Finally a diagnosis!

In Ontario we have a few things. Something called DSO which is Developmental Services Ontario. It’s a support service for adults with disabilities, which also helps in funding adult needs like transportation to work costs, personal support services and even social outings for people with disabilities. You may have something similar in BC

We also have the ODSP program for adults with low income on disability. You will have to apply for this and he has to qualify. It’s income support for people who cannot make a full living wage due to a disability. Look into that and get him on it right away if he qualifies. If he does it comes with pretty comprehensive health benefits coverage also.

You should also look into an RDSP program - for when he retires or no longer collects ODSP. If you get him one right away, he can qualify for government grants up to 10K a year depending on how much he contributes to it each year ans it’s a sheltered asset which ODSP will not hold against him.

You should also make sure he has a Power of Attorney for both health and finance. If he is unable to manage his own affairs especially. Annnnnd most importantly, if you get him on disability benefits make sure you change your will to include a HENSON TRUST for any inhertance. A Henson trust is a specific trust for people on disability supports. In a nutshell, if you die, and he inherits your estate, or even a part of it, he risks losing his income support bc he may have too much money of his own to keep qualifying as “low income”. With the trust, it protects him from that, bc the money is in someone else’s care (but only used for his benefit) so pick someone you trust to disperse it as it’s needed.

Pooran Law in Toronto could also advise you if you call them. They were a tremendous support for me. The problem with helping someone with these types of conditions is, no one knows what they are talking about - even officials who should . I’ve been through it with my brother. So talk to Pooran Law ans if they cannot assist you, I’m sure they know someone in BC who can.

Even if he is functional enough to work, he can still collect DSO grants and I think he can still make an RDSP (pretty sure on the latter but don’t quote me).

You can ask chat GPT if there is an equivalent program in BC as tje ones I mentioned for Ontario. It’s prob faster than googling.

Do some research on his new autism diagnosis and how it affects him, CPTSD, anxiety, depression, ODD, ADHD, OCD are often misdiagnosed in cases where the person actually has autism.

It will help you to know what co-occurring diagnoses he has (if any) because you can shake those trees in your quest to find him help, too.

I'm just facing up to the fact that I have autism and I'm not yet ready for an official diagnosis (it is on the list, but it's not the most pressing issue on my list) and I find it helpful to look at how other diagnoses interplay with autism.

This is what I got from Chat GPT as a follow up to my last message:

In British Columbia, the equivalents to ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) and DSO (Developmental Services Ontario) are managed under different programs, but they serve similar functions.

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✅ ODSP Equivalent in BC:

British Columbia’s equivalent to ODSP is:

Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Assistance Program

Offered through BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
• Purpose: Provides financial support, medical coverage, and other benefits to adults with disabilities.
• Eligibility: Must be 18+, meet financial eligibility, and be designated as a Person with Disabilities.
• Supports Include:
• Monthly financial assistance
• Medical and dental coverage
• Bus passes or transportation support
• Assistance with housing, employment, and more

More info: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/policies-for-government/bcea-policy-and-procedure-manual/eligibility/pwd

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✅ DSO Equivalent in BC:

BC does not have an exact version of DSO, but similar services are delivered through:

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC)
• Purpose: Supports adults (19+) with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
• Services Include:
• Residential supports
• Community inclusion programs
• Employment supports
• Planning and coordination

CLBC is similar to what DSO does in Ontario: determining eligibility and coordinating services.

More info: https://www.communitylivingbc.ca

⸻

To Sum Up:

Service Ontario British Columbia
Financial support for adults with disabilities ODSP PWD Program (Ministry of Social Development)
Access to developmental services DSO CLBC (Community Living BC)

Glad you have found a diagnosis. I was just speaking with a colleague the other day about similar issues. Chat if want.

Hopefully you'll find the resources you need...