If you live in Toronto and your child has a confirmed diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder toward the severe end of the spectrum, you may apply for service by calling Surrey Place Centre and asking to speak to the TPAS Registration Assistant [416-925-5141, extension 2289].  Only children determined to be falling towards the severe end of the autism spectrum based on a TPAS eligibility screening are able to receive TPAS services.

With a confirmed diagnosis, your child will be registered with TPAS. Information about your family and child will be shared with those who are going to be working with you. This will include Surrey Place Centre, your local quadrant agency, Geneva Centre for Autism and, where appropriate, Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services.

A coordinator from the TPAS Jumpstart Program (at Geneva Centre for Autism) will contact you to provide you with a small group orientation to the parent education and training program.

To apply for service, please see Access Our Services.

Determining Eligibility and Service Needs

Once a written copy of the diagnosis has been received, TPAS will contact you to arrange a screening to determine eligibility for Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI).

A TPAS psychologist will then screen your child to determine if he or she is on the severe end of the spectrum. Only children on the severe end are eligible for TPAS. The psychologist will also evaluate the number of hours of service your child is eligible to receive.

If your child is accepted for IBI, his/her name will be placed on a waitlist until a suitable vacancy occurs. During this time you should be using the Jumpstart Program and working with your Intake Service Coordinator to develop a plan for service, which may include accessing other services in your community.

Service Options

Services from TPAS are funded by the Government of Ontario and are offered at no cost through the five TPAS partner agencies. You have two options for choosing the Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) treatment program for your child: 

• IBI services from TPAS: Your child can receive IBI services from trained staff through one of the five TPAS partner agencies, which is called the Direct Service Option (DSO).  
• IBI services from a private provider: You can choose a private provider for IBI services, which is the Direct Funding Option (DFO). In this case, you would receive funding directly from Surrey Place Centre for approved services. 

With either option, Parent Education and Transition Services remain the same, including Jumpstart and Stepping Stones. The eligibility process is the same for both options.