Resource Links
Precious Minds would like to help you find other useful sites and will add links as we discover them. Please understand we are sharing these links on an informational basis only. The sites listed here are not under the control of Precious Minds. Because of this, we cannot guarantee the content of these sites, although every effort has been made, and will continue to be made, to insure the suitability and appropriateness of each of the links.
Precious Minds can assume no liability in the recommendation of any product, service or organization, nor does this constitute an endorsement. We encourage you to evaluate these resources yourself. Each of these links will open into a new window, so you can easily return to Precious Mind's site if you wish.
If you know of a valuable resource that we should include or if you find information that is outdated please email us.
SPECIAL NEEDS
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
| Camps | General Therapies |
| Education | Kids' Resources |
| Family | Life Skills and Employment |
SPECIAL NEEDS
ADD/ADHD
The Attention Deficit Resource Network
The Attention Deficit Resource Network or the A.D.R.N. is a volunteer, not for profit,
community group, striving to increase the knowledge and understanding of Attention Deficit Disorder
The Biofeedback Institute
ADD & ADHD information and how to get into the focused zone
C.H.A.D.D.
A non-profit, parent-based organization for support, advocacy, education and research on ADD/ADHD
Autism Spectrum
Autism Ontario (Durham Region)
Specific Autism Ontario information for the Durham region
Autism Ontario
Is the leading source of information and referral on autism and one of the largest collective
voices representing the autism community in Ontario. Members are connected through a
volunteer network of 29 Chapters throughout the Province of Ontario
Asperger Syndrome/OASIS
For families of children who are diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and related disorders;
educators and professionals working with individuals diagnosed with AS and individuals with AS who are seeking support
Autism Partnership
Providing intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism
Autism Society of Canada
This site provides easy access to information and referral to information on services and
resources, as well as news of ASC's activity on behalf of the autism community. The main
focus is on Canadian information, however there are links to other sites for a rounded
archive of information on autism and related conditions.
Autism Treatment Services of Canada
Is a national affiliation of organizations that provides treatment, educational, management and
consultative services to people with autism and related disorders across Canada
CAIRN (Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network)
A site put together by scientists, parents, early childhood educators, psychiatrists, pediatricians,
nurses, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, policy makers and more who are all
working together to develop effective, evidence-based early diagnostic methods and treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders
The Geneva Centre for Autism
A source of training, resources and support for individuals with autism, their families and their community
Kerry's Place Autism Services
Enhancing the quality of life of persons with autism
TEACCH
Treatment & Education of Autistic & Communication Handicapped Children
Yale Child Study Center, Developmental Disabilities Clinic & Research
Providing cutting edge research studies
Autism Central
This site's goal is to support the sharing of knowledge and the exchange of ideas and to link you to resources and information from across Canada
ABACUS
The ABACUS website aims to serve as the best possible source of information so that parents, caregivers,
and the general community can be informed consumers of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) services
for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Ontario.
Communication and Speech
Ontario Association for Families of Chidren with Communication Disorders
Helps families of children with communication disorders give their children a voice
Canadian Association for People Who Stutter
Provides family, teachers, speech pathologists and other professionals with information
and resources on stuttering
The Hanen Centre
A recognized innovator in family-focused early language intervention programs and learning
resources for parents and professionals around the world
Kaufman Children's Center for Speech and Language Disorders
Provides links, resources and information about speech therapy for children with speech and language disorders
Say and Play - Speech and Language Therapy
Site that answers questions that you may have about speech and language disorders
NLD on the Web
This site is focused on NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disorder), and provides information and links
Developmental Disabilities
Community Living Durham North
Community Living Durham North (formerly Central Seven Association for Community Living)
provides supports and services to children, youth and adults who have a developmental disability.
These services include a variety of residential supports, day time supports (supported employment,
leisure/rec), services for youth (transition planning for students leaving high school,
recreational youth group), and overnight respite opportunities. We provide services across the
townships of Scugog, Brock and Uxbridge with our respite services extending across Durham region.
Oshawa/Clarington Association for the Community Living
Providing people with developmental disabilities and their families with supports and
services which are responsive to their unique talents
Safehaven
Residential and respite care for children and adults who have multiple disabilities
Down Syndrome
NADS (National Association for Down Syndrome)
Provides links several establishments across North America that specialize in down syndrome
Downi Creations
Provides links to down syndrome resources
Down Syndrome Information Network
Provides links and information about down syndrome
Epilepsy
Epilepsy Ontario
Research, education and training about epilepsy
Gifted
ABC Ontario (The Association for Bright Children)
Dedicated to providing information and support to parents of bright and gifted children/adolescents
Hearing Disabilities
Canadian Hearing Society
The Canadian Hearing Society is the leading provider of services, products, and information that
remove barriers to communication, advance hearing health promote equity for people who are culturally
deaf, oral deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing
Durham Deaf Services
DDS is a non-profit organization that offers services and educational programs to promote self-reliance
within the Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing community. DDS is committed to increasing Deaf cultural awareness.
Ontario Association of the Deaf
This site provides leadership, resources and activities that promote and protect rights, equality and
access of Deaf Ontarians.
Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO)
An easy to use website that provides several links, resources, and information, with this site you
can also email to them your own specific questions
Integra
Dedicated to helping children and adolescents who experience social, emotional and
behavioural problems related to their learning disabilities.
National Center for Learning Disabilities
This site provides information and links, all providing information about disabilities and allows you to contact
with any questions you may have
American Hyperlexia Association
Provides information about Hyperlexia
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC)
LDAC is the national voice for persons with learning disabilities and those who support them.
LDAC is dedicated to a level playing field for individuals with learning disabilities to enable them
to function as citizens with equitable opportunities and to develop to their chosen potential.
This site provides links, information, scholarship opportunities, and lists books helpful to those
living with disabilities.
Disabilities
This site provided numerous links and resources all providing information about different disabilities
The International Dyslexia Association
A non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with Dyslexia, their families, and the
communities that support them
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities
Educates, guides and inspires families of children with learning disabilities or ADHD
All Kinds of Minds
Information for educators and parents on improving the success of students with learning disabilities.
Children of the Code
This site offers many articles from well known advocates and educators on learning to read such as Richard
Lavoie, Sally Shaywitch and Mel Levine.
Mental Illness
The Canadian Mental Health Association
CMHA exists to promote the mental health of all people and to serve mental health consumers, their
families and friends
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
CAMH is a public hospital providing direct patient care for people with mental health and addiction problems.
The Centre is also a research facility, an education and training institute and a community based
organization providing health promotion and prevention services across the province of Ontario, and is
designated as a World Health Organization Centre of Excellence
The Infant Mental Health Promotion Project
IMP is a coalition of professional representatives from agencies concerned with infants and their families
Internet Mental Health
Great, free, encyclopedia of mental health information. Over 50 disorders listed with American and
European diagnostic descriptions, medications, news magazine and links. Invaluable resource for
professionals, students, people with mental health disorders and their families, support groups and
interested public
Physical Disabilities
The Association for the Neurologically Disabled of Canada
A non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing functional rehabilitation programs to
individuals with non-progressive neurological disabilities
Easter Seals Society Ontario
Helping kids with physical disabilities succeed
Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy
Provides information to people about cerebral palsy
Sensory Disorders
Sensory Integration
Provides links to resources about sensory integration
Tourette's Syndrome
The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada
A national voluntary organization dedicated to helping individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their
families and other interested parties by: gathering and distributing information, promoting local
self-help and professional services and promoting research
Visual Disabilities
Children's Vision Information Network
Information for parents and teachers about frequently overlooked vision problems
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
Camps
Camp Kennebec
An integrated summer residence camp for children with ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities,
tourettes, and other social and behavioral disabilities
Camp Kirk
A residential co-ed camp for children with learning disabilities and/or ADD/ADHD
Camp Winston
A summer residential recreational program supporting children and youth diagnosed with severe
tourette syndrome, hyperactivity, learning disabilities and autism
My Summer Camps
Website contains information on camps for children and adults with disabilities
Big Top Circus School
This school is situated in Newmarket and offers after school programs and march break and
summer camps and takes children with special needs.
Education
The Ontario Association of Education Advocates
Establishes training and standards for Education Advocates and includes a public internet-accessible database for those
in need of an Education Advocate
National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
Advocacy for full access to post-secondary education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities
Oxford Learning Centers
Helps students understand how learning works, helps them both academically and with their basic daily lives
Special Needs Education Network
This Canadian site provides resources for families, teachers and professionals on education of
students with special needs
Sylvan Learning Center
Helps create confident, independent students by targeting their individual needs
Ontario Ministry of Education
Ontario's Ministry of Education website
Durham District School Board
Durham District School Board: provides links and information about public schools in Durham region
Durham Catholic District School Board
Durham Catholic District School Board: provides links and information about separate schools in Durham region
Exceptional Learning Centre
Independent school, providing excellence in Education, Speech & Language Therapy, Behaviour and ABA Therapy to children
and youth with unique learning needs
Wasdell School
A program that addresses specific learning differences which digs to the root of the learning problem
Arrowsmith School
School providing a solution for learning disabilities by helping the individual student
Special Education Resources on the Internet
This site is a collection of Internet accessible information resources of interest to those
involved in the fields related to Special Education
SNOW (Special Needs Ontario Window)
SNOW is an online community service provided by the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre at the
University of Toronto. It offer articles, resources, news, and courses for anyone interested in
learning about special education, adaptive technologies, inclusion, inclusive design, and web accessibility
Natural Learning Concepts
This site provides ideas for teaching and learning from children with autism
Inclusive Education (circle of friends)
Circle of friends is an approach to enhancing the inclusion, in a mainstream setting, of any
young person (known as 'the focus child'), who is experiencing difficulties in school because of a
disability, personal crisis or because of their challenging behaviour towards others.
Family
Ability Online Support Network
This site connects young people with disabilities or chronic illness to disabled or non-disabled
peers and mentors. Ability Online provides a format and opportunities for forming friendships, sharing
information and encouragement. Also a valuable resource for families and professionals
ARCH
ARCH Disability Law Centre is a specialty legal aid clinic with a provincial mandate dedicated to
defending and advancing the equality rights of persons with disabilities. ARCH was founded in 1979 under its
previous name, Advocacy Resource Centre for the Handicapped (ARCH). ARCH is primarily funded by Legal Aid Ontario.
Assistive Devices Program
This site outlines the financial assistance available for various devices from wheelchairs to hearing aids.
Child & Family Canada
A great site with articles, links to information on everything from family life, child development,
health and child care to media issues, literacy, abuse, social issues and special needs.
Confident Girls & Guys
This site outlines unique and successful programs to help inspire and motivate young people to reach their full potential.
Disability is Natural
This site is a source for thought-provoking articles, products to promote new ways of thinking, and more
Disability Weblinks
A mutual Federal/Provincial/Territorial project undertaken by Ministers responsible for Social Services and
developed in consultation with representatives from the community
Community Care Durham
Helping the elderly, disabled, and those with special needs
Durham Respite Services
This site consists of agencies funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the
Ministry of Children and Youth Services. We are collaborating to develop a more dynamic respite
network for both children and adults in Durham Region
Community Living Durham North
Community Living Durham North (formerly Central Seven Association for Community Living) provides supports and
services to children, youth and adults who have a developmental disability. These services include a
variety of residential supports, day time supports (supported employment, leisure/rec), services for youth
(transition planning for students leaving high school, recreational youth group), and overnight respite
opportunities. We provide services across the townships of Scugog, Brock and Uxbridge with our respite
services extending across Durham region.
Family Village
Information, resources on developmental delays and other disabilities
Family Alliance Ontario
An association of individuals and families who have a family member with a disability
Grandview Children's Centre
Grandview offers programs and services for children with special needs, from infancy to adolescent age.
The Hospital for Sick Children
Sick Kids is one of the largest pediatric academic health science centres in the world, with an international
reputation for excellence in health care, research, and teaching
Office for Disability Issues
Working to promote the full participation of Canadians with disabilities in learning, work and community life
Parentbooks
Parentbooks' selection of resources for parents, caregivers, counsellors, therapists, educators and clinicians
serving the everyday and special needs of families is unequaled
Parent Help Line
Provides information on many parenting issues and has links to many other resources. You can join the
online community and call into a 24hr help line.
TaxWise
This site offers a free, no obligation, tax review to determine if there are any disability or medical
tax credits or medical expense deductions that have been overlooked, ignored or not maximized.
Special Services At Home (SSAH)
We are a coalition of individuals, families, organizations and agencies dedicated to ensuring that
families in Ontario receive the meaningful support they require through the Special Services at Home Program.
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
This site provides links and information to families on developmental disabilities
VORT
This site is dedicated to helping serve infants, toddlers, children, and their families. Their products are
designed to encourage effective planning and communication, and to help you get the most from your limited time.
They call their products Practical Tools because they can help you save time, they are developmental in
design, and they are comprehensive yet easy to use
General Therapies
Canadian Association of Music Therapy
The use of music to promote, and restore mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health
The Listening Centre
Improves learning, language and communication skills through a listening training program of
sound stimulation, voice training and counselling
Lifeway: Guidelines for Choosing a Therapy Program
Guidelines to follow when choosing the right kind of therapy for your child
Kids' Resources
Learn to Read at Starfall
Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall.com is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade
Ability Online
An extraordinary and absolutely free Internet community. Here, young people with disabilities and
illnesses connect with all kinds of possibilities
Learn to Write
Free tracing paper!
All About Coloring
Free colouring pages by themes, connect the dots and colour by number
Homework Helps
This page gives children help with homework
Book Pals
This site has stories that are read and written by actors
Tampa Reads
A reading program for students in grades 1 - 5 that ensures grade level reading vocabulary
Life Skills and Employment
Enable Link
Linking people with disabilities to a world of resources
Equal Opportunity in Ontario
The Government of Ontario presents extensive resources and information for business and
service providers on workplace diversity and creating accessibility for people with disabilities
Northern Lights Vocational Services
Helps people with employment barriers to cross the bridge from unemployment to employment
Career Bookmark
This site offers a guide to help those living with disabilities to find employment.