Programs & Services (New – in development)

This is a parent/caregiver mediated program offered to families who would like to work on a specific goal. The 12-week program includes 6 or more face-to-face or virtual meetings throughout the 12-week service. A meeting will occur for the following: discussion around suitability of the goal, observation, assessment, strategy development, parent/caregiver direct support/coaching, and generalization and maintenance.

Our Direct BCBA Consultation Service and Caregiver Coaching offers personalized support for caregivers who want to help their child reach specific goals. Through this service, caregivers will work one-on-one with a Registered Behaviour Analyst to develop and implement strategies tailored to their child’s needs. Consultations are available virtually, by phone, or in-person where possible, providing flexibility for families. This service helps caregivers feel confident in their role and empowered to support their child’s development.

Friendship Builders is an in-person social skills group designed to help children learn and practice the foundational skills needed to interact positively with peers. The group is based on the evidence-based Children’s Friendship Training curriculum, which teaches practical strategies for navigating common social situations and developing stronger peer interactions.

During each small-group session, children are introduced to a new social skill and have opportunities to practice it through guided activities, role-play, and interaction with other group members. The group environment provides a supportive space for children to learn, rehearse, and build confidence using these skills.

Caregivers receive weekly updates on their child’s progress in the group, including information about the skills being practiced and suggestions for how these strategies can be reinforced at home and in community settings.

Children will learn and practice skills such as:
• Making a good first impression
• Conversing with other children
• Finding common interests with peers
• Playing fairly and being gracious when winning or losing
• Resolving conflicts
• Handling rejection, teasing, and bullying
• Joining other children at play
• Being a good host during playdates
• Showing respect to other children and adults

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. This service is intended for caregivers, children (8-12), and adolescents (age 13+) to receive direct individual support from a psychologist, psychotherapist, or clinical associate working under the supervision of Dr. Matias Mariani to address challenges related to a range of issues (e.g., family problems, parenting stress, bullying at school, worries, low mood, social difficulties, etc.). The goal is to provide time-limited counselling to better manage emotions, improve problem-solving, and learn various coping skills.

This two-part workshop provides caregivers with strategies to support the development of play, leisure, and social skills across childhood and adolescence. Participants will explore how these skills support relationship building, shared enjoyment, and participation in home, school, and community activities. Caregivers will learn about early play and social development, including strategies to support shared attention, imitation, turn-taking, and simple interactive play. The workshop will also explore social and leisure skills for older children and youth, such as cooperative play, shared hobbies, structured games, and participation in community or recreational activities. Caregivers will learn how following their child’s interests, creating motivating activities, and providing supportive guidance can help increase engagement and social interaction. By the end of the program, families will have practical tools to support play, leisure, and social engagement that match their child’s interests, developmental level, and daily routines.

This two-part workshop provides caregivers with better understanding why behaviours occur and how to respond in supportive and effective ways. Participants will explore the idea that behaviour often communicates a need and that understanding the reasons behind behaviour can help guide helpful responses. Caregivers will learn about how behaviours can serve different functions, such as gaining attention, accessing preferred items or activities, avoiding difficult tasks, or meeting sensory needs and how patterns may develop across different situations. Caregivers will also learn simple ways to observe behaviour and identify possible triggers and patterns, preventive strategies to help prevent challenging behaviour, and ways to promote positive skill development to teach their children alternate ways to meet their needs. By the end of the program, families will have practical tools to better understand behaviour patterns and support positive behaviour and skill development at home.

This two-part workshop provides caregivers with better understanding why behaviours occur and how to respond in supportive and effective ways. Participants will explore the idea that behaviour often communicates a need and that understanding the reasons behind behaviour can help guide helpful responses. Caregivers will learn about how behaviours can serve different functions, such as gaining attention, accessing preferred items or activities, avoiding difficult tasks, or meeting sensory needs and how patterns may develop across different situations. Caregivers will also learn simple ways to observe behaviour and identify possible triggers and patterns, preventive strategies to help prevent challenging behaviour, and ways to promote positive skill development to teach their children alternate ways to meet their needs. By the end of the program, families will have practical tools to better understand behaviour patterns and support positive behaviour and skill development at home.

This two-part workshop provides caregivers with practical strategies to help their child learn new skills and participate more successfully in everyday routines. Participants will explore how clear communication, motivation, and supportive teaching strategies can create more effective learning opportunities at home. Caregivers will learn how to give clear and effective instructions by gaining their child’s attention, using simple language, and breaking tasks into manageable steps. The workshop will also introduce how reinforcement can increase motivation and encourage cooperation during learning activities. In addition, caregivers will explore how prompts and supports can help children practice new skills while reducing frustration. Strategies for gradually fading prompts to support independence will also be discussed. Through discussion and practical examples, caregivers will learn how these strategies can be incorporated into daily routines, play, and everyday activities. By the end of the program, caregivers will have practical tools to support learning, increase cooperation, and promote skill development in natural home and community settings.

This workshop provides caregivers with strategies to strengthen connection and engagement with their child through positive interactions. Participants will explore the concept of pairing, which involves building trust by associating caregivers with enjoyable activities and experiences. Families will learn how to follow their child’s lead in play, identify preferred activities, and create fun, motivating interactions that encourage participation and cooperation. Through discussion and guided examples, caregivers will explore ways to increase shared attention, reduce power struggles, and build positive routines. This workshop focuses on creating meaningful, enjoyable moments that strengthen relationships and make learning easier. By the end of the program, families will have practical strategies for increasing engagement, encouraging interaction, and building a positive foundation for communication and skill development.

This workshop provides caregivers with an introduction to the foundational principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and how these strategies can support their child’s learning and development in everyday life. In a group-based session, caregivers will learn key ABA concepts including reinforcement, prompting, breaking skills into smaller steps, and the ABCs of behaviour (Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence). Caregivers will also learn about the characteristics of quality ABA services and discuss questions to consider when seeking support from service providers. By the end of the program, caregivers will have an increased understanding of ABA principles and will feel more confident identifying patterns in behaviour and opportunities to support their child’s learning and positive behaviour at home.