The Best Places to Live in Canada for an Autism Spectrum Child
Choosing the right place to live in Canada for a child on the autism spectrum can be a daunting task, especially given the unique needs of each child. This article explores various locations across the country, considering factors such as access to resources, cost of living, and stress levels. By understanding these elements, families can make informed decisions about where to settle, ensuring their child receives the best possible support.
Access to Resources and Urban Centers
Major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal excel in providing specialized resources such as hospitals, schools, and therapeutic services. These urban areas are hubs for professionals skilled in working with individuals on the autism spectrum. For instance, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto offers specialized care and access to top-notch medical professionals. Despite the advantages, these cities can be challenging due to high living costs and lengthy waitlists for many services.
Smaller cities and towns offer a more manageable environment. Mid-size cities like Nanaimo in British Columbia provide a balance between resources and a lower cost of living. The community in Nanaimo is warm and supportive, with fewer crowds and less stress, which can be crucial for a child with autism. However, the availability of specialized services may be more limited, leading to longer wait times and narrower support options.
Benefits of Rural Living
Rural environments, such as farming communities or small towns, offer a serene and less stimulating environment. Living on a farm, for example, provides children with unique experiences like interacting with animals, breathing fresh air, and enjoying nature. The reduced exposure to urban stressors can make life easier for both the child and the parent. However, choosing to live in a rural area also means adapting to agricultural lifestyles, which can be physically demanding and may limit job opportunities.
Case Study: Our Journey
Our family's experience highlights the importance of adapting to the needs of an autistic child. Our older son, now nearly eight, has high-functioning autism with significant delays in language and social skills. When we first moved to Nanaimo, BC, we quickly established an intensive program including 15 hours of one-on-one early intervention and 4 hours of one-on-one Speech and Language Therapy (SLP) sessions per week. While Vancouver and other major cities offer more professionals and resources, the longer waitlists can hinder early intervention, which is critical for development.
Nanaimo provided a less stressful living environment, with fewer crowds and less traffic, which positively influenced our son's daily well-being. However, the local schools were limited in terms of special needs support, and we were hesitant to move due to work requirements. We relocated to Whitehorse, Yukon and eventually found a community that catered more effectively to our son's needs. The Yukon's approach to resource allocation is unique, focusing on meeting actual needs rather than diagnoses, and providing full-time support staff for each child.
Whitehorse not only matched our son's strengths and weaknesses with a tailored Individualized Education Plan (IEP) but also offered a full-time Educational Assistant (EA) to support him throughout the day. While large cities have more resources overall, the per capita availability in the Yukon is more abundant. The stress levels in Nanaimo were moderate, while Whitehorse was virtually stress-free, fostering a tightly-knit community environment.
Conclusion
The ideal place to live for an autism spectrum child depends on individual circumstances and the needs of the child at various stages of development. While big city centers offer extensive resources, they may also have longer waitlists and higher costs. Rural areas provide a calmer environment but require adjustments to lifestyle. Ultimately, the key is to find a place where the specialized support available fits best with the unique requirements of the child, ensuring they thrive in their chosen environment.