There are exciting career opportunities within the Ontario Autism Sector!
About Us
This website is a free resource and our goal is to raise awareness about the exciting employment opportunities that exist within the Ontario Autism Sector, and to support students and professionals by providing information, answers to their questions and inspiration about what is possible.
ACT Learning Centre is collaborating with therapy practices across Ontario, with an emphasis on Northern, Rural and Francophone partners, to build capacity so that children and youth receiving support through the needs-based Ontario Autism Program will have improved access to high quality clinical services. For 2022/2023 the focus is on Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Assistants roles within the Ontario Autism Sector. The ACT Learning Centre grant is funded by the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Workforce Capacity Fund Grant – Sector Innovation Stream.
About Us
This website is a free resource and our goal is to raise awareness about the exciting employment opportunities that exist within the Ontario Autism Sector, and to support students and professionals by providing information, answers to their questions and inspiration about what is possible.
ACT Learning Centre is collaborating with therapy practices across Ontario, with an emphasis on Northern, Rural and Francophone partners, to build capacity so that children and youth receiving support through the needs-based Ontario Autism Program will have improved access to high quality clinical services. The the focus is on Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA), Mental Health and Assistant roles. The ACT Learning Centre grant is funded by the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Workforce Capacity Fund Grant – Sector Innovation Stream.
Career Options
If you’re looking for a career you love, while making a difference in the lives of children with Autism, look no further!
Working in the Autism sector means working as part of a multidisciplinary team providing exceptional and impactful services to children and youth with Autism and their families.
See below for a Careers Description for the following roles:
- Occupational Therapist (OT) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
- Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
- Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) and Behaviour Therapist
- Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Psychologist
Occupational Therapist (OT)
An Occupational Therapist (OT) is a healthcare professional that is trained in a range of therapeutic techniques and strategies. What makes an OT unique is their focus on enabling meaningful occupation, that is, the activities that a child wants or needs to do. These can be any activities from playing, to eating, to participating in school projects, to communicating effectively.
OTs take a holistic approach to therapy. They are trained to consider a range of factors that might impact a child’s ability to engage in meaningful activities.
Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a healthcare professional with specialized knowledge, skills and training in the assessment and management of communication delays and disorders. Social communication, connecting with and understanding others, is at the heart of the SLP’s role in supporting children and youth with autism. SLP services assist in all areas of communication and social interaction, including the development of verbal and non-verbal communication, play and social learning. SLP services may also include helping clients to choose and learn to use augmentative and alternative communication systems, produce clearer speech, use their voices in healthy ways and speak without stuttering.
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
The work of an OTA is supervised by an Occupational Therapist. Following the OT assessment, the OTA carries out the plan of care and play based activities. The OTA works regularly with the client and reports back to the OT about what works and what isn’t working as well, so that the plan of care can be adapted by the OT. The OTA plays an important role in carrying out programming and is a member of the multidisciplinary team.
Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA)
A Behaviour Analyst (RBA) is a regulated healthcare professional with graduate-level certification in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). RBAs are responsible for observing and evaluating the behaviour of individuals, looking at how their environment affects behaviour, and using that information to increase meaningful behaviours or reduce interfering and problematic behaviours.
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
A CDA works under the suppression and direction of qualified Speech-Language Pathologists. The CDA carries out the programming that has been established by the SLP, and reports back about what is working well and what isn’t working as well so that the plan of care can be adapted by the SLP. The CDA plays an important role in carrying out programming and is a member of the multidisciplinary team.
Behaviour Therapist
The work of a Behaviour Therapist is supervised by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA). The Behaviour Therapist carries out the interventions and teaching of programming goals.
Psychologist
Psychologists are regulated health professionals who can perform diagnosis and psychotherapy. Depending on areas of expertise, psychologists/psychological associates may also offer behaviour consultation, parenting support, disability counselling, training and coaching, support for siblings, family therapy, workshops, presentations and community outreach.
Social Worker (RSW)
Social Workers are regulated health professionals who work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve individual and collective well-being. Universities across Ontario offer degree programs in social work at the bachelor's, master’s and PhD levels.
Social Workers can support autistic children and youth through counselling, advocacy and connecting them to the community and support services.
Psychotherapist (RP)
Psychotherapy offered by Registered Psychotherapists is a primarily talk-based therapy intended to help people improve and maintain their mental health and well-being. Psychotherapy occurs when the RP and client enter into a psychotherapeutic relationship where they work together to bring about positive change in the client’s thinking, feeling, behaviour and social functioning.
Individuals usually seek psychotherapy when they have thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours that are adversely affecting their day-to-day lives, relationships and ability to enjoy life.
Did you know...
Each day is a bit different and creativity and a playful approach are key!
Working in the Autism sector means that you are learning, playing, and making a difference every day.
No prior experience in the pediatric field is required. As a qualified and trained OT, SLP, RBA, Mental Health professional, OTA, CDA or BT you have the foundation you need!
When you pursue working with the Autism sector, you are supported by mentorship by experienced OTs, SLPs, RBAs, Mental Health professionals and therapy assistants.
Support
Do you want to find out more about a career in the Ontario Autism sector? Are you considering pursuing the field of Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Behavioural therapy, Mental Health or therapy assistant? Please see below for the following options:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP)?
The OAP is a government funded program that consists of needs-based services and supports for children with autism. These include the following pillars:
- Foundational family services
- Caregiver-mediated early years programs
- Core clinical services
- Entry to school program
- Urgent response services
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What does Core Clinical Services mean?
Core Clinical Services are one of five pillars of needs-based supports for children and youth registered in the OAP. Based on an individual child’s needs, the OAP Core Clinical Services can include:
- Speech-language Pathology (SLP)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Mental Health Services
- Technology, program materials and/or therapy equipment
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What experience does an OT, SLP, RBA, CDA, OTA, Mental Health Professional or BT need to work in these roles within the Ontario Autism sector?
Many employers will provide autism-specific training. Employers may also provide continuing education virtually or in-person to support your learning. There are many opportunities for student placements, please reach out to us to find out more. There is also advocacy work happening to ensure that autism-specific course content is a part of college and university curriculum for SLP, OT, RBA, MH, BT, OTA and CDA programs.
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Is there room for career growth in the Autism sector?
Yes, absolutely. There are opportunities in terms of roles with direct service delivery, as well as program supervision and management. This is a growing sector, therefore these and other opportunities are available.
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What is unique about a career in the Ontario Autism Sector?
Within the Ontario Autism Sector there is a lot of opportunity for diversification. You can work in caregiver-mediated program, coaching training parents, direst service provision, program development. Autism impacts individuals across the life span so there is also diversity as far as what age groups you will have the opportunity to work with. Autism spectrum is a multi-system disorder, and the best approach is a multidisciplinary approach and this allows for the opportunity to work with other professions to impact change.
Contact
ACT Learning Centre is collaborating with therapy practices across Ontario, Canada, with an emphasis on practices that are providing Autism services to Northern, Rural and Francophone.
This collaboration is aimed to build capacity so that children and youth receiving support through the needs-based Ontario Autism Program will have improved access to high quality clinical services, regardless of their geographic location in Ontario.
Career opportunities are available across Ontario.
