In recent years, Covenant House Vancouver has welcomed more youth who show signs of neurodivergence, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
These observations come from our well-trained staff who work with youth, as most of these young people have never been formally diagnosed (more information on this below). According to Statistics Canada (2020), “ASD has the highest unemployment rate of all disabilities — 80%.” In addition, according to CMHC (2020), people with autism “are increasingly at risk for food and shelter insecurity and homelessness.” Intervening early can ensure people with neurodivergence are set up to succeed, which is why CHV has expanded supports for these youth.
Neurodivergent Experience
Someone with neurodivergence may experience heightened sensory sensitivity, have differences in social interaction, or have unique learning styles. It can affect their attention, communication, and how they experience the world. We see the impact of these challenges every day. Some neurodivergent youth struggle to be in communal spaces and often avoid group settings or leave early when asked to participate verbally. Many miss appointments despite reminders and later express frustration or shame about not being able to follow through. Staff frequently see youth return from treatment programs after being discharged for “not meeting expectations,” despite trying their best. For many youth, these barriers feel impossible to overcome.
Furthermore, getting a diagnosis is extremely difficult. In BC, assessments for autism or ADHD often require specialist referrals, with waitlists that are longer than a year and cost thousands of dollars in private fees. Receiving a diagnosis gives youth more access to financial supports and housing opportunities. It also gives youth clarity into what may motivate their behaviour and a better understanding of how to manage their responses.
How We Help
We work hard to help youth get diagnosed and in the interim, we provide immediate, tailored support, flexible appointments, and strategies that respect sensory needs. Our team also helps youth navigate systems by connecting them to specialists, advocating for faster referrals, and, sometimes, by simply starting the conversation that there may be something deeper going on. These steps can be life changing and can open doors to the right care. This is why your support matters. It enables us to respond to each young person’s unique needs and provide truly individualized care, fostering an environment where youth feel safe, supported, and seen. We also have built a strong partnership between our Community Housing and Life Skills department and the Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) to provide pre-employment support and work experience for youth. PAFN offers a program that helps youth understand their strengths, informs them about work environments, and helps them develop their skills. Through the program, some young people are hired at Paper Planes Café at YVR – a local organization that hires neurodivergent people.