Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, PE

Resources for Prince Edward Island

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 Prince Edward Island.

How to Get a Diagnostic Assessment

  1. Visit a family doctor or nurse practitioner

  2. A referral must be issued for you to access pediatrician services

  3. Referral to Pediatric Psychology Services for a diagnostic assessment

    • If your child is under the age of 5, a free diagnostic assessment will be provided.

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.

Intensive Behavioural Intervention (I.B.I.)

This program uses evidence-based teaching techniques to create positive learning opportunities for your child.

Intervention takes place within the child’s natural daily routines and environments.

This program works with families to choose learning goals.

Intensive Kindergarten Support (I.K.S.)

Regular support for your child and school staff will be provided by an Early Years Autism Specialist.

Regular consult visits with teachers to modify curriculum will occur.

Support and assistance will continue in grades 1-12 from a school-based Autism Consultant based on your child’s assessed needs.

Visit the official website of the Government of Prince Edward Island for more information on the programs above.

For more information on the above programs (Early Years Autism Services), please contact Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Education and Early Years, Early Years Division:

  • Aubin Arsenault Building

    3 Brighton Rd.

    Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T6

  • 902 368 4472 (Tel.)

  • 902 386 4622 (Fax)

  • dmrochon@gov.pe.ca

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, there are two types of funding you could apply for:

Preschool Autism Funding

  • To help parents and licensed early childhood centres hire an Autism Assistant for children receiving Intensive Behavioural Intervention (I.B.I.) Support

School-age Autism Funding

  • To help parents and designated community-based organizations offset the costs of hiring one-on-one tutors and aides in home and group settings

Preschool Autism Funding

To be eligible for preschool autism funding, your preschool child must be enrolled in the Early Years Autism Services (programs mentioned above).

  • An assigned Early Years Autism Specialist will work with you to complete and submit the application on your behalf.

  • Once approved, you or your designated early childhood centre will receive an Autism Funding Agreement for review.

  • Hours of service by the Autism Assistance will then begin.

  • You or your designated early childhood centre will begin submitting time tracking logs to the funding coordinator after the Autism Assistance has provided support.

  • Finally, payment will be issued to you or the designated early childhood centre regularly in order for you to pay for the Autism Assistance.

For more information, contact Autism Funding Coordinator, Education and Early Years, Early Childhood Development, Holman Centre:

Visit the official website of the Government of Prince Edward Island for more information.

School-Age Autism Funding

School-age autism funding is available through the AccessAbility Supports program.

  • To access funding, you will meet with a staff person who will conduct an assessment to determine how the disability affects you and your child’s daily life and how your needs can be met.

For more information, contact Autism Funding Administrator, AccessAbility Supports, Social Development and Seniors:

Visit the official website of the Government of Prince Edward Island for more information.

Building a Support Team

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

The 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