Component: Autism

Legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017

Service description

The five Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic hubs conduct diagnostic assessments for children and youth, under the age of 18, across the five MCCSS regions. Hubs partner with other organizations and professionals to conduct diagnostic assessments in local communities.

The objective of this program is to increase capacity for children to receive diagnoses of autism earlier so they can begin accessing services as soon as possible.

People served

Children and youth up to age 18 who may be showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Program/service features

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic hubs (hubs) will conduct ASD diagnostic assessments for children and youth (under the age of 18) across their Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) regions. Hubs will partner with other agencies to conduct assessments in local communities.

Diagnostic hubs will screen and triage referrals for diagnostic assessment. This screening process will include gathering and reviewing information to determine the next appropriate steps for a child, including whether an autism diagnostic assessment is required and how to triage referrals appropriately. Following the screening and triage process, some children will require a multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessment due to the complexity of their symptoms/presentation, some children will be diagnosed by a single clinician or within a community pediatric clinic, and some children will not require a diagnostic assessment.

The hubs also offer training and capacity-building to health professionals in their local communities to increase the number of professionals able to conduct ASD diagnostic assessments.

Following a diagnostic assessment, the hubs help to connect families with appropriate services in their communities.

Specific service provided

ASD diagnostic hubs are required to

  • implement a provincially-consistent screening and tiered assessment process, based on the complexity of children’s symptoms, so that children receive the right level of service from appropriate professionals
  • provide diagnostic assessments by partnering with other organizations and professionals, including multi-disciplinary assessments where deemed clinically appropriate
  • collaborate with diagnosing partners to reduce wait times for families
  • provide families with a report summarizing the assessment results and the diagnosis in family-friendly language, and provide potential next steps based on the diagnosis
  • connect families with appropriate services in their communities following a diagnostic assessment
  • increase the number of professionals able to conduct ASD diagnostic assessments by offering training and capacity-building in their local communities

As part of conducting diagnostic assessments, hubs must include, at a minimum

  • a semi-structured interview
  • informal observation
  • review of documents/reports/previous assessments (including information from school/ childcare)
  • administration of autism diagnostic tool(s) as appropriate, based on clinical judgment and each child’s individual presentation
  • review DSM-V criteria
  • utilization of an adaptive measure as part of the diagnostic assessment process, where appropriate

The ASD diagnostic hubs are expected to work in collaboration with AccessOAP to support a coordinated and integrated service experience for children and youth.

Program goals

The goals of this program are:

  • to increase capacity to provide ASD diagnostic assessments across the province
  • to increase access to early diagnostic services for children and youth who may be showing signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Ministry expectations

Services will be

  • reflective and responsive to individual, family and community strengths and needs
  • accountable to the individual and family
  • sensitive to the social, linguistic, geographic and cultural diversity of families and Indigenous communities
  • staffed by individuals with the appropriate range of skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the needs of adults, children, and their families
  • based on the individual’s assessed needs and preferences and availability of individual, agency, community, and contracted ministry resources

Reporting requirements

Service data will be reported on at an Interim and Final stage. Please refer to your final agreement for report back due dates and targets.

Service data name Definition

# of Individuals who were Assessed as having ASD: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The number of children or youth assessed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder in the reporting period. A child or youth is reported in the reporting period in which the family received the outcome of the assessment.

Ministry-funded Agency Expenditures: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

Total ministry-funded expenses for the Transfer Payment Recipient to administer and/or deliver this service in the Funding Year (cumulative).

# of Individuals Waiting for Diagnostic Assessment: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The number of children or youth on an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic hub wait list for an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessment on the last business day of the reporting period.

# of Individuals Screened: ASD Diagnostic Hub

The number of children or youth screened through the hub, or its partners, in the reporting period. A child or youth is reported in the reporting period in which the child or youth completes the screening.

# of ASD Diagnostic Assessments Completed: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The number of Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnostic assessments completed in the reporting period through the hub, or its partners. An assessment is reported in the reporting period in which the family received the outcome of the assessment.

 # of Individuals Screened who are Eligible to Receive a Diagnostic Assessment: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The total number of children or youth screened through the hub, or its partners, in the reporting period whose screening result recommends they receive a diagnostic assessment. A child or youth is reported in the reporting period in which the family received the screening result.

# of Individuals Screened who are Ineligible to Receive a Diagnostic Assessment: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The total number of children or youth screened through the hub, or its partners, in the reporting period whose screening result identifies that they do not require an autism diagnostic assessment. These children/youth do not receive a diagnostic assessment for autism. A child or youth is reported in the reporting period in which the family received the screening result.

# of Individuals Screened who Received a Diagnosis of Autism: ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The total number of children or youth screened through the hub, or its partners, in the reporting period whose screening result recommends they receive a diagnostic assessment and who subsequently completed a diagnostic assessment and are diagnosed with autism. A child or youth is reported in the reporting period in which the family received the outcome of the diagnostic assessment.

Average Wait Time from Referral to Diagnostic Assessment Results (# of Days): ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The average wait time (in days) for a child or youth to receive a diagnostic assessment through the hub, or its partners, in the reporting period. Wait times are calculated from the day the family is first referred to the hub, to the day the family receives the results of the diagnostic assessment.

Average Age at Diagnosis (Months): ASD Diagnostic Hubs

The average age (in months) of a child or youth at time of diagnosis as of the last day of the reporting period. A child or youth is reported in the reporting period in which the family receives the outcome of the diagnostic assessment.

In addition, ASD diagnostic hubs will complete an annual evaluation report which is due at the end of Q4 each fiscal year (reporting template and dates to be provided separately).