Early Years Support Services Registry

Ontario is transforming the way children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)and their families receive services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). The vision of the OAP is to give children and youth with ASD access to the timely and effective services they need to achieve their goals at home, at school, in the community and as they transition into adulthood. The OAP provides all families of children and youth with ASD with flexible, family-centred services based on each child’s unique needs.

Physical therapy is considered one of the most effective forms of rehabilitative treatment for babies who need assistance with balance, muscle control, milestones and more. Since physical therapy focuses on physical rehabilitation, many physicians recommend it for infants who have developed disorders and disabilities, regardless whether they surfaced from birth injuries or genetic abnormalities.

Provides diagnostic assessments for children a query of Autism Spectrum Disorder and medical follow up and consultation for children with cerebral palsy or complex developmental, medical and/or physical needs.

Feeding Assessment and Consultation Service (FACS) provides assessment and treatment for children with feeding and swallowing difficulties.

Services focus on the prevention, identification, assessment, treatment and habilitation of hearing loss in children with multiple special needs. Audiology services are provided by a registered audiologist and offered at the Children’s Treatment Network Richmond Hill site.

Occupational therapy is a type of regulated health care that helps to solve the problems that interfere with a person’s ability to do the things that are important to them, like self-care (getting dressed, eating) and being active (participating in the community and social activities).

The Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA) continually reaches government, media, health care professionals and others to ensure that speech, language, swallowing, hearing and balance are recognized as part of total wellness. OSLA works closely with many other professional associations and consumer organizations that share an interest in health and educational needs relating to communication and is dedicated to ensuring that Ontarians have access to the essential services provided by Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.

Provides help for York Region children from birth to school entry who have difficulty learning to communicate or interact. The program focuses on the prevention, early identification and treatment of speech and language problems.

Provides a health and developmental screening and monitoring service for infants and children at higher risk of developmental delay due to prematurity or birth complications. The program is in partnership with Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Strengthens early learning and child care educators’ capacity to engage in inclusive practices for children with special needs, from birth to age 13, who attend a licensed child care program within York Region. Services are offered primarily within the Early Learning and Child Care setting and include:

• A Routines-Based Model of Intervention
• Child development screening
• Development of Individual Program Plans for children
• Collaborative consultation visits with early learning and child care educators to promote inclusive practices
• Coaching educators to implement goals and strategies that teach children new skills and promote development
• Adaptation of the classroom environment to include all children within the program
• Service coordination activities for families (such as referrals to community agencies)
• Transition to school support
• Providing professional development and capacity building opportunities for early learning and child care staff/educators to promote best practices in inclusion