In this video, Sally and Henry (Board Certified Behavior Consultants) will be your guidance to hewlp you understand the steps for ASD assessment, options available, and how to navigate the journey post-diagnosis. In British Columbia, parents get the option of getting the ASD assessments done either through private clinics, or at a publicly funded child health care centre. Even though ASD assessments done through public hospitals are free of charge, unfortunately, the wait list for assessments can be up to 3 years long. On the other hand, private assessments have a much shorter wait list, at around a few months, but can be very expensive, average around CDN$ 3000. 00. So choose your decision wisely!
Once your child is officially diagnosed with ASD, the next step is to immediately set up an appointment with a social worker, who can assist you with setting up a case file of your child, and introduce you to a wide range of resources that can be really helpful for your child and your family, such as organizations that may offer extra funding for your child’s ASD treatment interventions, options on respite care, counselling, etc. The social worker may also provide a list of professionals who offer ASD treatment and intervention services for your child, such as Behaviour Consultants, Speech Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists, to name a few. In some jurisdictions, like in British Columbia, the social worker also help you set up the online account for individualized funding for ASD treatments, that can greatly help with tracking your expenses ASD interventions via public government funding.
Start doing research on hiring a Behaviour Consultant, Speech Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist. These professionals are most common as part of ASD treatment intervention. Depending on your child, other professionals may also play an important role in supporting your child. It's essential to find those who understand your child's unique learning profile and can provide tailored interventions. Don’t forget that these professionals often collaborate with each other to best serve in the best interests of your child.
In British Columbia, families have access to a range of services and programs designed to support children with ASD. From early intervention programs to ongoing therapy and support groups, there are options available to meet the diverse needs of families.
Remember to prioritize self-care and seek support from other parents who understand what you' re going through. Don’t forget to familiarize yourself with various parent support groups for autistic individuals, both online or in person. Taking care of yourself is essential for your well-being and your ability to support your child.
If you’re a parent with a child with Autism, we would like to hear from you your experiences on the initial part of the journey with Autism. Go to our YouTube Channel BKBC | Bridge Kids Behaviour Consulting to watch more Parenting Support Video! #autism #earlyintervetion #earlyintervention #autismawareness #childrenonthespectrum #brighterfutures #bridgekidsbc #aba #ASD #autismspectrumdisorder #sallyyim #bkbc #autismsigns