At blueballoon Health Services we understand that the number of services and programs offered to children is vast and can be challenging to navigate. We hope that the following information and links is of interest and helps in the process of finding the best supports for you and your child.

• http://www.cuevasmedek.com
• Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care Health Links on Children and Youth
• AutismConnects: A Virtual Community of Autism Spectrum Stakeholders
• Autism Speaks
• Places to See, Things to Do in and around Toronto: This document outlinesdiscounts available for individuals with disabilities.
• AutismSpot uses streaming video to provide the latest in education and information to the global Autism Community.

Financial Supports / Private Insurance Coverage
Several options exist to help families pay for our therapeutic services:

Private Workplace Extended Healthcare Insurance Coverage

Provincial Government offers support through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for programs and services for:

• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities
• Child care programs for children with special needs
• Children with autism
• Children and youth with developmental disabilities
• Infant Development Programs
• Children's rehabilitation services/Children's Treatment Services
• Child and Youth Mental Health Services
• Infant Hearing Program
• Preschool Speech and Language Program
• Residential Services
• Respite Programs
• Special Services at Home

Federal Government: Disability amount transferred from a dependant
You may have a dependant who is eligible for the disability amount, and that person may not need to claim some or all of that amount on his or her income tax return. Under certain conditions, your dependant may be able to transfer some or all of this amount to you.
The T2201 Disability Tax credit certificate can be found along with other information at the link above.

Community-based or not-for-profit organizations such as President’s Choice Children's Charity, Down Syndrome Association, Jennifer Ashley Foundation have helped past and current clients with supportive funding

By participating in our groups programs, clients’ costs can be significantly reduced.

Another available resource: Accessible Parking Permit program (formerly the Disabled Person Parking Permit program). Obtain an application from the Ministry of Transportation for a handicapped sticker for your vehicle and ensure the child's name is on the application. Your family doctor can sign the form for submission to the Ministry of Transportation.

Suggested Reading

• J. Alvin: Music Therapy for the Autistic Child, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1978.
• E. Boxill: Music Therapy for the Developmentally Disabled, Rockville, MD: Aspen Systems Corp., 1985.
• C. Clark & D. Chadwick: Clinically Adapted Instruments for the Multiply Handicapped, Westford, MA: Modulations Co., 1979.
• F. Herman & J.C. Smith: Accentuate the Positive: Expressive Arts for Children with Disabilities, Toronto, ON: Jimani Publications, 1988.
• S. Nocera: Reaching the Special Learner Through Music, Morristown, NJ: Silver-Burdett, 1979.
• P. Nordoff & C. Robbins: Creative Music Therapy, New York, NY: John Day Co., 1977
• C. Robbins & C. Robbins: Music for the Hearing Impaired and Other Special Groups, St. Louis, MO: Magna-Music Baton, 1980
• Carloyb, Webster-Stratton: Incredible Years Parenting Program
• Thomas W. Phelan: 1-2-3 Magic
• Ross W. Green:The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated , Chronically Inflexible Children
• Sarah Chana Radcliffe: Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice
• Norman Doige:The Brain that Changes Itself
• Katharina Manassis:  Keys to Parenting Your Anxious Child
• Edward Hallowell & John Ratey:  Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood (1995)
• Carol Kranowitz:  The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction-Revised Edition (2006)
• Russle Barkley:  Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents, Revised Edition (2005)