Resource Guide

Lower Mainland Autism Resources

December 21, 2023

AutismBC

Caregivers, Autistic Adults

Resource Guide

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 local residents navigate the autism services in their area. Anne Honeycutt is our Regional Coordinator for The Lower Mainland. The following list is a guide to Lower Mainland autism resources. We have it divided into sections so you can use the ones that best suit your current needs, or you can reach out to her through our website contact form.

**** THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LISTING**** If you have resources that we should share, please contact Anne.

Become a Society Member!

We are seeking society members from THE LOWER MAINLAND — By becoming an AutismBC Society Member, you will have all the same benefits as Community Members. You will also be bound by and benefit from AutismBC’s Bylaws, which govern voting, general meetings, electing directors and other governance matters. Click here to learn more.

Society Members are able to:

When you become an AutismBC Society Member, your contact information can be accessed by other Society Members (according to the procedures in the Societies Act of B.C. Section 24 (1)).

Share feedback with AutismBC’s leadership through annual surveys and member engagement activities.

Pursue a director position on the AutismBC Board of Directors and/or be part of electing AutismBC’s directors.

Vote at general meetings on issues affecting AutismBC and its members (recognized under the Societies Act of BC).

Do you have autism funding in place, but are unsure how to access it online?

Please read the Next Steps After Your Child’s Autism Diagnosis — Autism Q & A, Caregivers — AutismBC

Instructional Videos on the Autism Portal:

My Family Services – Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCbnBeJdwHQ         

Managing your Autism Funding Account https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFtqhT9mw04      

Autism Funding Program Dashboard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0nvshxJIso  

Autism Funding Program Request to Pay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6MrdUUYqDs     

Autism Funding Program Reimbursement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34BmEpozt6g     

Indigenous Supports & Services

Jordan’s Principle | Assembly of First Nations –

Jordan’s Principle makes sure all First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding can help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs, including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and youth and those with disabilities may have.

Jordan’s Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson. He was a young boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba.

Wellbeing program – Métis Nation British Columbia (mnbc.ca)

The Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program is available to children Birth – 8 who are enrolled in the Métis Family Connections Program. Through the Miyoopimatishihk (Wellbeing) Program, families can apply for financial support (up to $5,000 per fiscal year) to assist in the cost of a wide range of services, programs and products, including but not limited to: caregiver wellbeing support, speech therapy, assessments, specialized equipment, mental health supports.

Aboriginal Infant/Child Development & Friendship Centres

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BC Wide)

Aboriginal Supported Child Development (Program Information)

Additional Services:

BCANDS – British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

Home – Métis Nation British Columbia (mnbc.ca)

https://learningcircle.ubc.ca/ubclc-counselling-support/

Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia | A Helping Hand to Justice (nccabc.ca)

Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Services – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

Autism-related Support Services – Families and Adults

Home – Family Support Institute (familysupportbc.com)

Child Development Centre (CDC) and Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD):

Education:

Advocate With Confidence Course – BrainsAbound Learning

Student Mental Health Toolkit | Stigma-Free Society

inclusionbc.org

Parent Handbook on Inclusive Education – Advocacy Resources, Inclusive Education – Inclusion BC

BCEdAccess – Collective action for equitable education.

HomeLearners Network | Online Learning Activities for Kids & Teens – Online Programs

The C.O.D.E. Initiative Foundation (thecodeinitiative.ca)

EmpowerECS: Comprehensive Support for Empowering Youth

Sonos Varios Nonprofit Organization | Neurodiversity Music Education Club

Adult Supports & Services:

New CLBC Indigenous Relations Facilitator, Brenda Duggan, is learning from and connecting with Indigenous communities, people and families to learn how CLBC can build trusting relationships and culturally safe supports. You can reach Brenda by email [email protected]

Embrace Autism – Online autism tests for free; to learn more about the full assessment process, watch out Highlights video here: https://youtu.be/ypef7hTjsW8.

AutismBC’s Highlights: Is Self-Diagnosis valid? https://youtu.be/j2cj75yM474

AutismBC Meets – Getting Together on the Spectrum, online Zoom group. Sign up HERE to join the Autistic Adult Mailing List and receive emails and communications for upcoming events. Meetings take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 5:00 – 7:00 pm PST.

Don’t forget to check out our back-to-school blog here!

Professional Development:

AutismBC Community Trainings

Mental Health Awareness |Community Presentations | Stigma Free Zone (stigmafreesociety.com) online training program, they provide companies of all sizes the training, tools and programs to end the stigma of mental illness in the workplace. They are striving for a world without stigma – one workplace at a time.

Autism Essentials | Reframing Autism — A free self-study course written by Autistic people and informed by research.

CIRCA Pro-D Programs — Four online professional development (Pro-D) programs in Autism and Neurodiversity for professionals in Human Resources and Business, Dentistry, Primary Care / Physicians, and Early Childcare.