Expanding Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-based Services
What's new?
"As a grandmother of two young boys with autism and as the Founder of QuickStart - Early Intervention for Autism, I'm thrilled to see this major new investment in the future of our children with autism. Life skills are important for all children but especially so for children with autism."
- Suzanne Jacobson, QuickStart-Early Intervention for Autism
Ontario is expanding its ABA-based services and supports in communities across the province. ABA is an approach that helps kids with autism build the skills they need to learn, manage transitions and become more independent.
Approximately 8,000 kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will benefit each year from these new services and supports, which will be delivered in communities across Ontario. The new services and supports are in addition to the Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) therapy already being provided to almost 1,500 children and youth.
Timing
Children will start to be assessed and receive services starting in late spring 2011.
Children and youth up to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), or Asperger's Disorder will be eligible for the new services.
How it will work
Referrals to agencies providing the new services will be accepted from physicians, psychologists/psychological associates, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers and nurses.
More help for parents
In addition to the new ABA services, more help will be offered to parents so they can build on the skills their kids are learning at school and/or in a program delivered by an autism service provider. Parents will also have more access to resource materials and information about all the services and supports for their children. More details will be available in the coming months.
Stay informed
More information will be available in the spring on our website and in a future newsletter.
