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Autism

The BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) sees children with a query of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Your team

Who are we?

Your team may include pediatricians, developmental pediatricians, photo of girlpsychologists, physiotherapists, speech-language therapists, occupational therapists, and case managers who may be nurses or social workers.

Referrals to BCAAN are made by a physician or other medical specialist.

What do we do?

We:

  • provide Autism assessment and diagnosis for children up to their 19th birthday
  • provide you with resources, consultation, and information
  • provide education for families and community service providers
  • participate in research

What can you do?

While you are waiting for your assessment, you can find online information and a range of community services on the PHSA BCAAN website.

Your appointment

To find out about your first autism appointment with BCAAN, download one of the pdf's below; one is for children under 6 years of age and one is for children over 6 years of age.

Your Autism Assessment

Your Autism Assessment - COVID-19 Restrictions


Resources

Need more information?

Websites about autism

Resources to consider for children with delays/concerns regarding language and social thinking

Each resource has a large selection of free articles / strategies within the website. Many also have resources that can be bought. Please see each specific website for details.

Children aged 7 and under:

  • Hanen: A non-profit organization developed by Speech Therapists (SLPs) based in Toronto and widely used in Canada. Focus: children with language delays, includes strategies to promote social thinking/skills and language development.
  • U of Florida - First Word Project: Targets kids primarily under three years of age with some material for children aged 3-6. Discussion and tools re: screening for ASD, explanation of development, different therapies, etc. (many resources also offered in Spanish and Creole) Go to: https://babynavigator.com/resources/
  • Zero to Three: Provides information regarding typical child development across all domains. (information also offered in Spanish  – go to: https://www.zerotothree.org/)

Children / youth / pre-adults:

  • Social Thinking: Developed primarily by SLPs, with collaborated material by psychologists widely used in BC. People have been brought up from California by ACT for workshops on a regular basis for many years. Appropriate for ages 4 to adulthood, lots of free articles/resources as well as some that can be bought. Works with kids with/without ASD, and all aspects of social thinking, perspectives, sharing, theory of mind, etc.
  • Stuart Shanker - MEHRIT: A website regarding self regulation - has a variety of free resources for parents and teachers.
  • Do2Learn: Focus: Children/youth ages four and up. Contains practical suggestions/strategies/activities regarding social thinking/behaviours, academics etc.
  • Sandbox Learning: Provides a variety of free resources for kids/youth with special needs. Most articles are 1-2 pages in length and contain a simple activity / explanation.
  • Harvard Centre for the Developing Child: For explanations and materials regarding executive functioning from infancy and beyond.
  • Sunny Hill Health Centre and BC Children's Hospital Family Resource Centre: Free resources that can be searched and requested online and mailed to families for a three week loan period via pre-paid postage.

FAQs

Do you have more questions about autism? 

Visit the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) website "Parents & Caregivers FAQ" page.

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