Pediatrician's Report no Longer Required for Autism Funding Applications

Photo by Gabe Pierce

As of October 8, 2025, MCFD have temporarily suspended province-wide the requirement that Under-Six Non-BCAAN Autism Funding applications include a paediatrician’s report.

The announcement from MCFD states:

Ongoing challenges in accessing paediatricians to complete medical assessments have delayed funding that supports essential early intervention services.
Removing the requirement to include a paediatrician’s report helps reduce barriers faced by vulnerable families in B.C. and responds to current health-care capacity challenges.

While seeing a paediatrician remains important to support the overall health and well-being of a child, families will no longer experience delays in applying for Autism Funding as a result of pending assessments. Under-Six Non-BCAAN applications can now be processed without a pediatrician’s report.

This change will be reflected on several forms in the coming days (e.g., the Non-BCAAN form and the Autism Funding application).

A release from Autism Community Training (ACT) notes:

We recognize that many families, clinicians, and community agencies have experienced delays in obtaining pediatric assessments required for Under-Six Non-BCAAN Autism Funding applications.

The information below, provided by MCFD, outlines a temporary provincial change intended to reduce barriers and help families access early intervention services more quickly.

Please review the communication from Danielle Smith, Executive Director, Early Years, Children & Youth with Support Needs, and Adoptions Policy Branch, in full. If you have questions after reading the update, please contact MCFD directly using the details provided.