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.
Community Support:
Ontario Autism Program
Autism Ontario
CTN Events- Coffee Chats and Workshops CTN Mentor Program
Autism Ontario Knowledge Base Resource Site Autism Canada Kerry's Place for Autism Services
Autism Teenage Partnership
Adults with ASD
New Diagnosis:
First 100 Day Toolkit A Grandparent's Guide to Autism A Parent's Guide to Autism
Autism Speaks and Holland Bloorview: Parent's Autism Advocacy Tool Kit A Sibling's Guide to Autism Introduction to Behavioural Health Treatments York Region ASD Resource Kit
Autism Navigator (parent education videos and courses)
Therapy Options:
What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?
Autism Ontario CommunityConnect site to find professionals
Parenting Tips:
Toilet training tips for your child Challenging Behaviours Tool Kit Sleep Tool Kit Feeding Guide Managing Constipation
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
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
Vision Resources for Families
Apps for iPads for kids with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
"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. Ontario Federation of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy Now- Advanced Neurorecovery (Toolkit)
CP Resource Site
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
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS), Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ARND), Static Encephalopathy Alcohol Exposed (SEAE) and Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD) are all names for a spectrum of disorders caused when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol. FASD is among the leading causes of cognitive and developmental disability among children in Canada. Approximately 1 in 100 hundred Canadians are affected by FASD. The safest choice in pregnancy is no alcohol at all. In fact, it is best to stop drinking before you get pregnant. 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
VOICE for Hearing Impaired Kids Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf
Hearing Resources for Families
CTN Virtual SibShops - Online
Sibshops is an exciting program for brothers and sisters of kids with special needs, age 8-13 years old.
Kerry's Place - (FFS) Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder - Online
This live webinar is for family members and caregivers who want to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Common characteristics of ASD, possible strengths, needs, learning styles and profiles of persons with ASD will be introduced as well as effective strategies to support your child or loved one.
Building Brighter Futures Together.
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