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
Tips for Explaining Pandemic to Children
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 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
Kinark Autism Services Resource Kits for Children with Autism
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 Developing Fine Motor Skills Developing Hand Strength Developing Handwriting Skills Developing Keyboarding Skills Developing Organization Skills Developing Pencil Management Skills Developing Scissor Skills Developing Shoelace Tying Skills Developing Skills with Fasteners and Containers Preparing for a Successful Day at School Accessing Private Occupational Therapy (OT) Accessing Private Physiotherapy (PT)
Accessing Private Speech Language Therapy
Respiteservices.com Respite Services in York Region
Respite Services in Simcoe County
Respite Funding Options
Autism Ontario- Respite Services
SafeHaven- respite and residential housing for children and youth
Reena- residential respite care
Participation House- adult day programs and residential housing
Tips to Find a Respite Worker 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
Child and Youth Mental Health Support- New Path (Simcoe) Walk In Clinics
York Support Services Network (YSSN) Resource Days for families
Parent Support - Three to Be Holland Bloorview Online Resources
Building a Peer Support Program- Best Practice Toolkit
Military Families Special Needs Support Group
Over 40 Facebook Groups About Special Needs
Blossoming.org- Online Community for Parents
Family Mental Health Initiative- Simcoe County
Neo-Natal Follow Up Resources
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 Spasticity Management Information for Clients and Families
Koolway Sports
Adapted Toys from SwitchEnabled
MV1 Accessible Van
Special Needs Furniture
For the Needy (Niagara Falls)
Apple Accessibility Features for iPhone, iPads and laptops Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
All Children's Services in York Region 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
Parent and Family Literacy Centres (York Region School Board)
EarlyON Programs (former Ontario Early Years)
EarlyON Calendar- Simcoe
Easter Seals ACCESS2 Entertainment Discount Card
Rogers Accessibility (Physical Disabilities) Discounts on mobile and home phone
Rogers Accessibility (Vision) Discounts on mobile and home phone
Rogers Accessibility (Hard of Hearing, Deaf and Speech) Discounts on mobile and home phone
Bell Accessibility Discounts on mobile Virgin Accessibility Discounts on mobile
Dreams Take Flight - Trips to Disney
Become a Starlight Family with the Starlight Foundation
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
Adapting toys and playtime
Printables for parents and providers
Baby and Toddler Development Tips and Information
1 to 1 Rehab Blog
Ontario Early Years 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 R Us Diffferently-Abled Toy Suggestions
Toys for Infants
Toys for Toddlers
Toys for Preschoolers
Forever in Mom Genes: Lisa Thornbury Love That Max
Searching for Solid Footing (Mitochondrial Disease and Bereavement)
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
YSSN: Virtual Family Support for Caregivers: Single Session Counselling
Who should attend? Anyone in the York Region and South Simcoe areas who needs help getting through a mental health issue. No formal diagnosis required.
Kerry’s Place: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) for Caregivers
Please note that participants will not be certified. There is no cost to participate.
Building Brighter Futures Together.
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