Indigenous-led · Quesnel Region, BC

ECHEN ABC

Child & Family Development Services Centre

Autism · Behaviour · Communication

Culturally grounded support for children and families, connecting learning, development, and community.

Ask about services Explore our approach ↓

A child's hands playing in a sand table
Our focusChildren & families
Our communityQuesnel region
Our approachCulturally safe & strengths-based

Why ECHEN ABC

Support that stays connected.

Working with families, schools, health services, and community to support each child’s development, with clear reports and ongoing support rather than “diagnose and discharge.”

  1. Families at the centre

    Shared decision-making that respects your child’s strengths and your family’s priorities.

  2. A plan for each child

    An Individualized Learning Plan connects developmental goals with ongoing support.

  3. Care across settings

    Bringing school, health, and community perspectives together.

Culture & development, together

A whole-child approach

ECHEN ABC integrates the BINYGUNCHIAGH cultural framework with the SPICES developmental model. These six areas help shape each child’s Individualized Learning Plan.

  • Social

    Relationships, community connections, peer interaction, cooperative play.

  • Physical

    Gross motor, fine motor skills, sensory regulation, self-care.

  • Intellectual

    Academic skills, problem-solving, cognitive growth, learning.

  • Cultural

    Artistic expression, imagination, innovation, self-expression, and Binygunchagh Deyen.

  • Emotional

    Self-regulation, emotional intelligence, resilience, coping skills.

  • Spiritual

    Cultural identity, sense of purpose, connection to heritage.

Our spaces

Room to play, connect, and feel at ease.

  • Rocking chairs, a dinosaur blanket and sensory toys under a painted tree

    A quiet corner

    Space to pause and explore sensory materials.

  • Armchairs and floor cushions in front of a mandala wall hanging

    A calming space

    Comfortable seating and room to settle.

  • Two armchairs and a floor pouf in a bright open room

    A place to connect

    A welcoming setting for children and families.

What guides us

Culture. Respect. Partnership.

Neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed care grounded in cultural safety and Indigenous self-determination.

Our mission

To provide comprehensive, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded assessments and interventions for children and families, in partnership with schools, health systems, and Indigenous communities. We integrate BINYGUNCHIAGH cultural teachings with the SPICES developmental framework to empower children and families to thrive.

Our vision

Children, youth, and families, including Indigenous and rural communities, thrive in environments that recognize neurodiversity and support healthy development across the lifespan. ECHEN ABC will be the leading Indigenous-centred organization in British Columbia that transforms child development services.

Our core values
  • Respect for neurodiversity and strengths-based practice
  • Cultural safety and Indigenous self-determination
  • Family-centred care and shared decision-making
  • Evidence-based, accountable practice within cultural context
What makes us different
  • The first urban Indigenous-led non-profit leading an Early Development, Childcare, Elementary School and Afterschool model
  • Integration of the BINYGUNCHIAGH cultural framework with the SPICES developmental model
  • A comprehensive ILP (Individualized Learning Plan) for every child
  • Partnership with specialized therapeutic services
  • A neurodiversity-affirming approach emphasizing strengths and self-advocacy

Let’s start with a conversation.

Ask about ECHEN ABC and the next steps for your family.

Contact the team