Thank you for your question. As you know Children’s Treatment Network is a new service delivery model for children with multiple needs living in Simcoe and York. Many of the agencies who provide services to children and families are partners in the Network. CTN has been able to bring added resources and specialized services to our community and build on the existing services. Because there are over 4500 children identified across Simcoe County and York Region with multiple special needs we have been unable to transition all clients into the CTN service delivery model at once. As services and processes become more defined families with children with multiple special needs will hear more about CTN from their child’s team of service providers. In the meantime if you have questions talk to your child’s therapists and service providers. For additional information you can also call CTN at 1-866-377-0286 to talk to a Service Navigator.

To have your name added to our Parent email list please contact info@ctn-simcoeyork.ca and indicate that you would like to receive monthly ebulletins and information from CTN.

The agency in the Midland area that provides Developmental Support Services to adults, children and families is Community Living Huronia.  You could contact them directly.  Also Angela Paylor is our CTN Local Team Facilitator for the Midland Area and she could help to  ensure information about your services were made available to Network members from  the Midland Local Team.

Children’s rehabilitation services for children living in Grey County are provided by Thames Valley Children’s Treatment Centre as well as other local agencies; however, many of the Children’s Treatment Network partners do provide services to children living in Grey County in certain situations. For example, a child living in Grey County may participate in Early Intervention programs, such as those provided through E3 in Collingwood because the service and location is a better fit with the family’s situation.

Certain situations make it necessary to develop an individual approach to a child and family regardless of boundaries. If a family living in Grey County were to call the Children’s Treatment Network of Simcoe York, Children’s Treatment Network Service Navigators would do their best to link the child and family with the most appropriate services and supports. For assistance please call 1 866 377-0286.

Thank you for your question to “Ask Bob” about Assistive Technology Consultants. At this time we are currently building our specialty services for Augmentative Communication and Seating and Mobility. We are unsure at this time as to our requirements for such a position as many of our most complex clients will continue to access tertiary care services at Bloorview Kids Rehab and Sick Children’s Hospital. At this time we are not recruiting specifically for this position however if you would like to forward your resume, please review the application process outlined on our website under Employment and Volunteers.

Thank you
Bob Morton

Answer:  Thank you to Nicola Jones-Stokreef , Developmental Paediatrician, Child Development Services, OSMH and Children's Treatment Network of York and Simcoe, Kim Cross from Blue Hills Child and Family Services and Michelle Beatty from New Path Youth and Family Services,   for helping with the answer to this question. 

“Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a life-long inherited neuropsychiatric disorder that causes involuntary movements and sounds in patients. Appearing during childhood, TS affects three per cent of the general population and it is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders (300,000 affected individuals in Ontario).

Children with Tourette Syndrome  often have developmental and behavioural difficulties  such as a Learning Disability, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Anxiety Disorder and ADHD.  Services for children with TS are usually provided by children’s mental health agencies.  Within the network model, local services can be accessed through children’s mental health agency partners; such as, Kinark Child and Family Services, New Path Youth and Family Services, York Centre for Children Youth and Families, and Blue Hills Child and Family Services.

Should developmental concerns co-exist with Tourette Syndrome then rehabilitation services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or physiotherapy may be accessed through the Children’s Treatment Network.  A call to CTN will link the child and family to the most appropriate Network partner to provide those services
Children with this condition can be seen by a community Paediatrician with a referral from the child’s family doctor. Psychology services can be accessed privately or may be available through the school boards. 

Another resource available to children living in York Region and Simcoe County is the Tourette Syndrome Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital.   Established in 1980, the is the oldest and largest such clinic in Canada. The clinic provides ongoing care for the local population and acts as a tertiary (specialized) referral centre. The Tourette Syndrome Clinic requires a referral from a physician and  provides assessment, consultation, pharmacotherapy follow-up and family counselling and cognitive therapy for both children and adults. 

For more information, contact: 
Tourette's Syndrome Clinic
Toronto Western Hospital
399 Bathurst Street
Toronto, ON M5T 2S8
Telephone: (416) 603-5794

Web Site: www.uhn.ca/programs/tourettes

In the Network model, CTN funds the hiring of staff by Network Partner agencies. Although over 60 percent of positions have been filled, Network partners continue to recruit for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, service coordination, and psychology. Please see the information on the CTN website under Employment and Volunteers.

Thanks to my Inclusive Recreation colleagues from YSSN and Catulpa who have provided some background information to assist me in answering your question.

There are many day and residential camps, within York Region, that provide opportunities for children of all abilities. Summer camp provides hands on activities, for children, to learn and develop new skills and interests. Camp programs are becoming very aware of the range of needs that children have and are gearing camp programs to a wide variety of interests and abilities. In many situations, these camps provide one to one inclusion facilitators to assist in supporting the child in their daily activities.

When looking for camps start with the local Parks and Recreation Department in your municipality and in surrounding municipalities.

A great website is: www.ontariocamps.ca. This website is for the Ontario Camping Association. This site outlines camps for people of all abilities and interests. Many of these camps provide inclusive recreation options.

Just a word about Inclusive Recreation…

Inclusive Recreation staff provide support to Recreation Programs, across Simcoe County and York Region in order that these programs are able to adapt their activities to be inclusive of all children. Inclusive Recreation staff are available to train staff and provide recommendations for equipment and staffing.

For additional information

• In Simcoe County, visit the website at catulpa.on.ca
• In York Region, contact Jennifer Ralph at York Support Services Network, 905-722-6484 ext. 230

Bob

Children’s Treatment Network would be happy to participate in this type of event.  CTN is available to participate in local activities to promote awareness and to share information about the Network and the services provided. Please contact Carolyn Cannon at CTN, 1-877 719 4795 ext. *252 to discuss your event.