Urgent Response Services (URS)
Rapid autism support to stabilize urgent and escalating behaviour
How to register:
Need Further Assistance?
Keep your child safe by preventing high-risk behaviours
Children and youth with autism can sometimes engage in high-risk behaviours, which can make them more vulnerable to harming themselves, others, or property. Urgent Response Services provide support to reduce these risks.
Please note that this service is not intended for emergencies or crisis situations that require immediate intervention. It is preventative support to address behaviours that have recently escalated so we can reduce further risk.
Who we support
Children and teens ages 0–18 with an autism diagnosis who are experiencing high-risk behaviours that have escalated within the past 14 days
What to expect
After Registration
Families can self-refer or can be referred by a clinician, care coordinator, or other relevant professionals. Upon referral, you will be screened to determine if your child is eligible. If you are eligible, an Urgent Response Services coordinator will work with you to develop the intervention plan.
If you are not eligible, the coordinator will help the family connect with other services within or outside the Ontario Autism Program.
Service Plan
The Surrey Place team designs the service plan for the child and family with an Urgent Response Services coordinator. The coordinator may make referrals to other services outside of the Urgent Response Services that might be helpful to your family.
Mediator Model
The behavioural intervention is based on a mediator model approach. This means the clinician works with your circle of care to support you in managing the child’s behaviour. The clinician does not provide behavioural intervention directly to the child alone. Therefore, you, as the caregiver, will need to work actively with the clinician(s) during service to de-escalate the target behaviour.
Monitor Services
Once the plan is implemented, the coordinator will monitor the services. The coordinator will meet with your family at the end of the six-week period to review the plan and once again before completing the service.
Additional Support
Other professionals currently working with the child and the family, such as a core service provider or an educator, may be called upon at the start of the process. They will be a part of the team designing the intervention for the child. They may be asked to meet during and/or at the end of the service to support the family.
Urgent Response Services are appropriate for you and your child if:
- You have a child between the ages of 0 and 18
- Your child has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Your child is registered in the Ontario Autism Program
- Your child is showing one of the following high-risk behaviours that have escalated in intensity over the last 14 days:
- Suicidal ideation or behaviour
- Violent thinking
- Fire starting
- Harm to animals
- Risk of exploitation
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Aggression
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Flight risk
- Property destruction
You and your child are not eligible if:
- You need emergency services. Call 911 or your local health department.
- Your child’s behaviour requires crisis support service. Refer to our list of distress and crisis phone lines to find the right support.
- You need an out-of-home residential service. While respite services may be part of the service, they will be time-limited and require the respite provider to participate in delivering the intervention plan for the child.
Yes, a report will be shared with you outlining the assessment findings and service recommendations. We offer a range of ABA services to meet your child’s needs, including:
- Group Therapy: small groups focusing on communication, social skills and emotional regulation.
- 1-to-1 Focused Behavioural Intervention: Individualized sessions targeting specific goals.
- Full Day ABA: Comprehensive daily programs that work on a variety of developmental areas.
What to Expect in Urgent Response Services – Outlines the steps that you and your
child or youth with autism will go through as part of Urgent Response Services
Using the Mediator Model – Learn more about a method you will be expected to use at home with your child while participating in the Urgent Response Services
How URS Helped Me and My Child – A parent speaks about the incredible impact Surrey Place’s Urgent Response Services had on her daughter during a challenging time
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