Transitioning to adulthood is an important juncture that often presents challenges for autistic youth and adults. Yet it is a different experience for everyone.
As is the case for many government-funded services, once a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) reaches a certain age, the support available to them changes. In most Canadian provinces, children transition into the adult service program on their 18th birthday, some on their 19th birthday.
Transition planning typically begins between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. Entering adulthood can be stressful, and needing to understand a brand new set of government-funded supports and services can be overwhelming.
This page provides information about the government-funded services and supports available to adults living with ASD. It is organized by province and territory. We are hopeful that a robust understanding of what resources are available – in the transition period and beyond – is helpful to individuals and families. Please note that the age at which a child becomes eligible for adult resources is different across the country. You will find one separate toolkit for each province and territory.
NEW BRUNSWICK
This page outlines government-funded supports and services available to adults (age 19 to 64) with autism living in the province of New Brunswick. Such services are administered through the province’s Disability Support Program.
DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM
Overview
New Brunswick’s Disability Support Program provides personalized, flexible disability supports for persons with disabilities in the development of their personal disability support plans. It allows for the provision of independent facilitation and the use of person-centered approaches to planning and designing disability supports.
Eligibility
You may qualify for this program if:
- You are a resident of New Brunswick
- You are 19 to 64 years of age
- You have a long-term disability (this does not include a medical condition that does not result in long term disability or services required to address drug, alcohol, nicotine or gambling addictions).
- You require disability-related supports in order to address unmet needs and establish or maintain your living arrangement in the community, to assist or enhance the capacity of your natural support networks to provide support in the community, or help you with participating in the community, thereby helping to avoid long-term inactivity and stress on yourself or your caregivers.
- You require disability-related supports in order to address unmet needs and to assist or enhance the capacity of your natural support networks to help you personally or to help you participate in the community.
Financial Assessment
A financial assessment is required to determine your contribution towards the cost of approved disability supports. Your income will be considered in determining your financial contribution. There is no cost for general facilitation services.
If you do not agree with the decisions made by the department staff concerning your eligibility, financial contribution or your support plan, you may request an Administrative Review.
Service Delivery
The Disability Support program has a two-pronged service delivery model which allows individuals to self-manage their case plan or request the support of a social worker.
Individuals who opt for the self-managed model will initially meet with the department to determine their strengths and unmet needs to develop a case plan. The individual then manages the services to address their needs themselves.
Individuals who request the ongoing support of a social worker will meet with the social worker to determine their strengths and needs to develop a case plan and then will receive regular contact, advocacy and support from the social worker.
Contact Information
Social Development Regional Offices:
● Moncton (Region 1) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Saint John (Region 2) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Fredericton (Region 3) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Edmundston (Region 4) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Restigouche (Region 5) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Chaleur (Region 6) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Miramichi (Region 7) (Regional Sub-Office)
● Acadian Peninsula (Region 8) (Regional Sub-Office)
Photo by James Ting on Unsplash
