How much funding is available
Last updated on August 23, 2021Funding helps families pay for services that promote skill development for their child – communication, social-emotional, academic and life skills. Only specific services and therapies qualify for funding.
Children under age six
Up to $22,000 per year for each child may only be used for:
- Professionals listed on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP)
- Behaviour interventionists (BI) who are supervised by a RASP professional
- Administrative costs related to managing service providers, up to $100 monthly (e.g. paying a bookkeeper)
- Costs related to employing a service provider – for example, vacation pay, income tax, Canada Pension Plan or Employment Insurance benefits, and WorkSafeBC premiums
- Family counselling/therapy
- Beginning April 1, 2021: Family counselling/therapy is an eligible expense for Autism Funding: Under Age 6
Family counselling/therapy providers do not need to be listed on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP).
The following professionals may be eligible to provide family counselling/therapy services:
- Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC)
- Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC)
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapists (RMFT)
- Registered Psychiatrists
- Registered Psychologists
- Registered Social Workers (RSW)/Registered Clinical Social Workers (RCSW)
Please contact Autism Funding or Autism Information Services BC if you require more information.
Children aged 6 to 18
Up to $6,000 per year for each child can be used for:
- Behaviour consultants or analysts, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists or physical therapists
- Behaviour interventionists (BI) (should be supervised by a professional listed above)
- Life skills and social skills programs
- Out-of-school learning support that's not part of a regular school program – for example, support and tutoring that takes places outside of school hours, speech-language therapy, or behaviour consultation
- Dietary counselling from a registered dietician
- Family counselling/therapy
- Specialized therapeutic activities and camps designed for children with autism
- Interventions outlined in a letter of recommendation from an eligible professional (written pre-approval from the Autism Funding Branch is recommended)
- Administrative costs related to managing service providers – up to $50 monthly to pay a bookkeeper or $600 per funding period for direct payment accountant fees
- Costs related to employing a service provider – for example, vacation pay, income tax, Canada Pension Plan or Employment Insurance benefits, and WorkSafeBC premiums
Funding through the school system
Autism funding covers services and resources outside of your child’s school day. Once children with autism start school, they also benefit from the education supports and services that are available through the school system.
School districts and independent school authorities have access to additional funding for each child with certain diagnoses, including autism.
For the 2019/2020 school year, this extra funding is $20,200.
- Ministry of Education’s Special Education Services, A Manual of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
While these supplemental funds are not targeted for individual students, they are intended to support inclusion.
School districts and independent school authorities receive the funding and then combine it to provide supports and services in the way they think is best suited to the needs of all students.
School choice: Public and private schools offer different options for students with autism. Classroom alternatives like online/distributed learning programs also offer flexibility.
Use funding for other types of support
Parents can use up to 20% of their funding to pay for other supports to help their child's development.
Think about creating a budget
Parents plan how much they will spend on support services using personal funds combined with the provincial autism funding.
Some parents choose to spend all of their annual funding on one type of service, while others prefer to spread out their funding across various services.
Manage Your Autism Funding Online
Check your funding balance, set-up service providers for payment, request equipment, get reimbursed and ask questions.
Contact information
Ask the Autism Funding team for help with funding paperwork or processes.
250 387-3530
1 877 777-3530
250 356-8578