Community Resources
Respite Services
Community Living Essex
In-home support, respite care, co-ordination of services and advocacy for all ages who have an intellectual disability.
Phone: 519-776-6483, www.communitylivingessex.org
Community Living Windsor
Residential and support services for adults with an intellectual disability.
Phone: 519-974-4221, www.clwindsor.org
Family Respite Services
For families caring for children under the age of 18 who have intellectual, physical and mental health disabilities.
Phone: 519-972-9688, www.familyrespite.org
Development Services Ontario
For families caring for an adult or for adult individuals with a developmental disability. The is a new access point for support and services including Passport funding which will replace Special Services at Home (SSAH) funding (effective April 2012).
Phone: 519-945-3797 or 1-855-437-6797, www.dsontario.ca
Community Agencies
Autism Ontario Windsor-Essex Chapter
AO is dedicated to increasing public awareness about ASD and its effects on individuals and families.
Phone: 519-250-1893, www.autismontario.com
Harmony in Action
Serves adults living with developmental and/or physical challenges, by providing opportunities to succeed.
Phone: 519-252-1207, www.harmonyinaction.com
Help Link Access Services for Children, Youth and Families
Information, referral and community service coordination to help children and families experiencing difficulties
find services in Windsor-Essex.
Phone: 519-257-5437 or 519-257-2313, Email: Help Link
Family Services Windsor
Advocacy, planning and support work for adults with developmental disabilities living in the community. Professional counselling and employment assistance services available.
Phone: 519-256-1831, www.familyservicewindsor.on.ca
Ministry of Children and Youth Services
Provides funding and programs for children with special needs such as Special Services at Home which helps children and youth
with developmental or physical disabilities to live at home.
Phone: 519-254-1651 or 1-800-387-7327,
www.children.gov.on.ca
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Services and supports are available to help adults with a developmental disability participate fully as citizens in Ontario.
Supports include the Ontario Disability Support Program and Special Services at Home.
Phone: 519-254-1651 or 1-800-387-7327,
www.mcss.gov.on.ca
Regional Support Associates
Help and support for adults and children with intellectual disabilities and their families. Affiliated with the Woodstock General Hospital, RSA offers services for the individual, their families and agencies supporting them in their community. RSA provides a range of services to adult individuals with developmental disabilities. These services include behavioural intervention, social sexual behavioural intervention, supports for abuse survivors, social skills development and the current broad range of counselling and assessment services.
Phone:1-800-640-4108 ext. 2215, www.www.regionalsupport.on.ca/
Windsor Regional Children's Centre
A Children's mental health centre serving children and youth ages 6-18 years who are have social, emotional, developmental
and/or behavioural issues. Assessments and treatments for autism are available.
Phone: 519-257-5215,
www.wrh.on.ca
Early Intervention
Children First
Provides services to families with children birth to 6 years of age who have special needs. Staff includes speech/language pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and resource consultants. Parents may self refer.
Phone: 519-250-1850, www.children-first.ca
John McGivney Children's Centre
Is a treatment centre, school and preschool, serving children birth to 21 years with physical and/or neurological disabilities. Services include: speech/language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and an augmentative communication clinic which can include the use of computers and other voice devices. Services are provided in the Centre, in homes, and in schools throughout Essex County. A physician's referral is generally required for new clients or speak with the Centre's intake coordinator.
Phone: 519-252-7281, www.jmcentre.ca
Summit Centre for Preschool Children
An intensive, behaviour therapy program is available to childen between the ages of 18 months to 4 years who have a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of ASD and live within an one hour drive of the program site. The Centre's clinical director is Dr. Marcia Gragg Ph.D., C.Psych. There is a modest user fee based on ability to pay.
Phone: 519-255-1195, www.summitcentre.org
Talk 2 Me - Essex Preschool Speech and Language Services
Operating in conjunction with the St. Mary's Family Learning Centre. Services include screenings, speech/language assessments, educational workshops and parent interventional programs including, More than Words - The Hanen Program for Parents of Children with ASD. For preschool-aged children up to 5 years of age. Parents may self refer.
Phone: 519-252-0636, www.smflc.ca
Thames Valley Children's Centre - Autism Program
Early intensive behaviour intervention (IBI) program for children who have been diagnosed with autism toward the more severe end of the spectrum. Transition to School and Community and Connections for Students are also part of the Autism Program. Services are provided to children (0 to 18 years) and their families who live in Southwestern Ontario. Administers the new Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-based services and supports for children and youth (0-17yrs.) with ASD (available January 2012). Parents can call and speak with an intake coordinator who will assess their eligibility.
Phone: 1-866-590-8822, www.tvcc.on.ca
Parent and Sibling Support Groups
All About Autism
Introductory workshops for parents, professional, caregivers, extended family of children with a susupicion or diagnosis of ASD. Workshops are free and provide an opportunity to meet other parents.
Phone: 519-250-9410, www.autismservicesinc.com/workshops.html
Autism High Functioning Group
Meetings are held the third Monday of the month at St. Matthews Church Hall, 1600 Norfolk. For parents of children with Aspergers or children on the mild end of the spectrum.
Phone: 519-972-8381 or 519-972-9277
Autism Ontario - Realize Community Potential Program
Monthly parent support groups and weekly social groups for adolescents with Aspergers. A variety of family events and informational seminars are held throughout the year.
Phone: 519-250-9410, www.autismontario.com/rcp
Ensemble
A families supporting families organization. Empowers parents with children who have disabilities by making resources and tools that provide ideas, coping mechanisms and guidance available to them. They will try and facilitate connections among parents from the same culture and language. Resources are available in a number of different languages.
Phone: 519-776-6486 ext. 225, www.ensembleunderstands.com
Family Respite Services
Sibling Support Group. Contact the office for details.
Phone: 519-972-9688, www.familyrespite.org
Summit Centre for Preschool Children
Parent and Sibling Groups meet monthly. Parents meet for a round table discussion on a specific topic while siblings participate in their own discussion group.
Phone: 519-255-1195, www.summitcentre.org
Windsor Regional Children's Centre
Developmental Disabilities Sibling Group. Contact the office for more information.
Phone: 519-257-5215, www.wrh.on.ca
Windsor-Essex Family Network
Is a rapidly growing group of parents, brothers, sisters and friends who have come together to promote the well being of children who have disabilities.
Phone: 519-974-1008, www.windsoressexfamnet.ca
Personal Support
Windsor-Essex Brokerage
Provide personalized information like housing, employment, community opportunities, legalities, finances and budgets. Review the options of support dollars and support services from a wide range of options.
Phone: 519-966-8094, www.windsoressexbrokerage.com
Southern Network of Specialized Care
Designed to promote improved services for individuals with developmental disabilities who need specialized care for co-existing mental illness and/or significant behaviours.
Phone: 519-974-9476, www.community-networks.ca
Recreational Programs
Special Olympics Ontario-Windsor
Year-round atletic training and sports competitions for chldren and adults with intellectual disabilities: bowling, swimming, gymnastics, softball, martial gym, track and field, curling, and more. Call or check the website for details.
Phone: 519-790-8714, www.specialolympicswindsor.ca
W.S.C. Special Stars Soccer League
This wonderful soccer League is for children and young adults ages 6 to 18 with Autism or Asperger's. The program runs on Sunday afternoons. Indoor Practices are from Nov. to May and Outdoor Games are held in May to July.
There are 3 skill levels in which to place a child so they can best excel in the program. 2012 Registrations are October 16 and November 20, 2011. For more information contact Patrick Roberts by email.
Phone: 519-974-2833, www.wscspecialstars.com
Speqtra
Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Association is a centre for therapeutic horseback riding for people with a intellectual or physical disability located in Leamington. Therapeutic riding has been shown to improve balance co-ordination, muscle strength, self-condidence & self-esteem, attention span, social integration and independence.
Phone: 519-322-2463, www.cantra.ca/centres/speqtra
Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association
Qualified therapeutic riding instructors who are teaching horseback riding, providing improved co-ordination, posture and physical exercise.
Phone: 519-969-1261, www.wetra.ca
Windsor Parks and Recreation
Programs offered in community centres and pools are available to all in the community. Individuals with disabilities can be accompanied by a caregiver. In some cases accommodations may be required. Contact the community centre directly or check out the online Activity Guide.
Phone: 519-253-2300, www.citywindsor.ca
Windsor Vistas Gymnastics
Offers an exclusive program to children and adults with special needs. Their goal is to provide gymnastics training and competitive opportunities for athletes with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Phone: 519-948-4386, www.windsorvistasgymnastics.com
Services mentioned are for information purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement.