Living with an autistic child or family member is can be wonderfully rewarding and enriching – but it can also be difficult. Sharing your life with someone with unique support needs, especially someone whom you love and support, can feel complicated and challenging. However, support is available! Please check out the resources below:
What Victoria Autism Offers:
We have a Victoria Autism Parents Support facebook page, all are welcome.
Our community events offer opportunities for community connectivity and support for parents and caregivers! See our events through our monthly community newsletter.
Other Parent Support Groups and Networks:
The Parent Support Society of BC offers an ongoing online support group for those raising children with disabilities.
Autism BC also offers parent/caregiver support groups by age (parents of younger children and teens).
The Cridge Centre for the Family offers a parent/caregiver Respite & Respitality Program which funds opportunities for parents to recharge in the midst of raising a child with complex needs.
There is a Vancouver Island Autism Parent Support Group on facebook (separate from our own VSCA parents group).
Community Living BC offers a parental support program which is more formalized than many others. Check it out to see if it is right for your family.
The Family Support Institute of BC offers a variety of resources.
Community Options offers a Victoria based SibShops program, providing a recreational support space for siblings of children with autism and other challenges. The program runs September-May, reach out to the coordinator for more information.
Please reach out to us if we can provide any other info or support!