If your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder you may be eligible for Autism Programs and other services.

If you are concerned that your child may have Autism Spectrum Disorder but has not been diagnosed, please see information on Assessment and Diagnosis.

Applying for Autism Programs

If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, contact your local Community Living BC (CLBC) centre to:

• complete a funding agreement, or;
• receive a referral to the EIBI Program.

Possible Signs of ASD

The child:

• Seems disinterested in sharing enjoyment with others.
• Does not speak, or uses very few words.
• Appears to understand very little.
• May seem deaf or does not respond when name is called.
• Has unusual sensitivity to light or sound.
• May walk on his or her toes.
• When excited, may flap hands.
• May not make eye contact as other children do.
• May resist cuddles and hugs.
• Has frequent tantrums when required to do anything new or when asked to change activities without advance warning.
• Does not point to show you interesting things.
• Does not engage in make-believe play.
• May line up toys and obsess on strange objects.
• Does not show objects to others.
• Does not look where you are pointing.
• Like things to be done the same way all the time.
• Exhibits loss of social play or language skills.

Your child does not need to demonstrate all of these behaviours in order to be referred for an assessment. Please note that these may also be indicators of other conditions. Adapted from First Signs.

Information and Support

Information and contact with other families can be helpful. A high priority for parents is to learn as much as they can about Autism Spectrum Disorder and to share information with siblings and extended family. Community groups can be beneficial to those looking for support and information. Contact information for local groups is available from ACT - Autism Community Training and from the Autism Society of British Columbia. Autism Community Training also provides workshops throughout the province on a range of topics.

Intervention

Children and youth with ASD often benefit from an intervention program. Intervention is effective in maximizing communication, social-emotional, academic and functional life skills development. Research has identified interventions and approaches that are supported by evidence and proven to be effective for ASD – these are known as best practices.

For more detailed information please take a look at our Parent’s Handbook.