RESOURCES
Resources for kids with special needs
THERAPIES:
- Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT): Find an OT
- Speech and Hearing BC: Find a SLP in BC
- Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia: Find a PT in BC
- Canadian Association of Music Therapists
- Art therapy
EQUIPMENT:
- Kit Planete: Therapy equipment and sensory tools
- FDMT: Sensory tools and educational games
-
School Specialty Canada: Therapy equipment catalogue
-
Special Needs Toys Canada: Therapy equipment and sensory tools
-
Tools for kids Inc.: Pediatric Occupational Therapy products in Canada
- Munchables: Sensory chew necklaces Canada
WEBSITES:
- HealthLink BC
- We are Understood.
We are the lifelong guide for those who learn and think differently. In the past year, we’ve helped more than 20 million people discover their potentials, take control of their lives, and stay on positive paths.
Resources for kids with feeding challenges
Kids eat real food & Kids cook real food program
Katie Kimball: An excellent resource for families whose kids struggle with eating.
Autism Resources
- Getting an autism diagnosis (Government of BC website)
- BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN)
- Autism Funding in BC (Government website)
- Autism Community Training (ACT)
- My Autism Guide (Free access to customized autism content specific to your child’s age, location and interests)
- ASD and sleep webinar (purchase the recording or attend live)
- Therapeutic art sessions
- Pro D day camps for neurodiverse children
Kid's mental health resources
- Anxiety Canada
- Western Canada Association for Infant Mental Health (WCAIMH)
- CDC government resource for kids with anxiety and depression
- Child & Youth Mental Health
- Sharon Selby (Registered Clinical Counselor for children and teens) in Vancouver, BC
Funding
Please review and contact these agencies to see if you are eligible for occupational therapy funding:
The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) provides two Autism Funding Programs:
- Under Age 6 program provides families up to $22,000 per year per child to assist in purchasing eligible autism intervention services and therapies.
- Ages 6-18 program provides families up to $6,000 per year per child to assist them with the cost of purchasing eligible autism intervention services and therapies outside of school. This funding is in addition to the educational program and special education services provided through school boards.
PO Box 9776 Stn. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9S5
Phone: 250-387-3530
Toll-Free: 1-877-777-3530
Fax: 250-356-8578
Email:Â MCF.AutismFundingUnit@gov.bc.ca
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The At Home Program (AHP) assists parents with some of the disability-related costs of caring for a child with severe disabilities at home. Children may be eligible for full program benefits for a choice of respite or medical benefits.
Criteria for occupational therapy funding and other At-Home Program benefits:
- Child/youth assessed by an At Home Program assessor as dependent in at least three of four functional activities of daily living (eating, dressing, toileting and washing)
- Must be living at home with a parent or guardian.
PO Box 9763  Stn.  Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9S5
Phone: 250-387-9649
Toll-Free: 1-888-613-3232
Fax: 250-356-2159
Email:Â MCF.MedicalBenefitsProgram@gov.bc.ca
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Grants for Therapies, Bursaries, & Equipment
- All applications must be mailed
Grants Manager: Cathy Hunt
2000- 700 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1K9
Phone: 604-331-2711
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Variety – The Children’s Charity
Grants for Specialized Therapy, Dental or Orthodontic Treatment, Bursaries, Equipment, and Medical/therapeutic supplies
Variety helps children who meet the following criteria:
- Children from 0 to 18 years of age.
- B.C. or Yukon resident for a minimum of three months with a valid Health Care Card.
- Qualified special needs by a designated professional.
- Financial circumstance that limits the ability to afford the item or service required.
4300 Still Creek Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6C6
Phone: 604-268-3891
Fax: 604-320-0535
Toll-Free in BC: 310-KIDS (5437)
Email:Â info@variety.bc.ca