Finally a diagnosis!

My son underwent a psychoeducational evaluation recently. I've only recieved half the results but he finally has an Autism diagnosis...at nearly 18 years old. He has severe learning disabilities in academics, memory, executive functioning, adaptive functioning, and affect regulation. As well as mild to moderate in cognitive ability and attention.

He has prior diagnoses such as the CPTSD, anxiety, depression, ODD, ADHD, OCD... Some which have he doesn't seem to have anymore which is fantastic!!

I have concerns now that he has these diagnoses as he's almost a legal adult. There are next to nothing for supports for adults. I'm not sure where to turn now. I'm in northern BC Canada. So I'm in search of online resources if you know of anything!

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DoubleRings · 51-55, F

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.