Special Needs
Resources for Making Visual Schedules
Visual strategies and reminders can help to make routines and expectations clear for children—something that can be extremely helpful in preventing problem behaviour and reducing anxiety. These types of strategies can also improve a child’s ability to communicate. Read More
Inclusion 101
Inclusion 101 is a two-part interactive workshop designed to show caregivers how easy it is to ensure that their program is inclusive to all children. It examines inclusion and what it is, and teaches hands-on methods to develop an inclusive Read more
Special Needs Quick Tip Videos
Do you care for newcomer children with special needs? Do you ever wonder how you can better support them?Read More
Inclusion: What Does It Mean?
Inclusion means giving children with special needs and their parents or caregivers the same opportunities to learn, enjoy and participate as other families have.
All children benefit from inclusion. Exposure to children with diverse skills and abilities at a young age provides a foundation for a lifetime of understanding and respecting differences. It promotes awareness of human differences and leads to greater acceptance.Read more
Ontario Infant Hearing Program
The Ontario Infant Hearing Program offers universal hearing screening for all newborns, in order to identify infants who are born deaf or hard of hearing, or who are at risk for developing hearing loss in early childhood. Additional services include
Children’s Treatment Centres
Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services (OACRS) provides services for children and youth with disabilities and their families. The services target children and youth with a variety of developmental, physical and communication challenges such as: autism spectrum disorder, spina bifida, Read more
Diagnostic Information and Resources
You can find reliable information for professionals and parents on topics including diagnostic information sheets, specific programming ideas, programming resources, and referral services on these websites
Apraxia Kids
www.apraxia-kids.org
Autism Ontario
www.autismontario.com
Canadian Read more
Children’s Mental Health
For help with understanding mental health issues, finding a directory of mental health services available in Ontario, or on line education and resources for a variety of mental health issues including resilience, the following websites offer a good overview.
Children’s Read more
Blind/Low Vision Early Intervention Program in Ontario
When children are diagnosed with blindness or low vision, a referral can be made to the local Blind – Low Vision Program by a physician, ophthalmologist, optometrist, parent or caregiver. The Blind – Low Vision program offers three types of Read more