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The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced changes to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) that will add caregiver-mediated early years programs as a service pathway in the OAP.

Lumenus Community Services and six other autism service agencies, collectively called the Toronto Autism Services Network, will deliver the provincially funded caregiver-mediated early years programs in Toronto.

Caregiver-mediated early years programs support families with young children ages 12 months to 48 months (4 years). The programs help young children learn new skills and meet individualized goals.  The programs are play-based, child-led and developmentally appropriate.

Through these programs, parents and caregivers learn therapeutic strategies and specific techniques from professionals based on their child’s individual needs. The programs aim to build parents’ and caregivers’ capacity to support their child’s skill development in:

  • social interaction
  • play
  • communication
  • emotional development
  • adaptive development and self-help skills

Early Years Services are available to all families registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) at no cost and are available for up to six months per child.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services will send invitation letters to families registered with the OAP in the coming weeks to let them know they are eligible for this program.

For more information about the registration process and programs that are offered, please visit: https://www.torontoautismservices.ca/early-years-services/

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