About Interdisciplinary Autism Services (IAS)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a diagnostic term for a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people communicate, behave and interact with other people. Some children and youth with ASD also have interfering behaviour such as aggression, self-injury, destructiveness or getting "stuck".

IAS clinicians, such as psychologists, behaviour specialists, speech language pathologists and occupational therapists, meet with children, youth and families to review current concerns such as symptoms, interfering behaviour and diagnosis.

Sometimes assessments are completed to collect new or updated information. The information collected by IAS clinicians is used by the clinical team to make recommendations and intervention suggestions.

Eligibility

Interdisciplinary Autism Services are designed for children and youth up to age 18 with suspected or confirmed complex autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Having complex ASD means having ASD and other challenges, such as:

  • medical or mental health challenges
  • significantly interfering behaviour symptoms which suggest that a child or youth has ASD
  • additional complex concerns

Generally, local services available to support a child/youth in their home community are accessed first before a referral to the Child and Parent Resources Institute (CPRI) is considered. This may include a paediatrician, psychiatrist, or a child & youth mental health/developmental service provider.

How to access services

You can submit an outpatient referral form for this service if you are:

  • the child or youth's parent
  • the child or youth in need of service
  • or a member of the child or youth's care team (such as doctor, community agency, school, etc.) with the consent of the child or youth, parent/guardian or substitute decision maker
  • in some communities, outpatient referrals are processed through your local Single Point Access Mechanism

All referral forms must be signed by the child or youth's doctor.

Learn more about the referral process and access referral forms.

Where appointments are held

Medical appointments may be held at CPRI or virtually, depending on the reason for referral and the specific needs of the child or youth.

Assessments by other clinicians may be completed at CPRI, virtually, and/or at the child's or youth's home or school.

The best place for appointments is decided based on the child's, youth's and family's needs and circumstances.

Services for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder

Get more information about ASD, including access to:

Read the ASD Connector

The ASD Connector is a publication of articles written several times per year by clinicians of CPRI's Interdisciplinary Autism Service.

The articles are inspired by their experiences providing service to children and youth with ASD. They are written for families, educators, service providers and other involved professionals.

Sign up to get the latest edition of the ASD Connector delivered to your mailbox.