The Autism Handbook

Support, Funding and Services accessible to families residing in Marmora and area

By: Holly Hoekstra

Suspecting that your loved one may have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder can be overwhelming. Having your loved one diagnosed with such may seem to be devastating to some, yet may come as a relief to others. Receiving such a diagnosis is not where the journey ends but rather where it truly begins. Your child will benefit tremendously from intervention and has the potential to make awesome strides ahead. Goal setting, respite assistance, developmental support, therapy services, funding services and parent/family support can help to unlock unimaginable potential and build on or help discover gifts and talents in your loved one and perhaps in yourself. If you live in the Marmora area, this booklet contains a list of some resources that may offer assistance in acceptance, love and advocacy, as well as accessible supports and therapy services, plus funding options.

4-H Club focuses on having fun, making friends and on learning. Is open to boys and girls between 8 and 21 years of age. Offers skill development by completion of projects and fun Club activities. Members will have the opportunity to travel in Canada and beyond, plus they are eligible to apply for more than $25,000 in national scholarships.

Provides horseback riding instruction classes for people with disabilities.

Unit groups meet weekly at various times and locations.

Mission Statement: "The mission of the Marmora and Lake Public Library Board is to give all those who require and seek a forum for knowledge, information, and educational recreation, a chance to do so."

Services: Free Computer Access, Wireless internet access is also available, printing and Photocopying, Interlibrary Loans, Boating Exam, Newspaper Archives, Homework Club.

Membership is FREE to persons living in the Municipality of Marmora & Lake. Non-residents must supply ID and are required to pay a $10.00 non-refundable yearly fee. Members of Havelock, Madoc and Tweed Public Libraries may enjoy a reciprocal membership free of charge.

Group dedicated to live theatre. Drama group, plays, acting, sketch, music. Anyone can join. Positions other than drama include: makeup, costume, props, and set construction.

Programs: Summer camp, horseback riding, swimming, rock climbing, archery, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, trampoline, Skate Park, high ropes course. Also offered are seasonal activities for school, family, and community groups.

Eligibility: Summer Camps vary by week and are designed for children 6-18 years old.

Fees: $445/week (Before April 30^th), $485 (after April 30th), Discounts available as well as subsidy.

Hours: Open Middle of June to end of August 

Mandate: "Promote participation in such sports, recreational, and cultural activities that enrich the Community"

Programs: Public Community Swimming Pool, Full Red Cross Instructional Swim Programs., Aqua-fit. 

Cost: Fees vary.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Friday

Services: Skate/bike park and play park equipment, canteen. Water Park (to open summer 2009). The park is supervised from May to Thanksgiving weekend. Offer equipment rentals such as BMX bikes, K2 Rollerblades, and skateboards at $5 per hour. Daily can be arranged.

Equivalent to Ontario Early Years Centre. Offers various free support, play groups and drop-in services. Play group every Friday morning at Marmora Public Library. Offers assistance in applications for funding.

A Non-Profit Co-Operative. Provide a program for parents, caregivers and their children; help stimulate healthy growth and development. Various support programs and play groups.

Offers various programs including day camp and childcare, swimming, exercise etc.

Mission Statement: "Our YMCA is a charity, open to all, dedicated to service to others and to providing opportunities for growth in spirit, mind and body."

Fees: $28 - $72 per month. Financial assistance available

Open in June, July, August

Protects and promotes O’Hara Mill Pioneer Village with 8 buildings that can be visited plus 83 acres of conservation and park

Open Monday 4:00pm – 7:00pm, Wednesday 10:00am – 1:00pm, Saturday 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Links to Learning Mission Statement: "Links to Learning Resource Centre is a non-profit organization that assists families and professionals to find resources and information on disabilities."

Carries an assortment of books and files on disabilities, resource information as well as toys that can borrowed.

Small annual membership fee required.

Free support group offering support and networking for those who love someone with an ASD. Monthly meetings take place at Family Space. Contact Julie London

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
After hours appointments available based on need

Clinic serves children with behavioural, emotional, social, developmental, or family issues. Also provided are specialized services to children with childhood autism, attention deficit disorder, oppositional/defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and dual diagnosis.

Programs/Services: Psychosocial assessments, Social Skills Program, Individual, Family, and Play Therapy, Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessments, Separation & Divorce Groups for Parents & Children Parent & Sibling. Consultations and education provided.

Mission Statement: "Kerry’s Place Autism Services is committed to enhancing the quality of life of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, through innovative personalized supports, expertise, collaboration and advocacy."

Services offered in Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox & Addington, and Frontenac Counties for Residential Program, Community Outreach, and Respite.

Vision: "Acceptance and opportunities for all individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders"

Mission Statement: "To ensure that each individual with ASD is provided the means to achieve quality of life as a respected member of society"

Autism Ontario focuses in advocacy and support, research, best practices, government regulations and public awareness. It is one of the largest collective voices representing the Autism Community.

Members are connected through a volunteer network of Chapters throughout the Province of Ontario. Autism Ontario supports 30 chapters in Ontario and is run by committed volunteers and parents.

Membership is $50/year.

Values: "We are committed to a family-centered model of care which involves parents and caregivers, as well as the child in all aspects of decision making."

"We believe in a flexible, multidisciplinary approach to intervention which meets the changing physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of children as they grow from infancy to young adulthood." 

"We endeavour to provide timely intervention which is accessible to all our clients."

"We value successful, cooperative partnerships in our community and will continue to promote these linkages."

"We will endeavour to attract and maintain a high quality health care team by providing opportunities for education and research."

Eligibility: Must be referred by Doctor. Must require either physiotherapy or occupational therapy in order to access speech and language, social work, and psychometric services.

Preschool children with only speech and language concerns may be referred to the Preschool Speech and Language Program by calling 613-969-7400 ext 2249.

Provides nursery and care for children 6 weeks – 12 years of age.

Mission Statement: "To enable the people in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties to achieve and maintain optimal health through health protection and promotion as well as disease and injury prevention."

"respiteservices.com consists of agencies funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. We are collaborating to develop a more dynamic respite network for both children and adults in the counties of Hastings, Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington."

Online roster of caregivers who are looking to provide respite care and families looking for respite providers.

Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm

A non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal information, advice, assistance and representation to people living on a low income in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, Provides help with tenant rights and obligations; Welfare and Ontario Works; Ontario Disability Support Plan; government pensions; Workplace Safety and Insurance; Employment Insurance; criminal injuries compensation; human rights; employment and refugee rights.

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

A non-profit charitable organization, CSBD is a community based resource agency responding to the need for assessment, counselling, advocacy and support.

"We strive to enhance the effectiveness and well-being of persons of all ages, families and the community. CSBD strives to work collaboratively with collateral agencies and the community as a whole to ensure the most effective and beneficial support is provided"

Programs: Family Resource and Support, Adult Protective Services, Behavioural Consulting Services, Infant Development, the Home Personnel and Resource Program, Family Court Clinic, Supervised Access Services and Individual, Marital and Family Counselling Program. Offers assistance in applications for funding.

Service Fees: Fees for Individual, Family and Marital counselling only.

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Children's Mental Health Services provides a range of counselling/assessment services for children and their families who are residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.

Wait list for services. Can self refer.

Assists working families in Central Hastings with new children’s outer ware.

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Provides computers to school aged children for free. Wait list of 8 – 10 weeks

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm

Licensed ½ day inclusive preschool program for children 2 ½ - 5 years. Morning and afternoon classes. Free to deaf or hard of hearing children referred from Sir James Whitney School. Uses ASL in all classes.

Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:30pm

Offers support meetings and client services.

Fees: $10 membership

Catalogue custom order business of sensory weighted items such as pillows, blankets, as well as textured items for use with those with sensory differences (Sensory Processing Disorder).

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30pm-5:00pm

Offering help to people who have long-term physical disabilities with such things as equipment etc. May pay up to 75% of the cost of assistive items such as, orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, hearing aids, breathing aids etc.

Services: Categories of equipment costs that may be covered by ADP are Communication Devices, Diabetes Supplies, Enteral Feeding Supplies, Hearing Devices, Orthotic Devices, Ostomy Supplies, Prosthetic Devices, Visual Devices, Pressure Modification Devices, Respiratory Devices, Wheelchair, Positioning, and Ambulation Aids.

Ministry of Child and Youth Services

Eligibility depends on the services already being received. Must have a developmental disability, live in Ontario, are in need of support

Eligibility: All children must first be registered with Easter Seals to access Easter Seals service and support programs. Must be a legal resident of Ontario, hold a valid Ontario health card and be under the age of 19 years and have a physical disability that impairs/impacts on their mobility (e.g. Cerebral Palsy)

An Application must be completed by an Ontario Doctor.

Hours: 8:30am - 4:45pm

ODSP is a provincial government program which provides income and employment supports to eligible persons with disabilities. Persons must qualify financially and be considered disabled under the Ontario Disability Program Act. Employment support is available to disabled persons who desire to pursue their employment goals.

Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program helps offset extra costs families incur caring for a child who has a severe disability. May help pay for travel to doctors and hospitals, special shoes and clothes, parental relief, wheelchair repairs, assistive devices, hearing aids, hearing aid batteries, prescription drugs, dental care and eyeglasses.

Pays $25 - $430 per month

Eligibility: Resident of Hastings, Kingston/Frontenac, Lanark, Leeds & Grenville, Lennox & Addington, Prince Edward Counties. Parent or legal guardian caring for a child with a severe disability, you may be able to receive some financial help. Child must be under 18 years old and live at home, with a severe disability. Based on income and severity of disability. Contact Office for application.

Offers financial assistance to make one’s wish come true. Must be considered to have a high risk illness/disability.

Eligibility: Children 3 years to 18 years. Must be legal residents of Canada and have an illness, which is considered as a high-risk/life threatening.

Mission Statement: "Our aim is to remove some of the obstacles that make everyday living extremely difficult and make it a little easier for the child or family to cope with the disability. We provide direct financial assistance in the purchase of expensive mobility equipment, environmental modifications, and physical therapy and more."

Eligibility: child with a physical or developmental disability under 18 years, in need of assistive equipment or an environmental modification or therapy. For form: http://www.presidentschoice.ca/DocDownloads/EN/PC_Childrens_Charity_form.pdf

Mission Statement: "To improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families… "when love is not enough."

Provides emergency financial relief, Respite for a pre-determined period of time, Developmental therapies (excluding Hyperbaric Oxygen, ABA, IBI or RDI therapy), Educational programs, materials, instruction, Specially adapted computer equipment and software, Medical treatments not covered by government health plans or insurance, Recreation that promotes a child's involvement in the community.

Eligibility: Children who are seriously ill or have a permanent disability. Must be less than 21 years of age and reside in Ontario. Family income impacts on assistance decisions. To apply, call (905) 852-1799 and ask for a Request for Assistance form. Form may be completed by parent, physician, therapist, social worker, teacher or community liaison.

There is a list of 50 current Funded Agencies working with the United Way of Quinte. Please see their website for a detailed list.

Mission Statement: "I believe in my community. I believe that its success depends on the people who live in it. That everyone has something to contribute. That everyone deserves respect. That everyone's potential can be realized. That diversity is vital. That every person has value. That everyone needs help and everyone can offer help. That a safe, supportive community is everyone's responsibility. I believe in possibility."

Centre Hastings Park. 17 April 2009

Children’s Wish Foundation. 28 March 2009.

Easter Seals Ontario. 17 April 2009.

Hoekstra, Holly. Centre Hastings Community Supports and recreation Guide. Marmora: Hoekstra, 2009.

Kerry’s Place. 16 April 2009.

Links to Learning Resource Centre. 16 April 2009.

Volunteer and Information Quinte. Community Keys. Belleville:

JB Printing, 2006

4-h Canada. 17 April, 2009.