Post Secondary Supports and Services for Developmental Disabilities

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBU2kW4qiaI autoplay:1]

Despite this clip being American, Canadian Families in similar circumstances face very similar challenges.  The challenge of planning for their child's future and the financial burden associated with such future care as, employment, health and/or residence after they have aged out of the school system can surprise families consumed by the day to day challenges they face with their loved ones.  Ontario offers some finacial assistance to these families and persons affected by Developmental Disabilities, but navigating the timely application process can be overwelming and complicated.  Knowing what services and programs one is eligible for, and working with a bureaucray to certify eligibility is a challenge for even the most patient parents.  The co-ordination of these services among different providers (who may not be aware of what the other is doing) may provide discrepant or incomplete information for families.  The Development Services Ontario website offers support and guidence to these individuals and their families.

Explore the Developmental Services Ontario website to search for answers to the questions provided.  The process section of this webquest will provide a link to the featured website as well as the questions you will need to answer.

Choose one of the two listed statements to complete in a reflection:

• The Developmental Disabilities Ontario website is a great tool for both teachers and parents because...

I was disappointed in the Developmental Disabilities Ontario website as a tool for teachers and parents because...

The following websites/utube clips were used to create this webquest:

www.createwebquest.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBU2kW4qiaI

http://www.dsotoronto.ca/

Answer Key:

Learning Task #1 : 

What are the four supports DSO provides to users and what do they hope to provide to clients in the future?

• 1. provides information to individuals and families about community programs and resources
  2. confirms eligibility for services and supports
  3. determines service and support needs
  4. links people to services and supports

  in the future...

  • will administer direct funding agreements

Bonus: Can you name the agency in Peel that provides DSO services?

                 Sunbeam Residential Development Centre

Learning Task # 2:

Name a specific document in addition to the birth certificate and proof of address, required to determin eligibility  for services, and briefly explain the three criteria explored from this document as they relate to the requirements of elegibility

psychological assessment or report signed by a psychologist or psychological associate registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario in another province) that states the individual has a developmental disability in accordance with the Act and Regulation

• Cognitive Functioning: indicated as an overall (full-scale IQ score of two standard deviations below the mean.  This equates to a standard score of 75 or lower

• Adaptive Functioning:  practical (daily living, work-related skills and community participation), conceptual (language, reading, writing, use of money, time and number concepts) and social skills (inerpersonal skills, self-esteem, social responsibility, and social problem-solving)
• Age of Onset:  confirm that limitations in cognitive and adaptive functioning were present before age 18.

Learning Task # 3

What kinds of information might be considered in person-directed planning and how might one go about setting appropriate goals?

• Learner's vision (dreams, hopes for future)
• All about the Learner (important routines, history, likes/dislikes, health, career dream)
• Relationships (who is important to you now)
• Talents/Abilities
• How you communicate

Setting appropriate goals should include thinking steps and action steps