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Questions and Answers

How will new services and supports help my child?

New services and supports will help children and youth with autism develop communication, social and daily living skills, learn better in school and become more independent.

The services to be offered will be based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), an approach to learning that reinforces positive behaviours and reduces problematic ones.

Children and youth with autism have different needs. Services will be available based on an assessment of the child or youth’s specific needs.

Who is eligible for the new, government funded ABA-based services?

Children and youth up to their 18th birthday are eligible for the new ABA-based services if they have a confirmed diagnosis of:

• Autism/Autistic Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or
• Asperger’s Disorder

The diagnosis must come from a qualified professional such as a family doctor, paediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist or psychological associate.

How do I access the services?

Along with a diagnosis, parents or caregivers can contact an ABA lead agency directly. You can also be referred by a health professional such as:

• Family doctor
• Psychiatrist
• Developmental paediatrician
• Psychologist
• Psychological Associate
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Social Worker
• Nurse (includes Registered Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners).

Will I be able to receive services close to where I live?

Families will be able to receive the new, government funded ABA-based services in their region. Contact an ABA-based lead agency in your region to access the new services. The agency will let you know when the services will be available in your area.

What if we move?

If you move, your child’s intake information will be shared with an ABA lead agency in your new region. If there is a waitlist, your child will be added to the list. It will be based on the date that the initial intake was completed in your previous region.

Can my child receive ABA-based services if he or she is enrolled in other programs?

Children and youth who are enrolled in other autism programs, including those funded by the government, are eligible to receive ABA-based services.

Children and youth can continue receiving services in the other programs while receiving ABA-based services.

How does Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) differ from these new ABA-based services and supports?

IBI is an intensive application of ABA where a child usually works with a therapist for 20 to 40 hours a week. IBI takes place one-on-one or in a small group.

IBI is most effective for kids at the more severe end of the autism spectrum. Studies have shown ABA-based services are effective with children across the autism spectrum.

ABA is a program for all children with autism – not just those at the more severe end of the autism spectrum. ABA-based services will not address all the needs that children with autism may have. They will not be offered in an intensive way over a long period of time. ABA-based services will target a child’s highest priority skill area(s). They will be provided for two to six months, typically two to four hours per week.

How long will my child receive ABA-based services?

Services will be provided for two to six months, two to four hours a week depending on your child’s needs and the service being offered.

There is also flexibility to provide services more or less frequently depending on the type of service being offered.

What is the role of a parent/caregiver in the delivery of ABA-based services?

Parents/caregivers play a very important role in ABA-based services. You reinforce behaviours and skills learned in the program at home and talk to providers about your child’s needs.

Your involvement is essential to help your child maintain and use new skills in other places with different people.

Parents will be involved in the development of a service plan for your child. ABA service providers will ask for parents’ input for the service plan and agreement with the plan.

What are the responsibilities of the ABA service provider?

The ABA service provider must:

• manage referrals
• proceed with intake
• identify service needs
• develop an ABA-based service plan
• deliver ABA-based services
• work with parents/caregivers to co-ordinate with other services the child may be receiving
• provide a single contact person for the parent/caregiver about the plan
• give parents/caregivers instruction and education about ABA-based methods

What qualifications must the ABA service providers have?

Staff developing ABA-based service plans will have the following qualifications:

• Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBA)
• Clinical Psychologists registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario with expertise in ABA
• Psychological Associates registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario with expertise in ABA

Professionals with other qualifications like occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists may help develop the service plan and deliver services.

If my child has received ABA-based services, is she or he eligible for more ABA-based services?

Yes, a child who has received ABA-based services can be referred again by their parents/caregivers or a professional to learn new skills or build on existing ones if they still meet the eligibility requirements.

If there is a waitlist, children and youth re-entering ABA-based services will be placed on it.

What are the new ABA guidelines for and how are they being used?

Program guidelines provide policy direction about the new ABA-based services and supports. The guidelines determine the implementation and management by ABA service providers. Children and youth with autism, their parents/caregivers, service providers and the public can also consult the guidelines.

What is the ASD Clinical Expert Committee?

Ontario is establishing a committee of autism experts. It will ensure that clinical decisions on assessment and treatment are based on the latest research and evidence.

The committee is expected to be in place this fall. It will also advise the government on emerging research and best clinical practices.

What is the independent review process?

Decisions about a child’s eligibility, progress or discharge from IBI services are made by the clinical director of the government-funded Autism Intervention Program.

It is expected that by late fall 2011, if a family is not satisfied with a decision, it will be able to request an independent review.

The government is consulting with stakeholders, including service providers and families, to develop the review process.