Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Understanding service options in the community and at Bethesda, including program registration for Ontario Autism Program Foundational Family Services and Fee for Service Options 


• Completing registration to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)


• Providing information and answering questions about the OAP


• Completing expense reporting for OAP Funding


• Providing information about other funding sources, e.g. Special Services at Home (SSAH) and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) applications

Bethesda offers services across Niagara, out of the Niagara Family Centre (Thorold), in family homes, and in a variety of community locations across the region.

Bethesda is pleased to offer flexible service options Monday through Saturday, including weekday evenings.

Bethesda offers a broad range of funded services for children/youth who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Intellectual Disability (ID). Referrals can be made through Contact Niagara by calling 905.684.3407.

• Children’s Developmental Services


• Children’s Behaviour Services


• ASD Respite Services

Yes, Bethesda is pleased to offer Foundational Family Services and Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Programs.

• Behavioural Services including, Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI) and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)


• Speech and Language Services


• Occupational Therapy


• Psychological Assessments

Bethesda offers a broad range of services and supports for children/youth who have special needs. Your child/youth does not require a diagnosis to access Fee for Service options.

All individualized ABA and EIBI services start with a Clinical Treatment Plan. Clinicians will meet with you and your child/youth to assess his/her strengths and areas of need. Together, we will determine goals and develop an individualized service plan that best supports your child/youth and family.

Clinical Treatment Plan Cost: $150.00

For more information about a Clinical Treatment Plan, please request a call with one of our Service Coordinators. 

Contact our Service Coordinators who can support you through the process to get started with an individualized therapy plan.

Bethesda will work with community partners to customize workshops and training opportunities in a variety of content areas, e.g. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Occupational Therapy or Speech-Language Pathology. Examples of recent trainings provided to community partners include: “Functions of Behaviour”, “Every Moment is a Teachable Moment”, “Autism and ABA”, “Proactive Behavioural Strategies” and “Understanding Sensory Processing”.

Bethesda’s Service Coordinators are available to help families register for the OAP. To register directly with the Ontario Autism Program, please visit the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) website. If you have any questions, please email or call MCCSS at: 1.888.444.4530

The following Fee for Service options at Bethesda are eligible expenses for OAP Funding:

• Behavioural Services including, Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI) and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)


• Speech and Language Services


• Occupational Therapy

To confirm that your child is registered with the Ontario Autism Program, contact the Central Intake Registration Team at 1.888.444.4530 or email Ontario Autism Program.

The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) have provided a list of eligible services and supports that can be purchased with your OAP Childhood Budget or OAP Interim Funding.  For any additional questions, please reach out to our Service Coordinators.

OAP Foundational Family Services offer a broad range of essential supports and services to children/youth and their parents/caregivers. These services are designed to strengthen a family’s capacity to support the learning and development of their child/youth. Bethesda offers the following OAP Foundational Family Services:

• Resources and Service Coordination 


• Family and Peer Mentoring and Social Support


• Clinical and Recreational Group Services


• Family Activities


• Brief Consultations


• Transition Supports

A complete listing of Bethesda's OAP Foundational Family Services can be found in our current Service Guide. 

A copy of the Expense Form can be found on the Ministry Website. Bethesda’s Service Coordinators are available to answer your questions and help you complete the form.