CTN's team of parent mentors, service navigators and local team facilitators have compiled the resources below for children and youth with disabilities and developmental needs. General Resources Helpful tips and resources for families during this extraordinary time.
Caregiver Support from Easter Seals Ontario
World Health Organization (WHO) Healthy Parenting Tips During COVID-19 Empowering Ability - Resources for Families Who Have Children with Disabilities
York Support Services Network Support Sessions and Community Resources
Kerry's Place Resources
Autism Ontario Resources
Psychology Today - Tips to Support Children with Autism During Difficult Times Holland Bloorview - Family Tip Sheet
Holland Blooview - Coronavirus Resources for Families
Prevention Tips in American Sign Language (ASL)
The Mighty - Keeping your Child Safe During this Time
Partners for Planning (P4P) Tips for Connecting During Social Distancing
Community Living Virtual Resource Directory
7 Strategies for Supporting Children with Autism in Difficult Times
SickKids- About Kids Health- COVID-19 Resources for Kids
Autism.org Resources for Children with autism Educational Resources Supporting families as distance learning happens at home. Educational Tools and Resources from Mackenzie Health Centre for Behavioural Health Services Activities for Kids at Home Ideas and tips for entertaining the kids at home with educational websites, virtual recreation programs, live videos at your favourite museums and family fun. Empower Simcoe Family Links
Autism Ontario List of Family Fun and Kids Programs
30 Creative Activities for Kids from Apple
40 Field Trips That Kids Can Take from the Couch
Dr. Seuss Activities, Recipes and Games for families Mental Health Resources and Support New online resources and support for families across Ontario. York Region District School Board
Ministry of Health Added Supports
Caregiver Tips Social Stories These social stories explain difficult ideas and concepts with images and simple language. Autism Educator
Easter Seals - using Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)
Explaining Pandemics - Older Kids
Sesame Street- Tips for Sharing COVID-19 Information with Children
Coronavirus Book for Kids
Social Story for Older Teens and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities MindHeart Kids Social Story - English MindHeart Kids Social Story - Alternate Languages
"Time to Come in Bear" - Video about Social Distancing If you have resources to share with our team, please email them to Heather Hamilton, hhamilton@ctnsy.ca. Disclaimer: These links are for reference only. It is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of organizations, news sources, policies or political parties, or as a comprehensive resource list.
Developing Core Strength
Développer la force abdominale et la stabilité du tronc
Developing Fine Motor Skills
Développer les compétences de la motricité fine
Posture and Positioning - Strategies for Kids
La posture et la position - Stratégies pour les enfants Sensory Self-Regulation Stratégies sensorielles et d’autorégulation
Steps to Toileting - Getting Started
Étapes vers la propreté: début et stratégies générales Toilet Training Readiness Checklist
Liste de contrôle pour la préparation à la propreté
Toilet Training Strategies for Sensory and Physical Challenges
Stratégies d’apprentissage de la propreté pour les enfants ayant des défis sensoriels ou de comportement
Stories and Visuals to Support Toilet Training Histoires et images pour appuyer l’apprentissage de la propreté
Developing Hand Strength
Développer la force manuelle Developing Handwriting Skills
Développer les compétences en écriture Developing Keyboarding Skills
Développer les compétences au clavier
Developing Organization Skills
Développer des compétences organisationnelles Developing Pencil Management Skills
Développer des aptitudes à utiliser des crayons Developing Scissor Skills
Développer les compétences avec les ciseaux
Developing Shoelace Tying Skills
Apprendre à attacher les lacets de chaussure
Developing Skills with Fasteners and Containers
Développer les compétences avec des fermetures et des contenants
Preparing for a Successful Day at School
Préparer votre enfant pour une journée scolaire réussie Accessing Private Occupational Therapy (OT)
Accéder à l’ergothérapie privée
Accessing Private Physiotherapy (PT) Accéder à la physiothérapie privée
Accessing Private Speech Language Therapy
Accéder à l’orthophonie-privée
Respiteservices.com Respite Services in York Region
Respite Services in Simcoe County
Respite Funding Options
SafeHaven- respite and residential housing for children and youth
Reena- residential respite care
Participation House- adult day programs and residential housing
Kinark Outdoor Centre
CTN Family Mentor Program
Caring for the Caregiver Resources
Canadian Mental Health Association- Simcoe and York and South Simcoe
Parent Support Groups for Children's Mental Health- Simcoe and York Kerry's Place for Autism Services
Chai Lifeline Programs and Services- Support for families children with serious illnesses
York Support Services Network (YSSN) Resource Days for families
Holland Bloorview Online Resources
Military Families Special Needs Support Group
Over 40 Facebook Groups About Special Needs
Blossoming.org- Online Community for Parents
Neo-Natal Follow Up Resources
Spasticity Management: Spasticity Management Information for Clients and Families
Introduction to the Spasticity Management Clinic in Simcoe County
Introduction to the Spasticity Management Clinic in Simcoe County During Pandemic
About Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) - video Rehabilitation Videos:
Serial Casting for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) for children with Acquired Brain Injury or Cerebral Palsy
Outdoor Activity Videos to support rehabilitation goals and have fun! Surgery: Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) Experience for CTN clients having surgery in Ontario Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) Experience for CTN clients having surgery outside of Ontario
Koolway Sports
Adapted Toys from SwitchEnabled
Special Needs Furniture
Accessible Van Reviews
For the Needy (Niagara Falls)
Apple Accessibility Features for iPhone, iPads and laptops Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Community Services in Simcoe Community Services in York Region EarlyON Programs (former Ontario Early Years)
Simcoe Community Services Social Skills Program for teens with ASD
New Path Mental Health Services and Walk In Clinics- Simcoe County
York Support Services Network Mental Health Walk In Clinics- York Region
York Region Police Registration for children with autism- Project Lifesaver
Medic Alert for people with autism York Region’s Vulnerable Person’s Registry South Simcoe’s Vulnerable Person’s Registry Barrie’s Vulnerable Person’s Registry
Tips for Parents Navigating the System with Young Children
Tips for Parents Navigating the System with Youth and Young Adults
Tips for Airplane Travel with your child who has special needs
Printables for parents and providers
Baby and Toddler Development Tips and Information
1 to 1 Rehab Blog
10 Tips for Play
Tips for Picky Eaters
Printables on play, communication and favourite toys for development
Self-Regulation and Self-Control- Zones of Regulation Intro and Tips
Toys for Infants
Toys for Toddlers
Toys for Preschoolers
Forever in Mom Genes: Lisa Thornbury Love That Max
Special Needs Parenting and Loss
Today’s Parent (CTN’s Anchel Krishna) Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid 5 Minutes for Special Needs Hopeful Parents Parenting Isn’t Pretty- Terri Mauro Down’s Syndrome, Happy Souls Project ACC Ellen Strumbo
Anna Krendell “Sometimes you have to dance in the rain”
AbleThrive
Noah's Miracle
Kerry's Place - (FFS) All About You- A Support Group For Siblings - Online
The All About You is an online support group for children, aged 8-12, with a sibling who has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This group will offer interactive activities to create a fun space focused on them and their interests.
Kinark - Family Social Time: Magic Show Night - Online
Bring a family magic trick and show us! We will show you some cool new ones too.
Building Brighter Futures Together.
Interested in Volunteering with CTN?