British Columbia Autism Assessment Network: A New Service Delivery Model

Background: The British Columbia Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) was established in 2002.  The network includes a service delivery model which enables regional and provincial planning, coordination, standardization and evaluation of clinical assessments and diagnostic services for children and youth in B.C. 0 to 19 referred for assessment of a possible Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to evaluate if BCAAN succeeded in its efforts to reduce wait times and increase the number of assessments in the province.

Methods: A provincial web accessible database was developed in 2003 to collect data on wait times, new referrals and the number of completed assessments in B.C. Standardized data definitions were developed to ensure data quality.

Results: 2003-04
New referrals (0-19): 732
Completed assessments: 449
Average wait time (weeks): 54-89 weeks
2004-2005
New referrals (0-19): 1516
Completed assessments: 449
Average wait time (weeks): 23.5 weeks
2005-2006
New referrals (0-19): 1768
Completed assessments: 1315
Average wait time (weeks): 20.7 weeks
2006-2007
New referrals (0-19): 1724
Completed assessments: 1109
Average wait time (weeks): 20.4 weeks
Conclusions: Prior to 2002, wait times generally ranged from 9 to 36 months and less than 400 non standardized assessments per annum were completed. 
Since the BC Autism Assessment Network was established in the fall of 2002 referrals have been decentralized, wait times have been reduced to 20.5 weeks or 4 to 5 months for all ages and 1100 or more standardized assessments are completed annually. The BCAAN service delivery model succeeded in its core mandate to reduce wait times and increase the number of assessments in B.C.