Foundational Family Services
Explore our wide range of services rooted in evidence-based strategies for you and your family.
Foundational Family Services
Explore our wide range of services rooted in evidence-based strategies for you and your family.
Call anytime: 519-941-1530
About Foundational Family Services
The Ontario Autism Program has taken a needs-based approach that includes a broad range of services designed to offer more supports to meet the individual needs of families, children and youth. As such, Dufferin Child and Family Services is offering Foundational Family Services to all families registered with the Ontario Autism Program.
We are pleased to announce that you can now book an appointment to access our Foundational Family Services support online.
Foundational Family Service will provide you with the tools you need to participate in, and support your child or youth in their ongoing learning and development.
The first phase of Foundational Family Services builds on the virtual workshop entitled, The Caregiver’s Journey. Additional interactive caregiver workshops are offered below that include information, education and resources on a variety of topics.
Check Out Our Events
Behaviour Basics – Part 1
Behaviour Basics – Part 1
As a parent it can be difficult to understand why your child is engaging in challenging behaviours. It can be equally difficult to understand how best to support them. It’s
Helping Your Child Transition Between Different Environments
Helping Your Child Transition Between Different Environments
Helping children navigate transitions between activities, grades, or different classrooms or schools can be a challenge. However, there are several strategies that parents and educators can employ to ease the
Toilet Learning / Training
Toilet Learning / Training
Are you struggling with teaching your child independent toileting skills? We understand how challenging it can be! Which is why we have created our comprehensive Toilet Learning / Training program
Introducing New Foods / Picky Eaters
Introducing New Foods / Picky Eaters
Are you struggling to get your child to eat a balanced diet? We understand how challenging this can be for parents of autistic children. That’s why we’re excited to announce
How to Help Your Child Go To Sleep and Stay Asleep
How to Help Your Child Go To Sleep and Stay Asleep
Are you struggling with your child’s sleep disturbances and night waking? We understand how stressful it can be, especially for those caring for special needs children. That’s why we’re excited
Our Services
Service Navigator
New to the OAP (Ontario Autism Program), have questions about services, looking for help with your budget, DCAFS Service Navigator is available to help. This role is designed to aid families in learning about the services available for the family, or family member, and what the benefits of various approaches and services can be.

Fee-for-service
DCAFS offers a variety of group or individual services for children of all abilities. These program offers a wide variety of behavioural services to meet the specific needs of children, youth and families and services are customized following a clinical assessment to determine what will optimize the targeted skill development.
Behaviour supports
Our Behaviour Supports programs are designed to meet your family’s goals through the creation of an individualized behaviour support plan. Goals may include: Daily Living Skills, Behaviour Management Skills, School Readiness Skills, Social Skills, and Communication Development.
Skill-based groups
All our skills-based groups are created with an individualized curriculum and are designed using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Each child or youth will be given the opportunity to practice, learn and maintain relevant skills while promoting independence in a leisure setting.
Connection-based groups
Connection-Based groups have been designed to provide enjoyable social opportunities for children and youth. Each group has been created with the objective of practicing skills while creating opportunities to connect with others their own age.