Searching for Developmental Disabilities

Supported living programs offered throughout Ottawa's residences

• supports resident's activities of daily living based on their abilities and specific needs

Assists mildly developmentally-delayed youths and adults to learn social and recreational skills

• participants organize their own leisure activities (with the help of volunteers)
• helps participants to gain social skills appropriate to their age group and to manage their social time independently
• they learn life skills such as arranging transportation, making reservations, etc

Participants meet once a week with two part-time staff and volunteers to plan weekly activities and to socialize

Organization of volunteers that brings together, informs and represents French-speaking families of people with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities

Organizes several social and sporting events in person during normal public health conditions or virtually in accordance with public health orders

Moving to a Place of My Own! : guide intended for the loved ones and caregivers of Francophone people living in the Ottawa region who would like to plan for a transition toward a new home. Click here to download the guide

Charitable funding of the one-on-one parent-coaching program with the parent(s) and the child delivered in colaboration with Emerging Minds.

Once qualified for the QuickStart program, a family receive individualized weekly sessions with: an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and an educator therapist. Most appointments will be with one therapist only.

Assits middly developmentally-delayed adults to learn independent living and social skills refinement at a more age-appropriate level.

Plan and help co-ordinate the group's activities and outings.

Offers a child-focused curriculum staff and children work together to expand and develop a wide range of skills and competence curriculum builds upon the interests of the children topics are driven by the ideas and questions from the children themselves

Community service group composed of developmentally disabled adults who want to return to their communities while developing important skills at the same time

• develops initiative and leadership
• provides experience in living and working together
• serves the community
• prepares for useful citizenship
• members perform a variety of services to the community such as fundraisers and other projects to raise money for needs in the community
• members do community services, including
• environmental projects
• park beautification
• food drives
• nursing home visitations
• as well as assisting Kiwanis Clubs with their projects
• they also go to sporting events and visit museums, among many other activities

Two local clubs: Bytown Club and The Ottawa Club

• both contain a maximum of 54 members each
• each club meets bi-monthly on Tuesdays

Program that pairs local youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and trained post-secondary student-athletes

• safe, inclusive and productive environment
• promotes the child's social, cognitive and motor skill development
• volunteer opportunities

COVID-19 (27 Nov 2020) Programs currently offered via Zoom.

Therapies and training to individuals and families, including those living with a disability or mental health challenge

Respite :

• support to primary caregivers, parents or loved ones, at home or out in the community, including overnight in-client-home
• accompany individuals to appointments, personal support, community participation, employment supports, advocacy, etc.

Private session :

• dedicated to working on improving skills such as social interactions, behaviour management, communication, academic subjects, gross and fine motor, life skills, problem-solving, etc.

Semi-private sessions :

• sessions are for small groups working on common goals or skills including academic practice, life skills, participating in the community, etc., or in depth exploration of topics covered in workshops
• groups are pre-determined by participants and are held in home or in the community

Employability

• transferable skills building activities such as hands-on learning, private and semi-private consults, support accessing Employment Ontario Service Center and other local job search services

Independent Living

• skills building activities such as hands-on-learning, DIY projects to learn to make safe and natural household cleaners and personal body products, discussions and workshops with topics like budgeting, living with others, household responsibility, safety at home

COVID-19 (27 Nov 2020) Program currently offered via Zoom.

Daytime program

Personal Development

• relaxation
• self-awareness activities such as smudging, yoga and mindfulness
• guided discussions with peers on the topics such as friendships, Facebook and boundaries

Program for adults with developmental disabilities

• training for entry level jobs with attention to employability skills needed to prepare for employment or volunteer positions and further independence
• individualized learning and employment plans

Preparation for Food Service Settings
Preparation for Office and Library Settings
Preparation for Greenhouse and Plant Maintenance

COVID-19 (21 Apr 2020): Physical space has been closed down * an online program is now available called BEING Home * the online program includes virtual group chats, video workshops and art prompts to inspire art projects from home * fees include art supply kits delivered to your home * participation fees are reimbursable through Ontario's Passport funding program * contact studio@beingstudio.ca for more information

Community of artists with developmental disabilities working in visual art and creative writing

Provides:

• space
• tools
• representation to create and commercialize their art
• regular exhibitions
• guest artists

Proceeds from artwork sales are evenly split between studio and artist

Offers a child-focused curriculum staff and children work together to expand and develop a wide range of skills and competence curriculum builds upon the interests of the children topics are driven by the ideas and questions from the children themselves

Registry providing police with 24-hour access to a registered subscriber's photo, identity, past wandering history and other vital emergency information

• assists officers dealing with individuals living with an invisible handicap such as: autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, dementia, traumatic brain injury, brain disease, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.
• program in partnership with Medic Alert

Promotes increased awareness and respect for persons with learning disabilities (LDs) among the community at large, professional groups and relevant educational, social, recreational, medical, legal and vocational organizations

• provides support, guidance, resource materials and opportunities for sharing of information and concerns
• advocates for research endeavours in the field of learning disabilities and for legislative initiatives that will benefit individuals with learning disabilities

Services:

• lending library
• resource centre and travelling education kiosk [resource lists (local tutors, schools, psycho-educational assessments etc), connection with community resources]
• advocacy coaching
• presentations at schools, businesses, community centres, government departments, other community organizations
• social skills camp
• referral and informational services
• coordination with School Board SEAC (Special Education Advisory Committee) representatives
• local representation at public consultations

Sunshine Day Camp Social Skills program: camp for children age 7 to 14 years of age who have a learning disability and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• aims to provide an inclusive childcare experience and providing programming with the goal of developing social skills in a safe, fun environment
• runs from early July to late August in three 2-week sessions
• offers a strong ratio of 1:5 counsellors to campers

Sunshine Day Camp

• unique, small-ratio camp specializing in care for children aged 7-12 with ADHD and/or learning disabilities
• fun, safe and inclusive camp atmosphere with a focus on the development of social skills through interactive activities, games, and peer leadership
• activities, field trips and special guests for our campers

In response to the pandemic, many service changes remain in place. In-person contact is limited and telephone and virtual support is offered as an alternative. Updates are regularly posted to our website.

Health centre focused on family and community health

• advocacy
• primary health care
• outreach
• life skills education
• group support
• counselling
• practical assistance
• health promotion
• community development
• crisis intervention

Services:

• self-help groups
• prenatal programs
• help with accessing social assistance, food, clothing and housing in times of crisis
• services for seniors
• services for low-income families, children, and youth
• street outreach
• social services support and practical assistance in English, Cambodian, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese
• crisis drop-in
• needle exchange and safer inhalation
• Headstart Nursery Program
• pre and post natal support
• parenting support programs
• playgroups
• youth leadership programs
• family emergency shelter support
• mental health services
• women's and men's counselling services
• community development
• Contact Ottawa: voice mail box service for those who are unable to maintain a home phone line

Multidisciplinary health clinic for children, adolescent, adults and families

• list of family resources on the website
• neuropsychology
• occupational therapy
• psychology
• psychotherapists
• psychometrics
• social work
• speech-language pathology
• developmental and diagnostic assessments
• yoga and mindfulness

Day program

• social, recreational, developmental, participation-focused activities to help with integration within the community
• activities and services include peer-assistance groups
• referrals to specialized services

Autonomous family organization

• support
• information
• networking
• advocacy
• innovative solutions for families whose loved ones have disabilities
• circle of support for full participation in community, including support with housing and recreation

Best Buddies Program:

• pairs students in post-secondary institutions with adults from the community with intellectual disabilities
• buddies call their Peer Buddies on the telephone once per week, and see them every two weeks

Group learning programmes

• the following programmes include components of reading, mathematics, critical thinking skills and movement:

DragonFly® Beginners Programme:

• two-hour programme helping children prepare for school
• focus on early reading, language and counting

DragonFly® Primary Programme:

• half-day programme with focus on reading, math, and social skills leading to independent learning

DragonFly® Junior Programme:

• full-day programme with focus on reading, math, and social skills leading to independent learning

DragonFly® Senior Programme:

• full-day programme with focus on language, math skills and social interactions leading to self-reliance

DragonFly® Mentorship Programme:

• employment preparation programme
• focus on discovering career path, building employment skills in math and literacy as well as communication, organization and social interaction
• personalized approach

DragonFly® Binder Programme:

• learning at home programme
• personalized materials
• monitored and adapted content in language, reading and mathematics

DragonFly® Summer Programmes:

• 3-week Arts Programme in July and 1-week Academic Refresher in August.

DragonFly® One to One:

• academic support
• weekly sessions of one hour

DragonFly® Consultations:

• for parents, teachers and other professionals
• help to resolve education or behavioural concerns

Private residential care facility for adults with developmental, physical or psychiatric disabilities.

Offers level 1 care services which include:

• meals
• housekeeping
• personal care
• organized leisure activities
• health services which include personal care
• medication supervision
• personal counselling
• 24-hour staff on site
• on-call doctor
• respite, vacation and convalescent care

Private residential care facility for adults with developmental or psychiatric disabilities

• meals
• housekeeping
• personal care
• leisure
• medication supervision
• 24-hour staff on site
• respite and vacation care when possible

Helps developmentally disabled adults to work in the community * facility-based training

Work includes:

• maintenance
• food services
• production
• woodworking
• recycling
• mailing
• office routines

Supports people in various volunteer activities within the community and provides life skill training, including:

• physical fitness
• computer skills
• street safety
• leisure activity
• literacy skills
• community awareness

Day program designed to maintain and develop the clients' basic life skills as well as social, recreational skills

Types of interventions include:

• music therapy
• sensory stimulation
• behavior management

Ratio of staff to clients is 1:5.