Ontario

About Us

Français

What is IDEAS?

sad_teenager.jpg

IDEAS stands for Intellectual Disabilities & Emotional Disorders: Adaptive Strategies

We assess and treat children and youth age 2 to 18 who have an intellectual disabilityand an emotional disorder. The emotional disorder must have a major impact on functioning and current services. We are a tertiary service, so we treat children and youth whose needs are more than can be met in their community.

Why is IDEAS important for these children?

Children with intellectual disabilities may have challenges with social skills, school, communication, emotions and behaviour. They can also have all the same mental health difficulties as other children and youth. Their symptoms may look different because of their differences in development and skills. They may show their symptoms through disruptive or aggressive behaviour more often. Recognizing and treating their symptoms may be more challenging because of the differences in their skills and development.

How does IDEAS work?

We assess children and youth and offer services to them and their families, schools, and community partners. We also offer community education seminars and workshops for parents, educators, and professionals supporting these children and youth.

The first step is often a consultation with our Psychiatrist or Psychologist to help decide what next steps, such as further assessment, are needed.  These assessments may involve our Psychometrist, Social Worker, Community Behaviour Consultant, Occupational Therapist or Speech Language Pathologist.  Parents may be invited to our parenting sessions while waiting for other services.  We meet with the family and community supports to discuss our information and recommendations.

Treatment can include both individual and group work. Some of our services are: 

  • IDEAS on Anxiety Parenting Information Sessions
  • Children’s Relaxation Group
  • Individual therapy
  • Individual parenting consultation
  • Training and consultation with community supports

We believe that partnership with the child, family and community supports is the key to positive long-term outcomes for children and families.  You are integral members of our team from assessment through to treatment and follow-up.  

Where does it happen?

Assessments are generally done at CPRI. Follow up appointments and feedback sessions may take place at home, school, or other agencies as needed. Training sessions take place at CPRI and in communities. IDEAS team members often make home and school visits.

Share Page
[ {"term":"Commensurate","description":"To be Equal"},{"term":"emotional disorder","description":"There are several different emotional disorders, and people can have more than one. Someone with an anxiety disorder has a lot more than the usual amount of fears and nervousness. Someone with a depressive disorder often feels sad, irritable, hopeless, or moody. A person with an obsessive-compulsive disorder or trauma-related disorder may have thoughts or reactions that impact their thinking, feeling, and behaviour, causing major problems in their day-to-day life."},{"term":"evidence based practice","description":"Evidence based practice means applying the best available research results when making decisions."},{"term":"informed consent","description":"Informed consent means our workers will explain to you and your child:\r\n\r\nWhy the service is being proposed; \r\nThe nature of the service; \r\nWho will be providing the service; \r\nWhat are the expected benefits; \r\nWhat are the alternatives to having the service; \r\nWhat are the risks and side effects; \r\nWhat are the likely consequences of not having the service; \r\nWhat are the limits of confidentiality; \r\nbefore asking you to agree to the service."},{"term":"intellectual disability","description":"Someone with an intellectual disability has limitations in thinking and problem-solving skills (also called intellectual functioning) and day-to-day life and social skills (also called adaptive functioning). The problems begin in childhood and last for the person’s whole life. Each person with an intellectual disability is different and might need a different kind of support."},{"term":"Psychoeducation","description":"Information and teaching to empower a person with a mental health condition to cope with the condition effectively"},{"term":"Reactive attachment disorder ","description":"Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is a very specific diagnosis that can only be made by a qualified psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician. RAD refers to a very limited set of circumstances in which children are thought to not have the opportunity to develop any specific attachment to a caregiver. Onset of the problems must begin before age five and cannot be due to another mental health or developmental problem, and the child must have reached a developmental age of at least 9 months old. Children with RAD cannot or do not seek or respond to any comfort, even when very distressed or hurt. Extremely insufficient care, such as neglect or repeated changes of primary caregivers, without meaningful contact with adults, is thought to “cause” the disorder."},{"term":"resilience","description":"An individual\\'s ability to adapt to stress and adversity"},{"term":"Trauma informed","description":"Trauma-informed care recognizes trauma symptoms in clients and the role that trauma has played in their lives."} ]