Regional ResourcesNorthern BC Autism Resources
Sharon Grattan
For Autistic Adults, Caregivers
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. Sharon Grattan is our Regional Coordinator for Northern BC & Program Coordinator. Can’t find what you are looking for? You can reach out to Sharon directly here!
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:
Navigating My Family Services
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
Autism Funding – Direct Payment Agreement: AUTISM FUNDING AGES 6–18 DIRECT PAYMENT AGREEMENT (gov.bc.ca)
Need to talk to someone about your funding?
Victoria Office:
250 387-3530
Toll Free:
1 877 777-3530
Email:
[email protected]
Family Connection Centres – 3 Pilot Locations in Northern BC
In the Spring of 2023, there have been changes rolled out in Northern BC, specifically in the regions of Prince Rupert, Terrace and the Bulkley Valley area. The BC Government MCFD Ministry will be piloting three Family Connection Centres (FCCs). You can learn more about these FCCs here: Family connections centres to support families, children and youth with support needs – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Operators Announced for Family Connection Centres: Operators announced for pilot family connections centres | BC Gov News
FCC Operators:
Home – Northwest Child Development Centre (nwcdc.ca) (Bulkley Valley)
TCDC – Terrace Child Development Centre (Terrace/Kitimat)
North Coast Community Services (nccspr.ca) (Prince Rupert/Haida Gwaii)
Family Connection Centre Framework and Service Delivery Model Brochure. Click here.
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: respite care, speech therapy, assessments, specialized equipment, mental health supports.
Aboriginal Supported Child Development – ASCD’s purpose is to enable children who require extra support to be included in childcare settings, preschool, before/after school and community care settings. Such inclusion nurtures a child’s self-esteem, and identity, and allows the children to participate in settings that will support their development along with their peers.
BC Aboriginal Child Care Society– The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) offers a variety of services that provide early childhood education professionals, support service professionals, and Indigenous children and families access to early learning programs, resources, training, research, and community services that are culturally based.
BCANDS – British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society – is an internationally recognized and award-winning, national Indigenous not-for-profit, Society serving the unique and diverse disability needs of Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Carrier Sekani Family Services: Fraser Lake/Prince George/Burns Lake/Vanderhoof – Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) has been working hard to offer holistic wellness services for Member Nations for 30 years. Our organization was created to reassert First Nations control of justice, health, social and family services, all of which have suffered through the process of colonization.
Central Interior Native Health Society – At the Central Interior Native Health Society we recognize the inequity in health status between Aboriginal Peoples and mainstream society. We serve to restore balance through a holistic approach to health care that promotes physical, spiritual, emotional and cultural harmony within all Aboriginal Peoples who reside in North Central British Columbia.
Friendship House – Prince Rupert – The Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert is an inclusive organization that exists to provide programs and services to the community at large, with an emphasis on the needs of the First Nations People in the areas of education, culture, health and recreation.
Home – Métis Nation British Columbia (mnbc.ca) – The Métis Nation Government in British Columbia
Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia | A Helping Hand to Justice (nccabc.ca) – The Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia provides culturally-appropriate services to Indigenous people and communities consistent with their needs.
Home | Northwest Inter-Nation Family And Community Services Society (nifcs.org) Northwest Region – – Northwest Inter-Nation Family & Community Services Society “NIFCS” is a Delegated Aboriginal Agency that provides family support, guardianship and caregiver services to seven First Nations communities in the Northwest region of British Columbia
Prince George Native Friendship Centre – The Prince George Native Friendship Centre is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization dedicated to servicing the needs of Aboriginal people residing in the urban area and improving the quality of life in the community as a whole. Fundamental to this is recognizing the inherent worth of all peoples regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, or culture and promoting this view in the community at large.
Quesnel Tillicum Society/ Native Friendship Centre – Home (quesnelfriendshipcentre.com) – The Friendship Centre’s mission is “to improve the quality of life and meet the needs of Indigenous and other peoples who are faced with adjusting to the social, economic and cultural lifestyles of the community” and to foster enhanced spiritual growth among the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who use the services and facilities of the Centre.
https://learningcircle.ubc.ca/ubclc-counselling-support/ – Learning Circle counselling and wellness support resources
For more indigenous support:
AutismBC’s Blog: How do I access supports for my Indigenous child in the North? — Autism Q & A, Blog, Caregivers — AutismBC
Support Services – Families & Adults
Prince George Area:
A.C.E. | Activity Centre for Empowerment | Prince George (bcsspgace.org)
AiMHi – Community Living Prince George, BC | Supportive Living & Housing Services
B.A.S.I.C. – North – Sources Community Resource Centres (sourcesbc.ca)
Behaviour Intervention and Mental Health – North – Sources Community Resource Centres (sourcesbc.ca)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC (bigsnbc.ca)
Bridge Psychology (bridgepg.ca) – Autism Assessments
Child Development Centre PG – The Child Development Centre of Prince George and District (cdcpg.org)
Child, Youth, and Family Services – Axis Family Resources Ltd.
CMHA Northern BC Branch – Mental Health for All
Prince George – Foundry – (foundrybc.ca)
Gateway Behaviour Services – HOME
Hearing programs (Audiology) | Northern Health
Northern Interior Autism Society
Kyle’s Kindness – Fundraising Charity for private autism assessments
KM Behaviour Intervention Services
Northern Health Assessment Network (NHAN) | Northern Health – MSP Autism Assessments
https://www.intersect.bc.ca/ (PG Area)
Pacific Autism Family Network Group- Prince George Spoke | Facebook
Passion and Purpose Occupational Therapy Services
Pivot Point Family Growth Centre Inc. PG
Prince George Native Friendship Centre
Respite Support Services British Columbia (recrespite.com)
Sylvan Learning | Tutors & Tutoring
True North Speech SLP Services
Virtual Clinic | Northern Health
Robson Valley, Valemount & McBride:
Cimarron Way~Equine Assisted Learning – Your Life…Unbridled! AFU Approved Equine Therapy
Robson Valley Community Services – Serving Valemount and McBride
Dawson Creek:
Dawson Creek Haven Family Services (dchaven.ca)
HOME – peaceautism.ca – Autism Assessments
Home – South Peace Child Development CentreSouth Peace Child Development Centre (spcdc.ca)
Fort Saint John:
Kids Connect Autism Program (cdcfsj.ca)
Scilla Behaviour Support Services in Fort St. John, BC (scillabss.ca)
Treaty 8 Tribal Association | United First Nations: Strong, Proud, and Free
Home | Wyld Acres (wyldacresbc.com)
Williams Lake:
Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre | Williams Lake (ccchild.org)
Williams Lake Autism and Neurodivergent Support
Cariboo Chilcotin – Foundry – (foundrybc.ca)
Quesnel:
Quesnel & District Child Development Center (quesnelcdc.com)
Quesnel Child Development Centre | Facebook
Quesnel Autism Parent Group | Facebook
Quesnel Tillicum Society/ Native Friendship Centre – Home (quesnelfriendshipcentre.com)
Bulkley Valley/Nechako:
EdGE Learning Centre (bvcls.com)
EdGE Heartwood – EdGE Learning Centre (bvcls.org)
Home – Family Support Institute (familysupportbc.com)
Home – Northwest Child Development Centre (nwcdc.ca)
Family Support | Smithers Community Services Association
Our Services – Sources Community Resource Centres (sourcesbc.ca)
Thomas Robinson Consulting – Thomas Robinson Consulting (trcl.ca)
Terrace, Kitimat & Prince Rupert (Northwest BC):
Annette Rolleman Music Therapy
The Berry Patch | Child Care Resource and Referral (childcareprincerupert.ca)
CB Education Services (cberton.com) (Prince Rupert)
“We are many cultures but one community” (friendshiphouse.ca)
Forever Young Therapy Services
Foundry Terrace – (foundrybc.ca)
Contact the Kitimat CDC | Kitimat Community Development Centre
North Coast Community Services | Prince Rupert Community Enrichment Society (northccs.com)
Northwest Inter-Nation Family And Community Services Society
PNGI – The Provincial Networking Group Inc. – PNGI leads an exceptional team of people who care about helping people with diverse abilities live their best lives in Terrace and Kitimat, BC.
Behaviour Intervention and Mental Health – North – Sources Community Resource Centres (sourcesbc.ca)
TCDC – Terrace Child Development Centre
Adult Supports & Services:
TALK-North West is a new self advocacy group in Kitimat and Terrace. The group is hosting social connection events and are looking for help spreading the word about what they do and how to get involved. You can learn more by contacting Chelsea and Jamie at [email protected]
CLBC North Community Council – please reach out to [email protected] if you would like to become a member of the North Council and/or you would like to be invited to the next gathering.
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 430-6pm PST.
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.
Prince George – Foundry – (foundrybc.ca) – At Foundry Prince George young people can find hope, help and support for their wellness needs
Home – AiMHi – Prince George Association for Community Living 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.
PNGI – The Provincial Networking Group Inc. – PNGI leads an exceptional team of people who care about helping people with diverse abilities live their best lives in Terrace and Kitimat, BC.
Child Development Centre (CDC) and Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD):
Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve
Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre – Williams Lake
Child & Family Services Office for Prince Rupert
Kitimat Community Development Centre
North Coast Community Services (nccspr.ca)
Northwest Child Development Centre
The Child Development Centre of Prince George and District
Quesnel & District Child Development Centre
Robson Valley Community Services – Serving Valemount and McBride
South Peace Child Development Centre
Terrace Child Development Centre
Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre | Williams Lake (ccchild.org)
Mental Health – Free and low-cost counseling options available.
Home Page | Anxiety Stress and Autism Program (ASAP) (ubc.ca)
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
CMHA Northern BC Branch – Mental Health for All
FamilySmart – Together-Centred™ for Child & Youth Mental Health
Foundry Virtual BC – Foundry BC App –
Indigenous Child & Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Services – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Medications | Kelty Mental Health
Medications for Irritability of Autism | Kelty Mental Health
Mental Health Benefit (fnha.ca)
Northern BC Crisis Centre – You are not alone. We are here for you 24/7
Northern Society for Domestic Peace
Prince George – Foundry – (foundrybc.ca)
Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit – Stigma Free Society
Youth Community Outpatient Service (YCOS Prince George)
Available to youth and young adults residing in the Prince George community, the YCOS program provides outreach to youth with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues through assessment, individual and group therapy, case management, life skills training, recreational activities, and family support.
Northern Health works in collaboration with Foundry Prince George to help youth struggling with problematic substance use. Individual counselling support is available to youth aged 12-24 on a walk in basis.
Foundry Prince George
1148 7th Ave
Prince George BC V2L 5G6
Phone: 236-423-1571
The YCOS program has a specific mandate to work with youth aged 13-19 who have co-occurring mental health and substance use issues, by providing counselling, family support, outreach (the ability to work with youth in a variety of settings) and referral. If you have further inquiries or would like to refer to this program.
Phone: 250-649-7660
Private/Contract Service Providers:
Assessments: Bridge Psychology Dr. Liz Rocha
Assessments: Okanagan Ability Centre – Psychological Assessment & Diagnostic Services
Assessments: HOME – peaceautism.ca Dr. Jim Bowman
Annette Rolleman – Music Therapy Terrace, BC & Telehealth Virtual
Access Community Therapists Ltd.
Breaking Trail OT – Families creating their own path
The C.O.D.E. Initiative Foundation (thecodeinitiative.ca)
Edge Learning Centre | Facebook Bulkley Valley
Forever Young Therapy Services
Orton-Gillingham Tutoring Vancouver | Coquitlam | Richmond (symbolslearning.com)
Pediatric Speech & Developmental Services by A.Yu & Associates (speechanddevelopment.ca)
Scilla Behaviour Support Services in Fort St. John, BC (scillabss.ca)
Thompson Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled
Rain or Shine Art Studio | Facebook Prince Rupert, BC
West Coast Centre for Learning PEERS for Teens and Young Adults and Executive Function Classes and Individual Coaching and Mandt training for Families and School Staff
West Coast Feeding & Behaviour Specialists | Transforming Mealtimes. One Bite At a Time.
School Inclusion & Supports:
Advocate With Confidence Course – BrainsAbound Learning
BCEdAccess – Collective action for equitable education.
CB Education Services (cberton.com)
EdGE Learning Centre (bvcls.com) (Alternative Learning Centre, Smithers)
EmpowerECS: Comprehensive Support for Empowering Youth
Gateway Behaviour Services – HOME (Alternative Learning Centre, PG)
HomeLearners Network | Online Learning Activities for Kids & Teens – Online Programs
Inclusion BC | Advancing rights. Promoting abilities.
POPARD – Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (autismoutreach.ca)
Home – Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (rcybc.ca)
Student Mental Health Toolkit | Stigma-Free Society
Support Services – SelfDesign Learning Foundation
Symbols Learning Multisensory Learning Centers Vancouver
The C.O.D.E. Initiative Foundation (thecodeinitiative.ca)
Don’t forget to check out our back-to-school blog here!
Northern Health Authority & Government:
Assessment Network | Northern Health
Disability Assistance – Province of British Columbia
Severe and Permanent Disability Benefit
Request for Services Referral Form | Prince George
Request for Services | Quesnel
Are you moving from outside BC? Check out our Moving to BC blog here!
Developmental Milestones
- 0 – 6 Months
- 6 – 12 Months
- 12 – 18 Months
- 18 – 24 Months
- 24 – 36 Months
- 36 – 48 Months
- 48 – 60 Months
Therapeutic Riding Associations:
Prince George Therapeutic Riding Association – Prince Goerge
Horses Touching Hearts Therapeutic Riding Association – Smithers
Cimarron Way Equine Assisted Learning – Robson Valley
Home | Wyld Acres (wyldacresbc.com) – FSJ
NFP/ Charity Organizations:
A.C.E. | Activity Centre for Empowerment | Prince George (bcsspgace.org)
ACT – Autism Community Training
Home – BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (acc-society.bc.ca)
Family Support Institute of BC
Social Diversity for Children Foundation
Ways to Access Services (air, train, bus, ferry, etc.):
Check out our comprehensive travel accessibility blog here!
Family Supports:
District Parent Advisory Council – Prince Rupert District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) is the recognized representative for the collective voice of parents in SD#52. Prince Rupert DPAC is comprised of elected parent representatives from our 7 School Parent Advisory Councils (PACs) and support families with students in the public school district through advocacy and information sharing. Please message via Facebook or by email to [email protected] (Prince Rupert DPAC, n.d.).
North Coast Transition Society – NCTS offers family counselling for individuals, couples, and families (North Coast Transition Society, n.d.).
Northwest Inter-Nation Family and Community Services – NIFCS offers an Aboriginal family councillor and other family support programs (NIFCS, n.d.).
Professional Development:
AutismBC Community Trainings:
What is Autism? Workshop — AutismBC
Waiting for Assessment — AutismBC
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.
Facebook Groups & Pages:
The Parent Newsletter: Gitxsan, Wet’suwet’en & the Hazeltons
Homeschooling With Autism In BC
IF NW – Inclusion Families Northwest
Northern BC Autism/ADHD and Related Disorders Parent Support Group
Northern Interior Autism Society
Pacific Autism Family Network Group- Prince George Spoke
Special Needs Families of Northern BC
Quesnel Autism Parent Group | Facebook
Fort St. James Community Foundation Society
Fort Nelson Family Development Society
Williams Lake Autism and Neurodivergent Support | Facebook
Is there a resource you think we should have on this list? Please contact Sharon here.
Become a Society Member!
We are seeking society members from Northern BC — 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.
Resources
AutismBC Connects with Sharon Grattan, Regional Coordinator
Further Reading
Autism-Friendly Summer Camps and Programs
Summer can be the highlight of a child’s year, but it can also be full of adjustments. We have compiled a list of Autism-Friendly Summer Camps, Day Programs, Online Events, and more to help you and your family plan! This list will be growing as we discover additional programs, so feel free to check back regularly. Do you know of a Summer Camp or program that we should have included on this list? Let us know.
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