BC Autism Assessment Network

Services provided at the BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) at Sunny Hill Health Centre include: 

• Autism assessments and diagnosis for children and youth up to their 19th birthday
• Education for community service providers
• Participation in research

Referral information

We accept referrals from pediatricians, psychiatrists and nurse practitioners, when a patient has multiple areas of significant developmental concerns which align with symptoms of ASD. Providers can find more details on the process via our referral page.

Appointment details

At least one parent or caregiver must attend the initial assessment appointment. We request that all parents/caregivers attend this interview to provide staff with information and to support their child; but we understand this may not always be possible. Grandparents or other caregivers, and sometimes other therapists, are also welcome to join for support. 

Appointments typically take around three hours. You will see a qualified clinician who may be a pediatrician, psychiatrist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist or nurse practitioner. We will not do any medical investigations at this time. There are two parts to an appointment: 

• A detailed parent meeting where your clinician will ask you about your child or youth's history and development
• An interview with your child/youth and an interactive observation session that uses toys and games appropriate to your child’s age or level of development. This interview may include multiple clinicians

Your clinician will then decide whether your child or youth needs additional assessments to help make a diagnosis and/or to understand what supports your child or youth needs.  

In some cases, we complete an autism assessment the same day. In other cases, you may need additional assessments. If so, we will book a family conference to talk about findings, diagnoses, supports and services. Your child does not need to attend but they may if they wish to do so.  

You will receive a report within six to eight weeks regardless of the outcome of the assessment. If your child or youth has a positive diagnosis for autism, we will give you a form at the end of the assessment process so that you can start receiving support immediately.

Contact us

We provide services from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Address: 
4480 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H 3N1 

For general enquiries, please contact us by phone.

Phone: 604-453-8394 

Please also contact us if you have been referred to our clinic and have:

• Decided to pursue a private assessment, as this may change your eligibility for a BCAAN assessment
• Concerns about a letter/correspondence you received

Additional resources

Patients and families navigating an ASD diagnosis may find these links and resources helpful:

• Registry of autism service providers
• Information about autism assessment, diagnosis and treatments on the BC Government's Autism Information Services Forms and Resources page
• National Institute of Mental Health publication on autism spectrum disorder (offered in English and Spanish)