Depending on how severe your child's disorder is, your doctor or psychologist may refer you to a regional autism service provider for autism intervention services.

These services are funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

The Autism Intervention Program includes:

Support services

• advice, information, materials, consultation and training for families to get their child ready for Intensive Behavioural Intervention.

Intensive Behavioural Intervention

• a structured approach that breaks down the barriers that isolate children with autism from the world around them
• based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis
• uses systematic methods to encourage development and change behaviour
• program goals are individually tailored to each child based on a thorough assessment of the child's unique strengths and needs
• it's practical - the focus is on developing the skills each child needs for greater independence

Intensive Behavioural Intervention professionals work with children with autism - either individually or in small groups.

Parents are critical to the success of Intensive Behavioural Intervention. The program has a parent-training component so that parents can help their children reach their goals.

Children and youth who are receiving Intensive Behavioural Intervention don't stop receiving autism services just because they reach a certain age.

Service options

When it comes to receiving Intensive Behavioural Intervention services for their child, parents have two options:

Direct service option:

• Children can receive the services directly from trained staff at one of Ontario's nine regional service providers.

Direct funding option:

Children and youth with autism often face particular challenges during their school years. Teachers can play a critical role in helping them succeed at school.

That's why the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Education have created the School Support Program. This program connects school boards with Autism Spectrum Disorder consultants to help school staff support the learning and social needs of students with autism.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder consultants:

• provide training and instructional workshops to principals, teachers, teaching assistants and other educational support staff
• consult with individual educators
• provide in-school consultations
• attend school team meetings
• identify other community supports available to teachers, students and families.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder consultants are employed by Ontario's nine regional autism service providers. There are more than 185 autism consultants working with public elementary schools and high schools across Ontario.

For more information on the School Support Program

Children and youth with autism are not all alike. Each one has a different set of physical, emotional, behavioural and social issues.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services funds a wide range of community-based services and supports for children with special needs. Children and youth with autism and their families may also benefit from these services and supports.

Learn more