Autism services Nova Scotia Guide

If your child has just been diagnosed with autism — or you're still waiting on an assessment — the number of programs, acronyms, and phone numbers can feel like a second full-time job. This guide covers what Nova Scotia offers from early childhood through adulthood: what exists, who qualifies, how to apply, and where the gaps are.

The good news: Nova Scotia has consolidated a lot of this. For preschool-age children in particular, there's now one phone number that opens the door to nearly everything.

Step one: getting an assessment

If your child hasn't started Grade Primary

Nova Scotia's preschool autism services all run through a single point of contact — and you can refer your own child. You don't need a doctor to start the process.

• Phone (toll-free): 1-833-200-7817

• Email: intake-preschoolautism@iwk.nshealth.ca

• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)

This one line handles both assessment and ongoing supports, so a single call puts your family in the system for everything available before school age. Referral forms — including the parent and caregiver self-referral — are on the IWK referrals page, along with a general FAQ in English and French.

If you have concerns earlier, you can also raise them with your care provider at your child's 18-month or two-year well-baby visits, or at any point after.

If your child is school-aged

School-age assessment doesn't go through the preschool intake line. It requires a referral from a health professional or community partner using the IWK school-age diagnostics referral form. Start with your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or your child's school team.

If your child also has mental health or behavioural concerns alongside autism, Nova Scotia Health's Mental Health and Addictions Provincial Intake is the entry point for publicly funded services. Anyone can self-refer.

• Provincial Intake (non-urgent): 1-855-922-1122. Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8:00 p.m. Children and youth services are for those under 19; adult services 19 and over. Same number for both.