4 Steps to Autism (ASD) Diagnosis, Funding, and Treatment in BC (Updated 2026)

A practical guide for BC families covering the current four-step pathway from referral to funding, plus what you need to know about the major changes on the horizon.

Getting an Autism (ASD) Diagnosis & Accessing Funding in BC

This guide provides information on how to obtain a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in British Columbia through public health. An Autism diagnosis not only helps your family to better understand your child’s developmental journey, but also provides your family with access to provincial funding for vital therapeutic services and equipment using Autism Funding.  Qualifying services for Autism in BC include Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and others.

Step 1 – Family Doctor Referral

If you suspect your child may have Autism, the first step is to speak to your family doctor. A physician’s referral is required to receive an appointment for a diagnostic assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder in BC. Your doctor will either refer you to a qualified professional (such as a pediatrician or psychiatrist) or directly refer your child for an assessment at the BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) at Sunny Hill Health Centre. BCAAN will then contact families with an appointment time.

In order to best prepare for your initial visit to your family doctor, you should first learn the steps involved to receiving a diagnosis of Autism in BC. If you’re reading this article, you’re off to a great start!

Here are some other ways you can prepare for your initial family doctor visit:

Don’t have a family doctor?

Visit the BC College of Family Physicians website or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1. 

What if my doctor wants to “wait and see”?

Given that wait lists already span over a year, and that early intervention is critical, it is your right to push for a referral. If a professional who works with your child (such as an SLP or preschool teacher) has raised concerns, ask them for a written letter you can bring to your appointment.

More information about BCAAN can be found here.

Step 2 – Your child’s BCAAN Assessment

The BCAAN diagnostic assessment The BCAAN assessment is conducted at Sunny Hill Health Centre (part of BC Children’s Hospital) or at community-based health units. It is free of charge for those with a valid BC Services Card. The appointment typically takes around three hours and has two parts: a detailed parent or caregiver interview, and an interactive observation session with your child. Some portions may be completed by phone or video call.

The BCAAN team may require additional testing to make their final diagnosis. This may include speech-language pathologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and/or medical evaluations. If this is the case, these appointments will be booked for you at community-based public health units. However, it is possible that no further assessment is required and the results of your child’s assessment will be discussed with you at the end of the appointment.

If your child receives an autism diagnosis, you will be given a Clinical Outcomes Form at the end of the appointment. Hold onto this as it is the key document: this is the official document you will provide to prove that your child has been diagnosed with Autism, and you will need to supply it during the application for funding. Your referring family doctor will also receive a diagnostic report in the mail.

Moving to BC with an existing diagnosis? Your family doctor can refer you to a specialist to confirm it. That specialist completes a Confirmation of Previous Diagnosis Form, which you’ll use in Step 3. 

Step 3 – Accessing Autism Funding through the BC Ministry of Child and Family Services

Families with children who are diagnosed with Autism in the province of BC are eligible to access funding for eligible therapeutic services and equipment using their Autism Funding.

In order to apply for funding, you first need to contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to schedule an appointment with a children and youth with special needs worker. He or she will request that you bring the following documents to the appointment:

After the meeting, your Autism Funding Agreement will arrive by mail within 2–4 weeks. Sign and return both copies to the Autism Funding Branch. Once received, you’ll get a “Welcome to Autism Funding” letter confirming your annual amount. You can manage your child’s funding online — check balances, submit documents, and set up provider payments — through the My Family Services portal. 

Current funding amounts (as of 2025)

Step 4 – Finding your child’s therapy team

Once you have secured funding, it is up to you to seek out service providers including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and others. A number of resources are listed below to help you find service providers.

It is important to know that for children aged 0-6, Autism funding can only be used for services provided by professionals listed on the Registered Autism Service Providers (RASP). For children 6 and up, service providers do not need to be on the RASP.

The RASP is a managed list of qualified service providers who work with children under the age of 6 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The professionals on this list meet specific standards and qualifications set by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in BC. These service providers range from Behavior Consultants (who design and monitor intervention plans) to Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who play a crucial role in helping young children with autism develop effective communication skills.

Eligible services include: 

• Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Physical Therapy (PT)
• Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and behaviour consultation
• Eligible equipment and assistive technology
• Parent training programs

Once you have found a service provider, you will need to fill out a Request-to-Pay form and submit this to the Ministry via the online portal or email. Once approved, service providers submit their invoices directly to the Autism Funding Branch and pay the service provider directly. RTP forms expire in the month of your child’s birthday, so it’s important to remember to resubmit every year.

What’s Changing?

The 2026–2027 funding transition

In February 2026, the BC government announced a major overhaul of how children with disabilities — including autism — receive provincial support. The changes are significant and have generated considerable debate.

We will be covering the changes in more detail in an article to follow.

What this means for your family right now 

If you’re currently receiving Autism Funding: Your funding continues as-is. A ministry worker will contact you before any changes are made to your individual supports. Some families begin transitioning in July 2026.

If you’re in the process of getting a diagnosis: The four-step process in this guide still applies. Apply for Autism Funding as soon as your child is diagnosed — you have until March 2027.

Apply for the Canada Disability Tax Credit now: This is a gateway to multiple other supports. Processing takes 10–15 weeks, so apply early through the CRA.

Explore community-based services: The government is expanding free services that will be available without a diagnosis. Ask your local CYSN office what’s currently available in your area. 

Early Signs of Autism To Look Out For 

The earlier autism is identified, the sooner your family can access support. Here are common signs organized by area of development:

For children aged 16–30 months, the M-CHAT-R/F (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers – Revised) is a free, validated screening tool you can complete as a parent. 

Arbutus Speech Therapy provides speech therapy services to children with autism. If you are based in BC and would like to discuss your child with a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist, you can book a free phone consultation. We look forward to speaking with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Resources to find Service Providers

To learn more about the topics in this article, please refer to the following websites/references: