Autism Funding
Two different types of funding are available to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Preschool autism funding is available to help parents and licensed early childhood centres to hire an Autism Assistant for children receiving Intensive Behavioural Intervention (I.B.I.) support.
School-age autism funding is available to help parents and designated community-based organizations to help offset the costs of hiring one-on-one tutors and aides in home and group settings.
Who is eligible for autism funding?
Preschool children with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, who are enrolled in the Early Years Autism Service, may be eligible for preschool autism funding.
School-age children (until the day of graduation) with a diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, who are enrolled in a public or private school, may be eligible for school-age autism funding. The child must require the support of an adult to access community-based activities and/or tutoring outside of school hours.
How do I apply for autism funding?
Preschool autism funding
After your child has been enrolled in the Early Years Autism Service, an assigned Early Years Autism Specialist will work with you to complete the application for Preschool Autism Funding. The Early Years Autism Specialist will then submit the application on your behalf.
Once approved, you or your designated early childhood centre will receive an Autism Funding Agreement for review. After the agreement is signed, hours of service by the Autism Assistant can begin.
You or your designated early childhood centre will submit Time Tracking Logs to the Autism Funding Coordinator to receive payment after the Autism Assistant has provided I.B.I. support.
Payment is issued to you or the designated early childhood centre according to a regular bi-weekly schedule. You, or the designated early childhood centre, then pay the Autism Assistant.
Autism Assistants attending training required by the Diversity & Inclusion Manager may also record these hours on the Training Hours Tracking Log and submit them for payment. If a substitute is required for an Autism Assistant in training, the wages for the substitute can be submitted to the Autism Funding Administrator for reimbursement.
School-age autism funding
School-age autism funding is available through the AccessAbility Supports program for school-aged children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder who require the support of an adult to access community-based activities and/or tutoring outside of school hours.
For more information about how to access school-age autism funding, contact the AccessAbility Supports program.
How much funding can I expect to receive?
Preschool autism funding may be provided to help offset Autism Assistant wages and benefits based on the provincial EYC wage grid, for 20 to 25 hours per week. This includes 12.59% of the funded amount to cover mandatory employer-related costs of Canada Pension, Employment Insurance, Worker’s Compensation, and Vacation Pay.
School-age autism funding provides a maximum amount of funds per calendar year to offset the cost of hiring a tutor/aide to work with your child. You, or the designated organization, determines the number of hours and rate of pay. For up-to-date information on maximum allowable amounts, please contact the AccessAbility Supports program.
Who can I contact for more information
School-age Autism Funding
Autism Funding Administrator
AccessAbility Supports
Social Development and Seniors
161 St. Peters Road
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Toll-free: 1-888-482-5330
Fax: 902-368-4720
Email: autismfunding@gov.pe.ca
Preschool Autism Funding
Autism Funding Coordinator
Education and Early Years
Early Childhood Development
Holman Centre
250 Water St., Suite 101
Summerside, PE C1N 1B6
Tel: 902-438-4854
Fax: 902-438-4874
Email: earlyyearsautism@gov.pe.ca