Ontario Autism Program: Foundational Family Services

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Upon receiving an autism diagnosis, families need support navigating the system, and access to information and direction.

Families registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) are able to access Foundational Family Services to learn about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and strategies to support their children.

Foundational Family Services equips parents with a stronger knowledge base for when paid services begin.

This part of the OAP offers a number of FREE supports including:

• transition supports

• brief targeted consultations

• caregiver workshops and follow-up coaching sessions

• family resource and clinic days

• family and peer mentoring

OAP Foundational Family Services are offered by over 30 providers. Not only are they unlimited, families also are not restricted to providers just in their region.

To register, you may be asked to provide your child's OAP number. Click on the provider name to see what they offer

• Bethesda Community Services

• Canopy Support Services

• Catulpa Community Support Services

• Child and Community Resources (CCR)

• Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO)

• Community Living North Halton

• ConnectWell Community Health

• Counselling Services of Belleville and District (CSBD)

• Dufferin Child and Family Services (DCAFS)

• Erinoak Kids Centre for Treatment and Development (EOK)

• FIREFLY (delivered in partnership with CCR)

• George Jeffrey Children’s Centre (delivered in partnership with CCR)

• Grandview Kids

• Haldimand-Norfolk REACH

• HANDS The Family Help Network

• Kerry’s Place Autism Services (KPAS)

• KidsAbility

• Kinark Autism Services

• Lake Ridge Community Support Services

• Lansdowne Children’s Centre

• Lumenus Mental Health, Developmental and Community Services

• Mackenzie Health

• Maltby Centre

• McMaster Children’s Hospital/Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre

• One Kids Place Children’s Treatment Centre

• Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK)

• Strides Toronto

• Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre

• Surrey Place

• Thames Valley Children’s Centre (TVCC)

• THRIVE Child Development Centre (delivered in partnership with CCR)

• Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services - Halton and Brantford

• York Support Services Network (YSSN)

These programs are not meant to replace direct service from trained professionals but are complementary. They provide more insight and information about ASD, and give parents/caregivers tools to help their children.

For more information, please go to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services website here

If you have any questions regarding Foundational Family Services or the OAP, don't hesitate to reach out to us

Related links:

• The Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel Report

• News release: Ontario Provides More Supports for Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum (August 2020)