New Diagnosis Hub

In order to apply for Autism Funding through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), a parent or guardian can contact their local Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) office.

• You can find your local CYSN office by reaching out to the Support Needs Contacts at MCFD.
• When contacting your local office, you may wish to share that your child has received an autism diagnosis and that you would like to speak with a CYSN Intake Worker about accessing Autism Funding.

You will be asked to provide the following documents:

1. Diagnostic documentation, such as:
   • Clinical Outcomes Form (Panter), or
   • Confirmation of Previous Diagnosis form or
   • a Non-BCAAN (private) diagnosis form (with accompanying written report(s))
2. Proof of child’s age (e.g., birth certificate/passport)
3. Your child’s BC Services Card
4. Autism Funding Application

• Funding begins to accumulate from the month your local MCFD office receives your completed application and all required documents. You may find it helpful to request email confirmation once everything has been submitted, so you can keep track of the process.
• You can expect to receive your Autism Funding Agreement by mail within approximately four to six weeks. The MCFD website also provides a list of related forms you may need including the Autism Funding Agreement.
• Once received, please review, sign, and return two copies of the agreement to the Autism Funding Program in Victoria within two weeks.

Autism Funding

For information about funding allocation, eligible expenses (such as equipment), and more, visit the Autism Funding Programs page. You may also find it helpful to explore A Parent’s Handbook: Your Guide to Autism  Programs for answers to common questions.

If you have any questions about this process, contact:

Autism Information Service British Columbia (AIS BC)
Toll Free: 1-844-878-4700
Email : [email protected]
Website: gov.bc.ca/autism 

As you begin to build a support team, it can be helpful to learn more about autism and how your child experiences the world. In B.C., families make decisions about which supports and services to access, based on their child’s strengths, needs, and priorities, within the guidelines of the Autism Funding program.

Best Practices in Autism Treatment

There are a range of approaches that can support autistic children and youth. Research and lived experience highlight several principles that are often helpful when they are individualized, respectful, and responsive to each child:

• Access to meaningful, individualized support across home, school, and community settings, based on the child’s interests, strengths, and needs.
• Predictable environments and flexible routines that provide a sense of safety while allowing for autonomy and choice.
• Supportive teaching approaches that focus on building skills, communication, and independence in ways that are engaging and respectful. A variety of evidence-informed strategies may be used, including those informed by behavioural science, when applied in neuroaffirming and ethical ways.
• Understanding the purpose behind behaviour, and using supportive, proactive strategies to reduce distress and increase well-being, rather than focusing on eliminating behaviours.
• Collaboration among a range of professionals (such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and others), alongside the child and their family.
• Opportunities for social connection with peers, with an emphasis on belonging, inclusion, and acceptance.
• Family involvement in identifying priorities, making decisions, and supporting their child’s development in ways that align with family values and culture.
• Well-trained, supported professionals who are responsive, reflective, and committed to ongoing learning.
• Ongoing reflection and adaptation of supports, based on the child’s experiences, progress, and changing needs.

ACT’s Approach – Positive, Practical, Evidence-informed Support

ACT encourages families to explore a range of approaches, including those informed by research, professional expertise, and lived experience. There is no single approach that works for every autistic child — each child is unique, and their strengths, needs, and experiences will shape what supports are most helpful.

Autism & Intellectual Disability Search (AID)

You can explore ACT’s Autism & Intellectual Disability Search (AID) to find resources that support well-being, communication, connection, and participation in everyday life for both children and their families.

Search ACT’s Autism & Intellectual Disability Search, where ACT promotes resources that help parents improve the quality of their child’s and family’s life by targeting communications, social interaction and addressing concerns like anxiety.

About the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP)

The Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP) lists professionals who meet specific education and experience requirements to provide funded services for children under six.

Inclusion on the RASP indicates that minimum qualifications have been met, but it is not an endorsement of a specific provider or approach. Service providers operate independently, and families are responsible for selecting and contracting with providers who are the right fit for them.

Before entering into an agreement, you may wish to review guidance from the Province of British Columbia on hiring and managing service providers.

If you have questions, Autism Information Services BC (AIS BC) can provide information and help connect you with appropriate contacts. Concerns about services should first be discussed directly
with the provider.

For Children Six and Younger

The Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP) helps families of children under six connect with qualified professionals whose education and experience meet established standards for early support. To use Autism Funding for children under six, professionals must be listed on the RASP.

Professionals may include:

• Speech-Language Pathologists (S-LPs) – who support communication in its many forms
• Occupational Therapists (OTs) – who support daily living skills, sensory needs, and participation
• Physical Therapists (PTs) – who support movement and physical development
• Behaviour Consultants/Analysts (BCs)* – who support goal-setting, program planning, and team coordination

These professionals often work together with families to develop and adapt supports based on the child’s strengths, needs, and goals.

In British Columbia, children under age six who are eligible for Autism Funding may receive up to $22,000 per year to support services, training, and approved materials.

Families often find it helpful to plan how funding will be used over time, including building knowledge and skills that support their child’s development and well-being as they grow.

*Behavior Analysts are certified by the U.S.-based Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) following a series of courses and a period of supervised practice. Behavior Consultants who have this advanced certification will be listed as either BCBA or BCaBA under Certification on the RASP list.   

For Children Six and Over

In B.C., many autistic children are identified and diagnosed during their school years, although experiences and timelines vary widely from person to person. Some families may feel concerned when a diagnosis comes later, but autistic people continue to learn, grow, and develop throughout their lives. With understanding, appropriate supports, and inclusive environments at home, school, and in the community, many autistic children, youth, and adults build skills, confidence, independence, and meaningful connections over time.

For school-age children, Autism Funding can be used to support a variety of services, resources, and activities outside of the school day, based on the child’s and family’s individual needs and priorities.

When choosing professionals, families are encouraged to take the time to find a good fit. This might include:

• Reviewing qualifications and experience
• Asking about approaches, values, and areas of expertise
• Meeting or speaking with potential providers
• Checking references where appropriate

Choosing the right support team is a collaborative process, and families play a central role in identifying what aligns best with their child’s strengths, needs, and goals.

Agencies

ACT encourages families to take time to learn about and choose service providers and agencies that are a good fit for their child and family. When exploring options, you may wish to consider:

• How professionals are supported and supervised within the agency
• The qualifications and experience of team members
• Whether the agency includes (or collaborates with) professionals listed on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP), if required for funding
• How the agency involves families and respects your priorities and values

It can be helpful to ask questions, meet with providers, and ensure there is clear, active involvement from qualified professionals in your child’s support plan.

Families as the Core of the Team

Families — including parents, siblings, and extended family members — play a central role in a child’s life and support network.

Each child is unique, and it can take time to understand what supports, environments, and approaches work best. Families bring essential knowledge about their child, and many benefit from collaborative relationships with professionals who respect and build on that knowledge.

Siblings and extended family members can also be important sources of connection and support, especially when they are included in ways that are appropriate and meaningful for them.

Important Considerations Before Hiring a Professional

Although Autism Funding is provided by the Province of B.C., families are responsible for choosing service providers and managing how funding is used. In most cases, this means entering into a private contract with a service provider.

Take time before signing a contract. It can be helpful to meet with several professionals, ask questions, and learn about the services they offer. This can help you decide who is the best fit for your child and family.

Finding the Right Fit

Be cautious of any provider who claims that one approach works for every autistic child. Effective support should be individualized, respectful, and responsive to your child’s strengths, needs, communication, preferences, and well-being.

Questions to consider include:

• Does the provider listen to your family’s priorities and values?
• How will your child’s interests, strengths, and needs shape the support plan?
• How many direct support hours are included?
• What are the costs?
• What role are parents or caregivers expected to play?
• Will you receive enough guidance and support to feel confident?
• Are there additional costs beyond Autism Funding?
• Does the schedule and location work for your family?
• Would home-based, community-based, school-connected, or centre-based support be the best fit?

Understanding the Contract

Before signing, make sure you understand the contract. It should clearly explain the service provider’s responsibilities, the family’s responsibilities, fees, billing practices, cancellation policies, and what happens if services change or end.

Invoices and Funding Limits

Ask for a monthly invoice and review it carefully. The invoice should be sent to you at the same time it is submitted to the Autism Funding Branch.

To help manage funding, families may wish to:

• Set monthly spending limits in the contract
• Require written approval before services exceed those limits
• Keep copies of invoices and related communication
• Review the Autism Funding account regularly to make sure expenses align with the agreement

Maintaining a Strong Support Team

Building and sustaining a strong, collaborative team takes time and ongoing communication. Families play an important role in guiding the team and ensuring supports remain aligned with their child’s needs and priorities.

To support a positive and effective team environment:

• Foster respectful, open, and ongoing communication among all team members
• Ensure timely submission of invoices to the Autism Funding Unit so service providers are paid promptly
• Follow B.C. Employment Standards if individuals working with your child are considered employees

Your Role as a Parent or Caregiver

Families are central decision-makers in their child’s support team. You may find it helpful to:

• Connect regularly with team members to share updates and perspectives
• Reflect on your child’s well-being, engagement, and experiences—not just measurable “progress”
• Review notes and information shared by team members
• Share your child’s strengths, preferences, and evolving needs
• Consider whether current supports and goals continue to feel meaningful and appropriate
• Revisit team composition if the fit is not working for your child or family 

Reflecting on Your Child’s Support Plan

It can be helpful to periodically reflect on whether your child’s supports feel appropriate and effective. You might consider:

• Are your family’s priorities and values being heard and respected?
• Are professionals meaningfully involved and engaged with your child?
• Is there regular communication and collaboration within the team?
• Are you being included and supported to understand and participate in your child’s supports?
• Does your child appear comfortable, engaged, and supported?

If something doesn’t feel right, it is okay to ask questions, request changes, or explore different options.

Continuing to Learn

As your child grows and changes, your understanding and approach may evolve as well. Many families find it helpful to continue learning and connecting with others.

ACT offers a range of training opportunities—live, online, and on-demand—covering topics such as:

• Communication and social connection
• Daily living skills (e.g., toileting, routines)
• Puberty and adolescence
• Recreation and community participation
• Emotional well-being and support strategies
• Transitions to adulthood

Workshops and community events can also be a valuable way to connect with others and learn about new ideas and approaches.

• ACT’s Live & Web Streamed Events
• Autism Videos @ ACT – free, practical, online videos, accessible on your schedule
• Special Needs Community Events: Events presented by organizations from across B.C.

ACT provides online information and training resources to families and professionals.

Online Resources

• Online Videos – Autism Videos @ ACT  
  Free, professionally produced videos offering practical, evidence-informed insights on a wide range of topics. Available anytime.
• The Autism Information Database – the AID
  A searchable database connecting you with resources from trusted sources in B.C. and beyond.
• The BC Community Resources Database 
  Search for services and supports in your community using your postal code.

ACT continues to develop new resources and share updates from the autism and neurodiversity community. You can sign up to receive ACT’s Monthly News Round-Up and event updates.