Glossary of Abbreviations

We’ve created this glossary to simplify the “alphabet soup” of acronyms related to Autism in BC’s disability, healthcare, and education systems. These abbreviations show up everywhere in the Autism support landscape. This page gives you a quick, easy-to-understand reference to decipher the jargon.

AAC — Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Any method of communication used to supplement or replace speech, including devices, picture boards, or communication books.

ABA — Applied Behavioural Analysis

A therapeutic approach that uses behaviourist principles to teach specific skills through reinforcement.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Note

Many Autistic individuals and advocacy groups express strong concerns about ABA due to its historical focus on compliance and normalization rather than autonomy, consent, and well-being. ND-affirming practitioners prioritize supportive, collaborative, and self-directed approaches that respect neurodivergent communication and sensory needs.

ACT — Autism Community Training

A BC-based organization that provides education, training, and resources for families and professionals supporting autistic individuals.

AFU — Autism Funding Unit

A provincial program in British Columbia that administers funding for eligible Autistic children up to 18 years old.

AHP — At-Home Program

A provincial program in BC offering medical benefits, therapy funding, and/or respite funding for children and youth with significant disabilities or complex medical needs. Administered separately from Autism Funding.

AIS — Autism Information Services

A provincial service that provides information and guidance to families and professionals about autism supports in BC, including navigating Autism Funding, finding resources, and accessing local services.

ASD — Autism Spectrum Disorder

A diagnostic label used in medical and educational systems to describe Autism.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Note

Many Autistic individuals (and the Autistic community at large) prefer identity-first language (e.g., “Autistic person”) rather than “person with autism” or “person with ASD.” This preference reflects pride in autism as an integral part of one’s identity, not something separate or to be cured. When writing or speaking, it’s best to mirror the language the individual uses for themselves.

BCAAN — BC Autism Assessment Network

A publicly funded provincial diagnostic network for children and youth up to age 19, offering free assessments via regional Health Authority teams. Ensures consistency with provincial standards for diagnosis and eligibility for autism‐related funding.

BCBA — Board Certified Behaviour Analyst

A professional trained in behavioural analysis. In BC, BCBAs often supervise ABA programs.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Note

Many Autistic individuals and advocacy groups express strong concerns about ABA and behavioural approaches due to their historical focus on compliance and normalization rather than autonomy, consent, and well-being. ND-affirming practitioners prioritize supportive, collaborative, and self-directed approaches that respect neurodivergent communication and sensory needs.

BI — Behaviour Intervention(ist)

An unregulated paraprofessional who works directly with Autistic children and youth to support skill development and individualized goals. BIs may work under the supervision of a Behaviour Consultant or BCBA, but can also be engaged for respite, play-based, or community-focused supports that emphasize connection, engagement, and participation.

CAN — Canucks Autism Network

A BC-based non-profit providing inclusive sports, recreation, and community programs for Autistic children, youth, and adults.

CLBC — Community Living British Columbia

A government agency supporting adults with developmental disabilities, Autism, or FASD. Services focus on community inclusion, employment, and independent living.

CDC — Child Development Centre

A community-based organization offering therapy and family support services for children with developmental differences.

CYSN — Children and Youth with Support Needs

A branch of the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) that manages programs like Autism Funding and the At-Home Program.

DL — Distributed Learning

A BC educational option allowing students to complete part or all of their education online or via homeschooling with flexible pacing.

EA — Education Assistant

A school-based staff role that supports student participation, regulation, and access to learning activities throughout the school day.

EI — Early Intervention

Therapy and developmental support provided during early childhood (typically birth to age 6) to promote developmental skills and participation.

EIT — Early Intervention Team

A multidisciplinary team (usually within an organization) supporting children under 6 with developmental needs.

FDMT — fdmt Therapeutic Products

A supplier frequently approved for AFU-funded equipment and materials.

IEP — Individualized Education Plan

A personalized education plan outlining supports, accommodations, and goals for students with diverse learning needs.

JFE — Justification for Equipment and Supplies

A document completed and signed by an Occupational Therapist or other professional to request AFU approval for equipment purchase reimbursement.

MCFD — Ministry of Children and Family Development

The provincial ministry that oversees Autism Funding and related family support programs like CYSN.

MFSP — My Family Services Portal

An online portal provided by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for parents and caregivers to manage Autism Funding and related CYSN programs. Families use it to submit Requests to Pay (RTP), track expenses, and submit forms such as the Justification for Equipment (JFE).

ND — Neurodivergent / Neurodivergence

Describes people whose brains function differently from the dominant neurotype (e.g., autistic, ADHD, dyslexic). Highlights difference, not deficit.

ND-Affirming — Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

An approach that respects neurodivergent ways of thinking, sensing, and communicating as valid. Focuses on autonomy, consent, and participation over compliance.

Non-BCAAN — Private Diagnosis

A private Autism assessment route where families pay out of pocket. To access provincial autism funding in BC, the assessment must meet specified standards (including ADOS + ADI-R), and a “Non-BCAAN Diagnosis” form must be submitted.

OT — Occupational Therapy

A regulated allied health profession that supports participation in daily life through therapeutic and adaptive approaches. Often guided by: “What’s meaningful to you, and how can we make it doable?”

PDA — Pathological Demand Avoidance

A pattern of significant avoidance of everyday demands due to high anxiety and a strong need for autonomy and control.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Note

PDA is not a formal diagnosis in North America, but is becoming a common sub-profile that many families and Autists self-identify with. Many Autistic self-advocates prefer framing it as a nervous system protection response, not defiance; a “Pervasive Drive for Autonomy”. Support focuses on collaboration, flexibility, and reducing perceived pressure rather than increasing compliance.

PWD — Person with Disabilities

A provincial designation that provides financial and medical benefits for adults with significant and continuous disabilities. Often accessed after age 18 through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

PT — Physiotherapy

A regulated health profession that supports movement, strength, and physical recovery through exercise, education, and body awareness. Often guided by: “How can we help your body move with less pain and more confidence?”

RCC — Registered Clinical Counsellor

An unregulated mental-health professional registered with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). RCCs support emotional, relational, and mental-health concerns, often exploring: “How are you thinking, feeling, and relating?”

RTP — Request to Pay

A physical or digital form submitted to the Autism Funding Unit (AFU) when families wish to have service providers or suppliers paid directly from their child’s funding. RTPs are commonly used for ongoing therapy invoices, equipment purchases, or program fees approved under the child’s funding plan.

SLP — Speech & Language Pathologist

A regulated health professional who supports communication, language, and swallowing. Often guided by: “How can we make it easier for you to express yourself and be understood?”

SPD — Sensory Processing Differences/Disorder

A term used to describe significant differences in how the nervous system receives and interprets sensory input. It impacts comfort, participation, and regulation. (Not a DSM diagnosis but widely used clinically and in research.)

SST — Social Skills Training

Structured approaches used to build social understanding and relationship skills

Neurodiversity-Affirming Note

Traditional social skills programs often focus on teaching Autistic people to appear more “neurotypical,” which can increase masking and emotional fatigue. ND-affirming approaches instead emphasize mutual understanding, authentic communication, and self-advocacy to help individuals navigate social contexts while honouring their natural ways of connecting and communicating.

Glossary of Abbreviations AAC — Augmentative and Alternative Communication ABA — Applied Behavioural Analysis ACT — Autism Community Training AFU — Autism Funding Unit AHP — At-Home Program AIS — Autism Information Services ASD — Autism Spectrum Disorder BCAAN — BC Autism Assessment Network BCBA — Board Certified Behaviour Analyst BI — Behaviour Intervention(ist)CAN — Canucks Autism Network CLBC — Community Living British Columbia CDC — Child Development Centre CYSN — Children and Youth with Support Needs DL — Distributed Learning EA — Education Assistant EI — Early Intervention EIT — Early Intervention Team FDMT — fdmt Therapeutic Products IEP — Individualized Education Plan JFE — Justification for Equipment and Supplies MCFD — Ministry of Children and Family Development MFSP — My Family Services Portal ND — Neurodivergent / Neurodivergence ND-Affirming — Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice Non-BCAAN — Private Diagnosis OT — Occupational Therapy PDA — Pathological Demand Avoidance PWD — Person with Disabilities PT — Physiotherapy RCC — Registered Clinical Counsellor RTP — Request to Pay SLP — Speech & Language Pathologist SPD — Sensory Processing Differences/Disorder SST — Social Skills Training