Children with Exceptional or Special Needs

The Infant and Child Development Program (ICDP) is now offered by KW Habilitation!

Some children are born with different needs. Others may develop concerns as they grow. 

KW Habilitation offers flexible, family-centered supports for children from birth to six years old who live in Waterloo Region and are not yet in licensed child care or kindergarten. Their Infant and Child Development Consultants support families with young children who have a suspected or confirmed developmental delay or are at risk of developmental delay. Supports are tailored to your child’s development and your family's goals and preferences.

Support may include:

  • Family visits
  • Child development information
  • Developmental screening
  • Linkage to other services
  • Referral facilitation
  • Service coordination

How to make a referral

Referrals can be made by parents, caregivers or professionals using the online referral form. To learn more, email icdp@kwhab.ca.

Eligibility criteria

Caregivers are eligible for ICDP support if their child:

  • Is 0–6 years old (birth to school entry)
  • Lives in Waterloo Region
  • Has a suspected or confirmed developmental delay, or is at risk of developmental delay

Finding Licensed Services for Children with Special Needs

The Special Needs Access Point (SNAP) is a single access point for children up to 12 years who are currently attending or seeking to enroll in a licensed child care program in Waterloo Region. SNAP accepts referrals from child care programs, parents, and community agencies.

Please visit the Special Needs Resourcing Collaborative website where you can find more information about referrals, what supports are available, and resources for both parents and early learning child care centers.

Financial Assistance

Help Paying for Child Care

Without help to pay for it, many families cannot afford quality child care. The Region of Waterloo's Child Care Subsidy program helps parents pay for care so that they can go to work or school knowing their children are well cared for.

Visit Help Paying for Child Care for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities

If you are a parent or guardian who is caring for a child with a severe disability you may be able to get financial support through the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) Program. This program provides financial support for low-income and moderate-income families to cover some of the extra costs of caring for a child who has a severe disability.

Visit Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

Special Services at Home

Families who are caring for a child with a developmental and/or physical disability can apply to the Special Services at Home (SSAH) program to get funding for:

  • Primary caregiver relief and related supports
  • Activities of personal growth or development for the child, including camps and recreational activities, like swimming and music classes

Visit Special Services at Home for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

This program helps families pay for special services in or outside the family home. Visit Special Services at Home for more information on eligibility and how to apply.

Community Supports

Support for families and children with exceptional or special needs is also available through our community partners:

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