East Metro Youth Services (EMYS), Surrey Place Centre Partner to Offer Weekly Walk-In Clinic
for Youth with Developmental Disabilities, Autism
Scarborough, Ont. Oct. 28, 2015
Ontario youth living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or developmental disabilities often have to face waitlists of two or more years for mental health counselling support and treatment.
That’s why East Metro Youth Services (EMYS) and Surrey Place Centre have partnered to launch a new weekly ‘what’s up’ Walk In® clinic for children and youth (ages 0 to 29 years of age) living with ASD or developmental disabilities.
Held every Tuesday from 2-5 p.m. at 1200 Markham Road, Scarborough, the clinic is designed to provide ongoing emotional and treatment support with no waitlists. ‘what’s up’ Walk® is one of the first youth mental health walk in clinics in Canada, and the only six-day-a-week clinic to offer Saturday service in Ontario.
“We are so proud to be able to announce this innovative new clinic with Surrey Place Centre during Autism Awareness Month. We know that Ontario families can wait between 22-28 months for services requiring a specialist to support children and youth with developmental disabilities and autism,” said Claire Fainer, Executive Director, East Metro Youth Services (EMYS). “The new clinic is designed to provide barrier-free access to help for youth and families living with ASD or developmental disabilities every week.”
“The need in Toronto is great. According to Autism Canada, there is an estimated 1 in 68 children in North America living with ASD. EMYS and Surrey Place Centre saw the need and partnered to create this unique new option for youth and parents in our community,” Steven Finlay, Chief Executive Officer, Surrey Place Centre. “There is no appointment necessary, no health card required, with sessions available on a walk-in basis.”
EMYS is an adolescent mental health and addictions centre based in Scarborough, Ont., and Surrey Place Centre is a Toronto-based counselling, diagnosis and treatment centre for children and adults living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and visual impairments.
Starting in October, the new weekly ‘what’s up’ Walk In® clinic will offer parents, youth and family members emotional support and counselling along with Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) consultation sessions all within one integrated session. This clinic gives families support on a regular basis while they wait for longer term options or provides them with immediate help stabilizing acute challenges
Clinic support will be offered by qualified and certified staff with backgrounds in Behaviour Science and MSW/MA Counselling Psychology with extensive experience offering Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) family interventions.
More information on the clinic is available at emys.on.ca.
ABOUT EMYS
East Metro Youth Services (EMYS) is an adolescent mental health and addictions centre, accredited by Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA). EMYS has been serving young people and their families in East Toronto since 1974. EMYS continuously strives to engage youth and young adults in reaching their personal best supplying a wide range of programs designed to enhance mental health and invest in young people’s future potential. Follow EMYS on Twitter @EastMetro_EMYS or visit www.emys.on.ca
ABOUT SURREY PLACE
Surrey Place Centre provides specialized clinical services that are responsive to individual’s needs and promote health and well-being in the Toronto region. Surrey Place Centre helps children and adults living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and visual impairments reach their full potential. Comprehensive programs and services range from assessment, diagnosis, and one-on-one treatment, to family counselling and group support and is provided by a broad network of clinicians and professionals. Surrey Place Centre is accredited by Accreditation Canada with Exemplary Standing (2012-2016).