Northern Health Assessment Network (NHAN)

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 the BCAAN referral page.

What will happen next?

All referrals are reviewed to ensure they meet eligibility criteria for an assessment through NHAN. If it is determined that your child or youth meets eligibility criteria for an Autism assessment, they will be placed on the waitlist and the legal guardian will receive a confirmation letter. If it is decided that the NHAN is not the best fit for your child, you will be informed and other programs or services will be suggested.

What can I do while I am waiting?

We know that waiting is difficult. If you run into difficulties while you are waiting, contact your doctor for help. AutismBC has a support network and a free waiting for assessment workshop.

Appointment details

At least one parent or caregiver must attend the assessment with your child.

Appointments typically take around four hours. You will see a qualified clinician who may be a pediatrician, psychiatrist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist or nurse practitioner.

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. We request that all parents/caregivers attend this parent/caregiver interview to provide 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.
• 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 portion may include multiple clinicians.

In most cases, we complete an autism assessment and any additional assessments on the same day although this is not always possible. We will also schedule 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 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.

Can I get service in a language other than English?

Although English is most often spoken in the clinics, we can have an interpreter attend your appointments by phone. You should let us know if you need an interpreter when we give you an appointment.

Contact us

1444 Edmonton Street, 1st floor
Prince George BC V2M 6W5

Phone: 250-645-7700
Fax: 250-645-7975

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).

The NHAN CDBC program sees children and youth up to age 19 living in BC who experience moderate to severe challenges in multiple areas. These include cognition, communication, motor skills, self-care, mood, and attention and activity regulation.

We provide assessments for children and youth with multiple areas of developmental concern that community services cannot explain. We may also support children and youth when there is a need to understand the reason for their developmental challenges, including potential genetic conditions; stressful or traumatic experiences for parents or children; or exposure to substances.

Our assessments can lead to diagnoses related to development and behaviour; and suggestions for extra resources to help children and youth function better at home, in school and in the community.

Referral information

We accept referrals from family doctors, pediatricians, psychiatrists and nurse practitioners when a patient is identified with multiple areas of significant developmental concern.

Providers can find more details on the process via the CDBC Referral page.

Appointment details

Before your first appointment, you will receive a call from the case manager for your area. Case managers will ask your permission to contact other community members who know your child, to gather any previous reports or information to help us understand your child or youth's assessment needs. Legal guardians must attend all appointments.

You will also receive forms by email to complete, sign and return to us to help us gather information. If you do not have access to a printer, please inform us and we can send the forms to you by mail.

You may have one or more appointments for your child or youth's assessment.

The NHAN clinical team will complete a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, which may or may not include the following professionals:

• Pediatrician: A pediatrician is a medical doctor who is trained to diagnose and manage the special needs of children and adolescents.
• Psychologist: The psychologist will work with you and your child to assess strengths and weaknesses across a number of areas. These include the assessment of cognitive abilities, academic achievement, attention, memory, planning, problem solving, personal care, social skills, and mental health concerns.
• Speech Language Pathologist (SLP): The speech language pathologist will look at your child’s ability to understand spoken language, to speak to others using words, sentences, explanations and narrative reporting, to use appropriate gestures, body language and facial expressions and to manage the communication demands of social situations. Your child’s auditory memory, speed of verbal processing, speech sound production and oral motor skills may also be assessed.
• Occupational Therapist (OT): The occupational therapist will review your child’s coordination, movement, and sensory processing.

What happens after the assessment?

After the assessment is completed, a family conference is scheduled. During the family conference, the assessment team will meet with your family to explain results, provide diagnoses, make recommendations, and answer questions. Please feel free to invite other family members and/or professionals who work with your child.

You will receive a report within 6 weeks from the date of the family conference that will include the assessment outcomes, diagnoses, and practical recommendations for interventions specific to your child's strengths and challenges.

BCAAN referral page

The NHAN BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) program assesses and diagnoses autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and youth.

Referral overview

The eligibility criteria for referrals include:

• Children and youth up to their 19th birthday.
• Must be presenting with a description of autism symptoms.
• Must be a resident of BC.

BCAAN accepts referrals from a family doctor, pediatrician, speech-language pathologist, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner.

We require a fully completed referral form. In addition, please include:

• A detailed consult report that:
  • Identifies current and historical behaviours and concerns in the areas of social communication, narrow interests and repetitive behaviours.
  • Is based on direct interaction with the child or youth along with the doctor’s impressions relating to the autism query. We are unable to accept referrals based solely on phone or telehealth conversations with caregivers.
  • Includes known medical and developmental history, including any concerns for language, motor or cognition, as well as findings from any previous neurodevelopmental assessment including autism.
• Community documentation by service providers, such as school records or reports, that support the reason for referral.

BCAAN referrals for children over age 5 must be supported by a description of concerns for autism by a community service provider, for example a letter from the school-based team, speech-language pathologist, psychologist or mental health consultant.

Fax the referral and the detailed consult report, along with community documentation to the Northern Health Assessment Network at 250-645-7975.

Post referral

• Once we receive the referral and supporting documentation, our triage team will review them. We will send a letter to the referring doctor and patient indicating that we have accepted the referral, declined it or need additional information. 
• After we process a referral, we place patients on a waitlist. We process all referrals in the order we receive them.
• Both patients/families and the referring provider will receive a letter confirming that the child has been placed on the waitlist.

CDBC referral page

The Complex Developmental and Behavioural Conditions (CDBC) program provides developmental diagnostic assessments to children and youth up to age 19 and their families.

This may include children and youth with:

• Concerns about an intellectual development disorder.
• Developmental issues caused by prenatal substance exposure or adversity.
• Genetic disorders accompanied by other developmental concerns that are not typical of that disorder.
• Complex presentations that require specialized evaluation.

CDBC focuses on more complex cases. We usually do not see children or youth whose issues can be addressed in the community, such as learning disorders or ADHD.

Referral overview

• A doctor, pediatrician, psychiatrist or nurse practitioner must refer patients to CDBC.
• Wherever possible, the referring provider should complete a hearing and vision test before sending a referral to CDBC.
• To refer a child or youth to CDBC, please complete the appropriate referral form based on the child or youth's home address.
• Please also include a consult letter outlining the child or youth's presentation and the reasons for concern. Include any relevant reports, including school reports or reports from community providers.
• Fax the completed referral form, consult letter, and any relevant reports to the Northern Health Assessment Network (NHAN) at 250-645-7975.

Post referral

Following a referral, families and the referring provider will each receive a letter informing them whether our team has accepted the referral.

If we decline the referral, we will provide a letter to the referral provider, copied to the family, with a reason and recommendations for the next steps.

If we accept the referral, we will send a letter to the family, copied to the referral provider, informing them that their child has been added to the waitlist.

Appointment

Our team will contact the family directly for an appointment. We will send an appointment itinerary letter to the family.

Contact information

Please call 250-645-7701 if you:

• Have concerns or questions regarding the referral process or eligibility.
• Wish to know the status of a new referral.
• Have concerns about a letter or correspondence you have received.