Every parent tries to do her best for the children. However, there is hardly ever enough money to do everything that we need for our children with ASD. The good news is that there is help out there. Luckily, Ontario is a home to many charities and financial aid programs that will make your dream of helping your child attainable. Below is a short list of funding options primarily for children ages 0-18.

Special Services at Home Funding

Adora Bright Learning Centre Social Skills groups and recreational programming are eligible under Special Services at Home Funding. The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services administers SSAH. This type of funding is designed to help children with special needs (both developmental – read “autism” – and physical). The funding is NOT income-based and families are encouraged to apply. In mid-2014, the Ontario government has invested additional funds to add 4,000 families to the program for 2014/2015 funding cycle. Please visit the main site for a detailed description of this funding program and your local ministry office to apply. To learn more about SSAH visit http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/specialneeds/specialservices.aspx

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance companies offer coverage or financial assistance for health services such as Speech-Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Adora Bright Learning Centre employs Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists who are registered with their prospective colleges. All receipts for Adora Bright Learning Centre Therapy Services are issued with the clinician’s credentials and registration number for easy submission to insurance companies. For more information on insurance coverage, please contact your insurance provider.

Adora Bright Learning Centre Subsidies

Adora Bright Learning Centre is occasionally able to provide full or partial subsides to families in need. Please contact us to inquire about this option.

President’s Choice Children’s Charity (PCCC)

Families can apply for funding through President’s Choice Children’s Charity to help finance therapy fees for children under 18 years of age. Services covered through President’s Choice Children’s Charity funding include (but are not limited to): Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Applied Behaviour Analysis programs that are offered through Adora Bright Learning Centre. Eligibility for President’s Choice Children’s Charity funding is determined on a case-by- case basis. The application process involves collecting documents, including the Letter of Diagnosis of Disability, and mailing in the application. Receiving funding is income based (below $60,000). For, for more information please call 1-888-495-5111 or visit the charity’s website. Adora Bright Learning Centre will support families as appropriate in the application process.

Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity (JAF)

Families can apply for funding through Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity to help finance therapy fees for children under 21 years of age. Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity funds services for children who are seriously ill or have permanent disabilities (e.g., Downs Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder). Services funded by Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity include (but are not limited to): Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy services such as the ones offered through Adora Bright Learning Centre. Eligibility for Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity funding is determined on a case-by-case basis, and more information can be found on the website: https://jenash.org/online-application-for-financial-assistance-2/?fbclid=IwAR3ibiOx4TsVgvEjt3vCjF8KOHME7dcjH3wsgGsQ_tcJqAx0CIaglDJQYAI. Call (905) 852-1799 for a Request for Assistance form. Adora Bright Learning Centre will support families as appropriate in the application process.

Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)

This is a direct funding program for low to moderate income families who are experiencing extraordinary costs associated with their child’s disability. Extraordinary costs, according to this source of funding, include (but are not limited to): transportation to and from medical appointments, learning and development equipment, and social opportunities. Financial support through Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities may be offered for families wanting to enrol their children in the social skills groups and camps offered through Adora Bright Learning Centre. For information on eligibility for this source of funding, please visit the website: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/specialneeds/disabilities.aspx fbclid=IwAR3SidmyfYyE2pg1TZC4pw0uMFzetO8bF2eUSeArYbxvzrp0pDytZkyiXjU

Developmental Services Resource Centre (DSRC)

The Developmental Services Resource Centre (DSRC) – Waterloo Region, offers assessment, consultation, and support services to individuals who are challenged by a developmental disability, and to their family and support agencies. There is no fee for this service for the individual user, and once on caseload the DSRC team may be able to connect your family to financial resources that support the development of your child.
For more information on the services available through DSRC, please visit their website:
http://www.dscwr.com/

Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit can be claimed for individuals who have a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. If your child has an impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months, it is recommended that you fill out the Application Form. Eligibility for this tax credit can be confirmed by Adora Bright Learning Centre Speech-Language Pathologist if the impairment is related to speech, and by a Adora Bright Learning Centre Occupational Therapist if the impairment is related to feeding or dressing. A medical doctor can also support the application process for the above areas of impairment, as well as impairment in walking, hearing, elimination (bowel or bladder functions), and mental functions. Adora Bright Learning Centre will support families as appropriate in the application process.

Medical and Disability-Related Information:

Disability Tax Credit Certificate (FORM T-2201) & RC4064 Guide
Once your child receives an official diagnosis from a competent medical professional, you can file the Disability Tax Credit Certificate with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is advisable that you file for Canada child tax benefit (CCTB) prior or at the same time with T-2201, since the disability payment – Child Disability Benefit (CDB) – is a part of this larger child-related payment package. For more information, please read the forms on the CRA website and contact a customer service representative.

Also, you can review RC4064 Guide, which includes Form T-2201, to determine what your next step is. For more information and assistance, please call CRA toll-free directly at 1-800-267-6999 and 1-800-387-1193.

There are other various tax breaks and deductions that you can use depending on your child’s (ages 0-18) individual situation. For instance, you can claim Child Care Expenses Deduction. Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to learn more.

Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy

The financial assistance programs are available to persons of all ages with cerebral palsy in the province of Ontario who are Individual Members of OFCP. To become an Individual Member of OFCP please fill out the Individual Membership Application Form: http://www.ofcp.ca/pdf/mem/OFCP_Individual_Application_Form.pdf. The financial assistance programs operate from June 1 to September 1 each year or as long as funds are available. The Day Program Funding Assistance Program provides opportunities to persons with cerebral palsy to participate in structured and meaningful activities in local communities of their choice. This assistance aims to allow individuals to learn new skills from literacy, arts and crafts, physical activities to life skills and more. Please review the guidelines for this financial assistance option and fill out the Day Program Funding Assistance Application Form: http://www.ofcp.ca/pdf/day/DAF.pdf. The Vacation Funding Assistance Program provides opportunities to people with cerebral palsy to have a vacation or attend a camp of their choice. Please review the guidelines for this financial assistance option and fill out the Vacation Funding Assistance Application Form: http://www.ofcp.ca/pdf/vacation/VAF.pdf.

Ontario Disability Support Payment (ODSP)
ODSP is designed to support adults (18 and older) with disabilities if they do not have their independent income. This money covers dental and drug cards and % of equipment cost, etc.

There are Toronto-based providers that host free seminars on what ODSP is and how to apply for this type of funding. For example, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (“Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab”) offers either free or very affordable workshops on different topics, including funding options and free access to rehabilitation facilities.

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hostpital has an on-site family resource centre. The Grocery Foundation Resource Centre, 150 Kilgour Rd., Toronto, ON M4G 1R8. There is also an Online Family Resource Centre that provides tips with information and links to hospital-based and external resources on funding, respite, school and parenting tips. For more information about workshops and resources, please contact June Chiu, ph.: 416-425-6220 ext. 3319, email: jchiu@hollandbloorview.ca.

Assistive Device Program (through OHIP, not income-based)
ADP can cover augmentative communication devices, learning aids, specialized equipment (up to 75%), etc. For more information, please call 416-327-8804 or 1-800- 268-6021.

Family Directed Respite Planning
FDRP is designed to support children with ASD (ages 0-18). To get more information on this type of funding, please contact respiteservices.com directly at 416-322-6317 ext. 8. Also, respiteservices.com works with other agencies and can help you access the interagency funding (up to certain %), i.e., “FLEX Funding”, which is not income- based.

KIDS IN CAMP is a registered charity which subsidizes camp experiences for children and youth. http://www.kidsincamp.com/

Passport
DSO Toronto website offers information on different programming and supports, including grants and other types of funding in Ontario. You can serve option for North York directly as well. DSTO’s Passport Funding is covers children 16 of age and older, who are not eligible for ODSP.

Ontario March of Dimes
This organization supports both children and adults. There is an application process as well. As for its relevance for ASD, Ontario March of Dimes funds augmentative communication devices. For more information, please call 416-425-3463 or 1-800- 263-3463 or visit their website.

Easter Seals:

Easter Seals charity is a “3rd party vendor” that focuses on helping children and young adults with permanent physical disabilities. Contact them at 416-932-8382 to find out information on supporting individuals with autism.

Little Geeks: Free Computers for kids with ASD
This resource is income-base. Please check in with the charity to determine your eligibility.

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