The Maltby Centre and a coalition of agencies across Southeastern Ontario have been selected by the Government of Ontario to deliver Project ImPACT – a new evidence-based program to teach parents of children with autism under the age of 4 years how to improve their child’s social communication skills. The funding is being rolled out as part of changes to the Ontario Autism Program.
“We’re pleased to be leading this new and innovative program for young children with autism together with our partners. This comes as we mark our 25th anniversary of service to this community and we are thrilled to celebrate it by starting this new program that will make such a difference to some of the kids and parents we serve,” said Karen Fleming, Executive Director of the Maltby Centre.
The Maltby Centre is one of Ontario’s leading autism services providers. It has been providing autism services in KFL&A for more than 25 years. The Maltby Centre led partnership includes ConnectWell Community Health, Counselling Services of Belleville & District and the Early Expressions Pre-School Speech & Language Program.
The program is expected to start in the Summer/Fall and will support an estimated number of 30 children aged one to four years over the two year period. Each family will be supported by trained professionals over a short, intense interval. The curriculum includes group and individual components.
Exact timelines and other details are still being worked on and will be announced soon. The program will focus on building parents’ and caregivers’ capacity to support their child’s skill development in social interaction, play, communication, emotional development and adaptive development and self-help skills using the Project ImPACT curriculum.
