Toronto, ON – Today, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced significant changes to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) that will add caregiver-mediated early years programs as a service pathway. The Toronto Autism Services Network, a collaboration between SAAAC Autism Centre and six other autism service agencies, will deliver these provincially funded programs in Toronto.

The Toronto Autism Services Network will offer three caregiver-mediated early years programs, including Project ImPACT (12-48 months), Social ABCs (12-42 months), and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) (12-48 months). These programs will support families with children who are 12 months to 48 months at the start of the intervention by developing core foundational skills in the areas of communication, socialization, and play. They will also provide parents/caregivers with specific strategies to support their child’s development.

“We are thrilled to introduce these caregiver-mediated early years programs as a service pathway in the Ontario Autism Program,” said [Minister’s name], the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “This collaborative initiative with the Toronto Autism Services Network will provide families with young children who have autism with the tools and support they need to thrive.”

The ministry will begin reaching out to families registered with the OAP in the coming weeks to inform them that they are eligible for this program. Families can then contact the Toronto Autism Services Network to learn more about the registration process and programs offered.

The Toronto Autism Services Network comprises seven agencies, including Geneva Centre for Autism, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Lumenus Community Services, SAAAC Autism Centre, Strides Toronto, and Surrey Place. The network’s supports are coordinated with other clinical services to create a comprehensive, wraparound support team that can make informed decisions to meet each family’s individual needs. With this shared vision of support, families with an autism diagnosis will benefit from a single access point to receive consistent, high-quality, family-centred autism services in Toronto.

For more information on the Toronto Autism Services Network and its caregiver-mediated early years programs, please visit the network’s website.