There are 21 children's treatment centres across Ontario that provide rehabilitation services to nearly 45,000 children and youth with moderate or severe disabilities and other special needs every year. These disabilities can be physical, developmental and/or communicative.

Each treatment centre is designed to meet the needs of its local community. They offer a wide range of rehabilitation and treatment services, including:

• physiotherapy
• occupational therapy
• speech and language therapy.

Many other programs and services may be offered depending on local needs.

Who can get help?

These services are offered to children and youth up to 19 years old who have special needs, such as:

• cerebral palsy
• brain injury
• developmental or learning disorders
• Down syndrome
• spina bifida
• autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• chronic or long-term medical conditions.

How to apply

A child may be referred to a children's treatment centre by:

• parents
• an educational/health professional, or
• a physician.

If you need more information, please contact the ministry's regional office nearest you.