Parent Peer Support Groups for Autism in Ontario

What this means for your family

Register with the Ontario Autism Program before assuming you can access family and peer mentoring, since foundational family services are described as free specifically for families already registered in the program. Ask what format is offered near you, because the ministry lists virtual, self-directed, in-person and group-based options without promising every provider runs all of them. If you want a structured caregiver group rather than one-on-one mentoring, ask about the CARES Caregiver Support Program, which runs for a set stretch of weeks and is led by volunteer coaches rather than clinical staff. Bring specific questions about your own situation to that first call, since peer mentoring works best when it responds to what you actually need rather than a general script. Write down which provider offers which format, so you can compare options instead of settling for whichever one you happen to find first.