NEWS Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Ontario Transforming Autism Services for Children and Their Families All Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder Eligible for New Ontario Autism Program

NEWS June 8, 2017

The province is transforming the way that children and youth with autism, and their families, receive services and supports through the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP), beginning later this month.

Minister of Children and Youth Services Michael Coteau made the announcement today at the ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development in Mississauga. The new OAP will ensure autism services for children and youth are delivered consistently across the province, allow for flexibility and choice based on each child’s needs, and give families confidence in receiving quality services.

On June 26, families will begin to transition into the new OAP. The key components of the new program, beginning this month, include:

A single point of access. There will be one entry point to the OAP in each of the nine serviceareas to make it easier for families to access services for their child.

Family-centred decision making. As key partners in their child’s care, families will be activelyengaged in the assessment, goal-setting and intervention planning process for their child.

Collaborative approach to service. A foundation of the new OAP will be the collaborativeapproach taken by community support service providers, clinicians and educators to supportchildren’s needs at home, during service and in school.

Service based on need. Services will be flexible and individualized. The intensity and durationof the services a child or youth receives is based on their needs and strengths, regardless ofage. Each child’s service plan will be determined by clinical assessment.

A direct funding option. A new direct funding option will be implemented by the end of thisyear. This will provide all families with a choice between receiving direct service or receivingfunding to purchase their child’s service.

Safe, effective autism services. The province intends to regulate ABA practitioners to helpensure families receive safe, high-quality services, have confidence in their providers and knowwhere to go if they have a concern.

The government is committed to ensuring families are supported through a smooth and seamless transition as they enter the new OAP. Transition planning within the new program will be individualized, planned in advance and will be achieved in partnership with each child’s family, OAP professionals and service providers. Children and youth with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder from a qualified professional will be eligible for the OAP up until the age of 18.

The province has worked closely with families, caregivers, advocates, clinicians and providers to build the new OAP, and will continue to engage with key stakeholders, including the OAP Advisory Committee, on the design and implementation of the new program. The new OAP will be fully in place by spring 2018.

QUOTES

“Our government is committed to ensuring that the new OAP will be co-ordinated, family-centered and responsive to children’s unique needs, strengths and goals. I’m confident that families will be well-supported through the transition into the new program. For several months, I’ve worked directly with parents and caregivers to ensure this program is one that helps their child succeed and thrive. The regulation of ABA practitioners will also give families confidence in their providers and create consistent services across the province. I look forward to following young people’s success through the new program.” — Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services

“Today's announcement demonstrates a progressive approach to autism service delivery in Ontario. The Minister has taken into consideration many of the concerns raised by parents. The new Ontario Autism Program sets a new, higher standard for services for children and youth with autism. The Ontario Autism Coalition is pleased that age, severity and additional diagnoses will no longer affect eligibility for services. Regulation of behaviour analysts is another important step forward, one which was part of our original request to the government, 12 years ago. We look forward to a successful and effective implementation of the new OAP and we will continue to work with the Minister to ensure that Ontario children and youth with autism are given every opportunity to live to their full potential.” — Bruce McIntosh, President, OAP Advisory Committee

“With today’s announcement, the Minister of Children and Youth Services has taken the first step towards an Ontario Autism Program that puts individuals and families first by ensuring that clinical decisions are based first-and-foremost, on each individual’s unique needs. A commitment to pursuing the public regulation of behaviour analysts, with the necessary interim protections, helps ensure that high-quality behavioural services will be provided by appropriately qualified, regulated behaviour analytic professionals. Ontario’s behaviour analysts are optimistic about the impact this commitment can have on the lives of individuals receiving behaviour analytic services over the lifespan and across multiple service sectors.” — Louis Busch, President, Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis

“ErinoakKids is honoured to be the site of Minister Coteau’s announcement of the new OAP - a transformative program that is inclusive of all children and youth with autism, is flexible and adaptable to their unique needs, and puts parents firmly at the center of decision making regarding treatment and supports for their children. This innovative, inter-professional, collaborative approach to care is synonymous with service delivery philosophies and programming already in place at ErinoakKids. As the new OAP is implemented, we look forward to continued partnership with families, service providers and MCYS in promoting choice-based, responsive, quality services and supports to children and youth of all ages with autism.” — Bridget Fewtrell, President and CEO, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development

QUICK FACTS

Parents can call 1-888-284-8340 toll-free for more information or to find their nearest ministryregional office.

Minister Coteau will be hosting a tele town hall on June 27 at 5:30 p.m. to answer parents’questions. More details will be available on Ontario.ca/autism

The new program includes 16,000 new spaces over five years, so that more children and youth withautism can receive the services they need sooner.

Families who are currently receiving direct funding to purchase services will continue receiving thisfunding until their child enters the new OAP.

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong, complex neurodevelopmental disorder. It ischaracterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and repetitivebehaviour. Symptoms of autism vary significantly and range in severity.

Ontario is investing an unprecedented half-billion dollars over five years to create new services forchildren and youth with ASD.

There are an estimated 40,000 children and youth in Ontario with ASD.Based on the most recent prevalence rate from the United States Centres for Disease Control andPrevention, prevalence has grown from 1 in 150 in 2002 to 1 in 68 in 2010.

LEARN MORE

For more information, including an OAP implementation timeline, visit www.ontario.ca/autism.

For Media Inquiries: Minister's Office, Alicia Ali, 416-212-2278 Communications Branch, Tristan Austin, 416-325-5156

For Public Inquiries: Call toll-free1-866-821-7770

ontario.ca/children-news Disponible en français

Beginning in June 2017

Single point of entry: Families will join the new Ontario Autism Program through a 1-800 number for each region. Families will no longer need to apply to two separateprograms, nor will they receive separate assessments or have multiple autism serviceplans.

More treatment spaces: The number of treatment spaces available province-wide willcontinue to increase so families will experience shorter wait times and access servicessooner.

Child and family-centred services: Consistent, evidence-based clinical decisionmaking will be focused on children’s individual needs and will include input from parents,service providers and educators. Autism services will be tailored to the individual needsof children and youth, regardless of age. Families will be actively involved and play acentral role in the assessment, goal-setting and intervention planning process for theirchild.

Fair and transparent waitlist transition: Families will enter the OAP in chronologicalorder, based on their position on the current waitlist. For children who are on both ABAand IBI waitlists, the position with the earliest date will be used. New families will beadded to the OAP waitlist in chronological order based on their date of referral.

Service continuity: Families currently receiving direct funding will continue to receivefunding throughout the transition, until a new direct funding option is implemented by theend of this year.

Beginning by the end of 2017

Ongoing engagement: The government will continue to engage with the OAP AdvisoryCommittee, families, providers and other stakeholders throughout the transition to thenew program.

New support workers: Family Support Workers and Support Teams will be available tohelp families navigate the new program and to provide individualized support. Theseteams could include support workers, clinicians, educators, service providers and otherexperts that families wish to work with on their child’s progress.

New appeals process: If families have concerns with their child’s plan for behaviouralintervention, they will be able to request an independent review of the plan through anew appeals process.

More treatment spaces: The number of treatment spaces will continue to increase, toreduce wait times and provide services sooner for all families in the OAP. When a child’sspot becomes available, the child’s family will be able to choose to receive servicethrough direct funding or direct service.

A choice of direct funding for all families: A new direct funding option will beavailable by the end of 2017 to all families who choose it. This will give families a clear,fair and transparent choice in their provider.

Program Timeline

Spring 2018

Full implementation: By spring 2018, the new OAP will be fully in place.

Ongoing engagement: Consultations with families and service providers will continueas the new OAP is fully implemented to ensure that the OAP meets the needs offamilies.

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Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Ontario Autism Program

Frequently Asked Questions

INTRODUCTION

Q1. When will families be able to access the new Ontario Autism Program

(OAP)?

A1. The new OAP will begin to be implemented on June 26, 2017.

Children, youth and their families will begin transitioning to the new OAP

beginning June 26 and onward. Individual family transitions will differ depending

on whether they are new to service, waiting for service or currently receiving

service.

We are committed to ensuring that families are supported through a smooth and

seamless transition as they enter the new OAP.

For more information about your family’s specific circumstances, please visit

Ontario.ca/autism or call 1-888-284-8340 to connect with your regional office.

Q2. What is meant by ‘single point of entry’ for services in each region?

A2. Families of children with autism have told us that it was challenging to apply for

two separate programs, and sometimes to have to tell their story more than once.

Families will be able to access services and supports more quickly and easily

through one access number in each service area.

That is why starting on June 26, there will be one entry point to access the

Ontario Autism Program in each of the nine service areas. That means there will

be one phone number in each of the nine service areas for families to call into.

Q3. What is meant by ‘services based on need’?

A3. The OAP will provide evidence-based behavioural services. Services will be flexible, individualized and based on a child’s unique needs and strengths.

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The needs and strengths of a child will be assessed by an OAP Clinician. The family will be fully involved in the development of a Family Service Plan that outlines their services. The Family Service Plan is a living document that families will be able to access.

A child’s progress will be reassessed, at a minimum, every six months. At that time, the Family Service Plan will be updated as the needs and strengths of children change over time.

Q4. Have parents and stakeholders been involved in the design of the new Ontario Autism Program?

A4. Yes. The province formed the Ontario Autism Program Advisory Committee in August 2016. It is made up of parents, stakeholders and other experts. They are providing advice on the design and implementation of the new program, including the approach to direct funding, and will continue to do so.

The Minister has also been meeting with parents from across the province. He has heard their stories and experiences. He will continue to engage with families throughout the development of the OAP.

ELIGIBILITY

Q1. Will there be an age cut-off for any reason for any child in the new OAP?

A1. No. In the new program, every child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis from a qualified professional will be assessed and will receive services based on his/her individual needs and strengths, regardless of age. Children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder will be eligible for the OAP until they turn 18.

Q2. Will children of all ages be able to receive the same services?

A2. Yes. All children and youth up to age 18 with an autism diagnosis from a qualified professional will be eligible for services in the new OAP. Eligibility for services will not be defined by age or by the severity of a child’s autism.

Services will be flexible and individualized. Children will receive services based on their needs and strengths, regardless of age.

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Q1. What are you doing to improve access to diagnostic assessments for children with symptoms of autism?

A1. Earlier this year, the government began funding five new time-limited regional ASD diagnostic hubs that are improving the availability of more timely assessments so that children can start accessing services as quickly as possible.

The hubs will provide an additional 2,000 diagnostic assessments by March 2018.

Q2. Why are these diagnostic hubs being offered for a limited time rather than on an ongoing basis?

A2. These five ASD diagnostic hubs are being implemented to improve supports for families during the transition to the new Ontario Autism Program. The capacity building and partnerships developed through these hubs are expected to continue to improve access to ASD diagnostic assessments after the hubs initiative is completed.

DIRECT FUNDING OPTION

Q1. Will there be a direct funding option in the Ontario Autism Program?

A1. Yes, a direct funding option will be available to all families in the new OAP. It will be in place by the end of this year.

We know some families prefer direct funding, where they can purchase services and support through private providers. Others prefer the direct service approach, where children and youth receive services from a government-funded service provider. We are committed to giving families this choice.

Q2. Will families be able to delay taking their spot in the OAP until a Direct Funding Option is available?

A2. Yes. If a child’s spot becomes available in the new OAP before the new direct

funding approach is available, the family will have the option to delay service.

DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS

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Q1 . How will children and youth transition into the new Ontario Autism

Program?

A1 . Children, youth and their families will start entering the new Ontario Autism

Program on June 26. Each family’s journey into the program will be different. It

will depend on whether they are receiving or waiting for service.

We are committed to ensuring families are supported through a smooth and

seamless transition as they enter the new OAP.

For more information about your family’s specific circumstances, please visit

Ontario.ca/autism or call 1-888-284-8340 to connect with your regional office.

Q2. Will the two existing waitlists for the Autism Intervention Program and ABA-based Services and Supports be merged?

A2. Yes, there will be one waitlist for the new Ontario Autism Program. Families will enter the OAP based on their date of referral to the current waitlist, in chronological order.

For children with different positions on the current waitlists, the earliest date of referral will be used.

New families will be added to the OAP waitlist in chronological order based on their date of referral.

Q3. How will I know where my child is on the waitlist?

A3. Right now, families can find out where their child is on the waitlist through their autism service provider.

Starting June 26, they can contact the OAP single point of access in their region.

CLINICAL DECISION MAKING

Q1. How will families be involved in decision-making?

A1. Family members are important partners in making decisions about their child’s care, and will be actively involved in the assessment, goal-setting and planning process for their children along with their clinicians, service providers and other practitioners.

TRANSITION INTO THE NEW OAP FOR FAMILIES IN SERVICE OR WAITING

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A2. The Family Service Plan will be a living document. It will change over time. It will reflect shifting priorities, the child’s developmental stage, transition planning and progress toward goals.

The Family Service Plan may include: • Key information about the child and their family, priorities, needs and

strengths• Current and previous assessments• Behavioural intervention plan, including goal(s) with measureable targets• Transition plans within and out of the OAP• Family services and/or education

Q3. What happens if families disagree with their child’s assessment or service plan?

A3. Parents will be actively involved in the assessment, goal-setting and planning process for their children.

Beginning in Fall 2017, there will be an appeals process for the OAP. Families will be able to request an independent review of their child’s plan for behavioural intervention. More details on this will follow at a later date.

Q4. What will the intensity of services be?

A4. Children will receive intervention that is flexible. The intensity and duration of services is based on their unique needs, regardless of age or severity of autism.

The intensity and type of intervention will be different for each child. Services will change over time based on many factors in a child’s life, including developmental stage, family circumstances and school placement. Services will shift to respond to the needs and strengths of the child and family.

Q5. Will service be continuous or will it be provided in blocks, with families returning to waitlists, like in the current program?

A5. We have heard from families that the current blocks of service may not be intensive or long enough to address their child’s needs.

Our commitment is to provide intervention that is flexible and individualized so that the intensity and duration of services will not be based on any predetermined level or time. The intensity and duration of services will be based on a child’s individual needs. Families will be actively involved in the assessment, goal setting and intervention planning process.

Q2. What is the Family Service Plan? How is it developed?

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Q6. Will children/youth be “discharged” from the program?

A 6. No. Children will remain in the OAP until they turn 18, or until their parents wish to withdraw them from the program, or they no longer have an ASD diagnosis. Individualized transition plans could be developed with input from other service providers in the community or in educational settings.

REGULATION OF ABA SERVICES

Q1. I heard about the government’s intent to regulate service providers, what does that mean?

A1. Our goal is to have safe, effective ABA services. Families need to have confidence in their providers and know where to go when they have a concern. The government is working on an approach to the oversight of ABA services that

would achieve this goal.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is working with the Ministry of Health

and Long-term Care to identify the best approach to achieving oversight of ABA

practitioners.

SCHOOL SUPPORTS

Q5. What is Ontario doing to supports kids in school as the province transitions to the Ontario Autism Program?

A5. We are working with the Ministry of Education to support school-aged children and youth as the OAP is implemented.

In June 2016, the Ministry of Education announced $39M in one-time funding to support school boards through the transition. This includes: • Meeting the increased demand for Connections for Students transition

teams;• Providing school-based team support to support all students impacted by

changes to autism services; and• Providing funding to run After School Skills Development Programs.This funding will continue to support school boards through the 2017/18 school year.

Family Scenarios