Children with Exceptional or Special Needs

Infant and Child Development

Some children are born with exceptional needs or an exceptional need is identified later as the child grows. Infant and Child Development offers services, assistance, and support to families of young children who may be experiencing developmental concerns, delays or disabilities.

A range of services are available to children up to age five who are not attending licensed child care or kindergarten. Services differ depending on your child’s development or your preferences. Services may include:

  • Child development information
  • Developmental screening and assessment
  • Developmental intervention
  • Family coaching
  • Links to other services
  • Referral facilitation and/or service coordination

For more information, contact us at 519-575-4400 ext. 5002 or email icdp@regionofwaterloo.ca

Parents and professionals can send a referral form:

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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