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

Complete an application for preschool autism funding after your child has been assessed by an Early Years Autism Specialist. Include the intended start date for services, whether you or an early childhood centre will employ the Autism Assistant, and documentation on your child’s autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Submit the application to the Autism Funding Coordinator.

If approved, you or your designated early childhood centre will receive an Autism Funding Agreement for review. Once signed, hours of service by the Autism Assistant can begin. 

You or your designated early childhood centre submit Time Tracking Logs (see the application) 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 Schedule. You, or the designated early childhood centre, then pay the Autism Assistant.

Autism Assistants attending training arranged by the Early Years Autism Coordinator record these hours on the Time Tracking Log in lieu of instructional time. 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

Identify a tutor or aide to work with your child and agree on a wage rate, or identify an organization that will employ a tutor or aide.

Complete an application for school-age autism funding, including information about the tutor/aide or the organization that will employ the tutor/aide, the wage rate, and documentation of your child’s autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Submit the application to the Autism Funding Administrator.

If approved, you or the designated organization will receive an Autism Funding Agreement for review. Once signed, hours of service by the tutor or aide can begin.

You or the designated organization submit Time Tracking Logs (see the application) to the Autism Funding Coordinator to receive payment after the tutor or aide has provided support.

Payment is issued to you or the designated organization according to a Regular Schedule. You, or the designated organization, then pay the tutor or aide.

How much funding can I expect to receive?

Preschool autism funding may be provided to help offset Autism Assistant wages and benefits to a maximum of $13.18 per hour of service, up 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 may cover up to $6600 in tutor/aide services per year. You, or the designated organization, determine the number of hours and rate of pay.

Who can I contact for more information

School-age Autism Funding 

Autism Funding Administrator
Social Development and Housing 
161 St. Peters Road
Charlottetown, PE  C1A 7N8
Tel: 902-368-4657
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