Special needs

All children and youth deserve to have a healthy, happy childhood and a chance to be the best they can. Some need extra help because they have one or more problems relating to their:

physical health
emotional health
behaviour
development
mental health.

The Ontario government provides and funds many special programs and services to help these children and their families.

How to apply for help

There are many programs and services to help children with special needs and their families. Each program has its own eligibility requirements. Please contact your nearest regional office of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for more information.

Autism

Ontario provides a range of services and supports to children and youth with autism.

Developmental disabilities

Help is available for children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families.

Disabilities

If you are a parent caring for a child with a severe disability, you may be able to receive some financial help.

Mental Health

There is help for children and youth up to the age of 18 who have social, emotional, behavioural or psychiatric problems, and their families or caregivers.

Rehabilitation

Children's treatment centres provide rehabilitation services to 58,000 children and youth with disabilities each year.

Respite

Find out about two programs that can give your family a break (or "respite") from the day-to-day care of your child with special needs.

Special Services at Home

This program helps families who are caring for a child with a developmental or physical disability, as well as adults with a developmental disability.

Special services

Blindness and low vision -- Learn about our Early Intervention Program.
Child care -- The ministry provides funding to local municipalities so that children with special needs can get the extra help they need.
Hearing -- help for babies who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Residential services -- group homes, foster homes, provincially operated facilities and youth justice open and secure custody/detention facilities.

Speech and language -- help for children with speech and language problems.
Special education -- Ministry of Education.
Assistive devices -- Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Services for:

Aboriginal children and youth -- programs that promote healthy development in ways that respect Aboriginal traditions.
Children and youth in rural and remote areas of Northern Ontario -- Find out about Integrated Services for Northern Children.

If you work with children who have special needs, here are resources that may help.