Next steps: Ottawa

CHEO services

CHEO Autism Program

The CHEO Autism Program offers a range of services for all children, youth and families living in Ontario with a diagnosis of Autism. Supports like Foundational Family Services, Social Skills Groups and Parent Resources are available free of charge. New topics and dates are regularly added. To learn more, join the mailing list or register, visit our Autism Program page or call 613-249-9355 (ext. 444).

Autism Orientation Session

Orientation session about available services and resources for parents of a child with a recent Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. To register parent, please contact a Family Resource Worker at 613-737-0871 extension 4419.

Speech and language therapy

Eligible for speech and language therapy until the child is of age to enter Senior Kindergarten. If there is a need for speech and language therapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are
placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871.

For school age children: SLP offered by School Board speech and language therapy services.

Occupational therapy

Children are eligible for occupational therapy until the child enters Junior Kindergarten. If there is a need for occupational therapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831- 5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: Referral to School-based Rehabilitation Services – CHEO.

Physiotherapy

Children are eligible for physiotherapy until the child enters Junior Kindergarten. If there is a need for physiotherapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this
service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: Referral to School-based Rehabilitation Services – CHEO.

Infant and child development services

Early intervention strategies to parents offered in play groups and/or in-home visit. If there is a need for Infant and Child Development Services at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are
placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. Only for children under 6 years of age, not attending licensed child care or school.

Social work services

Supportive and counselling services intended to provide information about your child’s diagnosis, help you to understand the services available, and plan the next steps for your family. To self-refer call the on-call social worker (613-737-0871 Ext 0).

Respite program

Preschool Program: Saturday program for children 3 to 5 years old. School Aged Respite Program: 4 week sessions on Sundays for children between the ages of 6-18.

To register, parent(s) can contact the CHEO Development and Rehabilitation program at 613-737-2757.

Nutrition

Assessment and consultation sessions to address nutritional concerns. If there is a need for nutrition services at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact the Development and Rehabilitation program Smyth site at 613-737-0871 extension 4330.

Community resources

Ontario Autism Program

To register for the Ontario Autism Program the parent must call the toll free number: 1-888-444-4530 or email oap@ontario.ca. You can also visit the Ministry website.

Service coordination

Case coordination services for children and adults with a developmental disability, providing families with information about services, access to services, and case coordination. Tel: 613-748-1788 Service coordination also manages the ASD Respite Funding. Funds are limited. 

Worker Bank/Respite: Respiteservices.com is part of a secure provincial website. To find a Special Needs Worker families can register online, by phone 613-748-1788 extension 240 or by e-mail at sswb-rtss@scsottawa.on.ca.

Children at Risk

Offers services to families who have a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some of the services include: parent information sessions, sibling groups and social skills groups. Tel: 613-741-8255 or consult their website.

Children's Inclusion Support Services

Provides assistance to licensed preschool and daycare programs in order to facilitate the child’s integration into the program. Tel: 613-736-1913 or consult their website.

Early Learning and Child Care

Social and learning environment for your child. You can contact the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist by calling 311 or consulting the website.

Ontario Early Years Center

Children up to the age of six and their parents/caregivers can take part in programs and activities together. Parents and caregivers can also get more information about their children's development, and about services to support development. Visit their website for more information.

Financial resources

Assistance for children with severe disabilities

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Will cover extraordinary costs that parents incur due to their child’s special needs, including developmental programming or parent relief. Based on family income. Tel: 613- 788-2399 or consult their website.

Special services at home

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Will fund parents to cover the cost of developmental programming and/or parent relief. Tel: 613-787-4064 or consult their website.

Disability Tax Credit

For families who have a child with a long term disability that affects activities of daily living. Certificate needs to be completed by a qualified professional. Canada Revenue Agency- Tel: 1-800-959-8281 or consult their website.

Incontinence Grant

Provides a grant to parents when a child is not toilet trained after the age of three. Funded by the Ministry of Health and administered through the Easter Seals Society. Tel: 416-226-3051 or 1-800-561-4313 or consult their website.

Speech and language therapy

Eligible for speech and language therapy until the child is of age to enter Senior Kindergarten. If there is a need for speech and language therapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are
placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: SLP offered by School Board speech and language therapy services.

Occupational therapy

Children are eligible for occupational therapy until the child enters Junior Kindergarten. If there is a need for occupational therapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831- 5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: Referral to School-based Rehabilitation Services – CHEO.

Physiotherapy

Children are eligible for physiotherapy until the child enters Junior Kindergarten. If there is a need for physiotherapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this
service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: Referral to School-based Rehabilitation Services – CHEO.

Social work services

Supportive and counselling services intended to provide information about your child’s diagnosis, help you to understand the services available, and plan the next steps for your family. To self-refer call the on-call social worker (613-737-0871 Ext 0).

Behaviour services

Behaviour interventions based on applied behaviour analysis (ABA) principles offered by CHEO. Services are offered to clients who have challenging behaviours, and can be offered as a group or as individual consultation depending on the profile of the client. To self-refer your child please contact the Access Team at 613-737-2757. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact 613-688-2126 x4374.

Nutrition

Assessment and consultation sessions to address nutritional concerns. If there is a need for nutrition services at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact the Development and Rehabilitation program Smyth site at 613-737-0871 extension 4330.

Infant and child development services

Early intervention strategies to parents offered in play groups and/or in-home visit. If there is a need for Infant and Child Development Services at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are
placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. Only for children under 6 years of age, not attending licensed child care or school.

Service coordination

Case coordination services for children and adults with a developmental disability, providing families with information about services, access to services, and case coordination. Tel: 613-748-1788 Service coordination also manages the ASD Respite Funding. Funds are limited. 

Worker Bank/Respite: Respiteservices.com is part of a secure provincial website. To find a Special Needs Worker families can register online, by phone 613-748-1788 extension 240 or by e-mail at sswb-rtss@scsottawa.on.ca.

Early Learning and Child Care

Social and learning environment for your child. You can contact the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist by calling 311 or consulting the website.

Assistance for children with severe disabilities

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Will cover extraordinary costs that parents incur due to their child’s special needs, including developmental programming or parent relief. Based on family income. Tel: 613- 788-2399 or consult their website.

Special services at home

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Will fund parents to cover the cost of developmental programming and/or parent relief. Tel: 613-787-4064 or consult their website.

Disability Tax Credit

For families who have a child with a long term disability that affects activities of daily living. Certificate needs to be completed by a qualified professional. Canada Revenue Agency- Tel: 1-800-959-8281 or consult their website.

Incontinence Grant

Provides a grant to parents when a child is not toilet trained after the age of three. Funded by the Ministry of Health and administered through the Easter Seals Society. Tel: 416-226-3051 or 1-800-561-4313 or consult their website.

CHEO services

Speech and language therapy

Eligible for speech and language therapy until the child is of age to enter Senior Kindergarten. If there is a need for speech and language therapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are
placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831-5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: SLP offered by School Board speech and language therapy services.

Occupational therapy

Children are eligible for occupational therapy until the child enters Junior Kindergarten. If there is a need for occupational therapy at time of referral to the Development and Rehabilitation program at CHEO, children are placed on the wait-list for this service. To confirm your child is on the wait-list, please contact either the Development and Rehabilitation program Kanata site at 613-831- 5098, or the Smyth site at 613-737-0871. 

For school age children: Referral to School-based Rehabilitation Services – CHEO.

Community resources

Early Learning and Child Care

Social and learning environment for your child. You can contact the City of Ottawa Child Care Registry and Waitlist by calling 311 or consulting the website.

Crossroads Children's Centre

Behavioural management for children (and their families) struggling with severe emotional, behavioral and social difficulties. Contact information: 613-723-1623 extension 232 or consult their website.