Resource for Families with Children with Mental Health Issues, Special Needs and Learning Disabilities

Many parents find that it is very hard to find proper services for their children with unique needs or children who do not fit into the box.  They are bounced from one service to another or they just cannot access what is available.  Financially it is draining and most services are not covered adequately or they are not covered at all.  As a parent, all you want is to help your child be the best they can be.  

Here is a list which is not exhaustive but can help you navigate through the many services available.  Don’t give up.  There is help out there.  Remember you are the greatest advocate for your child so keep at it.  You are doing a good job as tired as you may feel.  I see you.  Your child does too.

Here are some private services available:

1. Child Psychologist to help work through, plan, learn skills and deal with emotions and life events that come up.  

2. Occupational Therapist to help assist with functions of everyday life as well as fine and gross motor concerns.  Many OTs teach emotional regulation skills.

3. Speech Therapist to help with language and speech difficulties.  Some can also assist with a reading learning disability.

4. Educator Consultant to help you and your child understand their psychological education assessment results, help with organization and help your child find the right fit for education.  They may work directly with your child or help put together a plan.  Many will also help in a tutoring capacity especially if the child has learning disabilities.

5. Behavioural Consultant help manage behaviours associated with emotions especially when children are having a hard time expressing themselves with words.

6. Psychiatrist for medication management and diagnosis if needed.  They can also help direct the treatment plan to include a hospital program.

7. Resource teacher at school for an Individual Education Plan.  The school can have your child assessed with a psychologist for learning disabilities and learning challenges (psychological education assessment).  

8. Developmental Pediatrician or Pediatrician to help manage your child’s health, guide treatment plan and/or help in diagnosis.  

Services covered by MSP:

1. P1 and P2. For children who are really struggling they can be seen at Children’s Hospital for an assessment and medication trial.  P1 and P2 offer month long assessments with speech therapists, OT, child psychologist and psychiatrist.  In P1 it is out patient only.  In P2 it can be either in and out patient. You need a referral for this service.

2. Vancouver Coastal Health is another tool and can be accessed when the children are having a great deal of difficulty and are not working with a private therapist.  Here a behavioural therapist, psychiatrist and therapist can work together to help the child.  They can come to the house if the child is having a hard time going to the appointments.

3. Child Adolescent Response Team (CART) is emergency response team for short term mental health services for children age 5 to 18 having an acute psychiatric or emotional crises.  They will direct the child’s plan and also come to the house for sessions.

4. Children Adolescent Psychiatric Emergency (CAPE) is a short stay emergency response service for children having a severe acute mental health crisis.  You need a referral for this service.

5. Ministry has support files that usually last 6 months to help your family find services needed for your child and also they offer counselling for the family.  

6. Children and Youth with Special Needs (CYSN) if eligible can assist with what services may be available and provide support and information.  

Funding is hard to find and the services are expensive.  Places to look for funding are:

1. Disability Tax Credit

2. EI Caregiver Benefit

3. Variety

4. CKNW

For many children with challenges a regular school is not going to set your child up for success.  There are many different options that vary in cost.  The Educator Consultant can walk you through these options to find the right fit for you.

1. Madrona School

2. Fraser Academy

3. Brain Boost

4. Rainy Day Learning

5. Hume Park School

6. Distant learning through Ebus and VLN

7. Vancouver Mini schools- Gold Program for Gifted children with learning disabilities 

As a Naturopathic Doctor I would look at:

1. Lifestyle including nutrition, sleep and exercise

2. Food Allergy tests if indicated

3. Lab work including iron, thyroid and Vit D

4. Supplements and vitamins as needed

5. Biofeedback to reset the nervous system

6.   Assist the family with support, guidance and treatment as needed

I am here for you and your family.  I hear you, I see you and I am here to help you.