URGENT RESPONSE SERVICES
Children with autism are particularly vulnerable to harm, including inappropriate behaviours, negative thoughts, and physical aggression. Safety is a critical issue among their families and caregivers. Our Urgent Response Service provides timely services to address a specific need, designed to prevent risk escalation to self, others, and/or property. Children and their families can receive up to 12 weeks of personalized services and support, which may include:
- Short-term consultation with a child’s intervention team, caregivers and educators
- Respite services
- Direct support to the family and professionals involved to implement behaviour therapy with the child using a mediator model approach
Each child and family will have an Urgent Response Service Coordinator working with them to develop and oversee the service plan. The coordinator will also provide service navigation to other services within or outside the Ontario Autism Program.
Registration and Eligibility
The Urgent Response Service is appropriate for you and your child if:
- You have a child between the ages of 0 to 18
- Your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Your child is registered in the Ontario Autism Program
- Your child is showing one of the following high-risk behaviours that have escalated in intensity over the last 14 days:
- Suicidal ideation or behaviour
- Violent thinking
- Fire starting
- Harm to animals
- Risk of exploitation
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Aggression
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Flight risk
- Property destruction
You and your child are not eligible if:
- You need emergency services. Call 911 or your local health department
- Your child’s behaviour requires crisis support service. Refer to our list of distress and crisis phone lines to find the right support
- You need an out-of-home residential service. While respite services may be part of the service, they will be time-limited and require the respite provider to participate in delivering the intervention plan for the child
Have Questions?
Call Us: 1-833-LUMENUS (586-3687) ext. 4700
Email Us: autism.intake@lumenus.ca
