Walker Developmental Services provides neurodiversity-affirming, respite services, skill building and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy for children, youth, and families across the Hamilton and Niagara regions.

Individualized support.
Meaningful growth.

We specialize in supporting children and youth with high support needs, complex developmental profiles, and behaviours that may create significant safety, participation, or quality-of-life concerns.

Families are welcomed without judgment. We understand that some children require more intensive, individualized, and carefully coordinated support, and we work collaboratively with families to understand the whole child.

Our services are designed around each individual’s strengths, needs, communication style, preferences, environment, and family priorities.

Explore Our Services

Support Built Around the Individual

Every child and family brings unique strengths, experiences, priorities, and support needs.

At Walker Developmental Services, services begin with listening. We take time to understand what is important to the individual and their family before recommending a plan.

Our approach combines evidence-based practice with compassionate, respectful, and neurodiversity-affirming care. Goals are selected based on what will make a meaningful difference in the individual’s daily life.

Support may focus on areas such as:

Functional communication
Daily living and independence
Emotional regulation and coping
Play and leisure skills
Social participation
Community safety
School and learning readiness
Caregiver confidence and consistency
Reduction of barriers that interfere with quality of life

Who We Support

Walker Developmental Services supports children and youth with a range of developmental, behavioural, communication, learning, and daily living needs. We have particular experience supporting individuals with high support needs and complex behaviours.

Services may be appropriate for individuals who:

Are autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent
Have developmental or intellectual disabilities
Have complex or co-occurring diagnoses
Experience significant communication barriers
Need substantial support with independence or daily living skills
Are developing emotional regulation or coping strategies
Engage in behaviours that create safety concerns or limit participation
Have had difficulty accessing or maintaining other services
Need coordinated support across home, school, respite, or community settings
Would benefit from individualized caregiver coaching, assessment, or consultation

A formal autism diagnosis is not necessarily required to inquire about services. Recommendations are based on the individual’s needs, the requested service, professional scope, and whether Walker Developmental Services is an appropriate fit.

Why Families Choose Walker Developmental Services

Individualized Support

There is no one-size-fits-all program. Services are developed around the individual’s goals, abilities, preferences, environment, and support needs.

Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

Neurodivergent ways of communicating, learning, regulating, and interacting are respected. Intervention focuses on safety, autonomy, access, participation, and quality of life.

Experience With Complex Support Needs

Walker Developmental Services specializes in supporting children and youth who require highly individualized care. We take time to understand the factors contributing to complex behaviour and develop practical, compassionate supports that prioritize communication, safety, autonomy, participation, and quality of life.

Family Collaboration

Caregivers bring essential knowledge about their child. Families are actively involved in assessment, goal development, decision-making, and ongoing service planning.

Collaborative Service Planning

When appropriate and authorized by the family, Walker Developmental Services can collaborate with educators, healthcare providers, therapists, and other professionals to support consistent and cohesive programming.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Submit an Inquiry
Complete the online inquiry form with some basic information about the individual, the support you are seeking, your location, and your preferred service schedule.

Step 2: Initial Consultation
We will discuss your concerns, priorities, current supports, and the type of service that may be appropriate.

Step 3: Assessment and Recommendations
When clinical services are being considered, an individualized assessment may be completed before treatment begins. You will receive a summary of findings, recommendations, and proposed next steps.

Step 4: Individualized Service Planning
If services are a good fit, we will develop a plan that outlines goals, recommended supports, service frequency, caregiver involvement, and methods for monitoring progress.

Step 5: Ongoing Review
Services are reviewed regularly to ensure that goals remain relevant, progress is monitored, and supports continue to meet the individual’s needs.

Serving Families in the Greater Hamilton Area and Niagara Regions

Walker Developmental Services offers services in home, community, virtual, and other appropriate settings depending on the service being provided, clinical recommendations, availability, and location.

Availability and travel boundaries may vary. Families are encouraged to submit an inquiry to discuss current service options.

Ready to Learn More?

Finding the right support can feel overwhelming. Our inquiry process is designed to help you understand the available options and determine whether Walker Developmental Services may be a good fit for your family.

Submitting an inquiry does not create a clinical relationship or guarantee service availability. All inquiries are reviewed based on the requested service, location, support needs, practitioner scope, and current capacity.