A Shift In Autism Funding

In 2022, Premier David Eby stated that the government would "maintain individualized funding for children with an autism diagnosis." He proceeded to state that "every child in B.C. should have the supports they need to thrive." However, just last week, the NDP announced that there will be a shift in autism funding, moving from INDIVIDUAL FUNDING to a new FUNCTIONAL IMPACT model.

The government will now be able to tell you just how deeply your child's diagnosis impacts your household.

WHAT'S CHANGING?

With an INDIVIDUAL FUNDING model:

• If you child had autism diagnosIs, your family qualified for a set amount of funding

• Parents could choose how to use that money based on their childs needs

• Funding could go towards things like:

  • Speech therapy

  • Occupational therapy

  • Behavioural support

  • Social skills programs

Under the new model FUNCTIONAL IMPACT + INCOME:

• A diagnosis alone no longer guarantees funding

• Support is tied to how much the government decides your child is functionally impacted

• Family income is now part of the calculation

• Funding is not automatic OR consistent

THE IMPACT

With the original model of individual funding, an autism diagnosis unlocked support. Parents had predictability and control. Funding was direct, not filtered through multiple assessments. With the new model, families must go through new assessments. Support may change year to year. Two children with the same diagnosis may receive very different support and some families may receive less help--or none at all.

All of this could mean:

• Delays in getting support

• Less ability to plan therapies

• More paperwork and stress

• Parents spending more time advocating instead of caring

• Children portentially missing early or consistent intervention and needed care

For families, the shift isn't simply financial, it's emotional and practical. Familes are moving from knowing what support they have to waiting to be told what they qualify for.

The challenges for those raising children with autism don't change based on assessment cycles or income thresholds. Consistent, early, and reliable support matters, especially during critical developmental years.

At its core, this shift moves families from a system where support was known and dependable to one where it must be continually reassessed and reapproved. For many parents, that uncertainty is the most difficult part of the change. This change is only going to place more unnecessary challenges and uncertainty on families that are already navigating so much.