Caregivers meet with a member of the interdisciplinary team once a week for a 17-week period with two follow-up meetings, for a total of 19 sessions.

The program uses an individualized approach unique to each family’s needs and provides a naturalistic teaching framework that is flexible, accessible, collaborative, and supportive.

Caregivers have a chance to collaborate with the team to: 

• develop individualized goals for their child
• practice teaching strategies which are derived from the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
• Participate in sessions with the Speech Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist focused on addressing concerns parents have and completing an assessment of the child’s skills.
• Participate in sessions with the Parent Coach focused on finalizing goals and supporting caregivers in learning strategies to teach individualized goals to their child.

Please note:

• Meetings range in length from 1 to 1.5 hours per week.
• Families are asked to identify one caregiver who can participate in every session.
• Additionally, caregivers are asked to practice the strategies across different activities throughout their day.

Are you Eligible?

1. Child has a suspected, provisional, or confirmed diagnosis of Autism;
2. Child is between the ages of 12 and 31 months at the start of the program;
3. One immediate caregiver can commit to attending all sessions;
4. Not enrolled in more than 10 hours per week of services elsewhere

Click here for the Referral Information Form

The program takes place for two, 1 hour sessions per week across a period of 4 months. QuickStart NS team members work directly with the child to teach skills across developmental areas through play-based activities for a 3-month period. Parent coaching will be the main focus for the last month of service. This is a limited service to support the learning of QuickStart staff.

Are you Eligible? 

1. Child has a suspected, provisional, or confirmed diagnosis of Autism
2. Child is between the ages of 31 and 45 months at the start of the program
3. A caregiver is to be present during sessions; and
4. Not enrolled in Parent-Mediated Coaching or more than 10 hours per week of services elsewhere

Click here for the Referral Information Form

Supports caregivers with sleep related concerns that is becoming a major barrier to their child’s quality of life.

A sleep assessment and plan are completed in the first weeks of service, followed by regular check-ins on progress and support for caregivers. The service will be on average, 6 weeks, based on the needs and progress of the child. This is a limited service.

Are you Eligible?

1. Child has a suspected, provisional, or confirmed diagnosis of Autism;
2. Child is between the ages of 12 and 45 months at the start of the program;
3. Eligible or enrolled in Parent-Mediated Coaching or ESDM
4. Reside in the Halifax Regional Municipality (for in-person);
5. One caregiver is to be present during sessions;
6. Sleep concerns are a main focus and are becoming a major barrier to child’s or caregivers’ quality of life; and
7. Aiming to not use medication for sleep

Click here for the Referral Information Form

Supports caregivers with a specific behaviour that is of concern and is becoming a major barrier to their child’s quality of life.

A Functional Behaviour Assessment is used to support in developing a plan to guide caregivers in understanding and build skills for themselves and the child. The service will be on average, 6 weeks, based on the needs and progress of the child. This is a limited service.

Are you Eligible?

1. Child has a suspected, provisional, or confirmed diagnosis of Autism;
2. Child is between the ages of 12 and 45 months at the start of the program;
3. Eligible or enrolled in Parent-Mediated Coaching or ESDM
4. Reside in the Halifax Regional Municipality (for in-person); and
5. A specific behaviour that is a main concern and are becoming a major barrier to child’s or caregivers’ quality of life;

Click here for the Referral Information Form