Autism Resources

Please note that this is solely a list of resouces available, not an endorsement of any treatment, agency, service or specific professional. It is your responsibility to determine the qualifications of the service providers prior to engaging them.

Private Psychologists who assess and diagnosis children:

Dr Yolanda Korneluk (includes specializing in very early assessment for age two and under) 613-851-6292
Dr. Faizah Visram 613-791-7865
Dr. Vicki Martin 613-526-4977
Dr. Karen Ogston 613-563-1632
Dr. Patricia Behnke 613-563-1632
Dr. Sherman 613-728-4848

Early Start Denver Model: A study released in November 2010 shows that early intervention in toddlers with the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) showed significant results.

The Early Start Denver Model brings together the teaching of behavioral analysis with approaches based on developmental relationships, such as parent-child and teacher-pupil.

The model is new because it blends the discipline of behavior analysis with play-based routines as a way to build a relationship with the child with autism. The approach can start with children as young as 12 months old.

A small US study involving toddlers diagnosed with autism, some as as young as 18 months old, showed that intensive early intervention delivered by trained specialists and parents was very effective and improved IQ, social interaction and language ability. Read more. ESDM is offered through Emerging Minds in Ottawa.Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) are not the same therapy. The following explaination is from CHEO:

All children with an ASD should receive appropriate evidence-based intervention which is based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). However, there is confusion about the difference between ABA and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) and their respective goals.

Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) are not the same therapy. The following explaination is from CHEO:

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA):
ABA is a science which involves the application of principles of learning to improve socially important behaviour to a meaningful degree and to demonstrate scientifically that the procedures used are responsible for the change in behaviour. (Adapted from Cooper, Heron and Heward, 1987)

ABA is applicable to many different populations and age groups as well as to a wide range of behaviours. ABA is not just for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Some examples of common uses of ABA include:
• Intervention for individuals with special needs to develop functional skills including self-care (toilet training, eating, dressing); riding the bus; money management
• Intervention for individuals with behaviour problems such as ADHD, oppositional or aggressive behaviour, or substance abuse
• Within school classrooms to keep children paying attention to the teacher, reinforce appropriate behaviours etc.
• Intervention for individuals with problems such as phobias, marital problems
• Organization and increased productivity in work settings

There are a number of ABA based strategies that can be used with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These include but are not restricted to Intensive Behavioural Intervention (Expert Clinical Panel, 2007)

Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI):
IBI is based on the scientific principles of the broader field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). IBI is an intensive, comprehensive treatment strategy designed for young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is typically provided between 18 and 40 hours per week and should begin early in a child's life, ideally before 4 years of age. IBI is comprehensive in that it is designed to target a range of skills within a developmental sequence (e.g., functional communication, social/play skills [cooperative play; appropriate toy play]; cognitive skills [imitation; matching]; pre-academic skills; self care skills; problem behaviours). The goal of IBI is to change a child's developmental trajectory or rate of learning as defined by clinically significant changes in a child's cognitive, language and adaptive skills on standardized assessments (Expert Clinical Panel, 2007, p. 20).

The literature has revealed that some children do show significant benefit from IBI, while some children show less benefit with smaller gains. Unfortunately, other children show no benefit over a 6 to 12 month period. However, children who do not respond to IBI and/or who show limited response may benefit from ABA based teaching strategies focusing on specific skill development.

IBI Therapy:

Autism Intervention Program (CHEO): Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) www.cheo.on.ca/english/8000_autism.shtml (There is a two to three year waiting period for this service)

ABA Therapy:

Emerging Minds - Our approach is formed by naturalistic behavioural, developmental, and social/relationship-based therapies. We draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches and from a range of therapy disciplines (including psychology, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, behaviour analysis, and education). This therapy is based in the child's natural environment. www.emergingminds.ca

TIPES - Thinking in Pictures Educational Services is a non-profit educational and therapeutic service that provides support to children aged 2-18 years who have PDD (eg. Autism) and related or additional exceptionalities. This is a center based program in Kanata. http://www.tipes.ca/

Portia Learning Centre - Our mission is to provide the Ottawa region with high-quality, intensive educational programs based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis. This is a center based program. www.portialearning.com

Spectrum Intervention Group Spectrum's primary objective is to provide care and direct instruction, using ABA principles and procedures, to children with ASD, in order to increase their cognitive and social abilities in the home, school and community. This is a center based therapy, www.spectrumig.com

ABACUS - directory of private ABA therapists http://www.abacuslist.ca

*New: Project PACE

PROJECT PACE (Partners in Autism Community Education) is an innovative, collaborative project recently offered to families in the Ottawa area. The project consists of six workshops for parents/caregivers; as well as five or six parent in home coaching sessions with Senior Therapists assigned from either Portia Learning Centre or Spectrum Intervention group to each family. Workshops and coaching sessions are based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Applications were due on April 30th for the first cycle of this project (zero to six age group) and 2 other cycles are planned for older children. The goals of the project are to improve the quality of life for families by giving parents tools to use to teach their children new skills and to help reduce behaviours.
For more information check the Autism Ontario web site: www.autismontario.com

Floor Time Therapy:

Cindy Harrison (613-738-2781 charrison@communicare.on.ca

Getting Started Services Clinic:

For children five and under (not in school) who are not meeting the developmental milestones. Services include individual consultations with an Occupational Therapist, Infant Development Worker, Social Worker and Speech Language Pathologist as well as additional group sessions. In the group sessions there is also a Behavioural Specialist and a Dietician. Parents are shown and taught how to work with their children while they are awaiting an assessment and diagnosis.

Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre, Cecile Bisson 613-737-0871 ext 2293

Asperger's

Heather Fawcett - socialization groups for teens.

Dr. Tony Attwood - Dr. Attwood is an expert in Asperger's. This website is a guide for parents, professionals and people with Asperger's Syndrome and their partners.

Events and Workshops in Ottawa:

http://www.ottawaautismconnection.com/

Speech & Speech Therapists:

First Words, Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre. The clinic is held at various locations throughout the city. www.pqchc.com/children.htm

Denise McVicar - Speech-Language Pathologist, Kanata 613-608-5385 denisemcicar@rogers.com

Jacquie Ballantine - Speech Language Pathologist, Kanata 613-591-3686

Connie Wilker - Speech Language Pathologist, Nepean 613-228-1174 ext 43

Jacquee Glance - Speech Language Pathologist 613-798-5404

Shauna Haight - Speech Language Pathologist, Nepean 613-228-1174 ext 29

Karen Mallet, Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist, kmallet@magma.ca 613-851-4133

Krista Simon, Speech Language Pathologist, kristasimon@rogers.com 613-291-5194

Mary-Anne Zubrycky www.speechvoice.ca 613-820-4722

Baby Bumblebee Language DVD's for non-verbal children, children with a limited vocabulary and children who are learning concepts such as questions, numbers, opposites and the alphabet.

Behavioural Consultant:

Building Blocks
Elaine Bissonnette
613 722 4374

Respite Workers:

Please note that all people working with children should have a police records check done through your local police station.

Shannon Van Luven. Available evenings and weekends in the west or south end of Ottawa. Degree in Psychology and Linguistics, AVB and VB trained, cared for children for 10 years. shannonleigh_10@hotmail.com or 613 868 2557

Stacey Olm - Bachelor's of Education and Certificate in International Development. Seven years of experience. Available evenings and weekends 613-233-1102

Help with pre-school, daycare and the Public School Systems:

Andrew Fleck Centre www.afchildcare.on.ca

Education Services for Parents (help with getting your child into school) Lindsay Moir l.moir@sympatico.ca

Autism Ontario Ottawa, Nancy Gibson at www.autismontario.com/ottawa

Biomedical:

Dr. Coombs is a physician practicing functional medicine. He has been focusing on the biomedical treatment of autism spectrum disorder in children, a complex disorder of neurological development with genetic, environmental, biochemical, and immune factors all contributing to its development. www.drcoombs.ca

Kent MacLeod at NutriChem Compounding Pharmacy does biomedical testing. It is good to have a doctor following the regime that Kent MacLeod recommends. www.nutrichem.com

Information on Autism:

Autism Speaks Canada www.autismspeaks.ca/

Autism Ontario www.autismontario.com/ottawa

Autism Canada www.autismcanada.org/

CHEO Autism Unit CHEO Autism

Geneva Centre www.autism.net