What are my options?
The first thing you need to know when considerating medication for Autism/ADHD is that you have options. Whether you’re a neurodivergent person trying to live your best life or a caregiver struggling to make treatment decisions, it’s important to know what else is out there .
And it’s especially important to know what supports, resources and interventions are available in your own community
To help get you started, we’ve rounded up a number of non-medication resources available in communities across Canada. These resources are expressly designed to assist with the challenges faced by people living with ASD/ADHD and related conditions.
Resources like these enable many neuro-divergent people to thrive with reduced doses of medication - or in some cases, none at all. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making any treatment decisions or changes to your medications.
Scroll down to find resources available in your city/geographic area. Your hometown isn’t listed? Please keep checking back - we are working to add more regions.
Winnipeg Region
St Amant 204-256-4301 https://stamant.ca
Comprehensive not-for-profit resource providing support to Manitobans with developmental disabilities and autism.
Programs and Services include:
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Early intervention and respite services
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Large residence for complex care
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More than 100 community sites and homes
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River Road Child Care Centre
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Home and School consults/ support for children with autism
Inspire Community Outreach 204-996-1547 https://inspirecommunityoutreach.ca
Non-profit agency supporting families, children and youth with all types of differences, including behavioural challenges, ADHD, anxiety, and Autism.
Services Include:
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Advocacy, education and programming support for families with children to age 21.
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Stabilization support for families with children age 3-29, who are in high levels of distress and whose needs are not currently being met through existing social services and mental health systems.
Family Advocacy Network (FAN)
Network of family members and caregivers of people, both children and adults, with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Membership is free and province wide.
Provides opportunities for families to get together with, learn from and encourage and support other families. Formed to advocate for positive changes in supports and services.
Activities Include:
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Resource and information sharing
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Peer support and community connections
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Advocacy/Lobbying government
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Community meetings to identity family’s needs and concerns.
Neurodiversity Manitoba httpo//neurodiversitymb.ca Jillian@neurodiversityMb.Ca
Services on sliding scale based on household incomes.
Services Include:
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Provides individual consulting by phone call or video chat
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Coaching and advocacy to public health and educational resources for neuro-diverse children.
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Connecting Through Horses -Sagehill Stables 1-800-217-4184
Non-profit organization using horses that have been demonstrated to improve physical, mental or spiritual wellness for at-risk populations, inclusiving persons with disabilities and mental health disorders.
Programs Include:
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Speech and language pathology
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Equine assisted life skill program
Transformative Music Therapy 204-764-0314 https://transformativemusictherapy.com
Offers trauma-informed music therapy services for individuals, families and organizations in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba.
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Partners with organizations to offer free services to their participants
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Offers sliding scale pricing options to our private clients
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Offers select services for free throughout the year
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Actively seeks out grants to help fund private sessions.
Prelude Music 204-800-1332 info@preludemusic.ca
Music therapists specialized in working with children and adolescents with various diagnoses.
Goals of Therapy may Include:
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Improved executive function
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Improved social skills
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Improved communication
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Improved motor skills
The ADD Centre https://www.addcentrewinnipeg.com/
Individualized training program using Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Brain Training to help children and adults with ADD/ADHD to learn to focus, concentrate, and find success.
Over a series of one-hour sessions, these methods teach the brain to avoid distraction and stay on task.
Program includes applying skills to academic/ work tasks (reading, problem solving and listening skills), resulting in improved attention, concentration and behaviour and increases in academic performance. For many individuals, there is a decreased need for use of stimulant medication.
Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre : Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Service (ADHD)
https://matc.ca/ 204-958-6270 • 204-958-6287
Has a Provincial mandate to provide assessment and treatment for children and youth ages 6 to 17 years and their families, including both medication based and non-medication interventions.
Telehealth consultation services are provided to those that are living outside of Winnipeg.
Families may self-refer through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centralized Intake Service at 204-958-9660.
Non- Medication Services include:
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Behavioural management/parenting strategies
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Group activities
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Occupational Therapy consultation, treatment, education
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School liaison
Positive Kids ADHD Tutor in WINNIPEG
https://positivekids.ca/ 1-866-503-7454 or info@positivekids.ca
A team of therapists, teachers and Winnipeg consultants and tutors working together to help children overcome challenges associated with ADHD.
Services are focused on helping children with effective studying habits, time management skills, and motivational impediments. Uses positive reinforcements to increase self awareness in order to help children help themselves.
This resource information is provided to assist in making informed decisions about your care or that of your loved one. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement of a given resource, program or treatment approach by SOAR.
Halifax Region
·Girl Strong
Program offered by Autism Nova Scotia 902-446 4995 https://www.autismnovascotia.ca/)
Small group workshops aimed at helping adolescent girls (ages 12 to 18) on the autism spectrum cope with anxiety more effectively. Participants attend six weekly sessions, with each session helping them learn to better understand their emotions and gain practical strategies to manage their anxiety.
·Autism Aviators program offered by Autism Nova Scotia in partnership with Halifax Stanfield Airport 902-446-4995 or toll-free 1-877-544-4495 https://www.autismnovascotia.ca/)
Designed to reduce the stress, upset and potential meltdowns experienced by some autistic children and youth when travelling by air. Prepares participating families for a positive air travel experience through resource material as well as a professionally guided airport walk-through showing and explaining each step of air travel – from preparing to go to the airport, checking in, going through security and finally, boarding the plane.
Dartmouth South Professional Centre https://atlanticadhd.com/therapy-services/
Services for children, adolescents, adults and families, all designed to improve quality of life for individuals with behavioral and emotional challenges - including those associated with ADHD. A variety of treatment approaches tailored to suit the needs of children adolescents and adults, including:
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Social Skills Training
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ADHD Psychosocial Treatment
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Play Therapy
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Behavioural Therapy
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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Family Therapy.
Spirit Psychological ADHD Coaching https://spiritpsychological.ca/
ADHD Coaching and Psycho-educational counselling to assist with:
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Understanding ADHD and how it impacts you
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Developing techniques to improve attention/focus
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Improving impulse control
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Improving time management
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Developing planning skills
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Maximizing productivity
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Setting and attaining goals
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Increasing confidence
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Learning to self-advocate