Autism Funding in BC Is Changing. Should Parents Be Worried?

Feb 25

If you’re parenting an autistic child in British Columbia, you’ve probably heard by now that changes are coming to autism funding. And if you feel a mix of confusion, hope, anger, relief, or exhaustion about it… that makes sense.

The current Autism Funding Unit (AFU) through the Government of British Columbia has provided individualized funding directly to families for years. That model — funding tied specifically to an autism diagnosis — is being phased out by March 2027. What’s replacing it is a broader disability funding model that’s based more on functional need rather than diagnosis alone, along with a new BC Children and Youth Disability Benefit and supplement.

There are real pros here, and there are real concerns. Let’s talk about both.

What’s potentially good about this shift

The new model is designed to include more children. Under the old system, autism had its own funding stream, while many other disabilities didn’t receive comparable direct funding. Moving toward a needs-based model means support is no longer diagnosis-exclusive. On an equity level, that matters.

There’s also a substantial financial investment being announced alongside these changes. The province is committing significant funding to expand disability services more broadly. The intention — at least on paper — is that families should have better access to coordinated services, navigation support, and community-based options rather than having to build everything themselves from scratch.

And for some families who previously didn’t qualify for autism funding, this could mean access to support they didn’t have before.

What’s understandably hard (and why some parents are upset)

For families currently receiving AFU funds, the biggest fear is simple: Will my child lose funding?

Right now, many families receive predictable annual amounts they can allocate toward therapies of their choosing. That autonomy has allowed parents to build teams that fit their child’s needs — whether that’s OT, SLP, behaviour support, counselling, tutoring, or other interventions.

A shift to functional-need assessments means funding may change. Some families may receive less. Some may receive services in a different format rather than direct funds. And during any transition of this size, uncertainty and potential gaps in services are valid concerns.

There’s also something deeply regulating about predictability. Parents of autistic children often spend years fighting for access, piecing together services, advocating constantly. A major systems overhaul can feel destabilizing — especially if your child is thriving under the current structure.

Perhaps one of the biggest concerns is adding to the mental load of parents. This change may mean more paperwork, and more” proving.” And we all know how tiring proving our kids’ needs can be, especially when we have high-maskers and PDAers.

So…should parents be upset?

Any reaction to this change is valid. Upset. Protective. Alert. Concerned. Thoughtful. All of that makes sense.

You’re allowed to care about what happens to your child’s support system. You’re allowed to question whether this will actually work in practice. You’re also allowed to feel hopeful for greater equity while still grieving the potential loss of choice.

What I’m gently encouraging parents to do

First: stay informed, but try not to spiral on rumours. Follow updates directly from the Government of British Columbia and credible advocacy organizations. Details matter here — especially around timelines and how functional need will be determined.

Second: if your child does not already have approval for the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC), this is something worth exploring. The new disability supplement is expected to tie into DTC eligibility.

Third: document your child’s functional needs clearly. Keep reports. Keep updated assessments. When systems shift toward needs-based frameworks, documentation becomes important. I also want to recognize how energetically taxing this is, and may not be an option for you with the current internal and external resources you have available to you.

Fourth: advocate constructively, if you have the spoons. That can mean:

Writing to your MLA.
Joining information sessions.
Asking specific, practical questions about transition plans.
Requesting clarity on how funding reductions (if any) will be mitigated.

How We Can Help

System changes are stressful — especially when they affect your child’s supports. You shouldn’t have to decode policy shifts alone while also parenting, coordinating therapies, and trying to stay regulated yourself.

Here’s where we can step in:

1. We Help You Make Sense of What Applies to Your Child

Every family’s situation is different. Age, current funding levels, diagnosis history, and fuctional profile matters.

We can:

Review your child’s current supports and identify potential vulnerabilities in the transition.
Help you think through how a functional-needs model might interpret your child’s profile.
Identify gaps you’ll want documented before assessments shift.

2. We Strengthen Documentation (Without Pathologizing Your Child)

If funding moves toward functional need, clarity becomes important.

We can:

Write letter and reports to strenghten your case.
Translate real-life regulation, social, sensory, and executive functioning needs into language systems understand.

If you’re seeking assessment or re-assessment, our neuroaffirming evaluation process is designed to honour your child while still giving you the documentation systems often require.

3. We Support Emotional Regulation — For Parents Too

Funding shifts don’t just affect logistics. They hit deeper layers:

Fear about losing momentum.
Anxiety about financial strain.
Anger about loss of autonomy/choice.
Grief about uncertainty.

We support parents in holding steady through uncertainty. Calm advocacy is more effective than reactive advocacy — but it’s hard to access calm when you’re dysregulated. You deserve support, too.

4. We Provide Low-Cost Assessment Options When Possible

As systems change, some families will pursue updated documentation. When we have availability, we offer limited low-cost assessment spots to increase accessibility — because we understand that financial strain is real in this community.

In Closing

This is a big shift. Some families may benefit. Some may need to adjust. Most will probably feel both cautious and hopeful at the same time. Many families are now faced with a new pile of paperwork that they don’t have the energy for.

The key right now isn’t panic — it’s preparation, clarity, and steady advocacy. That said - your panic is valid.

In short: Stay informed, document well, ask questions, and lean on community (if you feel resourced enough do do so). You can feel angry, sad, and maybe there’s a glimmer of hope too.

Change is easier to navigate when you’re not navigating it alone - email admin@kerryschroede.ca our check out our team page if you’re looking to process this change with someone who gets it, or check out this website for a more detailed outline of the upcoming changes.