Just Diagnosed with Intellectual Disability in Ontario
You're not behind. There's no timeline. Start wherever you're ready and go at your own pace. Everything on this page is free.
Right Now
You're not alone. Whatever you're feeling right now is normal.
Your child is more than a diagnosis. They have their own personality, interests, and gifts. The right support will help them reach their full potential.
Who to call today
Inclusion Canada: 1-416-661-9611
National advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
There's nothing you need to do medically right now that isn't already being handled by your care team.
A note about late-night Googling
We've all done it. At 2am you'll find yourself reading something terrifying written in 1997 that doesn't reflect where things are today. If you're spiraling, close the laptop and come back here tomorrow. The information on this page is current, Canadian, and reviewed. You're going to be okay.
When You're Ready — The Important Stuff
These programs have waitlists — some are months long. Applying now means you'll be closer to the front when you need them. None of this is urgent today. But when you have the energy, start here.
Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
Opens the door to $200/month in child benefits, $90,000 in RDSP grants, and several other tax credits.
How to apply:Ask your child's doctor to fill out form T2201. That's it.
Read the full DTC guideFederal benefits
Ontario provincial programs
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
Needs-based funding for autism services including core clinical services and foundational family supports.
Note: Historically very long waitlists — 50,000+ children. Needs-based approach being phased in.
Official websiteAssistive Devices Program (ADP)
Covers up to 75% of the cost of prescribed equipment (wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, communication devices).
Official websiteSpecial Services at Home (SSAH)
Funding for families to purchase respite care and skills development services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Note: Long waitlists — can take 2-5 years in some regions.
About waitlists
Apply for everything on this list even if you're not ready to use the services yet. You can always decline when your name comes up, but you can't get back the time you spent not on the list. Think of it as holding your place in line.
The Paperwork
Nobody tells you that a disability diagnosis comes with a mountain of paperwork. Here's what you need and where to keep it. Get a folder (physical or digital). Label it. Everything goes in there.
Documents to gather
- 1Get a copy of the psychoeducational or psychological assessment
- 2Request documentation of IQ and adaptive behavior scores
- 3Ask for the specific level of severity (mild, moderate, severe, profound)
- 4Document all current support needs and services
- 5Keep records of school assessments and IEP documents
Always have copies of
- Child's health card
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) — apply if you don't have one
- Birth certificate
- All therapy reports and progress notes
- School records and IEP documents
- Receipts for all medical expenses, therapy, equipment, travel
Track your expenses
Starting today, keep every receipt for anything related to your child's condition: therapy sessions, medications, equipment, mileage to appointments, parking at the hospital. These are claimable on your taxes.
View Tax CalendarBuilding Your Team
Raising a child with Intellectual Disabilityisn't something you do alone. Here are the people and organizations who can help.
National organizations
The Autism & Intellectual Disabilities Knowledge Exchange Network, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Provides online resources, a comprehensive inventory of services and supports by province, and operates 6 in-person locations across Canada. Excellent source for autism funding comparison data across provinces.
Formerly the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), Inclusion Canada is a national federation founded in 1958 with 13 provincial/territorial associations, 300+ local associations, and 40,000+ members. Provides Barrier-Free Benefits: free one-on-one support for DTC, CDB, and RDSP applications through sub-organizations including CACL Foundation, IRIS (research), Inclusive Education Canada, and Ready Willing & Able (employment).
Organizations in Ontario
The Autism & Intellectual Disabilities Knowledge Exchange Network, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Provides online resources, a comprehensive inventory of services and supports by province, and operates 6 in-person locations across Canada. Excellent source for autism funding comparison data across provinces.
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Thorold, Ontario. Provides housing, residential support.
Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 106703416RR0001
Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 118784578RR0001
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Toronto, Ontario. Provides residential support, community inclusion, employment support.
Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 108070665RR0001
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Brampton, Ontario. Provides respite care.
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in London, Ontario. Provides respite care.
Registered Canadian charity providing disability-related services. CRA Registration: 106805880RR0001
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Brampton, Ontario. Provides residential support, community inclusion, employment support.
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Brampton, Ontario. Provides residential support, community inclusion, employment support.
Nonprofit organization supporting individuals and families affected by intellectual disabilities in Brampton, Ontario. Provides residential support, community inclusion, employment support.
Recommended therapies
Here are the therapies typically recommended for Intellectual Disability:
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology
- Life skills training
Specialists to request
- Clinical psychologist for comprehensive cognitive assessment
- Developmental pediatrician
- Speech-language pathologist
- Occupational therapist for daily living skills
- Social worker for support coordination
- Behavior therapist if behavioral challenges present
You are the expert on your child. The doctors are consultants. Don't be afraid to ask questions, disagree, or get a second opinion.
Looking Ahead
You don't need to think about any of this today. Bookmark this section and come back when you're ready — whether that's next month or next year.
RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan)
The government will give your child up to $90,000 over their lifetime — but only if you open this account. You need the DTC first. Once approved, open an RDSP even if you can't contribute. The government deposits bonds for low-income families automatically.
RDSP GuideHenson Trust
If your child will receive provincial disability support as an adult, a regular inheritance could disqualify them. A Henson Trust protects the inheritance without affecting benefits. You don't need to set this up now — but when you write your will, make sure your lawyer knows about Henson Trusts.
Education rights in Ontario
Ontario uses Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students identified through an Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) process. Parents can request an IPRC at any time. Schools must implement the IEP and review it annually. Ontario has specific categories for exceptionalities.
Your Rights guideTurning 18
Children's services end at age 18 (19 in BC). Adult disability programs have separate applications and often long waitlists. This feels far away. It comes faster than you think. But you don't need to worry about it now — just know it's covered in our guide.
Turning 18 GuideTax planning
Most families of children with disabilities leave $10,000+ per year in unclaimed benefits.
You're Not Alone
Thousands of Canadian families navigate this path every year. Connecting with others who understand can make all the difference.
See something wrong or outdated? Report an error
Know of a service we should list?
This directory grows because people in the community help us find what we've missed. Let us know about organizations, programs, or services across Canada.