535
Cape Breton: 902 567 7731
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) - Autism Intervention Program
This program provides direct intensive service to young children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.
It also provides evidence-based treatment based on the principles of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) and recent research about child development.
Visit the official website of the Nova Scotia Health Authority - Mental Health and Addictions Program for more information.
Autism Funding
Below are some general steps to follow to help you navigate the funding process for autism much easier.
Direct Family Support for Children Program (DFSC)
After getting a diagnosis of autism, you may determine if your family is eligible for the DFSC program, but before doing so, you are to complete an intake process:
Complete an intake application
Register and record your personal information
Determine the supports and services being requested
You will be provided detailed information on DFSC supports and services
You will be advised of the medical, functional, financial, and consent requirements of the DFSC program
Required information will be gathered
If eligible, you will then be referred to the DFSC program.
A choice will be given to continue with referral to DFSC or be referred to other programs that have been identified through the intake process.
If continuing with referral to DFSC, you must complete a few more forms:
A DFSC Application
A Calculation of Family Income Form
A DFSC Consent Form to allow DFSC to obtain and share their information for the purposes of determining eligibility, and for the provision of services and supports
If eligible, your family may be provided with up to $2,200 per month.
If your child has higher needs, the Enhanced Family Support for Children program (EFSC) is also available, with up to an additional $1,600 of provided support per month.
Please refer to this pdf for more information regarding the program.
Special Support Team
Throughout and after this entire process, a special support team is ready to help.
They are ready to:
Answer your questions
Direct you to community resources
To connect with a team member:
Call: 1 877 424 1177 (toll-free number)
Building a Support Team
After you receive the autism funding, use it to build a support team.
Your support team could potentially include:
Behaviour Interventionists (BI)
Implement strategies outlined in a behaviour plan of intervention designed by a supervising professional
Help children build life skills
Care Providers
Provide medical care/treatment
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
Support Workers
Work with the child to 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
Additional Community Programs and Resources
Here is a non-exhaustive list of other available programs and resources within Nova Scotia. Feel free to share some with us should you have any more!