Music therapy is not usually covered by health care and extended health care plans. The MTABC (Music Therapy Association of British Columbia) is part of the Task Group for Counsellor Regulation in BC. This group is lobbying the BC government for music therapists and other counselors and therapists to be regulated under the Health Professions Act. Once this is approved, it is anticipated that music therapy services will be approved under private insurance plans.
Funding for children with Autism- AFU (Autism Funding Unit)
The British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development (Autism Funding Unit) will give block funding to parents/guardians, which can cover music therapy for children ages 6-19 years of age. Music therapy is called an Autism Related Intervention. The family submits a request to the ministry for music therapy- under ET Music Therapy. ET Music Therapy then invoices the ministry directly, on a monthly basis. At this time, this service ends when the child reaches the age of nineteen years. For further questions, contact the Autism Funds Processing Unit at 1-877-777-3530.
Other possible sources of funding
Some special needs children may apply for funding through: Variety The Children’s Charity, CKNW Kids Fund, Self Design, TLA Online, Kleos Open Learning, eBus Academy, and CHES- Christian Homelearners eStreams, who generously often fund our music therapy programs. Clients and families usually complete these applications from these organizations/ funding sources. Upon request, ET Music Therapy will provide a "letter of request for treatment/ quote" to supplement applications.
Music Heals & Bikers For Autism Financial Aid Program:
Thanks to the generous support of Music Heals and Bikers For Autism, we have a financial Aid program available for those who receive services at our Richmond studio location: Pacific Autism Family Network Centre. These bursaries are given on a yearly basis. Please fill out the “Contact Us” area to receive an application form.
ET Music Therapy's Partnerships in the Community:
Coquitlam Alternative Balanced Education
We utilize UnitusTI- therapy software for our practice management, assessments, documentation, clinical reports, and scheduling, as well as the Meet In the Music Curriculum©. This program is implemented by music therapists globally.
In this video, the client is practicing crossing the midline, developing auditory discrimination, auditory attention and impulse control:
