Government help, one step at a time
Find the right starting point, what to prepare and who to ask. Detailed coverage starts with Quebec, alongside federal Canadian programs. This is a starting guide, not a complete list of programs or an eligibility decision.
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7 starting points for Quebec and federal programs
I’m worried about development. Where do I start?
Agir tôt · Quebec
Quebec families with a child under 7
Agir tôt offers voluntary, free developmental services. Contact your CLSC to discuss your concerns and the appropriate service.
Your next steps
- Contact your local CLSC and ask about Agir tôt.
- Describe the developmental concerns you want help with. A caseworker determines the appropriate service.
- Ask how you will hear back and what support is available while you wait.
What to prepare: As preparation, note a few everyday examples and any questions you want to ask. Confirm any required documents with the CLSC.
When: Contact the CLSC when you have concerns. This page does not promise an assessment date or a particular intervention.
Official instructions — Gouvernement du Québec ↗ · EN / FR
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
How do I organize support at school?
Individualized education plan · Quebec
Quebec students who need school support
The school administration is responsible for the education-plan process, involving parents, school staff and the student when able to participate.
Your next steps
- Ask the school administration about the education-plan process for your child.
- Discuss the needs, supports and goals to put in the plan.
- Ask who will follow up and when the plan will be reviewed.
What to prepare: Suggested preparation: examples of what helps or gets in the way at school, questions, and relevant existing reports. Ask the school which documents it needs.
When: Raise support and transition needs with the school; local arrangements and timing must be confirmed there.
Official instructions — Gouvernement du Québec ↗ · EN / FR
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
How do I apply for the disability tax credit?
Disability tax credit (DTC) · Canada
Canadian applicants who meet the CRA’s criteria
A diagnosis alone does not decide eligibility. The application includes your part and a medical practitioner’s certification of the effects of an impairment; CRA makes the decision.
Your next steps
- Read the CRA eligibility and application instructions.
- Complete Part A and ask an eligible practitioner to complete Part B.
- Use either the digital or paper method for the whole application; follow the CRA submission instructions.
What to prepare: Form T2201 (or the digital application), applicant information and practitioner certification. The CRA page lists which practitioners may certify each impairment.
When: You can apply throughout the year. The CRA recommends applying before filing your tax return to avoid a possible tax-assessment delay. A practitioner may charge a fee.
Official instructions — Canada Revenue Agency ↗ · EN / FR
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
Does DTC approval connect to child benefits?
Child disability benefit · Canada
Families eligible for the Canada child benefit with a child eligible for the DTC
The child disability benefit is linked to Canada child benefit (CCB) eligibility and the child’s DTC approval. It is a different program from the Canada Disability Benefit for adults.
Your next steps
- Check your child’s DTC status and your CCB eligibility.
- If you already receive the CCB and your child is DTC-eligible, the CRA says you do not need a separate child disability benefit application.
- Consult the CRA instructions for your situation, including past benefit years.
What to prepare: Have your CRA benefit and DTC notices available when asking about your case. Do not send them to Neurosphere.
When: Benefit amounts depend on the applicable rules and family circumstances. Check the official current information rather than assuming a fixed payment.
Official instructions — Canada Revenue Agency ↗ · EN / FR
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
Is Quebec’s child supplement a separate application?
Supplement for Handicapped Children · Quebec
Quebec families meeting Retraite Québec’s program criteria
This Quebec program uses its own eligibility criteria. Approval for a federal program does not establish eligibility here.
Your next steps
- Read the current program criteria on Retraite Québec’s website.
- Use its application instructions and ask which parent, professional and school documents are needed for your case.
- Keep a copy and confirm receipt with Retraite Québec.
What to prepare: Use the current official application and its document checklist. Required evidence depends on the program criteria and your situation.
When: Check submission and retroactivity rules with Retraite Québec before delaying an application. No payment or eligibility is guaranteed here.
Official instructions — Retraite Québec ↗ · FR; English available on provider site
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
Can I get help with respite or daily family support?
Family Support Program · Quebec
Quebec families caring daily for a relative with a disability or ASD who need support
This program includes support for needs such as respite, childcare and occasional assistance. Access depends on an assessment of the family’s needs and the applicable conditions.
Your next steps
- Read the official Family Support Program page for the access route and conditions.
- Ask your local health and social-services team about a support-needs assessment.
- Ask what is available, whether there is a wait, and what alternatives may help meanwhile.
What to prepare: Suggested preparation: the support you need, current care arrangements and questions about respite. Confirm required documents with the service.
When: A listing is not an approved allowance or a reserved respite place. Confirm current availability locally.
Official instructions — Gouvernement du Québec ↗ · EN / FR
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
What should we prepare when changing school stages?
School transitions · Quebec
Quebec families preparing for school entry or a change of school stage
Quebec publishes tools for school entry and transitions. Use them to prepare a conversation with the current and receiving school teams.
Your next steps
- Choose the official transition guide that fits the next school stage.
- Ask the school who coordinates the transition and how your child’s support needs will be shared.
- Agree on the next contact and what needs to be prepared before the change.
What to prepare: Suggested preparation: current supports, what works for your child, and questions about the new setting. Share personal records only through the school’s appropriate channels.
When: Start the discussion before the transition; the school confirms its local dates. Adult-service transitions need separate planning and are not fully covered here.
Official instructions — Gouvernement du Québec ↗ · FR
Official-source summary checked 2026-09-29; practical preparation prompts are our suggestions. Independent specialist review pending.
Organizations and activities near you
Province-wide listings stay visible. Confirm service area, availability and eligibility with each organization. Listings last checked 2026-09-24.
- Agir tôt — early-development services ↗
Contact your CLSC about developmental concerns through this program for children under seven, without waiting for an autism diagnosis.
Québec · under 7 · EN / FR
- FQA — diagnosis and first steps ↗
Follow the Québec autism federation’s first-step guidance to understand screening, diagnostic assessment and where to ask for help while you wait.
Québec · FR
- Autisme Montréal — finding an assessment ↗
Compare Montréal’s public and private assessment routes and use the association’s local orientation to prepare questions for the service receiving your referral.
Montréal island · EN / FR
- Centre-Sud — autism and intellectual-disability access desk ↗
Find the intake contact and coverage area for CLSC and rehabilitation requests through this specific 211 listing for the Centre-Sud DI-TSA desk.
Centre-Sud Montréal · EN / FR
- West Island CIUSSS — request autism services ↗
Find the ID-ASD-PD access point and the reports to bring when asking for rehabilitation or other disability services in this territory.
West Island Montréal · EN / FR
- West-Central CIUSSS — rehabilitation access desk ↗
Use the program-specific referral forms and supporting-document instructions for an ID-ASD-PD rehabilitation request in West-Central Montréal.
West-Central Montréal · EN / FR
- East Montréal CIUSSS — disability services ↗
Locate the East Montréal service pathway for disability-related psychosocial, rehabilitation and home-support needs.
East Montréal · FR
- North Montréal CIUSSS — autism service pathway ↗
Use the autism branch of the North Montréal disability-services directory to find the relevant local service and referral information.
North Montréal · FR
- Montréal Children’s — Brain, Development and Behaviour ↗
Read the hospital program’s referral and service information for children with complex developmental or behavioural concerns before seeking an appointment.
Montréal · EN / FR
- Centre-Sud — ICI program for four-year-olds ↗
See the age-specific public ICI program’s format and parent involvement so you can ask whether its approach and requirements fit your child.
Centre-Sud Montréal · age 4 · FR
- Autisme Montréal — parent support and advocacy ↗
Ask for help navigating services or advocating at a meeting when an autistic family member’s support has been refused or is not meeting their needs.
Montréal island · EN / FR
- WIAIH — West Island family support ↗
Explore parent groups, adapted recreation and the Pat Roberts preschool program, which also welcomes children with developmental concerns who do not yet have a diagnosis.
Pointe-Claire / West Island · EN / FR
- Autisme Laval — respite and activities ↗
Compare respite and activity options by age and support needs, including the Chat Botté services for younger children.
Laval · FR
- Autisme Montérégie — parent groups and respite ↗
Find age-specific parent discussion groups, autism workshops and the Accès Répit service through the regional association’s current program listings.
Montérégie / South Shore · FR
- West Island CIUSSS — planned respite ↗
Discuss planned respite with your child’s caseworker using the service’s explanation of how families arrange a break from caregiving.
West Island Montréal · EN / FR
- 4Korners — services available in English ↗
Use this regional directory to find neurodiversity organizations with staff able to support English-speaking families in the Laurentians.
Laurentians · EN
- Maison de l’Autisme — autistic-led community ↗
Explore peer discussions, webinars and social activities developed by and for autistic people, including spaces for parents and relatives.
Québec / online · FR
- MCLD — parent support and navigation ↗
Contact the Montréal Centre for Learning Disabilities for guidance around overlapping autism, ADHD and learning needs while checking which parent programs are currently running.
Montréal / online · EN
- Miriam Foundation — child and family programs ↗
Compare the Gold Centre’s child programs, parent coaching and creative-arts services before submitting a service request.
Montréal · EN / FR
- MSNF — ask about help paying for therapy ↗
Ask this local organization about its therapy-funding support for underprivileged children with special needs when costs are blocking access to care.
Montréal · EN
- FQA — find your regional autism association ↗
Find the autism association responsible for your region when you live outside the service area of a Montréal organization.
Québec · FR
- Montréal Neurodiverse Connection ↗
Find peer meetups for neurodivergent adults and loved ones if you are seeking community for yourself as a parent or for an adult family member.
Montréal · adults · EN / FR
- Espace Parents — prepare for an intervention-plan meeting ↗
Learn how parents participate in a school intervention plan and when to bring an outside professional to help coordinate support.
Québec · EN / FR
- OPHQ — school-path guide for parents ↗
Use this parent guide to understand school transitions, support services and avenues for assistance when a child has a disability.
Québec · FR · PDF
- Québec — intervention-plan checklist ↗
Bring this short official overview to a school meeting to clarify who participates, how goals are agreed and when the plan should be reviewed.
Québec · FR · PDF
- Québec — extra accompaniment funding for daycare ↗
Share the AEI rules with your subsidized childcare provider to discuss additional accompaniment hours for a child eligible for the provincial disability supplement.
Québec · subsidized childcare · FR
- EMSB — special-education support and referrals ↗
Understand the school board’s evaluation and referral process before asking about specialized classes, services or schools for your child.
Montréal · English school board · EN
- Giant Steps — autism school and admissions ↗
Read the autism-specific school’s approach and admissions information to prepare questions about placement and your child’s support needs.
Montréal · EN / FR
- Summit School — specialized education ↗
Explore the school’s adapted education, allied-health supports and job-training programs when considering a specialized school placement.
Montréal · EN
- Access 2 — support-person admission card ↗
Apply for a card that can reduce or remove a support person’s admission charge at participating venues when a permanent disability creates an ongoing need for assistance.
Canada · participating venues · EN / FR
- Cineplex — sensory-friendly screenings ↗
Look for designated screenings with the lights up and sound lowered, then check the participating cinema and date before planning your outing.
Participating cinemas · FR
- Les Grands Ballets — adapted creative dance ↗
Ask about the next intake for a small creative-dance class designed for autistic children and led by two National Centre for Dance Therapy facilitators.
Montréal · ages 5–8 · EN / FR