Behaviour Development Program

The Behaviour Development Program is provincially funded by the Ministry of Children, Community, Social Services (MCCSS).

The Behaviour Development Program is a team of consultants who teach and model new skills and ways of responding that encourage positive behaviour in children, youth, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The team is supervised by a regulated health professional (Psychologist or Behaviour Analyst), who offers clinical feedback and guides decision-making.

These services are offered in a variety of natural environments such as family homes, childcare centres, congregate care facilities, and Adult Day Programs.

The team emphasizes preventative strategies aimed at holistically supporting the client across several domains including positive relationships and approaches, accommodating environments, establishing security and attachment, developing resilience and skills, addressing mental health needs, and least intrusive positive behaviour support strategies.

In addition to behaviour consultation, we provide:

• Dementia Screening
• Sexuality Education Training
• Parent and service provider training
• Support and collaboration with programming for children with Autism under the age of 18 years, with ABA services

The Behaviour Development Program provides services to residents and community agencies who support adults with intellectual and developmental disability within Lanark County and the town of Smiths Falls.

Given specifications from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), we serve children, youth, and adults at-risk of or confirmed to have an intellectual disability.  As such, proof of an Intellectual Disability is required past the age of 6 years old.

The following information is required to access BDP services:

• Children under the age of 6 years: Behavioural issues and developmental delay are present; however, no documentation is required.
• Children age 7-18 years: Written confirmation of a diagnosis of Intellectual Disability is required.
• Adults age 18+: Submission of a Change of Circumstance Form (COC) to Developmental Services of Ontario (DSO) is required. Referral information will be automatically forwarded to BDP after the COC is completed

We offer in-person, e.g. meeting in child/adult’s natural environment or at ConnectWell Community Health offices or virtually.

In collaboration with the parents, caregivers and/or service providers, we establish behaviour goals and objectives to increase positive behaviour. A Behaviour Support Plan or Management Strategies maybe developed and monitored based on individual’s needs.  The Behaviour Consultant will model, teach, and coach parents/caregivers on strategies for supporting their child/adult to encourage positive behaviour.

If you are a parent, childcare or service provider, medical professional, or community agency, please reach out to talk about our services. We accept referrals from any individual or group with parental consent.

For more information about our services, please call our Carleton Place site at 613-257-7121 or toll-free at 800-667-2617.