I’m Caring for Someone with Autism
Autism can impact the ways a person communicates with people in their community, social interactions, the ability to manage healthy relationships and how effectively they engage with their areas of interest. Caregiving or supporting autistic individuals is often lifelong in nature and the support one provides as a caregiver can vary widely depending on the needs of the individual being supported.
10 Facts about Autism (Autism Ontario)
Supporting a person with Autism
The experience of caregivers or those supporting autistic individuals can vary depending on the strengths and needs of the person. While autism impacts how a person lives their daily life, there are resources, tools and supports to help you and them enjoy a full and meaningful life. These supports can help,
- strengthen your loved one’s confidence when interacting with others and the world around them,
- build a circle of supportive relationships with people who understand their needs and ways of communicating,
- explore their interests and passions in creative ways,
- as well as grow their independence and explore their ideas for the future
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Get connected to services as early as possible
Early screening and assessment is important and contributes to early intervention services that can help with the development of children who need help with physical, cognitive, social, adaptive, or emotional development. Learn more about early signs and symptoms of Autism here.
- Autism Ontario has helpful information about how to have a child assessed for Autism. Click here to learn more or call 1-800-472-7789.
- For information, tools and resources, visit autismontario.ca or A4A Ontario
- Autism Ontario has service navigators available to support families of a child/youth with Autism (18 year or younger) to learn more about this service and to register go to:
- Service navigation Autism Ontario
- https://www.surreyplace.ca/services/ Greater Toronto Area & Northern Ontario & Toronto
- For information and supports for adults living with autism visit Autism Ontario to learn more about programs and services for adults living with Autism.
- To learn about home and community support services available to people of all ages in Ontario who require care in their home, at school or in the community click here.
- Autism Ontario has resources, tools and webinars available to support you and the person you support and care for.
- To find out about services and supports in your community visit community connections.
- Health A-Z from About Kids Health (The Hospital for Sick Children)
- Learn about resources, activities and supports for you and the person you care for at https://www.surreyplace.ca/resources/ and ConnectABILITITY.ca
- Ask your healthcare provider for more information on how specialized therapists like occupational, physiotherapists and speech-language therapists can help you.
- Learn more about tools and resources to support the person you care for and support during Covid 19
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Financial Assistance and Community Supports
There are different funding opportunities and programs depending on the age of the person you support/care for.
For individuals under 18 years
- Ontario offers the Ontario Autism Program to children and youth under the age of 18 years of age and their families
- Learn about financial assistance available to families of children 0-17 years with a developmental disability at Surrey Place
- Find out if you qualify for special support services at home – Surrey Place tip sheet
For individuals 18 years and older
- If you are a caregiver to a youth 18 years or older or an adult living with Autism, contact Developmental Services Ontario your access point for adult developmental services and Passport (financial support)
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), adults with a formal diagnosis are entitled to receive ODSP
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Consider Transitions & Planning for the Future
- Autism Ontario has supports and resources available to plan for transitions to adulthood. Visit Autism Ontario to learn more.
- Transition in care – Healthcare Transitions Tools – Surrey Place
- Resources – Learn about ways to support the person you care for during various transition points https://www.surreyplace.ca/resources/transition-resources-for-high-school-post-secondary-and-beyond/
- Partners for Planning Network offers a variety of webinars and resources to help individuals achieve their goals and plan for the future.
- Early Planning Toolkit – https://www.planningnetwork.ca/resources/early-planning-toolkit-overview
- Transitioning to High School – https://www.planningnetwork.ca/resources/transitioning-to-highschool-toolkit-overview
- Beyond Graduation Toolkit – https://www.planningnetwork.ca/resources/planning-for-a-good-life-beyond-graduation-toolkit-overview
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Tips for Caregivers
Connect with your peers
- Partners for Planning Network offers a map of Family Support Networks across Ontario
- Support groups for families and caregivers of individuals with Autism
- Learn more about OCO’s Peer Support programs
Get support at home
- Learn about respite services in your community
Get Connected to the support you need
- Call the Ontario Caregiver Helpline 1-833-416-2273 for information and referrals to connect you to the support you need for you or the person you care for in your community.
- Join one of our programs
- Watch for symptoms of caregiver stress such as sleep problems, headache, irritability, and withdrawal. Adequate sleep, exercise, and proper nutrition can all help to reduce your stress. Learn about your mental health and caregiving
Resources to help you in your caregiving role
- Advocacy Toolkit for parents of children and youth with Autism and /or other neurological developmental disorders
- Partners for Planning Network has webinars and newsletters, resources to find support networks and planning for the future.
- ConnectABILITY for resources, tools, community hub and activities
- Use The About My Health form developed by the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program at Surrey Place. Fill this out so you can share important information with new health care providers. Having this information ready can help appointments run more smoothly.
- Use The My Health Care Visit form developed by the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program at Surrey Place. This form can be filled out during a health care visit to help you understand what was discussed during the appointment and any information you will need to know for follow-up.
- The I am a Caregiver toolkit includes important information for the new or seasoned caregiver. This information was created by caregivers, for caregivers.
- Caregiver 101 e-learning 45 +min. Learn about caregiver roles, conflicts, caregiver burnout and what to expect
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Additional Resources
- Autism Ontario or call 1-800-472-7789
- Visit Partners for Planning Network for resources to find support networks, plan for the future.
- ConnectABILITY for resources, tools, community hub and activities
- Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disability
- Siblings Canada
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital – Autism supports and services
- Call 211 or visit www.211.ca for free and confidential information about Canadian health and community services available in your area
Not sure where to start? Call our 24/7 helpline or talk to us in our live chat to find resources in your community.
SOURCES:
1 https://www.autismontario.com/about-autism
https://autism.org.uk
https://www.everydayhealth.com/autism/autism-caregiving.aspx
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/sensory-differences/sensory-differences/all-audiences
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/meltdowns
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/meltdowns/all-audience