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Category: Getting Support

This section provides you with “things to consider doing” to help you find and build supports you may need in your community or at school.

Finding Child Care

Ages 0-4

There are resources that can help you find childcare that may work for you and your family.

Suggested Resources:

City of Toronto can help you find childcare that are licensed by the City of Toronto.

Government of Ontario can help you find licensed childcare throughout Ontario.

Surrey Place also has information to help you find childcare and other resources.

You can also download a tipsheet that may help you with Find Childcare.

Ages 5-11

There are resources that can help you find childcare that may work for you and your family.

Suggested Resources:

City of Toronto can help you find childcare that are licensed by the City of Toronto.

Government of Ontario can help you find licensed childcare throughout Ontario.

Surrey Place also has information to help you find childcare and other resources.

You can also download a tipsheet that may help you with Find Childcare.

Support for Parents and Caregivers

Ages 0-4

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support, but many caregivers do not know they exist or may find them hard to use.

Suggested Resources

Ages 5-11

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support. These supports may include respite, support groups and support in your home.

Suggested Resources

Ages 12-14

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support. These supports may include respite, support groups and support in your home.

Suggested Resources

Ages 15-17

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support. These supports may include respite, support groups and support in your home.

Suggested Resources

Ages 18-21

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support. These supports may include respite, support groups and support in your home.

Suggested Resources

Ages 22-40

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support. These supports may include respite, support groups and support in your home.

Suggested Resources

Ages 41 and over

  • There are many resources in Ontario that help to connect caregivers with support. These supports may include respite, support groups and support in your home.

Suggested Resources

Build a circle of support

Ages 18-21

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard and help you get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

Ages 22-40

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard and help you get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

Ages 41 and over

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard and help you get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • Inclusion Press is a website that has many planning resources to help you build a circle of support.

Work with your child’s school to provide supports in the classroom

Ages 5-11

  • Your child’s school can help you figure out what support your child may need in the classroom. Ask about Special Education options.
  • You can begin this process by speaking with a teacher or school principal.

Suggested Resources

Ages 12-14

  • Your child’s school can help you figure out what support your child may need in the classroom. Ask about Special Education options.

Suggested Resources

Find services in your community

Ages 0-4

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you and your family.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

  • Connectability is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families. There is a resource directory listing resources and supports for children and adults.
  • EarlyOn Centres offer programs to families and children across Ontario from birth to six years old.
  • MyCommunityHub is an online registration space for activities, classes, programs, workshops, respite and camps offered across Ontario. There are resources on here for you and your child.

Ages 5-11

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you and your family.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

  • ConnectABILTY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families. There is a resource directory listing resources and supports for children and adults.
  • EarlyOn Centres offer programs to families and children across Ontario from birth to six years old.
  • MyCommunityHub is an online registration space for activities, classes, programs, workshops, respite and camps offered across Ontario. There are resources on here for you and your child.

Ages 12-14

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you and your family.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  There is a resource directory listing resources and supports for children and adults.
  • EarlyOn Centres offer programs to families and children across Ontario from birth to six years old.
  • MyCommunityHub is an online registration space for activities, classes, programs, workshops, respite and camps offered across Ontario. There are resources on here for you and your caregivers.

Ages 15-17

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you and your family.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

  • Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) has a webpage to help you understand “How to Access Services” through the DSO.
  • You can start the application for Developmental Services Ontario at the age of 16 to see if you are eligible for services. This will help you to avoid delaying services when you turn 18. (Add) Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) has a webpage to help you understand “How to Access Services” through the DSO.
  • Passport Program Funding is an Ontario Government program that provides funding to adults with a developmental disability. Passport provides funding for services and supports in your community. Please see the Passport Program Quick Fact Sheet for tips on Passport Program Funding
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  There is a resource directory listing resources and supports for children and adults.
  • MyCommunityHub is an online registration space for activities, classes, programs, workshops, respite and camps offered across Ontario. There are resources on here for you and your caregivers.

Ages 18-21

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you and your family.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

Ages 22-40

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you and your family.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

Ages 41 and over

  • Agencies in your community may have services for you.
  • You may have to pay for these services. Others could be free.

Suggested Resources

Connect with your community

Ages 0-4

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Ages 5-11

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Ages 12-14

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Ages 15-17

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Ages 18-21

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Ages 22-40

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Ages 41 and over

  • Getting involved in community programs and activities may help you and your child build relationships and a circle of support.
  • Some ways to get involved are through local community centres, public libraries and the YMCA.

Suggested Resources

  • The Government of Ontario  has a page where you can find  Seniors Active Living Centres throughout Ontario that offer programs catered specifically to older adults.
  • The YMCA is a charity that supports people of all ages and abilities to join in, give back, and gain the connections, skills and confidence they need to thrive. It provides financial assistance to families who are not able to afford program fees.
  • Partners for Planning has created a resource that will help families connect with a Family Support Network in their community. There is also a Guide to making friendships with supportive people.
  • ConnectABILITY is a website for people with developmental disabilities and their families where you can find a resource directory listing resources and supports.
  • Libraries across Ontario have free programs for people of all ages who are interested in different things. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has a list of public libraries in Ontario.
  • There may be free activities in your community, you can call 211 for this information.
  • Local community papers may also include information for upcoming events, be sure to check them out.

Build a circle of support for you and your child

Ages 0-4

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

Ages 5-11

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

Ages 12-14

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

Ages 15-17

  • A circle of support can help you make decisions, have your voice be heard, and help you and your child get involved in your community.

Suggested Resources

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