Programs & Services by Service Provider

PEERS® is an evidence-based social skills program designed to improve social interactions for youth who want to learn how to make and keep friends. During the 12 weekly 1.5 hour group sessions, specific social skills will be taught, and participants will have the opportunity to practice the skills during fun activities and role playing. There will be weekly corresponding homework assignments, therefore parent support is strongly encouraged.

Caregivers also participate in two, 1-hour phone or video sessions with one of the facilitators to discuss their child progress and strategies to help them. Appropriate for youth between 13 and 16 years with ASD who have friendship problems, agree to participate voluntarily and to attend weekly. A screening questionnaire will be completed prior to the start date to verify criteria for the program are met.

This is a consultative service for parents/caregivers who are looking for support with 1-2 specific goals with their child. The following are examples of suitable areas of need to be addressed via this consultative model:

- Sleeping
- Toileting
- Picky Eating
- Daily Living Skills (e.g., dressing, brushing teeth, taking a bath or shower etc.)
- Increasing Basic Communication (e.g., pointing/gestures, eye contact, joint attention, word approximation, sentence expansion, persistence in communication etc.)
- Augmentative Communication Systems
- Pre-Vocational/Vocational Skills
- Emotional regulation
- Social Skills
- Executive Functioning Skills

*In some cases, the clinician might find it beneficial to work with the child/youth directly for part or all of the session depending on the goal. This will be determined during intake and discussed with families.

We are happy to offer virtual drop-in clinics for caregivers to access a 50-minute consultation session with Dr. Price. Parents/Caregivers will be able to schedule a time during one of the clinic days, where they are able to discuss any current mental health concerns related to their child(ren) with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learn basic strategies that can be implemented at home, and to receive recommendations to plan for next steps.

We are happy to offer drop-in clinics for caregivers and their children, or for adolescents with or without their caregivers, specifically designed to address questions regarding a recent diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, to discuss basic strategies, and to review treatment plans and specific recommendations.

Sessions will cover topics such as the nature of ASD and what it means for you (as a caregiver or individual), your child(dren), and your family, prognosis and planning for the future, intervention options, attachment and relationship building, and the importance of self-care.

The purpose of this training is to disseminate methods and strategies to reduce disruptive behavior in children from preschool to adolescence. The skills covered in this training will enable and empower parents to be the change agent, given that they spend the most time with their children. The goal of the training is to reduce disruptive behavior such as tantrums, aggression and so on and increase adaptive living or functioning. The behavior modification techniques we will be covering are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and have empirical support in reducing disruptive behavior in children. During training we will cover information on strategies such as positive reinforcement of appropriate behavior, use of daily schedules, specific techniques known to enhance compliance, systematic teaching of new skills and so on. 

Consult and collaboratively work with an OT to identify concerns related to fine motor skills, visual motor skills (paper and pencil; cutting), self-regulation, self-care skills as well as areas of sensory processing affecting the child’s functional skills in their everyday life.

We are happy to offer drop-in clinics for caregivers, specifically designed to address questions regarding either their child’s transition to school or transition into adulthood. Sessions will consist of review of their child’s strengths and weaknesses, learning about recommended evidence-based transition practices, and creation of an individualized transition plan.

Attend an OT workshop that explains sensory processing, challenges, and tools/toys/items that relate to senses. You will complete a sensory checklist to help identify your child’s sensory processing patterns. The OT will analyze and follow up with suggestions of tools/toys/items that support your child.

The Resilience Builder Program (Alvord, Zucker, & Grados, 2011) is designed to support children, aged 9 to 12 years, to bounce back from stress by developing resilience and protective factors, such as selfawareness, self-regulation, flexible
thinking, and social competence. All materials will be provided.

Note: All applicants must undergo an intake interview to determine eligibility.

An SLP will conduct a parent interview and screen your child to determine speech, language and/or social communication skills. Based on parent focus and child’s skill level, SLP will work with child, demonstrate strategies and coach the caregiver in order to facilitate learning and help transition skills to home.

This therapy group is intended for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, aged 13 to 18 years, who are interested in learning about their own mental health. The group will focus on increasing knowledge about a variety of common diagnoses and symptoms, the relationship between stress and stressors faced by adolescents and young adults with ASD, and where and how to access mental health support.

In addition, the group will focus on understanding one’s own emotions and the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and to learn strategies to better regulate emotions and behaviour in the face of stress and adversity. This group may be delivered virtually or in person depending on demand. Materials will be emailed to participants prior to each scheduled session.

Note: All applicants must undergo an intake interview to determine eligibility.

This therapy group is intended for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, aged 13 to 18 years, who are interested in learning about how mindfulness and being in the “here and now” can help to improve various aspects of their lives. The group will focus on increasing knowledge about the core components of mindfulness and various practical ways that mindfulness can be applied and practiced. Participants will learn strategies such, but not limited to, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization and guided imagery, and self-compassion. All applicants must undergo an intake interview to determine eligibility. Resources will be emailed to participants.

Focused ABA targets one or two behavioural goals at a time. You will virtually meet with our BCBA to help develop programming based on identified goals (joint attention, transitions, communication, self-help skills, play skills, etc.). ABA therapists will work 1:1 with your child to help achieve goals. Parents will have the opportunity for BCBA coaching to help generalize learning to the home environment.

This caregiver workshop involves a condensed version of our Parent Management Training (Kazdin, 2008) program. The aim is to enhance parenting skills to improve challenging behaviours in children and adolescents with ASD, such as aggression, hyperactivity, and non-compliance. The training will take place virtually and handouts will be emailed to participants.

This brief consult provides caregivers the opportunity to meet with a BCBA. A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a professional with extensive knowledge in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Many BCBA’s also have considerable experience working with individuals with ASD and their families.

During this consultation we can discuss strategies related to a single skill acquisition or behaviour reduction goal you have for your child. Caregivers will leave the consult appointment with a specific, measurable goal, as well as a few strategies that can be implemented during family routines.

Learn how sensory processing fits into the many factors that affect our participation and enjoyment of daily activities. Begin to observe your child’s behaviour with these factors in mind and learn common strategies that could support them in everyday life.

Running for 8 individualized sessions, E.I.B. focuses on enhancing the independent life skills of individuals. Working with an ABA Therapist, teens will have the opportunity to work on different life skills.

Skills include:

Personal Living Skills (grooming, hygiene, dressing…),
Home Living Skills (clothing care, meal planning and cooking, home safety…),
Community Living Skills (money management, shopping, community safety…).

Targets will be decided with each individual teen, following assessment.

Register for 1 session or all 11, as each session will be different interactive fun activities. Sibshops is an opportunity for the siblings of children with ASD to meet other siblings in a relaxed, recreational setting.

In a fun and relaxing atmosphere, facilitators will provide opportunities to discuss common joys and concerns, how to handle commonly experienced situations, and a venue to learn more about the implication of their siblings’ special needs.

FCW is a series of 4 – 2 hour workshops which provides parent and caregivers with a foundational understanding of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and evidence based strategies.

Topics include; ASD, reinforcement, antecedent strategies, replacement behaviour, functions of behaviour and setting events.

Children’s Friendship Training is an evidence based interactive program delivered in module sessions in which children and families develop and practice social skills necessary to initiate and maintain meaningful peer relationships. Caregiver’s attend sessions at the same time as their children/youth.

Through ten modules, children will learn to make phone calls, host play-dates, maintain play, share in the interests of others’, and respond appropriately to bullying/teasing. During these sessions caregivers will learn how to support their children in the exciting new world of social opportunities.

Facilitators will complete a pre-screening tool with families expressing an interest in participating.

Stronger Together is a weekly facilitated group for parent and caregivers to support each other with the joys and challenges of raising a child with ASD. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns, learn parenting strategies, participate in engaging and fun activities, and meet and connect with other parents and caregivers in the north.

The Flexible and Focused program aims to help learners develop focus skills such as organizing, flexibility, problem solving, self management and self-awareness of their needs. It provides checklists, data sheets and task lists as resources to use and adapt to real-life situations.

This program aims to help children learn to develop and practice independent management skills for day-to-day tasks.

The Think Good Feel Good program uses a cognitive behavioural approach to explore and test thoughts as well as learn alternative cognitive and behavioural skills. The program helps learners explore their thoughts and feelings and understand the impact these have on their actions.

The goal of the program is to gain greater control over what happens in our lives while increasing overall happiness.

The RUBI Parent Training for Disruptive Behaviours is intended to equip parents with a variety of techniques and tools that can help minimize disruptive behaviours and increase desired behaviours.

It provides families with a wealth of information that can assist in their day-to-day planning for their child by including teaching opportunities for play skills, daily living skills as well as opportunities to apply behaviour management skills for encouraging desired behaviours.

This workshop provides an opportunity to learn evidence-based behavioural strategies to teach your child play skills that also promote language. Teaching communication skills and expanding your child’s language through play increases skill development across many areas maximizing learning opportunities. There are four individual consults with a BCBA included with this workshop.

These consultations are included to implement the strategies learned at the workshop with your child.