Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurological disorder that affects the way a person communicates and relates to the people and world around them. ASD can affect behaviour, social interactions, and one’s ability to communicate verbally. ASD is a spectrum disorder, which means that while all people with ASD will experience certain difficulties, the degree to which each person on the spectrum experiences these challenges will be different.
CTN offers monthly webinars for families living in Simcoe County and York Region who have a child or youth who has been recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum. ‘One Step at a Time’ helps new parents navigate resources, identify their emotions, provide tips on sharing the diagnosis and provides a sense of connection to the system and to other parents. Click below to see upcoming workshop dates:
Community Support:
Ontario Autism Program
Autism Ontario
CTN Events- Coffee Chats and Workshops CTN Mentor Program
Autism Ontario Learning Resource Site
York ASD Partnership Resources Autism Canada Kerry's Place for Autism Services
Autism Teenage Partnership
Autism Ontario- Transition to Adulthood Resources
Adults with ASD
New Diagnosis:
What is autism? A Guide for Parents of Autistic Kids written by Autistic Adults York Region ASD Resource Kit Welcome to the Autistic Community Amazing Things Can Happen (video)
Autistic Not Weird videos
Amaze - resources and information
Autism Ontario: Ten Facts About Autism, What Autism Isn’t and the Language Statement
ASD Next Steps- F Word Profiles
Autism Navigator (parent education videos and courses) AIDE Canada – Canada's largest resource hub for content catered to the autism and neurodivergent communities
Therapy Options:
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
OAP Provider List Foundational Family Services (FFS) Workshops for Parents (OAP)
Autism Ontario CommunityConnect site to find professionals
Parenting Tips:
Fine motor skills, toliet training and independent skills
Kinark Kreates are practical how-to videos to help you create resources in the home to support your child
Feeding and other tips for parents
Blood Tests for children and youth with autism (LifeLabs Program)
Celebrating the autism community- video by Autism Ontario
App for kids with autism
MedicAlert Autism Program
York Region Police Registration for children with autism- Project Lifesaver
100+ Books about Autism and Neurodiversity Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism Facebook Groups:
Autism Inclusivity
Ask Autistics Ontario Autism Family Support of Simcoe County
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
Vision Resources for Families
Apps for iPads for kids with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
Braille tools and other toys
"Cerebral palsy" literally breaks down as cerebral = "of the brain" and palsy = "lack of muscle control." In other words: a lack of muscle control due to an injury to the developing brain. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a medical diagnosis that professionals use to describe a wide variety of conditions. CP is an umbrella term and it is important to remember that every individual who has CP is unique. It can be helpful to educate oneself on common traits and causes of CP (please see our Guide to Cerebral Palsy), however these generalizations do not apply to everyone. CPRN Network - Tool Kit Ontario Federation of Cerebral Palsy
CP-Net (CanChild)
CP-NET Research Project Information
World CP Day Poster- 'The 6 F-words of CP"
Webinar: Mental Health and Well-Being in youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Developmental Apraxia of Speech is a speech disorder that interferes with a child's ability to correctly pronounce sounds, syllables and words. It is the loss of ability to consistently position the face, tongue, lips, jaw to produce speech sounds and for sequencing those sounds into syllables or words.
Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Speech and Language Resources
Down Syndrome, also called Trisomy-21, is a congenital disorder arising from a chromosome defect, causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities including short stature and a broad facial profile. It arises from a defect involving chromosome 21, usually an extra copy. Down Syndrome Association of York Region Down Syndrome Association of Simcoe County Resources for Educators
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people who were exposed to alcohol in the womb. Each person with FASD has both strengths and challenges and will need special supports to help them succeed with many different parts of their daily lives. FASD is the leading developmental disability in Canada. It affects 4% of Canadians (over 1.5 million people). That‘s more people than Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and Tourette‘s syndrome. In Canada, we now use the term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD to describe the range of impacts that can occur in the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a whole body disorder, affecting both the brain and the body. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Experts recommend that the safest option is no alcohol at all. FASD Canada Website FASD Ontario Website Information about FASD- About Kids Health FASD Ontario Network of Expertise Indigenous FASD/Child Nutrition Program
Ministry of Children and Youth Services New FASD Initiative
FASD Success Show with Jeff Noble
Social Media Facebook Groups and Twitter Accounts to Follow
VOICE for Hearing Impaired Kids Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf
Hearing Resources for Families
CTN- Holiday Event- Georgina
Avoid the chaos of the mall and come visit Santa at the CTN Georgina location! There will be fun holiday themed activities and tasty refreshments too!
Kinark Autism Services-Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Home Funding Application Support- Online
Are you trying to apply for Special Services at Home? Looking at the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities application and not sure where to start? Did you know you could apply for the Disability Tax Credit? We understand these applications can be overwhelming and our team is here to help.
Better Together.
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