When we adapt care, we improve care
The ABILITY program helps improve health outcomes for children and youth who need specialized or complex medical care at SickKids Hospital. We work alongside your family and existing care providers to tailor care to your child’s unique needs.
You’ll receive support from a specialized team to:
- Reduce your child’s distress and improve cooperation during treatments
- Navigate referrals to specialists
- Increase safety and effectiveness of care at SickKids or at home
Who we support
The ABILITY program supports children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism who require complex medical care at SickKids.
What to expect
Consultation appointments
Once accepted into the program, you’ll be asked to schedule inpatient or ambulatory consultation appointments at SickKids Hospital, typically 60-90 minutes each.
Work with an interprofessional team
Your team may include paediatricians, a psychiatrist, a developmental paediatrician, nurses, developmental service workers, service coordinator, developmental consultant and/or a program coordinator.
Receive recommendations
Your team will provide assessment, consultation and recommendations using a developmental and behavioural approach. They’ll work alongside family members and existing care providers, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
In order to be eligible, a client must be a child or youth with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder requiring tertiary care at SickKids and 1 of 4 indications:
- Behavioural challenges impacting access to care
- Behavioural escalation leading to more healthcare visits
- Developmental or behavioural regression
- Infant or child with Down syndrome that has medical complexity requiring consultative support
Appointments are typically 60–90 minutes, depending on the type of consultation or procedure. Your medical provider will provide thorough details on what to expect before each appointment.
Our team can support you with:
▪ Developing a plan for visual supports
▪ Pre-sedation before going to the hospital
▪ Adapting procedures as needed for sedation
▪ Behaviour strategies
▪ Child life support
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