Caregiver Mediated Early Years

Supporting your child’s early development through playful, parent-led strategies.

Caregiver Mediated Early Years programs help young children with autism build communication, social, and play skills through fun, play-based activities at home. These programs are designed to empower parents and caregivers with practical strategies to support their child’s development in everyday routines.

These services are available by invitation only through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). If you’re unsure whether you qualify, please contact AccessOAP or your OAP representative for more information.

In Windsor-Essex, these programs are delivered in partnership by John McGivney Children’s Centre, Connections Early Years Family Centre, and Children First.

Smiling therapist and child playing with building blocks

Available Programs

Provider: John McGivney Children’s Centre
Age Range: From 48 months up to their 4th birthday
Format: Individual sessions, virtual or in-person

The PLAY Project is a parent-implemented, evidence-based program that uses playful strategies to help children build social interaction, communication, and early learning skills. It supports children who communicate in different ways—from nonverbal to full sentences.

The PLAY Project is available for purchase for families who don’t quality for Caregiver Mediated Early Years services. Please contact us to learn more.

Learn more about the PLAY Project
For registration, please email [email protected] or call 519-252-7281 extension 224

Provider: Connections Early Years Family Centre
Age Range: 12 to 42 months
Format: Individual parent coaching, virtual or in-person

Social ABCs is a parent-led, play-based intervention that helps toddlers strengthen early communication and share positive emotions. Coaching is done in natural settings like playtime and daily routines, where parents learn to use their child’s interests to encourage learning.

Learn more about Social ABCs
For registration, visit the Connections Early Years Family Centre website

Provider: Children First
Age Range: From time of diagnosis to 48 months
Format: Individual and group coaching, virtual or in-person (home or clinic)

Project ImPACT (Improving Parents as Communication Teachers) helps parents support their child’s communication, play, and social engagement through daily routines. Together with a coach, families identify goals and learn practical, research-based strategies tailored to their child’s needs.

Learn more about Project ImPACT
For registration, visit the Children First website

Provider: TVCC
Age Range: 12 to 48 months
Format: Individual sessions, virtual or in-person

PRT helps increase your child’s motivation to play, communicate, and interact socially. Caregivers are coached in strategies based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to support skills like first words, eye contact, turn-taking, and play through daily routines.

Learn more about PRT
For registration, visit the TVCC website

Provider: TVCC
Age Range: 12 to 48 months
Format: Individual parent coaching, virtual or in-person, virtual or in-person

JASPER focuses on building essential early developmental skills in young children with autism. It helps children improve joint attention, symbolic play, engagement with others, communication, and self-regulation. The program is tailored to each child’s unique needs and interests.