FUNDING RESOURCES

Access OAP
Ontario Autism Program: interim one-time funding
Ontario Autism Program: childhood budgets
About Autism in Ontario, funding, eligibility, expenses and forms
Child Disability benefit
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
Special Services at Home (SSAH)
Get help with high prescription drug costs
Easter Seals Incontinence Supplies Grant program:
https://services.easterseals.org/incontinence-supplies-grant
Disability travel card:
https://easterseals.ca/english/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Disability-Travel-Card-NEWESTApplication-
Form-EN.pdf

TTC support person assistance card:
http://www.ttc.ca/Fares_and_passes/Other_Passes/Support_Person_Card/index.jsp

Access 2 Entertainment card for free admission for support persons accompanying
someone with a disability: https://access2card.ca

Private foundations you can access for funding support:
● Ceridian Cares ( www.ceridiancares.ca )
● Labatt Better Together Foundation ( www.labattbettertogether.ca )
● Jennifer Ashleigh Children's Charity ( https://jenash.org )
IFI Library ( ) - a website to help you learn how to find and use your
Individualized Funding

AUTISM RESOURCES
www.autismspeaks.org/autism-diagnosis-criteria-dsm-5Autism assessment and diagnosis
Aspergers Society of Ontario www.aspergers.ca
Autism Canada www.autismcanada.org
Autism Ontario Camp: www.autismontario/calypso
Autism Ontario provider list (database for hiring professionals who work with children
with Autism): www.oapproviderlist.ca
Autism Speaks Canada
www.autismspeaks.ca/science-services-resources/resources/tool-kits/100-day-tool-kit1/100-d
ay-tool-kit
Dr. Tony Attwood (clinician and author) – www.tonyattwood.com.au
Hospital for Sick Children Autism Resources
Kerry’s Place ( www.kerrysplace.org ) which offers workshops including coping with
adolescence and ASD, introduction to autism, building social connections, assisting children
with ASD to cope with transitions and internet safety do’s and don’ts.
Star Autism Support  Free visual and video resources to support children with Autism, at home.

Anxiety
How to calm anxiety
Cerebral Palsy
cerebralpalsy.org.au/our-research/about-cerebral-palsy/what-is-cerebral-palsy/signs-and-symptoms-of-cp/
https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/
www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/cerebral-palsy/

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html
Hearing Loss
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/index.html
Learning Disorders (Dyslexia, miscalculate, dysgraphia)
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/learning-disorder.html
Learning disability

Conduct Disorder (CD)
Resources for Children with Complex Needs
*this is a comprehensive list of resources in the community but not all of them will be appropriate for your
family or child
Down Syndrome Association of Toronto www.dsat.ca/dsat-programs -offering a variety of
programs for people with Down Syndrome and their families

Birth Injury Support
https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/birth-injury/

Dental care
https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/dental-care-children-with-autism-guide/
https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/developmental-disabilities-oral-health/

Mesothelioma Help

Planning for the Future
Registered Disability Savings Program
(require a Social Insurance Number for your child and make sure to open bank account in
your child’s name as soon as possible)

Respite Care information (Government of Ontario)
www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/specialneeds/respite.aspx
RespiteServices.com  - This agency is very helpful to plan for the
summer and to possibly access funding to help cover costs for care.
Safehaven residential and respite care programs for individuals
living with cerebral palsy, genetic and seizure disorders, vision loss, and hearing impairment.
South Asian Autism Awareness Centre  - culturally responsive and
accessible programming for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Surrey Place Centre - -offering a variety of services and programs for
people with Autism and Developmental Disabilities (communication, behaviour,
occupational therapy among other services)
Emily’s House -respite and palliative care for medically
complex children
Extend-A-Family - Community agency supporting people with
Developmental Disabilities by fostering friendships.
Griffin Centre -a variety of supports for youth ages 12-18
years of age with an intellectual disability and mental health or behavioural challenges.
Kayla’s Children’s Centre and Camp 18 -a private school, camp and recreational centre for children with developmental and/or physical
disabilities)
Meta Centre  -Provides day, residential, respite and supported
independent living services for children, youth and adults.
Miles Nadal JCC - Offering recreational programs for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental
disabilities.
Reena ( )-respite, camp, residential and leisure programs for children and
adults with developmental disabilities)

IN HOME RESPITE OPTIONS
Some families are eligible to apply for a personal support worker to come into the home to
help with your child’s personal care and give you a break through the LHIN:
● Central West LHIN (North Etobicoke;1-866-465-9662)
● Mississauga/Halton LHIN (South Etobicoke; 1-877-336-9090) -
● Toronto Central Toronto (1-866-243-0061)
● North York (1-888-470-2222)
● Central East (Scarborough; 1-800-263-3877)
Bartimaeus - Specializes in supporting individuals, families
and organizations working with complex behaviour.
W M and A ( https://wmanda.com ) - Specializes in behavioural services for children, youth
and adults with ASD, developmental exceptionalities and mental health challenges.
Respite/Leisure/Camp Activities
Aptus Centre for Complex Disabilities -programs and supports for
individuals with complex needs
Bob Rumball Canadian Centre for Excellence for the Deaf
www2.bobrumball.org
( respite, programs and parental support)
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Community Living Toronto --provides a wide variety of services
including respite, camps, consultation for people of all ages with special needs and includes
respite sites Lawson, Ennerdale (ASD only) and TRE-ADD (ASD only)

CRISIS SUPPORTS
Jewish Child and Family Services (Children's Aid ; 416-638-7800)
Kids’ Help Phone www.kidshelpphone.ca - 24/7 support for children and youth.
Mobile Crisis Services
https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/private/policies-procedures/mobile-crisis
-response-teams.html (call 911)
Native Child and Family Services - (416-969-8510)
Toronto Children’s Aid Society www.torontocas.ca (416-924-4646)
Toronto Catholic Children’s Aid Society  (416-395-1500)
Youthdale Crisis Services www.youthdale.ca/crisis-line (416-363-9990)

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Holland Bloorview Family Resource Centre
Lots of programs and tips for families.
Holland Bloorview Recreation- guide for all of the inclusive recreation programs
www.hollandbloorview.ca/Assets/website/.../toronto_inclusive_recreation_guide.pdf
Information kit for newly diagnosed
Five things to do while waiting evaluation for autism
www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/five-things-do-while-waiting-autism-evaluation
Positive Parenting Program Triple P is a parenting program, but it doesn’t tell you how to be a parent. It’s more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them. It’s all about making Triple P work for you. The three Ps in ‘Triple P’ stand for ‘Positive Parenting Program’ which means your family life is going to be much more enjoyable.
Triple P helps you:
  • Raise happy, confident kids
  • Manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
  • Set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
  • Encourage behaviour you like
  • Take care of yourself as a parent
  • Feel confident you’re doing the right thing
  • Echo Autism resources ( https://echoautism.org/resources ): videos, webinars and tipsheets
    on a variety of topics including toileting, feeding, financial planning, coping with challenging
    behaviours, medical and dental visit toolkits
  • Geneva Centre : www.autism.net/services/services-for-parentscaregivers.HTML -support for
          families including webinars, courses and parent groups.
  • Hanen.org www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Autism-Corner.aspx -Communication resources
         and programs including TalkAbility (references available here: www.hanen.org/references ).
  • Dr. Fiona Currie’s videos for families with complex needs children
Tips for Families of Children with Special Needs Part 1
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzl6y9MON7Y&t=1s )
Tips for Families of Children with Special Needs Part 2: Choice Board Support
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmEaAa0mbQE )
Help for Special Needs Families Part 3: First-Then Board
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ly0ZZZMjXU )
Helping Special Needs Families Part 4: Troubleshooting First-Then Board
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIb3IX8OUrs )
Helping Special Needs Families Part 5: Token Boards
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFtEsnyySBI&t=2s )
Helping Special Needs Families Part 6: Visual Schedules
Helping Special Needs Families Part 7: Exercise Schedules

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING

Toronto Parks and Recreation
www.toronto.ca/city-government/accessibility-human-rights/accessibility-at-the-city-of-toron
to/city-services-for-people-with-disabilities/accessible-recreation/ -programs specifically
designed for people with special needs

Variety Village www.varietyvillage.ca -recreation programs and camps for children and
adolescents with special needs

Woodgreen Developmental Services
www.woodgreen.org/services/programs/developmental-services-for-adults-and-children/ -
This is a great resource to get tips and learn about activities and programs including the
Parent Outreach Program delivered by other parents with special needs children.
Health Care Access Research - access different toolkits to help people with developmental disabilities and their families during medical
appointments.

MyCommunityHub.ca ( ) - A search engine for activities available in the community for children and youth with developmental
disabilities.


EXTERNAL LINKS TO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS
OTHER RESOURCES
ConnectABILITY  - Information and resources to support people
with developmental disabilities and their families
Respite Care
- Government of Ontario information about respite care

Special Dads  - An online discussion and
social group for fathers who are raising a child with an intellectual disability.
The Sibling Collective  - A place for siblings of people with
developmental disabilities to connect.
What's Up Walk in Clinic: free counselling with no
appointments necessary -access through Mental Health Toronto’s number (1-866-585-6486)

Book: Teaching self help skills: Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to
Children with Special Needs by Bruce Baker.

Talking to the kids about cancer:
/www.mesotheliomaveterans.org/veterans/talking-to-kids-about-cancer/