Resource GuideFinding Support Services for Autism in BC
AutismBC
For Caregivers
Finding Support Services
Assistive Technology British Columbia (ATBC)
“Assistive Technology BC (ATBC) provides assistive technology resources to make learning environments usable for people with disabilities throughout British Columbia” (ATBC, ND).
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)
Find a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) in your area.
“The BC Center for Ability provides community-based services to enhance the quality of life for children and youth with special needs, adults with disabilities, and their families, in ways that foster inclusion in all aspects of life” (BC Centre For Ability, 2020).
“Developing and delivering family support resources and training programs to professionals across the province that focus on prevention, inclusiveness, and building skills and confidence” (BC Council for Families, 2015).
Search by city, client type, area of practice, therapy method, and language to find a Registered Psychologist in BC. (BC Psychological Association, 2021)
Communication Disabilities Access Center (CDAC)
CDAC promotes social justice, accessibility, and inclusion for people who have speech, language, and communication disabilities. The CDAC also has a Communication Assistance Database to help support users (Communication Disabilities Access Canada, 2020).
Community Living Society (CLS)
CLS supports individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries to live meaningful lives as full citizens (Community Living Society, 2020).
Family Smart’s programs are focused on enhancing the experience and quality of services and supports for children, youth, and their families (Family Smart, n.d.).
BC Government search function when looking for a government policy or item (e.g., special needs agreement, respite).
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI)
A provincial not for profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. (FSI 2021)
Offers young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through integrated service centres in communities across BC. (BC Children’s Hospital, ND)
Provides listings for health services provided by the provincial government, provincial health authorities, and non-profit agencies across the province. (Government of BC, 2021)
Home – Parent Support Services Society of BC
We work with Parents, Grandparents & Kinship Caregivers to provide emotional, educational, legal, & child-minding support. Our services are free regardless of immigration status and we offer support circles in 7+ languages.
Online resource to discover the inclusive and welcoming places in your community and around BC. (Family Support Institute of BC, 2021)
An online anti-poverty community and is heavily rooted in social justice. We connect poverty and family law advocates and pro bono lawyers from across British Columbia working on issues like housing, income, workers’ rights, Indigenous legal issues, newcomers to Canada, and more. (Law Foundation of BC, 2021)
RWA is designed to increase the labour force participation of people with an intellectual disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). (RWA, 2015)
Spectrum Society for Community Living
Travelling British Columbia to deliver community living workshops through Spectrum Learning and publish community living books and DVDs through Spectrum Press (Spectrum Society for Community Living, n.d.).
Specifically for individuals with disabilities looking to hire support staff, as well as potential support staff looking for their next job supporting someone with a disability. (Support Worker Central,2021)
Youth & Family Services – BC Government
“Sometimes families can benefit from a little extra help. Learn more about how to engage with youth, find specialized support for important transitions, and access useful services to help keep your family together during challenging times” (Province of BC, 2023).
Region-Specific Support Services
Vancouver Coastal & Fraser Regions
Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion
Providing innovative services to children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in Metro Vancouver (Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, n.d.).
Developmental Disabilities Association
Creating extended networks of support, investing in individual needs, and striving for an inclusive and safe community (Developmental Disabilities Association, 2020).
Family Services of Greater Vancouver
Programs, services, workshops, and groups helping people build resiliency, develop skills and knowledge, and gain the confidence to make positive changes in their lives (Family Services Greater Vancouver, 2020).
Kinsight – We promote options and opportunities for people to have meaningful relationships and fulfilling lives. We’re Kinsight (formerly Simon Fraser Society) and we work alongside families of children, youth and adults with developmental delays or disabilities to support growth, development and personal well-being.
Working alongside families of children, youth and adults with developmental delays or disabilities to support growth, development and personal well-being (Kinsight, 2020).
Unique Get Together Society (Vancouver & Chilliwack) – Indigenous-focused, special needs programs and therapies, respite care program, social programs and camps.
Vancouver Island
Building Networks of Friends, provide Continuing Education, Community Engagement Support, Employment Preparation, Job Search, ‘on the job’ support and more… all within inclusive, safe, welcoming settings. (Lifetime Network, 2016)
Vancouver Island Community Connections (VICC)
Provides service for people with neurodiversity that is guided by a holistic vision of the individual, with respect for informed self-directed choice, and connection to community. (VICC, 2020)
Interior Region
Mamas for Mamas (Kelowna & Vancouver)
Mamas for Mamas is a specialized poverty relief agency and an all inclusive community for mothers and caregivers. We envision a future where no mama or child is left behind.” (Mamas for Mamas, 2021)
Unique Get Together Society (Kamloops)
Indigenous focussed, special needs programs and therapies, respite care program, social programs and camps.
Northern Region
AiMHi – AiMHi provides opportunities and supports to people who have special needs and their families. Our culture empowers all people, both those we support and those we employ to live their best lives at work, at home and in the community. Strong communities recognize and celebrate the value of all citizens.
Foundry Terrace – (foundrybc.ca) – Foundry Terrace is offering young people 12-24 access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services.
Northern BC — inGIRLS CLUB – spearheaded by GIRLS CLUB Chapter Leader, Kristen, the Northern chapter of GIRLS CLUB embraces all that GIRLS CLUB holds dear: friendship, fun, frivolity… inclusiveness, connection and community!
PAFN-PG – Prince George Spoke of the Pacific Autism Family Network
Do you have information that should be listed here? Contact Us!
Recreational & Travel Support in BC
Region Specific Recreational & Travel Support
Vancouver Coastal & Fraser Regions
Ensuring Recreation Includes Everyone Resource Guide
Do you have information that should be listed here? Contact Us!
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports
Interior Region
ARC Programs mission is to provide excellent support, prevention, intervention, treatment, and rehabilitative services, for children, youth, individuals and families in the communities of the Interior Region of BC (ARC Programs, 2020).
Supporting the autism community in the Okanagan (Autism Okanagan, 2020).
Adaptive Sailing Association of Kelowna
Introducing people with disabilities and age-related issues to the joys of sailing on our beautiful Okanagan Lake (Adaptive Sailing Association of Kelowna, n.d.).
Arion is a peaceful farm sanctuary for people and animals situated on 12 acres in a beautiful valley in South-East Kelowna (Arion Therapeutic Farm, n.d.).
Boys & Girls Club of the Okanagan
Building healthy, supportive relationships with caring adult role models and encouraging healthy, respectful relationships with peers and family members (Boys & Girls Clubs of the Okanagan, 2020).
Central Okanagan Wildcats Hockey
A hockey team for older teens/adults with diverse-abilities, contact Phil for more information (The City of West Kelowna, 2018).
CRIS Adaptive Sports “CRIS is a pioneer in adaptive recreation and offers programs tailored to the needs of clients – from the beginner explorer to the seasoned wilderness enthusiast, CRIS has an opportunity for you!” (CRIS, 2021)
North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association (NORTA)
Providing therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs (North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association, n.d.).
Specializing in Beginner Riding Lessons, Equine Assisted Learning, Adapted Horsemanship, Hippotherapy, and Autism Services (Riding4Life, 2020).
Swimming with a Mission (S.W.A.M) Okanagan
Providing affordable and accessible one-on-one swimming instruction to children with special needs (Swimming with a Mission, n.d.).
Northern Region
Providing free and confidential service to Northern BC and East Kootenay families travelling to access medical treatments for their children.
“NH Connections program, patients must have a valid BC Care Card, not require care from a health professional (physician or nurse) during their trip and need to access a health service that’s not available in their home community.” (Northern Health, 2021)
Autism Organizations in BC
Autism Community Training (ACT)
Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN)
Provincial Autism Center (PAC)
Autism Organizations in Canada
AIDE Canada – many resources as well as a Peer Mentoring Program for self advocates and caregivers – Aide Canada Peer Mentoring
Check out our Regional Blogs As Well and sign up for Regional Newsletters to stay up to date with services and programs near you.
Resources
Further Reading
Therapies & Mental Health
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