Program & Registration FAQs

Canucks Autism Network offers a range of in-person and virtual programs that support participants from childhood to adulthood.

• Early Years (3-6 yrs)
  Focus is on building fundamental movement skills and practicing social skills.
  Programs include Multisport, Swim, and Skate.
• Children (7-12yrs)
  Programs support the development of sport-focused movement skills and social skills.
  Core programs include Multisport, Swim, and Skate. Special opportunity programs range by location and include Gymnastics, Hockey, and Music.
• Youth & Adults (13-17, 18+yrs)
  Focus is on recreation, wellness & mental health, and employment, while providing opportunities for social interaction and leadership.
• Family Experiences (All Ages)
  Families enjoy local venues and attractions, while connecting with other CAN families. Opportunities may include drive-in movies, mini golf, bowling, trips to the farm, holiday lights displays, and more.

For more info, please visit canucksautism.ca/programs.

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a range of virtual programs that participants of all ages could access in real-time from home.

After in-person programs were re-introduced, we decided to retain virtual programs, as they offered a unique opportunity for participants to engage online. It also allowed for individuals on the autism spectrum in all regions of BC to access our programs.

Virtual programs vary from season-to-season, but typically focus on arts and recreation for children, and social, wellness & mental health, and recreation opportunities for youth & adults.

All sessions use the free Zoom app (an online meeting platform) and are facilitated by CAN staff who are able to connect with participants in real-time, teaching lessons in a fun, new and digital environment.

Learn more at canucksautism.ca/programs.

In-person programs are delivered across the Metro Vancouver,* Fraser Valley,** Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Victoria regions. Virtual programs are offered province wide.

*Metro Vancouver: From Vancouver/Richmond to Maple Ridge/Langley
**Fraser Valley: Mission, Abbotsford & Chilliwack

In accordance with our strategic plan, we are currently focused on providing in-person programs in major urban centres across the province, including Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Victoria regions.

We encourage individuals from communities outside of our in-person program regions to explore CAN’s virtual programming, which offers peer interaction and staff instruction in real-time.

Additionally, CAN training is delivered in communities across the province. By delivering workshops on supporting individuals on the spectrum in a variety of community settings, we can build capacity for community inclusion in regions where we don’t offer programs.

For more information, please visit canucksautism.ca/training.

Our programs and family experiences are open to all individuals on the autism spectrum and their immediate family members.

• For ages 0-12, official proof of diagnosis is required.
• For ages 13+, the individual can self-identify as being on the autism spectrum.

Must reside in British Columbia.

A CAN account is required to register for most opportunities.

For more info, visit canucksautism.ca/join.

One of the most common barriers that Autistic youth and adults face is the need for a formal autism diagnosis to access supports.

By removing this requirement, we can ensure that any youth or adult who identifies as being on the autism spectrum can access CAN programs and services. Learn more >

It is FREE to create to a CAN account!

Once registered, participants and families can sign up for opportunities year-round.

Most programs include a highly-subsidized fee to join.

For Family Experiences, a $25 annual pass is required. The pass is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase and provides access to events across regions.

We do not wish for the financial cost to be a barrier for any individual or family wishing to participate in our programs.

Learn more about our Fee Assistance Program.

Registration for weekly programs takes place 6-8 weeks before the start of each season:

• Fall (Sep-Dec): Registration opens early-September
• Winter (Jan-Mar): Registration opens early-December
• Spring (Apr-Jun): Registration opens early-March
• Summer (Jul-Aug): Registration opens early-June

Registration for many youth & adult programs takes place on the 15th of each month.
These include pop-up recreation, wellness & mental health, and select weekly rec programs.

Registration for most weekly rec programs takes place 6-8 weeks before the start of each season.
These include Swim, Walking Club, Outdoor Rec, Bouldering, and more.

• Fall (Sep-Dec): Registration opens early-September
• Winter (Jan-Mar): Registration opens early-December
• Spring (Apr-Jun): Registration opens early-March
• Summer (Jul-Aug): Registration opens early-June

Some programs have registration/intake available year-round.
These include Movie Club, Women’s Peer Group, and Ready, Willing & Able career navigational services.

And finally, other programs have registration/intake at specific times throughout the year outside of the above schedule.
These include our Skills Training Employment Program (CAN-STEP).

To be kept in the loop of all youth & adult opportunities, subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Registration for family experiences takes place on the 15th of each month at 6pm.

Registration dates are communicated year-round via:

• Monthly e-newsletter
  Sent each month to all registered participants and families; lists all registration periods for CAN programs, as well as other opportunities within the community.
• Seasonal Program Guides
  Lists details for programs taking place for each season.

When registration opens, login to your online account to register for programs.

Need support? Follow our step-by-step instructions PDF.

Or watch this step-by-step video tutorial:

There is a maximum of 2 weekly programs per season per participant.

This is to ensure that we can accommodate as many unique participants as possible in our programs.

Anyone registered in more than two programs may be notified and removed, if needed.

Payment through the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD)’s Autism Funding Unit (AFU) is eligible for program fees greater than $100.

If you would like to use Autism Funding for an eligible program, please form out our AFU form, which will give you a code for program payment.

Families who face financial barriers to access will need to apply to CAN’s Fee Assistance Program prior to registration opening.

For the majority of our programs that are first-come, first-served, fees can be processed by credit card through your online account at the time of registration.

For our programs that are not first-come, first-served, fees are due after you’ve received your confirmation email. Payment is required to confirm your program spot.

If credit card payment is an issue, please contact info@canucksautism.ca to inquire about the possibility of paying by cheque or e-transfer.

For programs with fees over $100, payment can be completed through the Autism Funding Unit (AFU). See details above.

We do not wish for the financial cost to be a barrier for any individual or family wishing to participate in our programs.

For info on our Fee Assistance Program, email info@canucksautism.ca.

We value accessibility and strive to eliminate financial barriers to program participation.

If a program fee is a barrier for you or your family, we encourage you to submit a request for fee reduction or waiver through our Fee Assistance Program.

Please email info@canucksautism.ca for more info.

Note that there are also many community grants, including JumpStart, Athletics4Kids, KidSport, that can help provide financial assistance for sports & rec program fees.

We are committed to ensuring our programs remain affordable and comparable in cost to local community programs, but with a much higher level of support provided to meet the needs of each participant.

Charging a highly subsidized fee supports the sustainability of CAN’s efforts. The fee charged to participants is well below the true cost of the program.

For example, the average cost to teach a CAN participant to swim in our nationally-standardized, 8-week program is $700. That includes facility, equipment, staff & administration costs. By comparison, the program fee is just $60.

There are two kinds of waitlists in the registration system.

1) For the majority of our programs that are first-come, first-served, “Waitlist” means that the program is full.

Demand for most programs is quite high. Unfortunately, participants will not always be accommodated into every program they wish to attend.

2) For some of our programs that are NOT first-come, first served, “Waitlist” means that all registrants are placed on the waitlist first.

Confirmed participants will then receive an email indicating if they are in the program.

For programs that are first-come, first-served:

If you are on the waitlist for a program, it is at capacity.

Spots open up if a confirmed participant withdraws. Unfortunately, we do not know the likelihood of a confirmed participant withdrawing.

If a spot become available, you will receive an automated notification to register.

For programs that are NOT first-come, first-served:

All registrants are placed on the waitlist. Confirmed participants will be advised after the registration period.

No. Participants who are not confirmed for a program are not covered by our insurance and are not able to attend.

Additionally, program staff and volunteers are there to support registered participants. Unexpected participants would imbalance the ratio of support that we are providing to confirmed participants.

If you are going to miss a session (for whatever reason), please submit notice through the Report an Absence form.

If we require additional information, we will follow up with you.

You can withdraw from an entire program (ie. all scheduled sessions) through the CAN registration system. Cancellation fees may apply if you withdraw less than hours prior to the start date.

There is no cancellation fee for participants who withdraw from or do not attend a Family Experience event included in the annual pass.

Participants can withdraw their registration for a program or event without penalty up to two days prior to the program start date.

Participants who withdraw their program registration less than 48 hours prior to the start date of the program are eligible for a refund less a $5 cancellation fee.

Registration fees are non-refundable after the start of an event or one-day program. In the case of seasonal weekly programs registration fees are non-refundable 72 hours after the first class.

There is no cancellation fee for participants who withdraw from or do not attend a Family Experience event included in the annual pass.

All refunds are process back to the original payment method. Fees paid through CAN Fee Assistance or AFU cannot be credited to another program in the same season or future programs.

Since its inception in 2008, Canucks Autism Network has delivered programs that have been specifically designed and adapted for individuals on the autism spectrum.

In addition, much of the funding we receive is designated for autism programming.

However, the support strategies taught in CAN’s training workshops and accessibility consultation are helpful for supporting a wide range of people and can be incorporated as part of inclusive universal design.

Yes, all individuals with all support needs across the autism spectrum are welcome in our programs.

CAN staff are trained to communicate and collaborate with the participant and their caregiver(s) to implement individualized supports that create safety and positive participation.

Yes. We welcome individuals with all support needs.

CAN staff are trained to collaborate with the participant and their caregiver(s) to understand each individual’s communication profile.

Staff are able to use a variety of strategies including visual supports and AAC.

Yes. We welcome individuals with a range of support needs. We can provide 1:1 support or even 2:1 support, as needed.

For participants who have lower support needs, our staff are also trained to facilitate independence and promote socialization with peers, whenever possible.

When registering for a program, participants and their caregiver(s) are asked to include information about participant likes/dislikes, triggers, communication abilities, recommended supports, level of independence, and more.

Additionally, participants and their caregiver(s) are encouraged to collaborate with the Onsite Supervisor at programs to identify specific support needs and determine best strategies. The Onsite Supervisor is the member of the CAN staff team wearing a black t-shirt at the program.

Siblings are welcome at Family Experiences and other select opportunities.