Autism Services

Autism services at Niagara Children’s Centre:

• Are inclusive of families
• Are available in group and individual sessions
• Our primary focus is parent education and first teaching the parent/caregivers the strategies and then working with them and their child to integrate the strategies into their daily lives.
• Include targeted consultation to address specific goals or needs
  

We are also committed to an integrated and coordinated approach to care. As such, autism services can be provided along with other programs and services at Niagara Children’s Centre, and in coordination with our community partners.

The Ontario government is phasing in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). The following describes the programs and services offered through the Centre that are aligned with the Ontario Autism Program. If you have questions about autism services that are available through Niagara Children’s Centre, please contact your therapist or one of our clinical managers.

Niagara Children’s Centre provides autism diagnostic services in partnership with the Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Hub - West Region, through the Ron Joyce Children’s Health Centre at McMaster Children’s Hospital. The Centre provides multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessments involving specifically trained medical and clinical staff. We deliver diagnostic services in a way that includes and involves the child’s family, service team and community service providers as appropriate.

A designated social worker assists families through the diagnostic process and connects families with the appropriate services in our community following assessment. This includes supporting families with their OAP registration process and in accessing any other sources of funding that may be available for children with a diagnosis.

Autism diagnostic services are available at the Niagara Children’s Centre for children aged 0-4 who are residents of Niagara.

Referrals for diagnostic services are accepted from community physicians and Centre staff. Physicians can make a referral by visiting our referrals page.

Niagara Children’s Centre is partnered with McMaster Children’s Hospital – Hamilton Health Sciences, and Bethesda Community Services to offer the caregiver-mediated early years program.

The OAP caregiver-mediated early years program helps young children learn new skills and meet individualized goals. Through the program, parents and caregivers learn therapeutic strategies and specific techniques from professionals based on their child’s individual needs. The program aims to build parents’ and caregivers’ capacity to support their child’s skill development in:

• Social Interaction
• Play
• Communication
• Emotional Development
• Adaptive Development and Self-Help Skills

The programs are play-based, child-led and developmentally appropriate. Programs are free of charge and available for up to six months per child.

The program is available to:

• Children aged 12 months to 48 months (1 to 4 years) who are registered in the Ontario Autism Program

Families who receive an invitation letter can register for the program through Bethesda at 905-684-6918 ext. 170 or serviceinfo@bethesdaservices.com.

Niagara Children’s Centre is partnered with McMaster Children’s Hospital - Hamilton Health Sciences, and Bethesda Community Services to offer the OAP entry to school program in Niagara.

The OAP entry to school program will help prepare children who are registered in the Ontario Autism Program to start kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time. The program will feature several stages, including:

• A six-month, group-based, skill-building program focused on preparing children to start school
• Transition supports for children when they begin school
• Consultations to support a successful transition for the first six months a child is in school – available upon request

The program is available to:

• Children starting school (kindergarten or Grade 1) for the first time who are registered with the Ontario Autism Program

Families who receive an invitation letter can register for the program through Bethesda at 905-684-6918 ext. 170 or serviceinfo@bethesdaservices.com