Financial Resources


Extended Health Benefits
Extended Health Plans often cover a portion of speech and language assessments / therapy.  Please check with your personal health benefit provider for details specific to your plan.


Variety, the Children’s Charity of British Columbia
Individual Grants:Variety provides financial assistance for children who have special needs, with the costs of a wide range of equipment, therapies, educational, social and recreational programs.  Applications require a letter from a speech-language pathologist outlining the need for speech-language therapy.

For more information contact Tami Leidl, Director, Heart of Variety Fund at:

T: 604.268.3893     Toll Free:   1.800.381.2040 
F: 604.320.0535      Email:        heart.fund@variety.bc.ca

Website:  www.variety.bc.ca 


Autism Funding (British Columbia)
Autism Funding is provided by The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for children under age 6 and ages 6-18.

Autism Funds: Under Age 6 may be used for services of behaviour consultants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists who are listed on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP), at http://www.actcommunity.net/.

Autism Funds: Ages 6 – 18 may be used to for Behaviour consultants/interventionists, Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, Life skills and social skills programs, Out-of-school support/tutoring (not part of regular school program), Specialized therapeutic activities and camps designed to address your child’s ASD, Dietary or nutritional counselling from a registered dietician/nutritionist, Family counselling/therapy, Other interventions recommended by a professional/specialist (pre-approval suggested).

If you have questions regarding Autism Funding Programs please contact:
Autism Funding Unit
PO Box 9776 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9S5

Telephone (toll-free): 1-(877)-777-3530   (service is available in several languages)
Fax: 250 356-8578
Email: MCF.AutismFundingUnit@gov.bc.ca
Website: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/autism/contact.htm


CKNW Orphan’s Fund
A child or youth from birth to age 19 who is a resident of the Lower Mainland of BC who requires extra medical, social, educational or environmental supports to enhance or improve their health, development, quality of life and community integration.
In particular in the areas of:
  • Communication (speech, language, hearing) and Cognition
  • Sensory/motor
  • Social/Emotional/Behavioral/Prevention
  • Self-help (adaptive)

Phone: 604-331-2711
Email: cknworphansfund@cknw.com
Website: http://www.cknw.com/orphans/

Government of BC:  At Home Program
School-Aged Extended Therapies Benefit: The At Home Program assists parents with some of the extraordinary costs of caring for a child with severe disabilities at home through a range of health supports and services. The School-Aged Extended Therapies (SAET) benefit of the At Home Program (AHP) is available to children aged five or older who are enrolled in AHP Medical Benefits. 
The benefit includes speech-language pathology (SLP), OT along with other services.

Phone Toll Free: 1 888 613-3232
Email: MCF.MedicalBenefitsProgram@gov.bc.ca
Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/special-needs/complex-health-needs/at-home-program

Self Design
The SelfDesign Learning Community is among the largest distance/distributed learning schools and personalized learning programs in British Columbia, Canada. Funded by the BC Ministry of Education, SelfDesign provides services for all learners needing additional supports to maximize their Learning Opportunities.  SLP services, OT and many other supports are provided with Selfdesign.

Phone Toll Free: 1 877 353 3374 
Website: https://selfdesign.org/