What you should know
Early intervention gives your child the chance to achieve their best. If you have any concerns about your child's development, do not wait.
What does Early Intervention mean?
Early Intervention is providing help to a child as soon as a child starts to show the first signs of autism. Waiting months and years for services and therapy allows the child to further regress, making it harder to reach the child.
Waiting times for a publicly funded assessment (with Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre) is 12 to 15 months in Ottawa. A private assessment can take several months and costs approximately $2,000.
If/when your child is diagnosed there will be placed on more waiting lists. The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario's intensive therapy program (IBI) has a minimum two year waiting period.
Most Ontario services will not begin until after your child has been diagnosed.
New: Dr. Leslie Jocelyn is a Developmental Pediatrician and a Psychiatrist. She is currently taking referrals to assess and treat patients up to 16 years of age with known or suspected neurodevelopmental disorders, such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, genetic disorders, tic disorders, OCD or documented intellectual impairment. To see Dr. Jocelyn, a referral must be made through your family doctor. Dr. Jocelyn sees patients through OHIP.
Please contact Dr. Jocelyn's assistant, Crystal McConkey at 613-618-8715 or by email for more information. Referrals should be faxed to 613.233.9561.
The Getting Started Services Clinic at the Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre is a pre-diagosis service and does not require a doctor's referral. Please note: the Clinic does not provide a diagnosis. Services are based on the child's needs. Parents are asked to call the Clinical Coordinator, Cecile Bisson at 613.737.0871 ext. 2293 if they have any concerns about their child's development and to determine if your child is eligibile for the Clinic. Children up to age six are seen at the Clinic.
You can also take your child to a free First Words Clinic.
If your child is diagnosed with autism, you will have to do the research and decide what will be best for your child. Remember to check out the people and businesses you are considering using. Currently, there are no regulations in place for private therapy programmes or people who run them. Make sure that the people you work with are qualified to give the service they are advertising. Reputable agencies will not pressure you and they will allow you time to make your decision.
All behavioural therapy providers should have a psychologist who is regularly consulted regarding your child's progress and program changes.
