The table of contents at the left can be used to quickly find the answer to a specific question.
Yes, don�t delay. Your child may be eligible for government funding for intervention. In British Columbia, children under six are eligible for $22,000 per year. Children from 6 to 18 are eligible for $6,000 per year. Intensive early intervention can make a huge difference in your child�s life. There are currently two ways to proceed if you are worried that your child may have autism: a public assessment or a private assessment. Public assessments are free but they have long wait lists. In contrast, private assessments require payment, but if your child does have autism, a private assessment helps you access the government funding quickly.
Return to topWith public assessments, the process for young children tends to be quicker than the process for older children.
Toddlers and Preschoolers: Book an appointment with your family doctor so you can express your concerns. Before the appointment, do some research. Print out the M-CHAT screening test and the referral form provided by the intake program in your community. In the greater Vancouver area, the referral form is available from Sunny Hill Hospital. Your family doctor can make the referral if your child is under age six. If your family doctor is hesitant, ask for a referral to a paediatrician who can screen your child for autism. If the paediatrician thinks a team assessment is warranted, the paediatrician will make the referral.
School-age Children and Teens: Older children must be referred by a paediatrician rather than a family doctor. Usually someone on the school-based team or a specialist from the school district will create a report that recommends an autism assessment. Take this report to your family doctor and ask for a referral to a paediatrician. You will need to convince the paediatrician that your child might have autism. This can be a frustrating experience, because high functioning children with autism resemble children with attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities. Doctors don�t want to waste tax payer�s money on frivolous referrals, so you may get resistance. If you make it through all these steps, the paediatrician will refer your child to a diagnostic team. In the greater Vancouver area, the referral form is available from Sunny Hill Hospital.
Return to topIn British Columbia, the government requires that a paediatrician and a psychologist or psychiatrist agree on the diagnosis of autism. Some teams like to include a speech-language pathologist in the assessment. The amount you pay can vary depending on how many people are involved and how much time it takes. There is only one step. You call the private agency and request an autism assessment. Prices vary, but you can use extended health insurance to offset your costs.