Searching for Developmental Disabilities

COVID-19: This program has moved to an online platform. The contact email for the link to the meeting and the topic schedule can be obtained by sending a note via email. Please email by Tuesday at noon the day before the meeting.

A family support group especially for parents and caregivers of children/teens with Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Support group meetings co-facilitated by parents/caregivers who have experience living in the world of ADHD. Meeting format includes time for support and sharing helpful tips as well as education and discussion of scheduled topics. DVDs and guest speakers as listed on the schedule. Helpful take home resources available. Free child minding (children 18 months to 10 years) provided by qualified staff can be arranged to make it easier for both parents to attend meetings.

COVID-19: Closed until further notice.

Provides recreation and leisure activities on site and in the community for adults with developmental disabilities. Activities are offered to create a learning and development-based environment.

COVID-19: Closed until further notice.

Provides skills development and coordination of volunteer opportunities in the community.

Provides programs and services for individuals in Niagara, Hamilton, Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families.

Services offered include programs for children, youth and adults with Autism, summer camp, autism family-friendly events and outings, an on-site sensory room, connection to other community resources and supports, bursaries and more.

Provide a variety of programs for children, youth, teens and adults with autism. These programs run Sep-Dec & Jan-Apr. The Summer Camp program runs in Jul & Aug. Lengths of programs vary.

Provides services and supports for adults with ASD and youth transitioning into adulthood.

A college-level, four semester certificate program in an inclusive post-secondary learning environment with enhanced supports from Learning Facilitators.

Designed specifically to support individuals with developmental disabilities and other significant learning challenges by creating the opportunity to experience college life through the enhancement of their vocational, academic and social skills.

The goals of the program are to:

• Enhance academic and employability skills
• Strengthen basic numeracy, communications and computer skills
• Build communication skills
• Increase technology skills
• Build independence and advocacy
• Build on professional and work ready skills
• Develop time management and organizational skills

Provides resource consultant support for children with challenging needs in childcare settings.

Provides planning and support services to children and adults with a developmental disability who reside with their families, including:

• program coordination
• assisting families to identify their need for assessment and/or treatment options
• assistance in accessing funding
• support with long-term planning
• access to community resources and information
• supporting families at case conferences (schools, professionals, and other agencies)

Non-profit organization with the mandate of providing services for people with a developmental disability. Aims to inspire the well-being of its citizens, celebrates meaningful relationships, and benefits when everyone participates fully in community life.

Provides the following services aimed to increase independence and build social and life skills:

• a variety of 1:1 and group programs
• community participation opportunities
• Passport programs and supports
• gym program
• day program
• men's group
• job finding support services

Programs and activities include:

• community outings
• swimming
• gym
• movies
• bowling
• arts and crafts
• gardening
• music
• computers
• hiking
• nutritional education
• customized exercises and stretching
• stress management

Offers a variety of services and supports for children and youth with special needs and their families.

Ontario Autism Program (OAP): offers support to all eligible families of children and youth on the autism spectrum. Children and youth who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a qualified professional are eligible for the program until the age of 18.

Children's Developmental Assessment Services (CDAS): provides family-centred, comprehensive developmental assessments for children/youth with a developmental disability or if an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis is suspected.

Children's Behaviour Services: provides assessments, behavioural consultations, educational opportunities, and clinical and recreational group services.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Respite Services: offer a variety of recreational activities for children/youth to enjoy with their peers.Our respite programs include after-school social skills respite, Saturday respite, pre-school respite, and intensive in-home respite support services.

Bethesda also offers respite camps for March Break and Holiday Drop-In Programs.

FEE FOR SERVICE OPTIONS:
Bethesda offers a range of clinical services to assist children and youth in developing new skills. These individualized treatment plans are collaboratively developed with individuals and caregivers to promote growth, independence, and improved quality of life. Programs include:

• Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA)
• Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI)
• Psychology Assessments
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy

In Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk Regions, Bethesda's Community Response Program provides comprehensive person-centred supports to people with challenging special needs. These services can be accessed through Developmental Services Ontario and need the support of the regional Behaviour Provider.

The Community Response Program's Clinical Team works with their clinical colleagues and includes an Outreach Behaviour Resource Consultant, Behaviour Consultants, In-bed Treatment Manager, Supervisor and Program Manager.

These services provide a variety of supports:

• Outreach Services in partnership with the Regional Behaviour Provider
• In-Bed Treatment in Vineland
• Mobile Treatment across the four regions
• Assessment Bed (short term)
• Stabilization support and strategies
• Community training and workshops

Offers a wide range of outreach services to adults who have special needs

Behaviour Support Services
Engage people through an initial consultation, and support may include:

• Complex Behaviour Support Plans
• Positive supports and Preventative Strategies
• Intensive Behaviour Supports - intended for individuals with complex needs requiring intensive programming within-group living settings
• Behaviour Support Revision Clinics
• Skill Building Groups
• Professional Consultations
• Partnerships (CMHA Niagara Safe Bed Program, Niagara Health)

Chaplaincy and Bereavement Support Services
Offers support to individuals throughout the Niagara and Hamilton areas to encourage and support each individual's faith or spiritual needs. Hamilton services are faith focused. The program is accessed directly through Bethesda's Chaplain at 905.684.6918 ext. 331.
This program provides support through three main areas:

• Trauma, Grief, and Bereavement Services in the Niagara and Hamilton Regions
  • ​The focus on the Christian faith is the differentiator to other similar services
• Spiritual Life Coaching and Formation
  • ​Providing support and working with people one-on-one to enable them to lead their best lives from a spiritual perspective
• Building Community
  • ​Groups offered to people that are supported at Bethesda.

Clinical Services
Provides comprehensive person-centred assessments, treatments, consults, and educational and training opportunities. The Clinical Services multi-disciplinary team includes Psychometrists, Occupational Therapists, Speech & Language Pathologists, Social Workers, Behaviour Consultants, and Mental Health Nurses. The team works collaboratively with the individual and their support by offering a variety of services. Services can be accessed through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).

Dual Diagnosis Justice Case Management
Cross-sector coordination support to divert people with a developmental disability or dual diagnosis in conflict with the law, where appropriate, through securing services or treatment in place of the usual criminal justice proceedings of the trial and/or incarceration. The Dual Diagnosis Justice Case Management program can be accessed directly at 1-800-789-1773 or through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).

Day Services
Through a fee for service agreement, Bethesda offers opportunities for people to participate in daily activities, virtual recreation and leisure, and a community garden program. Programs are designed to support physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs.

Recreation and Leisure Activities
Primarily for adults with special needs within Bethesda's Residential Services. Through fee for individualized service planning, Bethesda's Recreation and Leisure Services may also provide support to adults with special needs who reside in other residential services within Niagara or have access to Passport Funding and want to purchase individualized day supports.

Programs provide diverse opportunities and support so individuals can participate in Bethesda and community activities. The focus is to build on strengths and encourage new skills and physical capabilities. Such activities can include walking groups, artistic endeavours, music, pet therapy, and various community outings.

Offers a variety of residential options including group home living, family home living, natural family respite and supported independent living.

Group Home Living
Designed for adults with special needs who desire full time residence with a small group of their peers. Offers a variety of housing arrangements throughout the Niagara Region which includes urban and rural settings and barrier free accommodations.
Trained staff provide 24-hour support to individuals living in a family-like setting. Individuals participate individually or as a group in their community activities of their choice. Individuals may be supported by other Bethesda programs including Chaplaincy and Recreation and Leisure Services.

Familyhome Program
The Familyhome program / LifeShare provide adults with special needs a home-like setting with a sense of family, safety, continuity, and security. Promote a high quality of life and support community involvement, social inclusion, individual choice, independence, and rights and responsibilities. Through Familyhome / LifeShare, Ontario families and citizens (home providers) can offer a safe and nurturing environment for adults with special needs. The Familyhome / LifeShare Program encourages personal choice, decision making, independence, and participation in the community. Familyhome Providers are carefully screened through references and police checks, health and fire home inspections, and extensive interviews. Familyhome Providers receive 24-hour on-call support from Case Managers.

Supported Independent Living
For adults with special needs who desire to live in the community alone, or with others, but independently of family members or a caregiver. Provides supports fordaily living, as needed, and training related to money management, banking, using public transportation, and other life skills.The SIL program encourages personal choice, decision making, independence, and participation in the community.

Respite Services
For adults with special needs who live at home with their families. Offers weekend activity-based respite in an eight-bedroom home setting in Vineland. Participants enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities including crafts, games, music, picnics, swimming, bowling, etc., based on the individual's interests, strengths and needs. During the summer months and periodically throughout the year, respite services are offered weekly and individuals may utilize this service for up to two weeks. Special conditions apply. Advanced planning is essential and regular, planned respite is recommended as space is limited

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Exercise Program (Heart Strong) - Provides therapeutic exercise and education for individuals who have established or are at risk for heart disease and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Seniors Exercise Program (SeniorFit)- Provides balance enhancement, cardiovascular and strengthening exercises for a seniors population

Neurological Rehab Program (Power Cord)- Provides exercise for those with a SCI-Spinal Cord Injury-afternoons, MS Exercise program-mornings

Therapeutic Exercise for Amputees in Motion - Provides a safe and supervised environment for amputees to exercise. Accessible workout facilities are available for both ambulating and non-ambulating amputees.

A cross-disability organization, NCIL is one of a network of 25 Independent Living Centres across Canada. The organization acts as a resource on disability services and issues, and is consumer-run and consumer-driven. Supports any person with any disability, through a wide range of programs and services in all areas of Niagara. Programs include: Individual Advocacy/Disability Support, Direct Funding Self Managed Attendant Services, Information and Referral, Peer Support and Work Link Employment Services. Also provides Community Participation Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, who are referred by Developmental Services Ontario.

Can provide information sessions to persons with disabilities and their families about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to learn about the benefits of the RDSP and how to access the Grants and Bonds offered by the Government of Canada.

Provides a person centred learning environment, for adults with an intellectual disability, with a community based focus. Each person will have the opportunity to become a more active member of their community and gain independence as they learn new skills.

Develop, deliver and promote therapeutic and community opportunities that are flexible and adapted for individuals who have an intellectual disability and that meet the person's needs and interests.

COVID-19: Office is closed to visitors until further notice.

Will assist with individualized planning for services and supports to individuals with a developmental disability and their families. Programs include:

• Adult Support Programs
• Community Participation Services
• St Catharines Preschool Services
• Community Support Services
• Supported Living Program
• Host Family Program

Provides supports to special needs children and their families in community child care settings.

COVID-19: Cancelled until further notice.

An outreach ministry for adults who have developmental disabilities. All programs are free and are attended by individuals in the community as well as groups of people from community group homes. Structured activities include music, crafts, drama and fellowship opportunities. Special events like BBQs, visiting choirs, dance parties and special holiday celebrations (Christmas potluck, etc) may be offered as well.

A comprehensive service for families who have a relative (ages 5-18) with an intellectual disability living at home. Family support coordinators advocate for families and individuals and assist them to access appropriate services. Offers presentations and assistance to community groups to assist with integration.

Provides:

• information and referral
• service coordination
• access to respite care
• access to leisure activities

Services for people who have an intellectual disability including:

• preschool development
• adult vocational support
• family support
• leisure activities
• residential accommodation
• coordination with other community services to provide support to individuals and to families

Committed to acknowledging equality of people of all abilities, focusing on abilities not the disabilities. Services are personalized to meet the unique needs of every individual.

Provide the individual with the tools, support and structure to accomplish their personal goals and reach their maximum potential. Can provide assistance in life skills, employment resources, inclusion programs to independent living skills.

Private day program for adults with developmental disabilities who reside in the Niagara Region. Focuses on encouraging personal growth and independence through participation in learning and physical activities along with realistic goal setting.