Our guide to services for people on the autism spectrum in Victoria
There are several groups in Victoria that assist people of all ages on the autism spectrum. We have compiled a list of them here.
Here is a list of those services, divided by the ages supported:
- Children and Youth Only
- Young Adults Only
- Adults Only
- Everyone
Additionally, we have an accessible colour-coded version of this article available to download here.
Part One: Services for Children and Youth Only
- Victoria Society for Children with Autism
-
Organization Description: Victoria Society for Children with Autism works to improve the quality of life of families with children who are on the autism spectrum.
Programs offered include:
- monthly parent-focused support groups
- monthly social gatherings and outdoor activities (ex/ BBQs, sports and games, movies, etc.)
- access to resources and information about the autism spectrum, with an extensive lending library
Age: events and resources for kids, teens, and parents
Cost: $20 per family
- Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD)
-
Organization Description: POPARD works within the public school system to support children on the autism spectrum and children with similar disabilities.
Programs offered include:
- psychoeducational assessments for students who are on the autism spectrum, in addition to one-on-one assistance
- a variety of free educational resources for everyone on their website
- educational programs for teachers about how to optimize their lessons for students learning
- Friendship Space, a free app that gameifies friendship for children who have challenges forming social connections
Age: children
- RISE Learning Centre
-
Organization Description: RISE stands for Reaching Independence through Support and Education. At RISE, they provide personalized behavioural services to individuals of all abilities (including people on the autism spectrum, people with OCD, people with ADD/ADHD, people with anxiety, and more).
Programs offered include:
- behaviour consulting
- speech language therapy
- occupational therapy
- clinical counselling
- holistic nutrition
- social groups
- feeding, sleep & toilet training
- music therapy
- tutoring
- parent consultations
- behaviour therapist & parent training
- social skills summer camps
Age: children and youth
Cost: varies from event to event
- Canucks Autism Network
-
Organization Description: A BC-based organization working to keep people on the autism spectrum fit and healthy.
Programs offered include:
- I CAN Be Active: teaches fundamental movement skills like running, jumping, and balancing for children ages three to six
- I CAN Play Sports: teaches sports skills and group games for children ages seven to twelve
- skating and swimming lessons for children and youth
- monthly social programs for youth and young adults
- family events (ex/ mini-golf, movies)
- training workshops to inform the public about the autism spectrum
Age: all, though some activities are focused on children and youth
Cost: little to none
Part Two: Services for Young Adults
- Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
-
Organization Description: The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is a non-profit dedicated to giving children the health care they require.
Programs offered include:
- Bear Essentials, which helps cover medical costs of youth with disabilities
- scholarships and bursaries for young adults with physical or developmental disabilities attending/applying for post-secondary institutions
- community funding for organizations assisting youth with developmental disabilities
- community buildings and centres that assist people with disabilities across the island
Age: Children, youth, and young adults
Cost: free with referral from a healthcare provider
- Positive Connections
-
Organization Description: Positive Connections is a Victoria-based clinic that provides a variety of behavioral assistance, specializing in giving sexual education to youth on the autism spectrum.
Programs offered include:
- personalized therapy sessions and workshops focusing on the needs of the clients
- behavior consultation, with different programs for children, young adults, and adults
- behavior consultation focused on sexual education for children and young adults, with parents present
Age: all
Cost: varies
- Authors with Autism (AwA)
-
Organization Description: AwA is a University-of-Victoria-based learning community for writers on the autism spectrum.
Programs offered include:
- monthly gatherings, featuring a presentation by an AwA member on a topic of interest, “Share & Write” social portions, and free pizza and juice
- Autism’s Own: a peer-reviewed journal about the autism spectrum, by students on the autism spectrum themselves
Age: UVic students
- Positive Impact
-
Organization Description: Positive Impact works with existing organizations to deliver dynamic and interactive online and facilitated workshops.
Programs offered include:
- The RITE Program (Realizing Independence through Employment), which equips people with developmental disabilities with the skillsets needed to find, secure, and maintain employment
- plus job-coaching for people looking to explore more areas of work and resume assistance
Age: young adults and up
- The RITE Program (Realizing Independence through Employment), which equips people with developmental disabilities with the skillsets needed to find, secure, and maintain employment
Part Three: Services for Adults only
- Victoria Autism-Aspergers Meetup Group
-
Organization Description: Individuals on the autism spectrum get together twice a month to meet new friends and support one another. Friends and family are always welcome too!
Program Information:
- groups of 2-12 individuals get together the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 400 Craigflower Rd.
Age: adults
Cost: none
- Community Living BC
-
Organization Description: Provides funding for adults living with developmental disabilities and their families. These CLBC supports are delivered through services agencies to help eligible adults with their needs, and give them the opportunity to be involved members of their communities
Program Information:
- employment, social and life skills inclusion supports
- assistance in finding modified jobs designed for an individual’s skillset
- connections to community resources that support individuals, their families, or their caregivers
- help finding housing options that assist in living independently while meeting each individual’s unique needs.
- Two-Track System of Support
- Personal Support Initiatives for people who are high-functioning
- pays for certain number of hours per week with support workers – what they do together is up to the client (ex/ grocery shopping, movies, etc.
- Developmental Disability: For people who are not high-functioning
- Personal Support Initiatives for people who are high-functioning
Age: 19+
Cost: none. very extensive application process is required
- Pivot Point Family Growth Center
-
Organization Description: Pivot Point Family Growth Center offers a range of services designed to help adults with diverse abilities to achieve their life goals.
- one-on-one support for learning new skills
- small group programs to help adults engage in community inclusion
- job skills and placement support
- developing social networks
Age: 18+
Cost: consult organization for further info
Part Four: Services for Everyone
- Power to Be
-
Organization Description: Power to Be is an organization focused on empowering youth and adults to get outdoors by offering inclusive adventures rooted in nature.
Program Information:
- Programs are tailored to each person, working to remove any cognitive, physical, or social barriers that may be limiting one’s access to nature
Age: youth and adults
Costs: costs are scaled and subsidized
- Community Living Victoria
-
Organization Description: Community Living Victoria supports people with developmental disabilities together with their families, support networks and community by promoting their full citizenship.
Services Offered:
- family support through advising and group discussions
- employment services, including finding modified jobs to fit an individual’s particular needs
- community inclusion social programs
- supported living through homecare services
Location: 3861 Cedar Hill Cross Road
Age: all
Cost: varies depending on services required
- Drama Club Victoria
-
Organization Description: Drama Club Victoria is dedicated to providing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to participate in theatrical productions.
Services Offered:
- Drama classes for people with developmental disabilities, including:
- Improv classes
- Acting classes
- Play productions
- Multi-media productions
Cost: varies depending on services required
- Drama classes for people with developmental disabilities, including:
- Garth Homer Society
-
Organization Description: The Garth Homer Society provides day services and programming within Greater Victoria for adults with developmental disabilities.
Services Offered:
- community inclusion programs, including physical, social, and personal (ex/ feeding and drinking) support
- employment and educational support
-
- notably access to the ArtWorks Artists Studio and Gallery for aspiring artists
-
- Computer Resource Centre with instructions on using iPads, computers and educational programs
- limited-space residency for older adults
Location: 813 Darwin Avenue
Cost: varies depending on service provided
- AutismBC
-
Organization Description: AutismBC is a small, non-profit and registered charity that encourages the inclusion and acceptance of the entire autism community. Founded in 1975, their programs empower, support, and connect autistic people and their families. More information can be found at www.autismbc.ca
Programs offered include:
- A Resource Team that provides current, credible information and advice on autism and supports.
- Workshops such as the Waiting for Assessments Workshop and What is Autism? Workshop that empower the community through knowledge and learning.
- AutismBC Goes — a series of free, safe, supportive, and inclusive community events for autistic people and their loved ones.
- AutismBC Socials — inclusive groups and clubs that connect autistic people through hobbies and interests.
- AutismBC Meets — Support Groups for community members to connect and share lived experiences, ideas and insights with others on the autism journey.
- AutismBC Talks — opportunities to hear from an expert, learn something new, or try to get a better understanding on topics related to autism.
Reach out to Sarah – Vancouver Island Regional Coordinator at staylor@autismbc.ca
Age: all
Cost: varies from event to event