The team of speech-language pathologists at Victoria Speech and Language Centre have additional training, experience, and a special interest in identifying characteristics of Autism in children, teens and adults. We are skilled at identifying hard to spot cases, early childhood, and those clients that are masking.
Our team is NOT qualified to make an official autism diagnosis. An informal Autism screener will provide detailed information about your or your child’s characteristics that may suggest pursuing a formal autism assessment. The accompanying report will help provide support to take to your doctor for a referral for a public autism assessment or to provide additional supporting information for a private Autism assessment. Many physicians and pediatricians do not have current information to accurately identify non-classic profiles of Autism.
Adults may seek out our Autism screening process if they are exploring their own neurodivergence and would like a 2nd opinion to explore characteristics of Autism and whether a formal or self-diagnosis is suggested.
Parents may also seek this screening if they need support advocating for an Autism assessment with their GP or pediatrician, to rule out/in Autism as it relates to their child’s challenging behaviour at home or school, before deciding to pursue a pricey private autism assessment, or if they are looking for a 2nd opinion after being denied an Autism diagnosis through public assessment (VICAN).
At Victoria Speech and Language Centre, we are passionate about accurate diagnosis to empower an individual and their family with knowledge about their neurology so that they can access appropriate supports and accommodations to lead to a better quality of life and mental health outcomes.
Children under the age of 18 in British Columbia with a diagnosis of Autism are eligible for funding through the government; specifically, $22,000/year for children under 6 years and $6000/year for children 6-18 yrs. A formal Autism assessment via VICAN (Vancouver Island Child Assessment Network) can take up to 1.5 years and a private Autism assessment can be less than 6 months wait. An Autism screener can be a very helpful process prior to committing to a costly private Autism assessment.
The process involves:
**Your extended health benefits will cover this assessment if you have “speech and language therapy” by a registered speech language pathologist covered by your benefits.
