Everyone
A lot has changed since Nina Pickburn helped lay the foundation for what is now AutismBC.
In the 1970s, when public understanding of autism was very limited, Nina and other parents of autistic children united to create resources for autistic people and their families.
“Whenever I get a chance, I talk about my son,” she says. “I always say he’s on the autism spectrum because people need to understand that autism is a spectrum. That can be hard for some to grasp.”
The group that founded AutismBC established the Pacific Association for Autistic Children and secured an in-person office with the shared goal of raising awareness about autism.
“There was nothing back then. It was just hard work, but when something your child needs doesn’t exist, you create it – for them and for others,” she says.
“Unless you had an autistic child, most people had no idea what it was. I had to explain it to my friends over and over.”
As a single mother, Nina was especially driven to support other parents. Despite that focus, she sees the unique strengths and abilities of autistic people and recognizes their need for comprehensive support beyond help from their parents.
She reflects on her personal journey raising her son, Manuel, who was diagnosed at three and is now 57.
Manuel’s school years came with new challenges like learning to take the bus in elementary school and getting an educational assistant (EA) in high school. Nina’s efforts to get him an EA set precedent in Vancouver, making Manuel the first child in the city to have a full-time educational experience. This milestone shaped his learning experience for the better.
“Manuel was very hyper, but she kept him engaged and supported his learning,” Nina says. Since turning 19, Manuel (who is also epileptic and bipolar) has lived in group homes. He has been living with other disabled men for over two decades, with Nina visiting on a weekly basis.
Despite all that’s changed, AutismBC’s commitment to supporting autistic people and their families remains the same. Our work is rooted in the foundations laid by advocates like Nina Pickburn.
