Autistic Adults, Caregivers
Disclaimer*: This blog post has been updated in accordance with the AutismBC 2025 Communication Guide. Any mentions of “respite” have been changed to “caregiver wellbeing support” as part of our commitment to nurturing safe and inclusive spaces through language. Support for caregivers to take time for themselves— to rest, restore balance, and care for their own well-being. It offers space to reconnect with what nourishes them—whether that’s family, community, culture, or personal healing—so they can continue to care for others in a good way. We use this term instead of “respite,” which can carry a negative implication about disability and disabled people.
AutismBC is a provincial organization with four regions: Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Interior, and Northern. Each region has its own Regional Coordinator to help residents navigate the autism services in their area. Sarah Taylor is our Regional Coordinator for Vancouver Island.
Please note that not all individual SLPs, OTs, Physiotherapists and Behaviour Consultants are on this list. You can find a more comprehensive listing on the RASP List (Registry of Autism Service Providers)
Adult Resources
Nanaimo Association Community Living
Disability Resource Centre Victoria
Nanaimo Disability Resource Centre
Canucks Autism Employment Services
Work BC Resources for Disabilities
Camosun College Accessible Learning
UVIC Centre for Accessible Learning
NIU Accessible Learning Services
Vancouver Island Autistic Homes Society Provides supportive housing funded through CLBC
Indigenous Services
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
Jordan’s Principle | Assembly of First Nations
BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
Aboriginal Supported Child Development
Island Metis Family and Community Services Society
BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD)
Mental Health – Free and low-cost counseling options available.
Pacific Centre Family Services
Salt Spring Community Services
Medications | Kelty Mental Health
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Services – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
FamilySmart – Together-Centred™ for Child & Youth Mental Health
Want more information about mental health resources? Check out our Mental Health Resources blog.
Private/Contract Service Providers
Assessments: Dr. Kelly Price
Assessments: Campbell and Fairweather
Assessments: Seasons Family Centre
West Coast Feeding & Behaviour Specialists
Spark Therapy Group (Campbell River)
Coastal Behaviour (Campbell River)
Colour Wheel Art Therapy (Comox)
West Coast Kids Therapy Group (Comox and Campbell River)
Erin Koop Music Therapy
Sources BC – Behaviour Counselling Services (Comox Valley, Parksville, Chemainus, and Port Alberni)
Neuro-Affirmative Providers
Neurodivergent Counselling (virtual)
Understory Counselling (virtual)
A Beautiful Place Therapy Services
- We are a neurodivergent-led, gentle care philosophy, professional life skills, caregiver wellbeing support, and housekeeping company servicing Vancouver Island.
School Inclusion & Supports
POPARD – Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders
Inclusion BC | Advancing rights. Promoting abilities.
Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment (Disabilities)
B.C. Supplemental Bursary (Disability) StudentAidBC
B.C. Access Grant (Disability)-StudentAidBC
Repayment Assistance Disability- StudentAidBC
Don’t forget to check out our back-to-school blog here!
Island Health Authority & Provincial Government
Vancouver Island Children’s Assessment Network
Nanaimo Youth and Wellness Centre
Disability Assistance – Province of British Columbia
Therapeutic Riding Associations
Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association
Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association
Comox Therapeutic Riding Association
Salts Spring Therapeutic Riding Association
Not-For-Profit/Charity Organizations
Victoria Society for Children with Autism
Autism Society of Central Vancouver Island
Family Support Institute of BC
ACT – Autism Community Training
Variety Children’s Charity – Autism Assessments
Nanaimo Child Development Centre
Comox Valley Child Development
Transportation & Travel
Facebook Groups & Pages
Homeschooling With Autism in BC
Autism Society of Central Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island ASD Parent Support Network
Nanaimo Children on the Spectrum Support
BI/Respite* Connections Vancouver Island
Recreation
Mount Washington Adaptive Program
Adaptive Recreation (Cowichan)
Adaptive Recreation (Courtenay)
Community Inclusion Port Alberni
