Children’s disABILITY Services
Services and Supports
Children’s disABILITY Services offers a range of services and supports for children with disabilities and their families. Many services can be provided at home, in a child care centre, at school or at another site chosen by the therapist or a Children’s disABILITY Services worker.
*Please note: The amount of service a family receives depends on eligibility, assessed need and the program resources available.
Parents and guardians are responsible for arranging child care for their children. Visit the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) website for more information on child care in Manitoba.
All children under 12 can attend licensed child care in Manitoba. To help children with additional support needs take part in child care programs and activities, licensed providers may access Inclusion Support Program services and supports.
Case Management
Case workers provide individualized support to meet the unique and changing needs of children with disabilities and their families. Support may include providing information on disability-related resources, service navigation and coordination, transition planning, and supportive counselling to families.
Respite
Respite is a break from the very unique demands of caring for a child with disabilities. It is available to parents who need a short-term break, and can be provided in or outside the child’s home. For children who have lifelong, complex medical needs, respite can be provided by a registered nurse through the local regional health authority.
Therapy
Children who need therapy services will be referred to their regional central intake for the Children’s Therapy Network of Manitoba (CTNM). Families can also self refer. Therapies that may be available include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and audiology. Please visit the Children's Therapy Network of Manitoba website for more information.
Child Development Services for Pre-school Children
Child development is an early intervention service for children from birth to 6 years of age who are eligible for Children disABILITY Services. The goal of this service is to maximize the overall developmental potential of children by transferring skills and knowledge to parents/caregivers and by building on families’ strengths. More information is available on the Child Development Service pamphlet.
Autism Services
Autism Outreach is a consultative service that teaches parents and caregivers autism intervention methods to practice with their children. This service is based on a developmental based approach called DIR/Floortime. This service is delivered by the Department of Families.
For more information, visit the Early Intervention Services webpage or contact 204-599-5664.
St.Amant Early Learning Program: Programming based on the principles of ABA is available for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Programs are personalized and use behavioural strategies to teach skills across a number of areas.
For more information, visit St.Amant’s Early Intervention for Children with Autism webpage or contact 204-258-7041.
Behavioural Services
Behavioural specialists may assess a child’s challenging behaviours, and, together with the family, develop a plan that addresses the child’s needs.
Summer Skills Programming
Children’s disABILITY Services can help school-age children maintain their skills during the summer months. This is done by providing supports children need to access programs and activities that promote what they have learned during the school year.
Adolescent Care (Employment Support)
Care and supervision may be available for adolescents who can no longer access child care, but still need to be looked after and supervised outside school hours, while their parents are at work.
Supplies, Equipment and Home/Vehicle Modifications
Children’s disABILITY Services may provide funding for certain supplies, equipment and home or van modifications at a basic level. These supports are provided through the Disability and Health Supports Unit. For more information on what’s available, visit the Disability and Healthy Supports Unit.
Transportation
Families may receive financial support to subsidize the costs of transportation to and from their child’s medical appointments and other specialized services. This support is mainly provided to families in rural and northern Manitoba.
What are the limits to these services?
Children’s disABILITY Services recognizes that each family’s circumstances are different, and assesses the needs of each family individually. The amount of service a family receives depends on eligibility, assessed need and the program resources available.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact the regional Children’s disABILITY Services office for your community.
