Our Guide to Services for People on the Autism Spectrum in Greater Victoria

Organization Description: VSCA works to improve the quality of life of families with children who are on the autism spectrum.

Programs offered:

• Monthly parent support groups
• Monthly social gatherings and outdoor activities for families (ex. BBQs, movies, sports, and games)
• Access to resources and information about the autism spectrum, with an extensive lending library

Age: Kids, teens, and parents

Cost: Minimal to none

VSCA
602-620 Vies Street
Victoria

Organization Description: POPARD is a Ministry of Education program providing services to schools in BC for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We provide consultation, training and support services to all public and independent schools across the province of British Columbia with a primary focus on increasing the capacity of school district staff to support students with ASD.

Programs offered:

• Psychoeducational assessments for students who have been diagnosed with ASD
• Functional behaviour assessments for students who have been diagnosed with ASD
• A variety of free educational resources for everyone on their website
• Educational training, courses, workshops, and professional development for school employees
• Recommended apps that support students with communication, learning, and scheduling

Age: Children

Cost: Varies by resource

POPARD
4746 57th Street
Delta

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:

• Behaviour consulting
• Early Start Denver Model
• Social Skills Groups
• Feeding, sleep, and toilet training
• Parent consultations
• Behaviour Interventionist and Parent training
• Clinical Counselling

Age: Children and youth

Cost: Varies from event to event

RISE Behaviour Services
1007 Gosper Crescent
Victoria

Organization Description: Canucks Autism Network is a BC-based organization dedicated to providing programs to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, while promoting acceptance and inclusion through community engagement and training initiatives across BC and beyond.

Programs offered (varies by season):

• Baseball, Skating, Swimming, Virtual Early Years Programs (3-6 years)
• Baseball, Dance, Gymnastics, Music, Skating, Swimming, Virtual Children’s Programs (7-12 years)
• Mental Health & Wellness Programs
• Monthly Youth & Adult Programs
• Recreation Programs – Youth & Adult
• Skills Training Employment Program (CAN-STEP)
• Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA)
• Youth & Adult Swim
• Family Experiences

Age: All ages and Families

Cost: Varies by program with the option to apply for the CAN Fee Assistance Program

Canucks Autism Network
1788 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver

Organization Description: The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is a non-profit dedicated to ensuring all Island families have access to the health care they need.

Programs offered:

• Bear Essentials, assists with the costs of health-related travel and equipment
• Homes away from home, provides safe and comfortable places for families to stay while accessing health care for their kids
• 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 Centres that assist children and youth with disabilities across the Island

Age: Children, youth, and young adults

Cost: Free with referral from a healthcare provider

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
345 Wale Road
Victoria

Organization Description: Positive Connections, Landa Fox, is a Behaviour Analyst and Consultant who provides comprehensive, accurate, and inclusive sexual health, safety, and relationship education for people of any age. Landa specializes in supporting autistic individuals, those with developmental or intellectual disabilities, and other unique learning needs.

Programs offered:

• Individual sexual health education sessions
• Assessing and addressing sexual behaviour
• Family and Caregiver training

Age: All ages

Cost: Varies by offering

Positive Connections
1006 Russell Street
Victoria

Organization Description: The Victoria Autism Meetup Group is a group for autistic people, and their families and friends, to get together to meet other people on the autism spectrum, talk, eat, and make friends.

Program Information:

• Meetings are held fourth Thursday of every month, and one Saturday daytime meeting.

Age: Adults and their family and friends

Cost: None. Required to join Meetup community for meeting information.

Organization Description: CLBC is the provincial crown corporation that funds supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and who also have significant difficulty doing things on their own.

Program Information:

CLBC pays for supports and services that eligible adults and their families can buy directly or access through service providers or agencies. With either option, supports can include:

• • Learning new skills that help you achieve your goals.
  • Support for work or other activities so you can be active in your community.
  • Help for living in community.
  • Connecting with special supports and services.
  • Making friends and being a part of life in your community

Age: 16+ to register, 19 to access services

Cost: None. An extensive application process is required.

CLBC Vancouver Island Region
#410-29 Helmcken Road
Victoria

Organization Description: Pivot Point provides several services aimed at helping adults with Diverse Abilities to achieve their goals and live the lives they want.

Program Information:

• One-on-one support for learning new skills
• Small group programs to support community inclusion
• Job skills and placement support
• Developing social networks

Age: 18+

Cost: Consult organization for further info

Pivot Point Family Growth Centre
#218-3930 Shelbourne Street
Victoria

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: 7 or above

Costs: Costs are subsidized, start at $15,  and vary by program type.

Power To Be
4622 Prospect Lake Road
Victoria

Organization Description: Community Living Victoria supports people with intellectual disabilities together with their families, support networks and community by promoting their full citizenship.

Program Information:

• Family support through advising and group discussions
• Parent support resources
• Employment services, include finding modified jobs to fit an individual’s particular needs
• Community Inclusion social programs
• Supported Living options

Age: All

Cost: Varies depending on services required

Community Living Victoria
3861 Cedar Hill Cross Rd
Victoria

Organization Description: The Garth Homer Society provides highly individualized services that provide a lifelong continuum of support to people with developmental disabilities, no matter their age, stage of life, or particular challenges.

Program Information:

• Community Inclusion programs that include a range of community outings, recreational activities, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Staff support the physical, behavioural, communication, and personal care needs of clients while they engage in programming.
• Learning and Employment programs that support both practical learning and social development.
  • ArtWorks Artists Studio and Gallery
  • Employment Services
• Geriatrics daytime services  provide both health and social supports in an accessible environment.

Cost: Varies depending on service provided; funding through CLBC

Garth Homer Society
813 Darwin Ave
Victoria

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, AutismBC supports autistic individuals by providing parents and communities with knowledge and by engaging with people on the autism spectrum to create stronger, more diverse communities.

Program Information:

• 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.

Age: All

Cost: Varies from event to event

AutismBC
3688 Cessna Drive
Richmond

Autism Alliance of Canada is a pan-Canadian network with a broad and diverse membership of Autistic people and their families and support persons, as well as clinicians, researchers, policy influencers, service providers and organizations from across Canada.

1. Policy Initiatives: brings people together to shape policies that improve the lives of Autistic persons
2. Research and Data Initiatives: conducts and collaborates on autism systems and policy research in key areas chosen by Autistic persons and those who support them
3. Training and Fellowships: offers fellowships and training for undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows
4. Community and Member Initiatives: champions the knowledge of its members to shape the creation and execution of autism policy
5. Employment Initiatives: works to ensure that Autistic persons are fully included in the economy and society of Canada

Check out their Inclusive Workplaces Discussion Tool to support discussions between employers and Autistic employees!