All special needs:
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
Statewide assistive technology loan program for software and toys for teachers and parents of children with severe motor challenges.
Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health
Provides medical services for special needs children and families, including Orthotics, Prosthetics & Seating clinic for those with orthopaedic or neurological conditions requiring braces, wheelchairs or other mobility equipment, a Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Service (PFSS), an Early Intervention Program for those who qualify, and Vancouver Island Children’s Assessment Network to establish qualification for Ministry programs. Child Youth and Family Mental Health services are also found here. Most of these services require physician referral and have long waiting lists.
The Children’s Respite Support Society (CRSS)
A registered non-profit that provides nursing respite services to families with children with severe disabilities in the greater Victoria area
Canadian Children’s Therapy on Facebook
Contains infrequent posts of local events of interest to special needs families, fun activities for home, and other resources.
Autism-specific resources:
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development Autism Program (MCFD)
This program is undergoing significant changes in its funding and service delivery models, with plans to implement these in 2024.
Autism Community Training (ACT)
A registered not-for-profit society that provides information and training, in accordance with international best practices. Their goal is to enable parents, professionals and para-professionals to support children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to live productive, satisfying lives within their families and communities.
Canucks Autism Network (CAN)
Provides community-based sports and recreation programs for individuals with autism, and are especially active in the Nanaimo to Duncan area.
Victoria Society for Children with Autism (VSCA)
Serves, encourages, educates, supports, and inspires families in Greater Victoria who are living with children on the autism spectrum. VSCA is a charitable organization that holds parent support groups, teen groups and a variety of family activities. It has a lending library, and limited respite funding. Volunteer opportunities here too.
The Autism Support Network (ASN)
is parents helping parents. They maintain a great website of resources, offer a monthly parent class for families new to the autism diagnosis or to BC, and coordinate parent support groups in several areas.
Autism BC
Strives to enhance and improve the lives of those with autism. They assist families and others with navigating the maze of systems in BC, offer education and training for behavioural interventionists, supports community awareness programs, and has a youth to adult transition planning guide.