Programs & Services (New – in development)

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. The Resilience Builder Program (Alvord, Zucker, & Grados, 2011) is designed to support ages 9 to 12 to bounce back from stress by developing resilience and protective factors, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, flexible thinking, and social competence.
All materials will be provided.
Note: All applicants must undergo an intake interview to determine eligibility.

This Social Resilience Builder Group for Teens is intended for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, aged 13 to 18 years. This group is adapted from The Resilience Builder Program (Alvord, Zucker, & Grados, 2011) that is designed to support individuals to bounce back from stress by developing resilience and protective factors, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, flexible thinking, and social competence. All materials will be provided.

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

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.

This workshop is designed to provide caregivers with a supportive introduction to autism and how it may influence their child’s everyday experiences. Caregivers will learn about common characteristics of autism, including differences in communication, social interaction, and behaviour, while emphasizing a strengths-based perspective that recognizes each child’s unique abilities, interests, and ways of engaging with the world. Caregivers will also be introduced to the idea that behaviour communicates important information about a child’s needs. By the end of the webinar, caregivers will have a clearer understanding of common characteristics of autism and will feel more confident observing their child’s behaviour, recognizing that behaviour can communicate needs, and beginning to notice patterns that may help them better support their child.

Youth Dungeons and Dragons Virtual Youth Group is an opportunity for youth aged 12-16 with an Autism diagnosis to socialize and participate in imaginative play associated with Dungeons and Dragons. Will consist of guided play encouraging teamwork, communication, social play, along with building confidence. Youth will be encouraged to facilitate independently, with the support of a facilitator when needed.

This service is intended to provide the parents/caregivers of autistic children and youth to learn skills and strategies on how to appropriately incorporate effective tools and strategies for developing communication skills with children and youth. Families will have the opportunity to connect with a Speech Language Pathologist, ask questions, and come out with appropriate methods for promoting language. A variety of activities will be available for the children and youth who attend. Meal and refreshments provided.

This service is intended to provide parents with autistic children and youth to engage in collective cooking and life skills. Families will have the opportunity to connect with a Dietician, ask questions, learn about picky eating, and to discuss the importance of cooking and eating meals together. A variety of activities will be available for children and youth who attend.

This service is intended to provide parents with autistic children and youth to learn skills and strategies on how to navigate around Sensory Processing needs. Families will have the opportunity to connect with an Occupational Therapist, ask questions, and learn about different sensory processing needs, what/where to purchase, and how to create simple tools right at home! A variety of activities will be available for children and youth who attend. Meal and refreshments provided.

This service is intended to provide the parents/caregivers of autistic children and youth to learn skills and strategies on how to appropriately incorporate effective tools and strategies of Positive Reinforcement. Families will have the opportunity to connect with a Registered Behaviour Analyst and a Positive Behavior Interventionist, ask questions, and create a beginner level reinforcement “Toolbox.” A variety of activities will be available for the children and youth who attend. Meal and refreshments provided.

This service is intended to provide the parents/caregivers of autistic children and youth to learn skills and strategies on how to appropriately incorporate effective tools and strategies for developing communication skills with children and youth. Families will have the opportunity to connect with a Speech Language Pathologist, ask questions, and come out with appropriate methods for promoting language. A variety of activities will be available for the children and youth who attend. Meal and refreshments provided.

This service is intended to provide parents with autistic children and youth to engage in collective cooking and life skills. Families will have the opportunity to connect with a Dietician, ask questions, learn about picky eating, and to discuss the importance of cooking and eating meals together. A variety of activities will be available for children and youth who attend.