Resources for People with Autism

💰 Financial Benefits

• Autism Funding Program
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/support-needs/autism-spectrum-disorder/autism-funding
  • Up to $22,000/year under age 6 and $6,000/year ages 6–18 for therapy and supports
  • Can be used for behaviour intervention, counselling, and life-skills services (Province of British Columbia)
  • Funding model transitioning to new disability benefit by 2026–27 (Province of British Columbia)

• B.C. Children and Youth Disability Benefit
  https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026CFD0002-000136
  • Direct funding for children with disabilities including autism
  • Income-tested supplement may provide additional yearly funding
  • Expanding access to community services (BC Gov News)

• Autism Canada Community Assistance Program
  https://www.autismcanada.org/cap
  • Subsidized funding for therapy and services
  • Supports autistic children, youth, adults, and caregivers
  • Helps cover gaps not funded publicly (Autism Canada)

• Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC
  https://www.variety.bc.ca/support/specialized-therapies/
  • Grants for therapy, tutoring, adaptive equipment
  • Covers counselling and specialized therapies
  • Income-based eligibility (Variety BC)

• Disability Tax Credit
  https://www.canada.ca
  • Reduces taxes for disabled individuals
  • Required for access to several disability benefits
  • Can unlock RDSP eligibility

👩‍👧 Caregiver Benefits

• Child Disability Benefit
  https://www.canada.ca
  • Monthly payment for caregivers of children with disabilities
  • Based on income and DTC eligibility
  • Tax-free benefit

• Registered Disability Savings Plan
  https://www.canada.ca
  • Long-term matched savings plan
  • Federal grants and bonds available
  • Can be opened by caregivers

• Employment Insurance Caregiving Benefits
  https://www.canada.ca
  • Income replacement for caregivers
  • Supports time off work
  • Applies to family members with disabilities

🧪 Autism Assessment Supports

• BC Autism Assessment Network
  https://www.bcchildrens.ca
  • Public autism assessments
  • Referral required from physician
  • Needed for funding eligibility

• Variety BC Private Assessment Grant
  https://www.variety.bc.ca/support/assessments/
  • Up to $3,000 autism assessment funding
  • Helps bypass long public waitlists
  • Supports children under 19 (Variety BC)

• BC Centre for Ability Autism Navigator Program
  https://www.bc-cfa.org/programs/children-and-youth/psychosocial/autism-navigator-program
  • Helps families navigate diagnosis process
  • Post-assessment planning support
  • Referral-based program (bc-cfa.org)

🤝 Peer Support Groups

• Autism Support Network of BC
  https://www.autismsupportbc.ca
  • Parent networking
  • Monthly peer meetings
  • Community-led support (autismsupportbc.ca)

• Canucks Autism Network
  https://canucksautism.ca
  • Social groups and recreation
  • Employment readiness programs
  • Youth and adult programming

• ACT – Autism Community Training
  https://www.actcommunity.ca
  • Family support groups
  • Training workshops
  • Service navigation help

• Pacific Autism Family Network
  https://www.pafn.ca
  • Peer mentorship
  • Community events
  • Lifespan autism services

📚 Books (Autism Education & Self-Advocacy)

• Uniquely Human
  • Neurodiversity-affirming perspective
  • Useful for caregivers and professionals
  • Explains behaviour as communication

• The Reason I Jump
  • Written by an autistic author
  • First-person lived experience
  • Helpful insight for families

• NeuroTribes
  • History of autism
  • Advocacy focused
  • Explores neurodiversity movement

• Loud Hands
  • Essays by autistic writers
  • Emphasizes self-advocacy
  • Social model of disability lens

🧩 Other Supports

• Foundry BC
  https://foundrybc.ca
  • Mental health services
  • Employment and education support
  • Youth aged 12–24

• WorkBC Assistive Technology Services
  https://www.workbc.ca
  • Employment accommodations
  • Assistive technology funding
  • Job readiness support

• Community Living BC
  https://www.communitylivingbc.ca
  • Adult autism supports
  • Housing and employment help
  • Community inclusion programs