It’s a completely different experience growing up in the country vs. the city. If you are from a town where you can count the stoplights on one hand, your experience with health services is going to be totally foreign to someone who is used to having a different hospital every twenty blocks. For children with autism, this means there are limitations on the numbers of services and resources they can take advantage of. Not to say rural environments are a detriment, there are plenty of advantages to growing up in a small town with ASD. It’s never easy having neurodivergence. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges and opportunities regardless of geography. However, it’s disingenuous to suggest the two experiences are the same. Living  with autism can differ significantly between rural and urban areas due to variations in resources, cultural attitudes, and community structures. 

Below are ten notable differences between rural and urban resources for children who have autism in Toronto. 

1. Access to Services

One thing about rural areas is that there are no Monarch Houses there. We have seventeen locations across North America, but unfortunately, none of them are in smaller, rural areas. On the whole, urban areas typically have greater access to specialized services such as diagnostic centres, therapy providers, and support groups. In contrast, rural areas often face a shortage of such resources, requiring families to travel long distances for evaluations and treatments.

1. Educational Opportunities

Your child’s classroom is going to feel a lot different for them if they are in a small town. The same level of support they may have been comfortable with in the city, dwindles significantly once the classrooms get smaller. Urban schools are more likely to have dedicated special education programs, Individualized Education Program (IEP) specialists, and trained staff. Rural schools may have fewer resources, resulting in less individualized support for children with autism.

1. Community Awareness

Cities tend to be more progressive. Current ideas and trends spread faster in denser populations. This is why a city will feel more advanced when it comes to how aware and familiar they are with neurodivergence. Urban areas tend to have higher levels of awareness about autism, often due to advocacy events, support networks, and diverse populations. Rural areas may have less exposure to autism, potentially leading to stigma or misunderstanding about the condition.

1. Social Opportunities

At Monarch House, we have many fun social events, workshops, and community outings for children with autism. This becomes more difficult to arrange when in a small population. Urban areas offer more opportunities for children and adults with autism to engage in social activities through clubs, classes, and autism-friendly events. In rural settings, the limited population and infrastructure can restrict social interaction opportunities.

1. Healthcare Availability

In a city, you always need to wait. There are people everywhere. Traffic is brutal. And things are spread around a vast metropolis. It’s the trade off you need to make for the convenience of having hospitals, doctors, and support staff nearby. You don’t get that luxury in a small town, but you also don’t need to leave fifteen minutes early to find parking every time you leave the house. Urban residents benefit from proximity to pediatric neurologists, psychologists, and other specialists essential for managing autism. Rural families often face longer wait times and limited availability of professionals, which can delay diagnosis and intervention.

1. Support Networks

Monarch House is one of the many support networks available for your child. There are also other day programs and classes and workshops available to find likeminded peers and helpful adults. This ready to go stockpile of help dwindles a little once you get out of the big city. Urban environments typically have a wider array of support groups and parent networks, providing families with emotional and practical support. In rural areas, families may struggle with isolation and lack of local peer support.

1. Transportation Challenges

In Toronto, we have the subway, buses, taxis, Uber, even pedicabs. In the country, getting around is a different story. Urban families often have access to public transportation, making it easier to attend appointments and events. Rural families frequently depend on personal vehicles, with long travel times and higher transportation costs creating additional barriers.

1. Cultural Differences

Beliefs around autism take some time to mature and actualize. For people in small towns, they haven’t had quite as much experience with autism firsthand, so they can be a little behind the times when it comes to dealing with someone with autism. Rural communities may adhere more strongly to traditional norms and expectations, which can influence how autism is perceived and accommodated. Urban areas often foster more diverse and inclusive attitudes, potentially leading to greater acceptance.

1. Technology Use

Assistive technology will change when you go to a small town. Wifi isn’t as universally present, and connection speeds can be lacking. Urban families are more likely to have access to high-speed internet and digital tools, enabling telehealth services, online learning, and virtual support groups. Rural areas may experience connectivity issues, limiting access to these resources.

1. Employment Opportunities for Adults with Autism

It might be trickier for your child with autism to find a job in a small town. Urban areas offer a broader range of employment opportunities tailored to individuals with autism, such as tech firms and inclusive businesses. Rural areas may have fewer job prospects, making it harder for adults with autism to find suitable work.

Maybe you enjoy the slower pace of living in a country town. It can be a lot less stressful without the incessant hustle and bustle of city life. Maybe the Big Smoke has everything you need and you wouldn’t think of living anywhere else. No matter where you choose to live, it’s important to be mindful of the way the experience will affect your child with autism. The main thing to consider when you are making your selection is to create a tailored approach to support. Monarch House can help you with this. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff of occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to offer insight and information about working around the limited resources of each location. In addition to what help you can get from the professionals in the city, efforts to improve telehealth services, increase awareness, and expand resources in rural areas are essential to bridge the gap. Likewise, urban areas can learn from the close-knit communities of rural settings to foster deeper personal connections and support systems. If you have a child with autism in Toronto and you are considering moving to the countryside, it’s a big step, but a worthwhile one, just be sure to talk to us at Monarch House before you go.