Autism Intervention Program (AIP) | Autism Services of Saskatoon

Services are available for children and youth up to 19 years of age with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), within the Saskatoon area of the SHA.

Shown below is the process for families wanting to access our Autism Intervention Program (AIP).

Steps to Accessing Programs through the AIP

1. Intake Interview
A few weeks after meeting with our Intake Worker, you will receive an invitation to watch our online orientation video.
2. Info Session
You will then be invited to an information session about ASD.
3. View Orientation
Once you’ve followed the instructions in the orientation video, you will receive the contact information for your Consultant.
4. Contact your Consultant
You will need to contact your assigned Consultant to schedule a meeting when you are ready to begin services.
5. AIP Interview
At this meeting you will work with your consultant to come up with a plan for what services will look like for your child.

*You can register for group programming after your AIP interview.

The Autism Intervention Program (AIP) within the Saskatoon area of the SHA provides individualized behavioural interventions and support services in collaboration with the family.

Services are provided to children and youth up to 19 years of age and their families. The program is operated through Autism Services, whose mission is to provide education, advocacy, and services to improve the quality of life of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and their families.

Request Intake

Services delivered through the AIP

Developing and monitoring of individualized intervention plans.
Providing early intervention to children 5 years of age and under or until successfully transitioned into a school program.
Providing individualized intervention to children and youth aged 5–19 years.
Providing family consultations.
Providing information and training to caregivers regarding the needs of their child/youth.
Providing opportunities for children/youth to participate in therapeutic social skills groups among peers.
Assisting with transition planning.
Collaborating with other service providers involved in providing support to the individual/family.

It is essential that parents participate in the ongoing implementation of the Intervention Plan.

Anyone can refer to the Autism Intervention Program; however, parental permission is required.

For more information about our Autism Intervention Programs please contact Lauren Brandt, Director of Autism Intervention Program at lauren.brandt@autismservices.ca

Identifying Autism

Early indicators

No babbling (stringing sounds together to make sentences) by 12 months.
No gestures (pointing, waving bye-bye, etc.) by 12 months.
No response to their name by 12 months by age.
No single words by 16 months of age.
No two-word spontaneous phrases by 24 months of age.

Social interaction

May withdraw from others.
May not seek attention or actively engage with other people.
May not follow or try pointing to show interest in something.

Communication

Difficulties in verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (gestures, facial expressions, body language) communication. This may range from no speech at all to full sentences that are odd in the way they are spoken or their meaning.
Speaking style may appear robotic or scripted from TV, repetitive or “echoing,” or there may be use of words with no obvious meaning.

Behaviours, interests and activities

May have highly specific and focused interests (e.g. obsessions with trains or maps) to the exclusion of other things.
May be very rigid in routine (taking same route home every day, play with a toy in only one way).
May show repetitive actions such as hand flapping, rocking, etc.