Additional Autism Supports: Urgent Response Services (URS) and Extensive Needs Services (ENS)
If your family is in immediate crisis, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest hospital. To be connected with crisis supports in Brantford/Brant County, call Contact Brant at 519.758.8228.
Some families need extra support beyond core clinical autism programming. The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) offers two specialized service streams to help in these situations:
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Urgent Response Services (URS): Short-term, rapid supports when urgent concerns arise.
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Extensive Needs Services (ENS): Longer-term, intensive support for children and youth with the highest, most complex needs.
Both services are free to families enrolled in the OAP, and are delivered through OAP-approved providers like Willowbridge. Referrals are coordinated through Contact Brant.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs URS or ENS Support?
You may want to explore Urgent Response Services (URS) or Extensive Needs Services (ENS) if your child or youth is:
- Showing unsafe or escalating behaviours (aggression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, property destruction, flight risk or other high-risk behaviours)
- Experiencing challenges that affect the safety or stability of your home, school or community environment
- Needing more help than can be provided through regular autism programmingor OAP core clinical services
- Requiring ongoing, intensive support from multiple professionals to manage complex needs (for ENS specifically)
If your child does not show these signs, they may still benefit from our core clinical services — such as ABA therapy, counselling or other individualized supports available at Willowbridge.
About Urgent Response Services
The OAP Urgent Response Services is a free program for families enrolled in the OAP, providing quick, short-term support (up to 12 weeks) for autistic children and youth who are experiencing serious or escalating concerns. The goal is to stabilize situations, reduce stress, and create safer, more supportive environments at home, in school and in the community. Services include behaviour consultations, counselling/mental health supports, respite and family support.
Urgent Response Services are free for families enrolled in the Ontario Autism Program when referred by Contact Brant.
To receive a referral, families must fill out Contact Brant’s online referral form. Families can also call 519.758.8228 or email [email protected].
To access Urgent Response Services support through Willowbridge, families must be referred by Contact Brant. Contact Brant will determine service eligibility based on the following criteria:
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Children and youth 18 years old and under
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Must be registered in the OAP
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Experiencing urgent challenges such as:
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Aggression toward family, peers, or caregivers
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Property destruction or unsafe behaviours
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Self-injury or suicidal thoughts/behaviours
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Flight risk or risk of exploitation
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Inappropriate sexual behaviour
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Violent thinking or fire setting
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Harm to animals
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To receive a referral, families must fill out Contact Brant’s online referral form. Families can also call 519.758.8228 or email [email protected].
Through the OAP Urgent Response Services program, families can receive the following support:
- Behaviour consultation
- Counselling
- Respite
To access Extensive Needs Services support through Willowbridge, families must be referred by Contact Brant. To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
To access Willowbridge’s URS support, families must be referred by Contact Brant. To receive a referral, families must fill out Contact Brant’s online referral form. Families can also call 519.758.8228 or email [email protected].
About Extensive Needs Services
The OAP Extensive Needs Services is a free program for families enrolled in the OAP, providing intensive, longer-term support for autistic children and youth with the highest, most complex needs. The goal is to address persistent and severe challenges through coordinated services that improve safety, reduce family stress and support better quality of life at home, school and in the community. Services include behaviour consultations, counselling/mental health supports, respite and family support.
Extensive Needs Services are free for families enrolled in the Ontario Autism Program when referred by Contact Brant.
To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
To access Extensive Needs Services support through Willowbridge, families must be referred by Contact Brant. Contact Brant will determine service eligibility based on the following criteria:
- Children and youth 18 years old and under
- Must be registered in the OAP
- Needs go beyond what core clinical services or URS can provide
To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
Through the OAP Extensive Needs Services program, families can receive the following support:
- Behaviour consultation
- Counselling
- Respite
To access Extensive Needs Services support through Willowbridge, families must be referred by Contact Brant. To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
To access Willowbridge’s ENS support, families must be referred by Contact Brant. To receive a referral, families must contact Contact Brant by calling 519.758.8228 or emailing [email protected].
