Autism Funding

The BC government provides funding to help families with the cost of purchasing intervention services that will promote their child’s development.

To qualify for autism funding in BC:

Age: The child must be under 19 years old.
Diagnosis: A confirmed diagnosis of ASD is required, obtained through:
- A public assessment via the BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN), or Formedon
- A private assessment that meets provincial standards, including the use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R), as well as a multidisciplinary evaluation.
Residency: The child must be a resident of British Columbia.

Obtain a Diagnosis: Secure an ASD diagnosis through BCAAN or a qualified private assessor.
Gather Required Documents:
- Proof of the child’s age and residency (e.g., birth certificate, BC Services Card).
- Diagnostic documentation:
  - For BCAAN assessments: Clinical Outcome Form (PANTER).
  - For private assessments: Non-BCAAN Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Form (CF0904), along with evidence of ADOS and ADI-R assessments and a multidisciplinary evaluation.
Submit Application:
- In certain regions (e.g., Abbotsford, Capital Region District, Northern BC), applications are submitted through the Centralized Autism Funding Intake.
- In other areas, contact your local Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) office to submit the application.
Sign Funding Agreement: Upon approval, you’ll receive two copies of the Autism Funding Agreement. Sign and return both copies within two weeks.
Access Services:
- For children under 6, select service providers from the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP).
- For children aged 6 to 18, while not mandatory, it’s recommended to choose providers from the RASP.
Submit a “Request to Pay” form for each provider annually.
Manage Funding: Use the My Family Services portal to:
- Check funding balances.
- Set up service providers for payment.
- Request equipment or reimbursements.
- Submit invoices.