Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of resources, and we will continue   

    to add more as they become known to us.

Autism Surveillance System In Canada

Autism Spectrum Disorder Amoung Children and Youth in Canada 2018~March 2018- As Chief Public Health Officer, I am pleased to present the National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS) 2018 Report. This surveillance report is “Made in Canada” and provides a first reporting of national data and information to improve our understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Canada.
Approximately 1 in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with ASD in Canada. For families, an ASD diagnosis can involve significant emotional and financial challenges. For those in health, education and social services sectors, ASD is an important issue due to the resources those living with ASD require for intervention and treatment and due to the on-going impact on the health and well-being of Canadian children, youth, adults and their families and communities.
CLICK THE GRAPH BELOW TO ENLARGE

Legal Help

Understanding Consent and Capacity Rules in Canada-Toolkit~ What if someone is found to be incapable of making a specific decision? When a person is unable to make a decision on their own, they may require an accommodation or support in order to exercise their legal capacity, such as technological assistance, a translator, or a support person to interpret their signs, gestures or verbal cues. A person could also appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf, or to support them in making their decisions. This depends on the province or territory where they live and the person’s ability to appoint someone.  Each province or territory has its own decision-making model, such as substitute decision-making, supported decision-making, representation, and more (these models are reviewed in more detail below).

Adult  Asessments

How to get tested for autism as an adult in Nova Scotia?
The only way to receive an adult autism diagnosis in Nova Scotia is through private practice psychological services. This option is paid for out of pocket or through your private insurance provider. Check with your insurance provider to see if psychological assessments are covered under your plan.

Hann Psychological Services, we firmly believe in enhancing the quality of life for individuals dealing with ASD. Our team of professionals, led by Dr. Hann, understands the pressing need for early autism diagnosis, providing families with streamlined autism assessments and comprehensive disability testing.Individuals with autism and their families in Halifax, Nova Scotia, have access to a variety of Halifax autism assessment and testing services to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Lesley Hartman Associates ~Adult Assessment – Adult ASD assessments involve separate interviews with the client and spouse, parent, or sibling. Both the client and someone who knows them well will be asked to complete various questionnaires. Any previous psychological reports will also be reviewed. The information will be summarized in a report with recommendations specific to the client’s goals. ​Once strengths and needs are identified (including relevant diagnoses), we work to inform, educate, and advocate for appropriate support and interventions for the individual and their family. 

Green Leaf Psychological Services~Adult & Adolescent (18+) ASD Assessment at Green Leaf Psychological. At Green Leaf Psychological in Halifax, we offer adult ASD assessments that are based on best-practice standards in adult ASD diagnosis.Depending on your particular situation, a specialized adult ASD assessment at Green Leaf Psychological in Halifax may involve:

Education

Halifax Regional School Board Special Education Policy ~ On this

site there is information on program planning, student placement, school board special appeals, transportation, tips for parents, where to begin, what is an IPP, student services parent handbook etc.

The Teacher Assistant Guidelines Educational Assistant~Educational Assistants are responsible for the support of students with special needs.
They are responsible to the principal of the school and work under the immediate direction of the teacher(s) to whom they are assigned.

Nova Scotia Department of Education ~ Provides department information describing services and programs, publications, news releases, learning resources, and provincial education policy  

 Early Childhood Development Strategy ~ News releases on funding,
 early childhood development, grants to child care etc.

 Special Education Policy Manual ~ Manual is intended to guide and

further promote the development of educational programming for students with special needs. It is an important step in ensuring all students receive programming to meet their needs throughout the province. It is supported by Bill 39.  

     Department of Education Business Plan 2006-2007~ Autism Spectrum

 Disorder information starts on page 17

Nova Scotia Education and Culture ~Handbook for the Transportation .of Students with Special Needs in Nova Scotia

  Special Education Policy Manual ~ This Special Education Policy Manual is

      intended to guide and further promote the development of educational

      programming for students with special needs.

  Programming for Students with Special Needs ~ relevant information

   starts on page 21

Nova Scotia Learning Disabilities Resources ~many resources in many areas

Special Needs Information Service

Student Assistance Post Secondary

Nova Scotia POST-SECONDARY DISABILITY SERVICES - psds.ednet.ns.ca

The link below is hyper-linked - just click on the link to access the item MEDICAL ASSESSMENT FORM

NOTE for Students with Psycho-Educational Assessments:Please complete only Page 1 and 2 of the Medical Assessment form and send that in with current Psycho-educational Assessment completed within the past 5 years.

NOVA SCOTIA students who do not qualify for a Canada Student Loan may qualify for support under the

NOVA SCOTIA SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT GRANT- http://psds.ednet.ns.ca/ns-grant

St. Francis Xavier University~ St. Francis Xavier University recognizes the right of students with disabilities who are academically qualified to participate fully in the life of the University. Members of faculty and instructional staff support staff and administrative staff share the University's responsibility under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act for accommodation of students with disabilities. They also have Bursary and Grants information here http://sites.stfx.ca/accessible_learning/Bursary%20and%20Grant

Financial

Loans and Grants for Full-Time Studies~When you apply for Nova Scotia Student Assistance for Full-Time Studies*, you are applying for both Loans AND Grants, from both the government of Nova Scotia and the government of Canada.

• Provincial and Federal funding amounts are calculated using different income information, but have the same basic criteria.
• Some grants have additional criteria to help specific groups of students (see links below)
• Grants do not need to be repaid.
• Loans must be repaid starting six months after you leave school.
  • Nova Scotia Loans begin to accumulate interest six months after you leave school, unless you apply for and qualify for 0% interest.
  • Canada Student Loans begin to accumulate interest six months after you leave school.

Support

Nova Scotia Easter Seals~ We advocate for a barrier-free Nova Scotia and provide top-quality services promoting mobility, inclusion and independence for Nova Scotians with disabilities. We have served Nova Scotians with disabilities for more than 80 years. 

Government

Acess-A-Home-Program~ The Access-A-Home Program provides assistance to people who must adapt their homes for wheelchair use. The amount of assistance depends upon income.

Nova Scotia Department of Community Services~ Community Services helps thousands of Nova Scotians in vulnerable situations every day. The Department of Community Services is committed to a sustainable social service system that promotes the independence, self-reliance, and security of the people we serve. This will be achieved through excellence in service delivery, leadership and collaboration with our partners.

Minister of Community Services Office Honourable Joanne Bernard (Liberal) ~ Minister of Community Service -Minister of the Voluntary Sector

Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act-Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons’ Commission Act

Disabilty Support Program~The Disability Support Program (DSP) serves children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, long-term mental illness and physical disabilities in a range of community-based, residential and vocational/day programs.These are voluntary programs designed to support people at various stages of their development and independence.

The Income Assistance (IA) program~ provides people in financial need with assistance with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities like heat and electricity, and clothing. The program may also help you with other needs such as child care, transportation, prescription drugs, emergency dental care, and eye glasses. ALSO SCROLL DOWN to the bottom of the page for related assistance.

Nova Scotia Child Benefit~ The Nova Scotia Child Benefit is provided to all low-income families to help them with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. Almost 40,000 children in Nova Scotia receive this benefit each year.

Canada Benefits ~This is the Canadian Government website for disability.   

Click on the province that you want, then on a the "I am..." a person with a disability, then click on the disability connection.

Programs, Services & Community Supports~ Links to useful information on programs, services and supports for persons with disabilities in Nova Scotia as well as other helpful resources. 

Nova Scotia Department of Community Services ~Early Childhood Develpment Services

Adult Service Centres  ~ Vocational and other day program services complement the residential and other community-based support system provided under the Services for Persons with Disabilities Program.Adult Service Centers were established in Nova Scotia to provide community-based vocational programs for adults with disabilities. Currently, Adult Service Centres provide employment, skills training and day program opportunities for adults with disabilities in communities across Nova Scotia.

 Support for Persons with Disabilities ~ almost 1/2 way down. Many

 services

Government services for special needs ~ The Services for Persons with Disabilities (SPD) Program serves children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, long-term mental illness and physical disabilities in a range of community-based, residential and vocational/day programs.

Direct Family Support~ This program provides respite, personal care, medications, equipment, and child care costs for children.

Provincial Service Dog Laws, Other Rights

Blind Persons Rights Act

Human Rights Act

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission~The NS Human Rights Commission (HRC) is committed to actively engaging and working with all Nova Scotians and our diverse communities to address issues of discrimination by effectively:

• advancing equity and dignity
• fostering positive and respectful relationships, and
• protecting human rights

contact Human Rights Commission https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/content/contact-us

Advocates

Ombudsman~ If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a provincial or municipal government body, or you have a complaint about a Nova Scotia government service ...

Therapies

H.A.L.T.R.(Halifax Area Leisure and Theraputic Riding) Therapeutic Riding~ Therapeutic riding can help to improve physical, mental, emotional and the social well being of most people with disabilities. Riding for these special needs riders is challenging, an invigorating form of exercise and recreation and gives the rider a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem. For individuals who have disabilities that affect mobility, the horse provides freedom of movement and independence from assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches and canes.The physical benefits include, improvements in balance and coordination, an increase in agility (mobilization of stiff joints and development of weak muscles), prevention of contractures

The Atlantic Association for Music Therapy (AAMT) is the professional organization for music therapists in Atlantic Canada. The AAMT provides public education and advocacy for music therapy services in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Therapeutic Recreation Association of Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia)~ A person with autism can engage in Therapeutic Recreation with the assistance of a Recreation Therapist. Recreation Therapists focus on an individual’s strengths and abilities to increase or maintain their skills, abilities, sense of independence, and  quality of life. Recreation Therapists conduct assessments and, based on the findings, develop goals using recreation activities to teach necessary skills that are required in order for someone with Autism to function as independently as possible in society given their specific strengths and weaknesses.These may include sports activities, music programs, cooking programs, snoezelen and Sensory Stimulation, creative arts, social skills groups and outings and therapeutic swimming

Bartimaeus~ support people of all ages who were experiencing emotional, behavioural, psychological and/or developmental problems. Today Bartimaeus offers many direct services to clients with complex needs, as well as customized training and consultation services to customers throughout Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.