Advocacy

Ages 0-4

• Advocacy means making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate for yourself and your child.

Suggested Resources

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital created an Advocacy Tool Kit as a guide for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders on how to develop advocacy skills.
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.

Ages 5-11

• Advocacy means making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate for yourself and your child.

Suggested Resources

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital created an Advocacy Tool Kit as a guide for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders on how to develop advocacy skills.
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.

Ages 12-14

• Advocacy is about making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate.
• Start teaching your child the importance of advocating for themselves.

Suggested Resources

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital created an Advocacy Tool Kit as a guide for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders on how to develop advocacy skills.
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.

Ages 15-17

• Advocacy is about making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate.

Suggested Resources

• ConnectABILITY has a webpage with information on advocacy
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.

For your parent/caregiver

• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital created an Advocacy Tool Kit as a guide for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders on how to develop advocacy skills.

Ages 18-21

• Advocacy means making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate for yourself.

Suggested Resources

• ConnectABILITY has a webpage with information on advocacy.
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.
• ReportON  is a website that includes information on how to report actual or suspected abuse and/or neglect of adults with a developmental disability.

Ages 22-40

• Advocacy means making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate for yourself.

Suggested Resources

• ConnectABILITY has a webpage with information on advocacy.
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.
• ReportON  is a website that includes information on how to report actual or suspected abuse and/or neglect of adults with a developmental disability.

Ages 41 and over

• Advocacy is about making your voice heard.
• You can advocate for yourself or for someone close to you.
• Someone in your circle of support might be able to help you advocate for yourself.

Suggested Resources

• ConnectABILITY has a webpage with information on advocacy.
• People First Ontario is a provincial organization representing people with developmental disabilities.
• Autism Ontario has developed a webpage called Positive Advocacy Resources. It includes advocacy resources you can access.
• ReportON is a telephone line and email address to report actual or suspected abuse or neglect of adults with a developmental disability.