Referrals Referral to Kerry’s Place Community Services may be made by a parent, doctor, and/or other agency/school board (with written permission from parents).  All persons referred to Kerry's Place Autism Services for services, must have proof of diagnosis within the Spectrum of Autism.  To make a referral, in York Region or Simcoe County, please call 905 713-6808, in Durham Region please call (905) 665-9267). Services include:  Consultation – an Autism Consultant meets with the individual and family to help them identify, develop, implement and evaluate effective program strategies to deal with a specific situation or to teach a new skill. Through this process, the consultant assists the parents in acquiring specialized knowledge and skills to supplement the knowledge the family already possess regarding their child with Autism.  The Autism Consultants will also help families keep connected to the community processes, letting them know what is new at Kerry's Place Autism Services as well as in the community where they live. Family Resource Days (FRD’s) involves sessions on various aspects of Autism to help empower families to meet challenges and to effectively apply information and strategies within their daily lives. “Theme" FRD’s take place when two or more families with similar issues agree to get together to gather information and brainstorm strategies while "Individual" FRD’s allow a family and/or service providers to discuss issues and develop techniques which are specific to one individual with Autism. From the session, the family will be provided with a brief written summary of the strategies and information shared. Family Resource Days are held monthly in various locations throughout both York Region and Simcoe County. Families/service providers call to book appointments with the consultants. To book consultations in Durham Region please call (905) 665-9267. Please click here to see FRD dates in York and Simcoe Regions       Five Counties FRD Parent Support Groups : Kerry’s Place Autism Services facilitates two Parent Support Groups for Parents of Children with Asperger Syndrome - This forum provides an opportunity for parents to get together to share experiences.  Every other month, the York Region group meets in Aurora, Ontario, and the alternate month the Simcoe County group meets in Coldwater, Ontario.   Please contact the Community Services office at 905-713-6808 for more details. Education: Workshops and Training specific to ASD are provided throughout the year.  Usually topics such as Introduction to ASD, Crisis Prevention and Intervention, Social Stories, and our Psychological and Family Services Training modules, are presented on an as requested basis.  Volunteer/Student Placement Opportunities: Kerry's Place Autism Services has opportunities for work experience and volunteer opportunities.  Day Supports: Kerry's Place Autism Services does have some community based, day support for adults and transitional aged youth.  The initiatives are providing supports to individuals in York Region and, as space becomes available, they are filled through a community process that identifies those most in need of support in the Region. There are also several recreation programs and social groups that our agency offers.  These programs generally are run between 3:00pm and 9:00pm weeknights, ages of participants, activities, times and days vary depending on the program.  Please note “What’s New” for current details. Transitional Aged Youth – Foundations: Kerry's Place Autism Services offers a transitional aged youth program for individuals between the ages of 17 and 25 years old.  We support individuals in York, and Durham regions.  Following is a brief description of our program: Foundations is an initiative to support people living with a diagnosis of P.D.D./Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger’s Syndrome,  who are making the transition from high school or post secondary school to adult life.  Individuals with such a diagnosis may require some support in planning and implementing their life choices.  Life choices which can be supported include:  employment, volunteering, continuing education and social/recreation choices with the goal of independence in these activities.  Youth in transition are generally between the ages of 17 to 25 years old, who will be leaving school soon or have left school and currently have no supports in place. Support in planning life choices will involve the development of a Person Centered Plan (an individually developed guide of the person’s wants, goals and needs, plus the steps required to attain these).  In developing the Person Centered Plan, the individual’s interests, education, skills, abilities and talents will be taken into consideration.  The person’s needs, challenges and the vocational, recreational or educational realities will also be considered. To help the individual implement their life choices, we will provide individualized support in planning, skills building and making connections within the community.  Education and support can be offered to employers and recreation providers.  Depending on the situation, this education and support may be of a general nature about P.D.D/Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome or specific support information and training about the individual. The supports offered by the Foundations Initiative are based upon personal need and can fluctuate over time, but is limited to a three year span.  If you have any questions about the program or for a referral to the program, please contact Kerry's Place Autism Services – Community Services 905-713-6808.  York Region ASD Day Treatment and Mobile Service  The York Region ASD Day Treatment and Mobile Service is a collaborative partnership between TRE-ADD (Treatment, Research and Education for Autism and Developmental Disorders), Kerry’s Place Autism Services, the York Region District School Board, the York Catholic District School Board and several other community agencies. For more information click on the link above. Community Outreach Durham Intake Durham - 905-579-2720, ext. 21 Tracy Mansell - Director, Community Services, Ext. 309,  tmansell@kerrysplace.org  What's New? Music Group Referrals Referral to Kerry’s Place Community Services may be made by self, a parent, doctor, and/or other agency/school board (with written permission from parents).  All persons referred to Kerry's Place Autism Services for services, must have proof of diagnosis within the Spectrum of Autism.  To make a referral please call (905) 579-2720. Services include:   Consultation -  An Autism Consultant meets with the person and his/her family to help him/her identify, develop, implement and evaluate effective program strategies to deal with a specific situation or to teach a new skill. Through this process, the consultant assists the person and/or the family in acquiring specialized knowledge and skills to supplement the knowledge the person and family already possesses regarding Autism.  The Autism Consultants cannot case manage, but will help people connect to the community processes, letting them know what is new at Kerry's Place Autism Services as well as in the community where they live. Family Resource Days -  FRD’s involves sessions on various aspects of Autism to help empower families to meet challenges and to effectively apply information and strategies within their daily lives. “Theme" FRD’s take place when two or more families with similar issues agree to get together to gather information and brainstorm strategies while "Individual" FRD’s allow a family and/or service providers to discuss issues and develop techniques which are specific to one individual with Autism. From the session, the family will be provided with a brief written summary of the strategies and information shared. Family Resource Days are held monthly in various locations throughout Durham Region. Families/service providers call to book appointments with the consultants. To book consultations please call 905-579-2720. Education: Workshops and Training specific to ASD are provided throughout the year.  The Introduction to ASD workshops are provided to schools, service providers and families on an as requested basis.  Volunteer/Student Placement Opportunities: Kerry's Place Autism Services has opportunities for work experience and volunteer opportunities. Day Supports: Kerry's Place Autism Services does have some community based, day support for adults and transitional aged youth.  The initiatives are providing supports to individuals in Durham Region and, as space becomes available, they are filled through a community process that identifies those most in need of support in the Region. Transitional Aged Youth – Foundations: Kerry's Place Autism Services offers support for individuals between the ages of 17 and 25 years old.  Foundations is an initiative to support people living with a diagnosis of P.D.D./Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger’s Syndrome,  who are making the transition from high school or post secondary school to adult life.  Individuals with such a diagnosis may require some support in planning and implementing their life choices.  Life choices which can be supported include:  employment, volunteering, continuing education and social/recreation choices with the goal of independence in these activities.  Youth in transition are generally between the ages of 17 to 25 years old, who will be leaving school soon or have left school and currently have no supports in place. Support in planning life choices will involve the development of a Person Centered Plan (an individually developed guide of the person’s wants, goals and needs, plus the steps required to attain these).  In developing the Person Centered Plan, the person’s interests, education, skills, abilities and talents will be taken into consideration.  The person’s needs, challenges and the vocational, recreational or educational realities will also be considered. To help the person implement their life choices, we will provide individualized support in planning, skills building and making connections within the community.  Education and support can be offered to employers and recreation providers.  Depending on the situation, this education and support may be of a general nature about P.D.D/Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome or specific support information and training about the individual. The supports offered by Foundations are based upon personal need and can fluctuate over time, but is limited to a three year span.  If you have any questions about Foundations or for a referral, please contact Kerry's Place Autism Services – Community Services  905-579-2720.   Respite:  Kerry's Place Autism Services has limited adult respite supports.  As part of our respite services, we have a weekly drop in group in which people participate in activities such as movie nights, bowling and more.  Currently our respite supports have been allocated for this fiscal year.  If you are interested in receiving respite please call 905-579-2720.