CAMH hosts vaccine clinic for adults with developmental disabilities

By Sean O’Malley
Senior Writer

CAMH recently held a special access clinic dedicated exclusively to adults of all ages with developmental disabilities, enabling 40 CAMH outpatients and their caregivers to get their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The clinic, which CAMH hopes to hold on a regular basis, was a collaborative effort. Adult Neurodevelopment Services clinicians knew that existing hospital and community-based clinics would not be accessible for some of their clients, and Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre researchers had been studying and developing resources to support accessible vaccinations for this often forgotten group. When the provincial government included adults with developmental disabilities in the high-risk category for phase two of the vaccine rollout, CAMH put the gears in motion, initiating a plan that included proactively reaching out to Adult Neurodevelopmental Services clients and their caregivers.

“We needed to do something to support this population right here at CAMH. We know from research conducted during the pandemic that people with developmental disabilities who contract COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized or die than the general population,” says Dr. Yona Lunsky, Director, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, who emailed CAMH President and CEO on a Sunday morning with her idea for a CAMH-hosted clinic and received an immediate enthusiastic response.

Because many people with development disabilities have heightened sensitivity to environmental stimulation like large crowds and loud noises, the clinic at the Sandi and Jim Treliving Gym was set up with comfortable beanbag chairs and a large-screen television with soothing underwater ocean visuals displayed. They also only saw one or two clients at a time to reduce noise, and attendees had the option of settling in at a table where they could stay with their support person from start to finish. 

“Typically at a vaccine clinic there is lot of waiting, a lot of people, a lot of stimulation. We wanted instead to create an environment that would set our clients up for success, taking into account some of their personal and environmental needs, and create a safe and calming space for them so they can get their vaccine in a dignified way,” says Occupational Therapist Elyse Goodfield.

One of those clients was Jason, 27, who has autism and was one of the first arrivals at the clinic with his mother Olga. She had been unsuccessful getting a vaccine appointment elsewhere in Toronto before CAMH reached out to her and her son.

“I take care of my parents who are over 80 as well and I was just nervous that my son and I had not been vaccinated,” says Olga as Jason proudly displays a certificate saying he has received his first dose. “I’m very relieved. I feel more at ease now.  I’m just happy that it’s done.”