WHEREAS autism is a life-long development disability which affects brain development and has been found throughout the world in families of all ethnic and social backgrounds; AND WHEREAS intensive early intervention for young children with autism has been demonstrated as being extremely effective in helping them learn to communicate appropriately and to be included meaningfully in community events; AND WHEREAS the provincial government in September 2009 cut its early intensive intervention program which only covered a minority of young children with autism; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be encouraged to: - Reinstate and fully fund early intensive therapy autism programs for all identified children whose parents request it; - Increase funding for universal early screening and identification of infants and toddlers who are at risk for autism, and initiate very early intervention programs that teach parents to interact with and facilitate their childs development as soon as they are diagnosed; - Increase educational funds that are targeted at supporting teachers to educate students with autism and other developmental disabilities, using the principles of Universal Design for Learning, positive behavior support, and other evidence based educational strategies; and - Increase funding for post-secondary vocational supports aimed at creating customized, community-based employment opportunities for all individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Ministry of Health The British Columbia Autism Assessment Network BCAAN provides diagnostic and assessment services to children eighteen years and under. BCAAN has standards and guidelines to ensure consistent care across the province. Additionally, a systemic tracking of autism assessments and referrals has been developed by BCAAN. The Provincial Health Services Authority PHSA historically provided funding for approximately 1,100 assessments conducted throughout the province annually. Eligible referrals have risen steadily from approximately 400 in 200203 to 1,900 in 201011. In 201112, PHSA increased the annual BCAAN operating budget by 1.296 million, to 4.696 million to fund 480 additional assessments per year for a total of 1,580. In July 2011, a new system developed by BCAAN for tracking of autism assessments and referrals was implemented. The system will improve effective streamlining of all referrals and shorten the wait time for assessment. Ministry of Children and Family Development British Columbia is a national leader in autism supports and services for children and youth. The Province is investing more than 165 million in services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD. Specifically, the budget for autism intervention and funding programs is more than ten times the 2001 budget of 4.1 million, totaling more than 42 million in 20112012. For intervention services to children under 6 the province has shifted from contracted Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention programs, which were serving less than 10 of eligible children, in favour of a more equitable service model. As a result, rates were increased from 20,000 to 22,000 for over 900 families to access early autism intervention services across British Columbia. The Province has committed a minimum of 1 million annually toward the creation of a new Provincial Outreach Programs for young children with ASD. The programs goal is to improve access to high-quality, community-based intervention services and supports and enhance local opportunities for education, support, and training especially in rural and remote communities. British Columbia is the only province in Canada that has a no waitlist policy for families to access autism funding once their child or youth has received a diagnosis of ASD. The Province partners with the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network BCAAN to provide diagnostic and assessment services to children eighteen years and under. Unique student supplementary funding to boards of education and independent schools for students identified with ASD was increased to 18,300 from 16,000 in 2010, a 14 percent increase. The per pupil allotment for all students, including students with ASD also increased from 5,851 to 6,740. This resulted in an overall increase for a student with ASD from 21,851 to 25,040. The Province recommends the use of the Universal Design, positive behaviour support and other evidence-based interventions by school districts. The Province is committed to supporting people with developmental disabilities to achieve their employment goals. In 2008, the province provided 1.1 million annually for three years for the Customized Employment Demonstration Project in which eight community-based service providers delivered customized employment services that assisted people with developmental disabilities to find and keep employment that is uniquely tailored to their individual needs. The learning and best practices coming out of the Customized Employment Demonstration Project have subsequently expanded out to other service providers, who are now offering these services to a broader client group, including people with developmental disabilities and autism. The services are now offered through eleven community-based service providers managed by the ministry and funded by the Canada-BC Labour Market Agreement and the ministrys province-wide Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities. These services will continue to be offered until the new Employment Program of BC begins in April 2012.