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BC Autism Assessment Network

Autism Spectrum Disorder, often referred to as autism, is a neurobiological disorder that prevents people from understanding what they see, hear or sense.

Sunny Hill has now moved to BC Children's Hospital. Located at 4500 Oak St, Vancouver, Entrance #5

Assessment

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects reasoning, social interaction and communication. It can affect the functioning and development of the brain and is usually evident before a child turns three years old. It is a spectrum disorder, which means there is a wide variation in how it affects children.

Assessment programs

Complex Developmental Behavioural Conditions

The Complex Developmental Behavioural Conditions (CDBC) program's diagnostic assessment services are intended for children and youth who have significant difficulties in multiple areas of function including those with known or suspected history of exposures to substances with neurodevelopmental effects. 

Referral from pediatricians or child psychiatrists is required (with exceptions based on access).

BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN)

The BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) provides diagnostic assessments for those with suspected autism spectrum disorder and accepts referrals from all physicians.

BCAAN assesses and diagnoses children who may have autism. Our goal is to provide timely assessment and diagnosis within a reasonable distance of the child's home.


BCAAN includes specialists and health care professionals throughout BC. Assessment services are provided by each of the five geographic health authorities. BCAAN ensures the standards and guidelines (PDF) set by the Ministry of Health are met and reports to the Ministry on behalf of its health authority partners.


BCAAN provides diagnostic assessments for children and youth (0 to 19) who have been referred for a question of an autism spectrum disorder. BCAAN accepts referrals from all physicians; specialists and non-specialists.

December 23, 2022

Wait times for autism assessments

  • The overall wait time in BC is approximately 80.6 weeks
  • Wait times may vary across the province, however, we are working to make sure wait times are similar throughout the province

Find out wait times

  • Want to know more about wait times in your area or your child's approximate wait time? Contact the regional coordinator in your health authority
 
 

How do I have my child assessed for autism?

The first step to getting your child assessed for autism is to make an appointment with your doctor or pediatrician. Your doctor may refer you to an assessment program in the area where you live (see above). Read the FAQ section for more information.

Private assessments are also accepted by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (see Diagnosis Forms).

Questions? Contact your local office for more information.

BCAAN & CDBC regional coordinators

Interior Health Region

Regional Coordinator
Interior Health Children's Assessment Network
Community Health and Services Building
505 Doyle Avenue
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 0C5

Tel: 250-763-4122
Fax:250-712-0732

BCAAN/CDBC Interior Health Referral Form (PDF)

Island Health Region

Regional Coordinator
Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health
2400 Arbutus Road
Victoria, BC, V8N 1V7

Tel:250-519-5390
Fax:250-519-6931

BCAAN/CDBC Island Health Referral Form (PDF)

Northern Health Region

Regional Coordinator
1444 Edmonton Street
Prince George, BC, V2M 6W5

Tel:250-645-7700
Fax:250-645-7975

BCAAN/CDBC Northern Health Referral Form (PDF)

Vancouver Coastal & Fraser Regions

Triage Office
Sunny Hill Health Centre
4500 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1

Tel:604-453-8320
Fax:604-453-8321

BCAAN/CDBC Vancouver Coastal & Fraser Referral Form (PDF)

Provincial Autism Resource Centre

PARC is located at Sunny Hill Health Centre and receives complex, tertiary level referrals via regional service teams.

Contact PARC:

4500 Oak St
Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Phone: 604-453-8394

Tertiary Referral Team for CDBC

This team is located at Sunny Hill Health Centre and receives complex tertiary-level referrals via regional service teams.

Contact SHHC CDBC:

4500 Oak St
Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
Phone: 604-453-8313

Diagnosis forms

Confirmation of previous diagnosis form

Families may have this form completed by a qualified specialist to confirm an existing diagnosis of ASD diagnosed prior to 2004. The completed and signed form may be taken to the MCFD office to initiate funding. 

Families who have received a diagnosis in another province or territory in Canada may also use the confirmation of prior diagnosis form. Confirmation of previous diagnosis form (pdf)

Non-BCAAN (private) diagnosis form

Families do have the option to obtain an assessment outside of the BC Autism Assessment Network. However, assessments outside of BCAAN must adhere to the same standards and guidelines to be eligible for funding from the Ministry. Registered psychologists, paediatricians, and psychiatrists may provide private assessments. 

The following form has been developed to assist families who have accessed a Privately acquired or NON BCAAN assessments. 

The form should be completed by the qualified specialist. Non-BCAAN (Private) Diagnosis form

FAQs

Many families have questions about autism and about how we do assessments. This page answers some of the questions we hear most often from families. We will be available to help answer any other questions you may have. 

About Autism and BCAAN

Autism affects how a person socializes with others. It also affects how a person acts, communicates and thinks about things. Because there is a wide variation in how autism takes form, these different forms of autism are sometimes generally referred to as "Autism Spectrum Disorders".

Right now, nobody knows exactly what causes ASD. What we do know is that the way the brain develops and a person's genes are likely involved.

People who have ASD do not all act the same. The one thing that every person with ASD has in common is that they have difficulty understanding how to socialize with others.

We are usually able to see some of the effects of ASD on a child by the age of three. Children do not outgrow ASD. They generally have a life-long developmental disability.


 

BCAAN is the name of the program operated by the Provincial Health Services Authority and other regional Health Authorities across BC. BCAAN is a network of clinicians who assess and diagnose children and youth who may have ASD. 


A clinician is a person with special skills and training, like a psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatrician (children's doctor). All the clinicians that are part of BCAAN use the same guidelines and standards to decide whether a child or youth has ASD.‎

Assessment Process

The first step is to make an appointment with your family doctor or pediatrician. Once you do that, your doctor will either refer you to a specialist, or may refer you to a professional who is an expert in diagnosing ASD. 

If your child is referred to a specialist, it is helpful to include any past reports along with the referral letter. The specialist might want to see reports like:

  • Physician consults
  • Hearing assessments
  • Reports from your child's infant development program or child development centre
  • Psychological or psycho-educational reports
  • Speech and language reports
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy

Ask your doctor if you do not know if your child has these reports done.

Clinicians who are not part of BCAAN can also assess and diagnose children but they have to follow the Ministry of Health Standards and Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia, 2003" in order for you to receive funding from MCFD. 


If you want your child assessed by a clinician who is not part of BCAAN, talk to your doctor.


You may want to contact the Autism Society of BC (604)-434-0880 for a list of names of professionals who can privately assess your child.


Yes. All the clinicians in BCAAN must follow the same diagnostic standards that were developed by Senior Clinicians that work for BCAAN.

 

What to do While Waiting

Unfortunately, there is a wait list for BCAAN assessments. We will do everything we can to see your child as soon as possible. 

 

We know that waiting is difficult. If you run into difficulties while you are waiting, contact your doctor for help. Autism BC also has a support network and a Free Waiting for Assessment Workshop.


BCAAN may mail you some questionnaires and forms before your assessment. Some of the forms are for your child's preschool or school to fill in, with your permission. You should try to fill out these questionnaires and send them to us before your child's first appointment so that we are better prepared.

It is important to use the early intervention services in your community while you are waiting. You can access these services through your local community health office. You do not need a doctor's referral to use these services. Services include:

  • Infant Development Program (IDP)
  • Child Development Centres
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Supported Child Care (SCC)


If you have any concerns about your child, please call your family doctor or specialist.

If you would like information about your child's referral and wait list status, contact the health authority where you live

Day of Assessment

It depends on your child's needs and where you live.

 

You know your child best. At least one parent or guardian needs to be at the assessments to provide information and to support your child. You can bring along another family member or caregiver for support if you wish. 

Yes. Although English is most often spoken in the clinics, we can get an interpreter to come to your appointments. You should let us know if you need an interpreter when we give you an appointment.

 

After Assessment

In most cases, we will talk with you about the results of your child's assessments after they are all finished. Once the assessments are done, your child's team will meet to talk about what they found out, and decide on a diagnosis and the best way to provide treatment. After they meet, they will contact you to set up a time to talk about the results.

 

You will get a written summary about your child's diagnosis at the family conference. The final reports may take up to 4-6 weeks to finish.

 

Yes, if you wish. It can be useful for the clinicians to talk to the people in your community who will be providing ongoing treatment and care to your child. These meetings, called community conferences, are arranged after the family conference. You decide who attends this meeting.

 

BCAAN provides assessments and recommendations for all children and youth we see, regardless of the final diagnosis. If a child is not diagnosed with autism, he or she may still need help. We will make specific recommendations, and will help you to get the services your child needs, including developmental, mental health, education, and social supports, among others.

 

Your suggestions, comments and complaints help us to improve our services. We all benefit from listening to one another. Whether it is to answer a question, solve a problem or to share a success story, it is important that we hear from you.


Just as much as we want to hear about good experiences that you have had with our services, we also want you to tell us when you have a problem so we can resolve it. Please get in touch with us in person, by telephone, mail, fax or email.


If you have a complaint, please contact your regional coordinator (see Regional coordinators at the bottom of the Assessment tab).



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SOURCE: BC Autism Assessment Network ( )
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