Getting diagnosed isn’t necessary for every autistic adult in BC, but it can help improve some people’s personal growth, well-being, and social belonging.

Megan Flamand, an Indigenous Child and Youth Care Worker for Surrey Schools in BC, talks about her realization of being autistic after being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

To improve the diagnosis and care of autistic women and girls, it is important to understand the unique challenges they face.

Shannon saw many clinicians in her journey to diagnosis. See just how much misinformation she had to wade through.

A recent AutismBC survey found many respondents couldn’t afford to get assessed and would have to wait months to see a professional. 

Adult assessment for autism in BC can be difficult to get on your own. From doing research to getting your results, here are some of the things you should know before you start.

Kristina has had to overcome years of internalized ableism and an identity build around giftness. Discover how Kristina’s asymmetrical development hid their other autistic traits and why their parents overlooked this.

This Autism Acceptance Month, we’re profiling five autistic adults who received a late diagnosis or are still struggling to access one. Here are the barriers that stand in their way.

Autism assessments for adults are not as structured as those for children. The issue with this is that there is not a standard process for adults in BC. Here are somethings to know while preparing for adult assessment.

Heading into an assessment can be an overwhelming experience for both caregivers and individuals on the spectrum. You may have waited a long time for the assessment and want to be as thorough as possible.

Despite consistent advocacy from the autism community, the 2023 budget shows nothing regarding the 2 to 3-year waitlist for public autism assessments for children and […]

Only a week after Premier David Eby was sworn in as BC’s new leader, he reversed the October 2021 decision to phase out individualized autism funding in 2025.

Lisa shares her tips and lessons learned over the years as a parent and Regional Coordinator at AutismBC!

If you’re a newly diagnosed autistic adult in BC, you may be wondering about accessing financial benefits and services that are available in the province. Jake Anthony, an autistic adult and AutismBC’s former Program Ambassador shares information and tips to help you get started.

Our team has compiled a list of some of the funding & accessibility services that we think you should know about.

Federal Benefits Disability Tax Credit (DTC) “The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or their supporting persons […]

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 […]

Funding Under Age 6  Families can access up to $22,000 per year to help pay for eligible autism services, therapies, or equipment. You are required […]

Does the DTC (Disability Tax Credit) last forever or does it expire? When you or your loved one qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), there […]

This blog is full of resources to help with funding changes associated with transitioning into adulthood. There are also more acronyms so we’ve included a glossary as […]

School Options in BC  Public School  In-person (IP) schools, often referred to as “brick & mortar”, public schools are your local school(s) open to all students. […]

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.

The teen years can be a turbulent time for families and a particularly challenging time for neurodivergent youth. From new social pressures to their changing bodies, autistic teens experience unique social, cognitive, and emotional changes. However, adolescents can thrive during their teen years when supported and safe. 

What is Autism? Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that impacts all aspects of a person’s life. It is characterized by differences in social communication […]

Sarah talks about floortime therapy with occupational therapists from Little Buddies Pediatric Therapy.

Non-verbal communication can be difficult to understand, both for those observing and for those experiencing it. However, it can be helpful in explaining to non-autistic […]

In this guest blog, Cynthia Lockrey shares with us 6 ways to become a stronger advocate for your child on the spectrum. 

Are you wondering about the benefits of Physiotherapy (PT)? We sat down with Kelsey van Stolk, a Physiotherapist from Kids Physio Group, which offers services throughout BC. Join us as we ask Kelsey some questions about PT. What is PT? How can it help?   

Teal pumpkins started getting popular in 2014 when nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education launched a campaign to help kids with food allergies enjoy Halloween […]

Heading into an assessment can be an overwhelming experience for both caregivers and individuals on the spectrum. You may have waited a long time for the assessment and want to be as thorough as possible.

Asking your healthcare provider the right questions is the first step to ensuring they can provide you with neuroaffirming care. For autistic adults, access challenges, communication differences, and research gaps all make a difference and need to be acknowledged. 

Reframing shameful thoughts can help you feel better about yourself as an autistic adult, a self-advocate says.

Autistic food aversion can make it hard to stay healthy, happy, and functional. Getting information, treatment, and support can help.

Dealing with autistic burnout in adulthood can be a huge challenge. Here are some tips that can help you cope.

Getting an adult autism assessment can be a lot to deal with late in life. Liv Robinson shares their story of late diagnosis.

Getting diagnosed isn’t necessary for every autistic adult in BC, but it can help improve some people’s personal growth, well-being, and social belonging.

Megan Flamand, an Indigenous Child and Youth Care Worker for Surrey Schools in BC, talks about her realization of being autistic after being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

To improve the diagnosis and care of autistic women and girls, it is important to understand the unique challenges they face.

Shannon saw many clinicians in her journey to diagnosis. See just how much misinformation she had to wade through.

A recent AutismBC survey found many respondents couldn’t afford to get assessed and would have to wait months to see a professional. 

School Options in BC  Public School  In-person (IP) schools, often referred to as “brick & mortar”, public schools are your local school(s) open to all students. […]

What is Autism? Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that impacts all aspects of a person’s life. It is characterized by differences in social communication […]

Many people believe autism diagnoses aren’t valid unless they’re supported by a doctor. However, self-diagnosis can be valid too. Here are some reasons to support self-diagnosis.

Autism assessments for adults are not as structured as those for children. The issue with this is that there is not a standard process for adults in BC. Here are somethings to know while preparing for adult assessment.

Heading into an assessment can be an overwhelming experience for both caregivers and individuals on the spectrum. You may have waited a long time for the assessment and want to be as thorough as possible.

Chelsea Jelic is a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist from POPARD (Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders). She will talk about what a Speech-Language Pathologist does, and how they can help support your child, your loved one or yourself.

What is respite, where do you find respite, and how do you pay for respite? Definition of Respite: “A period of temporary delay”  “An interval […]

Lisa: Hi everyone. Welcome to AutismBC Talks about Occupational Therapy today with Jen Taubensee of Breaking Trail OT. We’re lucky to have her today to […]

Lisa shares her tips and lessons learned over the years as a parent and Regional Coordinator at AutismBC!

If you’re a newly diagnosed autistic adult in BC, you may be wondering about accessing financial benefits and services that are available in the province. Jake Anthony, an autistic adult and AutismBC’s former Program Ambassador shares information and tips to help you get started.

Important note: This article contains information on a developing topic. PDA is not currently recognised as a diagnosis in Canada and is not included in […]

School Options in BC  Public School  In-person (IP) schools, often referred to as “brick & mortar”, public schools are your local school(s) open to all students. […]

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.

The teen years can be a turbulent time for families and a particularly challenging time for neurodivergent youth. From new social pressures to their changing bodies, autistic teens experience unique social, cognitive, and emotional changes. However, adolescents can thrive during their teen years when supported and safe. 

Here are some tips for keeping the occasion as sensory-friendly as possible, whether you’ve hosted autistic folks before or not.

The following list is a guide to Vancouver Island Autism Resources. We have divided this blog into sections so you can use the ones that best suit your current needs, or you can reach out to Sarah directly at [email protected]

The following list is a guide to Interior 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 Lisa directly at [email protected]

For Autistic Adults Autistics Recommend: Books on Autism  Books about Autistic Women and Girls  But You Don’t Look Autistic at All – Toeps, Bianca, MacCorquodale-Smith, […]

At AutismBC, our Resource Team is here to connect you to region specific community supports and other organizations that provide support and help meet your needs. When the AutismBC Resource Team is asked about complex needs, we provide relevant resources and then direct you onto an external advocacy and […]

AIDE Canada is now offering free audiobooks and ebooks through the AIDE Canada Library. As an AIDE member, you have instant access to over 150 digital […]

“For thirteen years, I’ve been working at Playland & PNE. As an Autistic worker, I’m sharing with you my experience working there.”

Megan Flamand, an Indigenous Child and Youth Care Worker for Surrey Schools in BC, talks about her realization of being autistic after being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Shannon saw many clinicians in her journey to diagnosis. See just how much misinformation she had to wade through.

Caroline shares how she realized she is autistic and why she feels she will remain self-diagnosed.

This Autism Acceptance Month, we’re profiling five autistic adults who received a late diagnosis or are still struggling to access one. Here are the barriers that stand in their way.

I was adopted. So, it wasn’t until my biological grandmother reached out to my parents and told them that it might be good to see a psychologist because of our family medical history. In 1999, my parents and I reached out to the Autism Society of BC in Nanaimo.

Basil Langevin is an autistic city council candidate in Saanich (a municipality within Greater Victoria). They share with us their journey into politics and what inspired them along the way.

Mitchell Brager is an autistic artist from Terrace, BC. In this article, his mom Colleen shares how his passion and skill for art has led to a career. Check out the bottom of this article for details on where you can view and purchase Mitchell’s work!

Aly Laube is an AutismBC content collaborator and a late-diagnosed autistic person. In this blog, they share their experience “coming out” as autistic.

Lisa Watson is AutismBC’s Regional Coordinator for the Interior. In this blog, she shares her experience with police, emergency services, care staff, and members of the public during times when her son has eloped.

Learn about what it means to be auti-gender and auti-ace, understand the history, and be part of positive change.

On June 13th, 2023, Julia Boyle, AutismBC Executive Director, participated in the 2024 Budget Consultation and presented three recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

A national autism strategy would help encourage a unified approach, ensure consistency in the services provided between provinces, promote best practices, and address support gaps.

Despite consistent advocacy from the autism community, the 2023 budget shows nothing regarding the 2 to 3-year waitlist for public autism assessments for children and […]

This Autism Acceptance Month, we’re profiling five autistic adults who received a late diagnosis or are still struggling to access one. Here are the barriers that stand in their way.

Only a week after Premier David Eby was sworn in as BC’s new leader, he reversed the October 2021 decision to phase out individualized autism funding in 2025.

On June 13th, 2022, Julia Boyle, AutismBC Executive Director, participated in the 2023 Budget Consultation and presented three recommendations to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

Jake Anthony, an autistic self-advocate, shares his personal experience with Individualized Autism Funding and his concerns with the program’s announced ending. Jake is AutismBC’s Program […]

We travelled to Victoria on Feb 22, 2022 to attend the 2022 Budget Lock-Up and left disappointed by the lack of investment in programs for children and youth with support needs who do not benefit from existing programs.

 You can read it here or click the image below:   What are the shortcomings? In late 2021, BC’s MCFD announced changes to how it […]

A big thank you to our fundraising partners celebrating Autism Acceptance Month! We are so grateful that these businesses are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion, accessibility, and acceptance in their communities and beyond. Shop these businesses throughout April to make a donation to AutismBC or have a percentage of your purchase donated. All funds go to support AutismBC programs throughout the province for autistic children, youth, adults and their families.

Read Nasrin’s story to discover how a group of strangers created a safe haven for her as a parent.

Give this season so autistic adults like Caitlin can connect to the support they need from AutismBC Meets Programs. Because everyone needs a place to Meet.

Read Katherine’s story to discover how advice from someone who “gets it” can be lifechanging.

Watch Teresa’s story to discover how the power of community can be harnessed to uplift each other through all of life’s ups and downs.  

A big thank you to our fundraising partners celebrating Autism Acceptance Month! We are so grateful that these businesses are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion, accessibility, and acceptance in their communities and beyond. Shop these businesses throughout April to make a donation to AutismBC or have a percentage of your purchase donated. All funds go to support AutismBC programs throughout the province for autistic children, youth, adults and their families.

This season, please give to the AutismBC Support Their Future Fund to help empower, support, and connect the autism community today.

  “Acceptance is saying ‘I Care’” My autism journey I work as the Program Ambassador for AutismBC and was diagnosed back in 1997, at the […]

  “Sharing my story could help others”   My name is Lucas Gates. I am an autism advocate and a co-host on the Pulse Autism […]

  “I want to be free to be myself”    My autism journey   My name is Nicole Provost. I am a pilot, voice actor, teacher, and […]

Are you an autistic adult who’s interested in meeting and connecting with other adults like yourself? If so, then our autistic adult meet-up group is for you!

We are thrilled to announce a new, exciting partnership: MOVE with AutismBC by GoodLife Kids Foundation! This program is open to children and youth aged 12 to 21 with a diagnosis of autism or an intellectual disability. Please continue reading for more information! We can’t wait to see you there!

Lights, Camera, Autism! is a fun, unique way for teens to practice interacting in a supportive environment. It is a highly innovative broadcasting workshop specifically designed for high school students on the autism spectrum to develop and strengthen their social skills. Many skills in broadcasting are transferable and applicable to communicating in everyday life! Examples include having a two-way conversation, asking relevant questions of others, listening to answers, staying on topic, and observing body language!

AutismBC Talks bring education and awareness to the masses! If you want to hear from an expert, learn something new, or try to get a […]

Minecraft Club is an inclusive space for Minecraft enthusiasts to come together and play! Our mission is to inspire connection through sharing tips, tricks and […]

Young Adult Social Time (YAST) groups provide a place for participants to meet and talk with others in an environment that is understanding and non-judgemental. […]

This is an inclusive environment where young people age 6-16 are welcome to come and hang out and socialize about a shared passion.  Interested participants […]

AutismBC Meets  Meetups are perfect for those of you that want a casual atmosphere to interact with other parents, families, or self-advocates. Come with an […]