Need more information?

Find Registry of Autism Service Provider information by visiting the AIS BC website.

Find out about the diagnostic proccess by visiting the ACT website and reading the ACT Autism Manual, Chapter 1.  

For the complete manual, visit:
ACT Autism Manual - Living & Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia - A Manuarl for Parents & Community Professionals

Read "A Parent's Handbook: your Guide to Autism Programs" 

Websites about Autism

Autism Information Services of British Columbia (AIS BC)

Ministry for Children & Family Development 

Autism Community Training (ACT)

Families for Early Autism Treatment of British Columbia (F.E.A.T. B.C.)  

Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network

Autism Speaks

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 3 yrs of age with some material for children aged 3-6. Discussion and tools re: screening for ASD, explanation of development, different therapies, etc.

Zero to Three: Provides information regarding typical child development across all domains.

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 4 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.

SHHC and BCCH Family Resource Centre: Free resources that can be searched and requested online and mailed to families for a 3 week loan period via pre-paid postage.

FAQ's

Do you have more questions about Autism? 

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