Special Needs Resources

Many of the children and youth in care have been exposed to neglect, abusive situations or prenatal use of drugs and alcohol. Some children have special physical or emotional needs. For families looking to support these young people, it’s very important to give careful consideration to assess what type of special needs you feel you can reasonably handle.

To help you make this decision, we have provided some links below for more information about some of the challenges faced by the kids in our care:

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD):

Canada FASD Research Network

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) programs and services - Government of Ontario

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Ontario Network of Expertise

FASD Services - ErinoakKids

Speech and Language

Preschool Speech and Language Program (Government of Ontario)

Preschool Speech and Language Services - ErinoakKids

Brain Development:

Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University

Autism:

Autism Ontario
Autism Explained - Autism Canada
Ontario Autism Program - Government of Ontario

Autism Services - ErinoakKids

Trauma:

Adverse Childhood Experiences - The Burke Foundation

Beacon House resources

What is child trauma? - National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Circle of Security parenting

Attachment Consultation and Education Service - Government of Ontario

For more information about caring for a child with special needs, visit the AdoptOntario website, Understanding Special Needs section.