As your child with autism gets closer to eighteen years old, the services and support they receive will begin to change. The primary and secondary schools across Canada offer many inclusive programs that may have supported your child up to this point. However, as a child with neurodivergence transitions from school-based services to adulthood, they might find themselves coming to face new challenges and uncertainties in their care. In Canada, the support systems for children with autism vary from province to territory. This is where Monarch House can help you explore the range of resources and programs designed to help ease this transition, starting with us.

Below are ten valuable supports and services that families can turn to as their children with autism Mississauga age out of school-based resources.

1. Monarch House 

At Monarch House we work with more than just children with developmental disorders—we work with adults too. As your child transitions out of school-based support we can help them with therapy and services at our Mississauga centre. We have behavioural therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and psychotherapists who can assist you and your child with planning for the future during this new stage of your lives.

2. Autism Alliance Of Canada

Sometimes you need a louder voice to be heard. Autism Alliance Of Canada is a national nonprofit that specializes in advocating for improved supports and services for individuals with autism. While Monarch House can help with community and educational advocacy, AAOC works with policymakers and organizations to promote systemic change. Their broader-reaching goals are to create more inclusive, accessible services. AAOC also offers various resources for families, including information on the latest research and government policies regarding autism care in Canada.

3. Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

As your child turns eighteen some of the funding that they may have been able to benefit from as a school-aged child might cease. So you’ll need to explore other avenues of financial support. In Ontario, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provides employment support and financial assistance to individuals with disabilities, including autism, if they are unable to work due to their condition. To get your ducks in a row, look to the ODSP for help accessing financial aid, health benefits, and employment services before your child transitions out of the school system. If you are not in Mississauga, other provinces have similar programs, such as the Alberta Adult Health Benefit and the Disability Tax Credit in BC.

4. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

At Monarch House, we can help your child with their emotional regulation and some of the anxiety they might experience in social situations. For more advanced cases of anxiety or depression, or other mental health disorders as they grow into adulthood, there is the Canadian Mental Health Association. CMHA provides mental health services, including crisis intervention and counselling for individuals with autism and their families. As children with autism move into adulthood, they face new stresses that come with changes in homes, schools, friends, and jobs. This can be a time in their life when new mental health challenges arise. CMHA’s services can offer crucial support in managing these issues. Look to the CMHA for training and workshops for parents and caregivers on how to best support individuals with autism.

5. Autism Ontario

We are happy to refer you to other resources that can help your child with autism as they get older.Autism Ontario is a well-regarded autism support organization. They offer a wealth of useful services for families across the province. One of their areas of specialization is transitioning from school-based services to adult support, and advocating for improved services. Their programs focus on skill-building, community engagement, and peer support. Look to them to fill in the gaps with Monarch House and the services you can provide on your own. Think of them as another tool in the toolbox for your child to utilize as they navigate their transition to adulthood.

6. Community Living Ontario

At eighteen, it might be time for your child to spread their wings and leave the nest. When it comes to having a new place to call their own, Community Living Ontario is a provincial nonprofit organization that advocates for the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities, including autism, in all aspects of community life. At Monarch House, we’re happy to help you with the introductions. CLO provides information on housing options and employment opportunities. They also offer training and workshops for caregivers and family members to support the transition to adult life.

7. Autism Canada

Monarch House has clinics across the country. We are based not just in Mississauga, but all throughout Ontario and into BC and Alberta. We’re not the only cross-country organization though.Autism Canada provides resources for individuals and families across Canada, including practical advice on navigating the transition from school to adulthood. Look to them to provide information on employment programs, legal rights, community services, and advocacy. They act as a hub of information as well, so you can refer to them for updates on the latest autism-related news and government policies that affect individuals with autism.

8. Inclusive Education and Employment Programs

Is college or university in the cards for your child? Perhaps a job in the trades? At Monarch House, we can help you find specific programs that help young adults with autism transition into post-secondary education and employment. For example, there is an organization called Project Search that operates in several provinces. This service helps to find work placements in local businesses for young adults with autism. It also offers employment training programs if your child needs to develop some new skills to get hired. If you are looking outside of Ontario, there are other provinces in Canada that offer specialized post-secondary education programs to support students with autism.

9. Developmental Services Ontario

Housing is a tough hurdle for everyone in Canada. It’s unaffordable and intimidating to even begin searching. At Monarch House, we help adults with autism in Ontario secure funding and settle in through a program called Developmental Services Ontario. When your child turns eighteen, many of their developmental services through the Ontario Autism Program end. The DSO can help your child receive adult MCCSS-funded services available in your community. They connect individuals with neurodivergence to a wide range of various supports, including care planning, eligibility assessments, and information about programs tailored to their specific needs. The DSO plays a crucial role in ensuring adults with autism can access the services in areas of housing, employment, or community engagement.

10. Disability Supports and Services for Adults with Autism

There is a good chance that without school to occupy them daily, your child will find themselves with a window that needs to be filled. There are plenty of programs that can care for them during this time. At Monarch House, we can help you look into private adult autism services and supports, including day programs, residential care, and independent living services. Monarch House does accommodate adults with autism, but there are also services made available through local health authorities or specialized nonprofit organizations. 

At Monarch House, we offer support for adults with autism as well. We have a comprehensive staff of professionals available to provide a holistic approach to treatment. Your child can work with us on behavioural therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, as well as psychotherapy so that their physical and mental health needs are considered. As your child with autism transitions out of school-based services, it’s essential for you to have access to a range of resources to support them. We can be your first stop. However, there are other avenues for support and service as well. There are programs that can offer employment training, financial support, community programs, and mental health services. We have outlined some of the resources available to help families navigate this important stage, and if you need help getting in touch with them, we can assist you with that at Monarch House. We encourage you to connect with some of these local advocacy groups and government services to ensure that your child has the resources they need to thrive as adults. By utilizing these resources and building strong networks, families with children with autism Mississauga can successfully transition into adult life with greater independence, support, and opportunities for meaningful community engagement.