PARENT SUPPORTS
Parent support is available in different formats throughout the city. There are parent support groups, parent outreach programs and parent education services. Some of them are more formal than the others in their structure and organization. One thing is for certain, we have learned a lot from other parents, maybe even more than from searching for relevant local information on the Internet. Browse through a resource list provided below to find a few options that best suites your values and lifestyle.
Parent Support Groups
Autism-Path
Autism-Path has more than 70 parents. Some of them meet on monthly basis. We share information about programs, camps, services, personal experiences and what works for our children.
Dates: Monthly. Dates are regularly announced on the website and via email.
Location: North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M2N 5V7
(Yonge Street north of Sheppard Avenue). We usually meet in one of the Committee Rooms on the 1st Floor of the Wedding Gallery.
Map: http://map.toronto.ca/maps/map.jsp?app=TorontoMaps_v2
Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Contact: autismpath@gmail.com
Autism Treatment Network Parent Talks: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Meet other parents who have children with ASD
Parents supporting parents
Share your experiences
Learn how other families support their children
Learn information from a guest speaker on common ASD concerns
Find out about useful resources and supports
Connect with a parent mentor (1 on 1 appointments can be arranged)
When: FIRST Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Family Resource Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto ON
Contact: Salina Eldon at 416-925-5141, ext. 2270 or salina.eldon@surreyplace.on.ca
Arrange for supervised playtime for your child in the Ronald McDonald Playroom. Space is limited. Please book a spot in the playroom at least two weeks before the meeting. Call Daniel Scott at 416-425-6220416-425-6220 ext. 3438.
Link to April 2014 talk & meeting
Autism Ontario - Toronto Chapter Monthly Parent Support Group Meetings
Date: Tuesdays, April 10, 2012, May 15, 2012 and June 19, 2012
Location: Toronto Catholic District School Board Offices, 80 Sheppard Ave E, North
York, ON
Time: 6:30-8:00PM (unless otherwise specified)
Support Group for Parents with Developmental Delays
Dates: April 5, 19, 2012, May 3, 17, 31, 2012 and June 14, 2012
Location: Cedarbrook Community Centre, 91 Eastbrook Rd (Markham & Lawrence)
Time: 9:30-11:30AM
Co-sponsored by
Community Living Toronto: Janet Dunn, jdune@cltoronto.ca, 416 438 6099 x 232
Parent Outreach Program: Bonnie Heath wdgnbonnie@yahoo.ca or 416 645
6000 x1311
Extend-A-Family: Tamara Bailey tb@extendafamily.ca or 416 286 7338
Asperger's Society of Ontario – Support Groups for Parents, Family Members and
Caregivers
Dates: Bi-monthly, Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Location: Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St., Toronto, YMCA Academy Lunch Room
Time: 7:00-8:30PM
For more information and how to RSVP, please go to: http://www.aspergers.ca/2012/02/
new-aso-asperger-parent-support-group/
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Parent Talk: Connecting for Support (Free Event)
Date: Thursday March 29, 2012
Time: 10:30-11:30AM
Location: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Family Resource Centre150
Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON
Contact: June Chiu
Phone: 416-425-6220 ext. 3319
Email: jchiu@hollandbloorview.ca
More information at: http://www.hollandbloorview.ca/events/index.php
Parent Outreach Programs
WoodGreen Parent Outreach Program
This program provides in-home support for parents of children with developmental
delays such as Autism. A support worker will visit you in your home weekly to share
some home-based strategies and information. If you are interested in this program,
please call 416-496-5211 Ex. 1167 or visit their website at www.woodgreen.org
Community Living Toronto
This organization offers a variety of parent support options, including Pilot
Parents and Parent Groups. For more information, please go to: http://www.communitylivingtoronto.ca/family/supports/index.html
Respite Services
Access Facilitators will help all registered parents develop a respite plan and at
the same time select meaningful activities for your child. Free in-home visits and
consultations are available. Website: http://www.respiteservices.com/Toronto/
Surrey Place Centre
Please visit the website of the Autism lead agency – Surrey
Place Centre – at http://www.surreyplace.on.ca/Clinical-Programs/Autism/TPAS/Pages/TPAS-Services.aspx to learn about the parent supports through that agency.
MyAutismTeam (Ontario) - Social Network for Parents of Children with ASD
If you ever move and cannot attend our face-to-face meetings in North York, Ontario,
consider joining MyAutismTeam social network to find new support groups in your area.
More information at: http://www.myautismteam.com/
