Programs & Services (by category – NEW)

Sudbury-Manitoulin

159 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

This workshop series is recommended for families with a child who has recently received an Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. After receiving news of a diagnosis, families will navigate through a lot of information to make important decisions about next steps. This series offers 3 workshops, along with 4, 1:1, 30-minute consultations with a BCBA-D. Workshop 1 will provide an overview of various services recommended to caregivers of a child with ASD. Workshop 2 will provide an overview of Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and why ABA is an effective treatment for those with ASD. Workshop 3 will focus on developing positive interactions as a foundation to teach a variety of different skills in these early stages. After attending the series of workshop there are four, 30-minute, 1:1 consultations, where caregivers meet with the BCBA-D to identify and develop basic skills that could include – communication, self help skills or day to day routines. The 1:1 consultations are for both the caregiver and child to attend. Workshops are delivered virtually and only caregivers attend those. The 1:1 consultations can be virtual or in person, based on preference and availability.

Workshop 1: Monday, September 23, from 6:00 to 8:00pm
Workshop 2: Monday, September 30, from 6:00 to 8:00pm
Workshop 3: Monday, October 7, from 6:00 to 8:00pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

159 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

This workshop provides an opportunity to learn Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) strategies to teach your child
play skills that increase and promote communication. 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-D included with this workshop. These consultations are individualized specific to implement the strategies reviewed at the workshop with your child. Workshops are delivered virtually and only caregivers attend those. The 1:1 consultations can be virtual or in person, based on preference and availability.

Workshop: Monday, June 10, 2024 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

(1:1 Consultations scheduled with each family individually)

Sudbury-Manitoulin

159 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

Friendships are key for a healthy development for children and youth. Maintaining and developing
friendships can be especially tricky to navigate for children and youth with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD). This peer group is aimed at teaching and providing participants with opportunities to practice the
skills necessary for developing friendships. Participants will practice getting to know each other, how to
initiate and end conversations, conversation do’s and don’ts and how to host and be a guest at a play
date. Participants will have opportunities to learn these skills while interacting with each other and
participating in group games.

September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, & 11, 2024 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

ACT is a type of therapy that aims to help service users accept what is out of their control and commit instead to actions that enrich their lives. ACT develops psychological flexibility and is a form of behavioural therapy that combines mindfulness skills with the practice of self-acceptance, it encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. ACT is about taking effective action guided by one’s deepest values whilst being fully present and engaged.

September 30, 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Virtual or In-person at 208 Caswell Drive, Sudbury, Ontario

This is a brief targeted consultation and direct support to help address specific behaviours and support the child’s skill development. The service consists of an initial 1-hour consultation with the parent(s) and child to determine the specific problematic behaviours to address. A brief targeted behaviour plan is developed. The child then participates in 6, 1-on1 sessions with the ABA Consultant. At the end of the 4 sessions, the parent(s) will participate in another 1-hour consultation to review the progress and retool/adjust the initial behaviour plan.

*Depending on the behaviours and presenting problems, a parent may need to be present during the 1-on1 sessions with the child.

Available from May 1, 2024 onward.
Session dates and times will be customized to the client’s needs and in keeping with therapist availability. Administrative staff will contact individual registrants to schedule appointments directly.

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

This skills group aims to teach kindergarten and young learners foundational social play skills such as greetings, sharing, turn taking, and sustained play with peers. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of play activities, participate in small group and gross motor activities, and practice cooperative play. Each session will focus on encouraging learners to join in on play activities, make requests from peers and respond to other peers in a modeled and adult facilitated peer-led environment.

September 16, 2024 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
or
January 20, 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

This skills group aims to teach kindergarten and young learners foundational social play skills such as greetings, sharing, turn taking, and sustained play with peers. Participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of play activities, participate in small group and gross motor activities, and practice cooperative play. Each session will focus on encouraging learners to join in on play activities, make requests from peers and respond to other peers in a modeled and adult facilitated peer-led environment.

September 17, 2024 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
or
January 21, 2025 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

The child's school (Please note that "In-School" sessions will depend on coordination with and prior approval from the child's school.)

This brief targeted consultation aims to support parents and schools for children who have an autism diagnosis and have needs at school. The goals are to assist in the child’s frequency and quality of participation at school (e.g., increasing time that child is at school, reduction of problem behaviours, improvement of social skills, etc.). This service consists of a 1-hour consultation with the parents and a 1-hour consultation with the school team, teacher, or education assistant to determine the undesired behaviour to target, followed by a 1-hour observation of the child at school at specific times when the undesired behaviour is likely to occur.

A brief targeted behaviour treatment plan will then be created and reviewed with the teacher/education assistant. Then, the ABA consultant will meet with the teaching staff for 3, 1-hour consultations over the following weeks to review and recalibrate the targeted treatment plan as needed.

* All preparation, planning, and travel time to and from the school is included

**Please Note - In-School sessions will depend on coordination with and prior approval from the child's school.

Available from May 1, 2024 onward.
Session dates and times will be customized to the client’s needs and in keeping with therapist availability. Administrative staff will contact individual registrants to schedule appointments directly.

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

Critical Core is a role playing game that features cooperation between players to achieve goals within the game. Using a game master who facilitates the play, players determine their characters strengths and abilities and use these to work collaboratively with the other players. With a focus on skills that are critical for building relationships and having meaningful social interactions, Critical Core makes learning enjoyable for players.

September 18, 2024 from 4:00pm - 5:30pm
or
January 22, 2025 from 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Virtual

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. This caregiver group involves participation in a Parent Management Training
(Kazdin, 2008) program that aims to enhance parenting skills to manage challenging behaviours in children, such as aggression, hyperactivity, and non-compliance. The training will take place virtually in a group session.
Handouts will be emailed to participants prior to each scheduled session.

Mondays (10:00 to 11:30 am) beginning on September 9, 2024 and running to December 2, 2024 (to account for Thanksgiving holiday)

Sudbury-Manitoulin

208 Caswell Drive, Sudbury, Ontario

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. Facing Your Fears (FYF) is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program for children and youth with ASD who experience significant symptoms of anxiety. This group focuses on helping children and their caregivers in identifying worries, developing coping strategies, and practicing managing anxiety. This group consists of 12 weekly in-person sessions. Caregiver AND child participation in each session is required.

Tuesdays (3:30 pm to 5:00 pm) beginning on September 10, 2024 and running to November 26, 2024

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

Individualized targeted 6 session consultation to work on a specific goal. These may include: functional skills such as toileting, eating, hygeine; communication goals (i.e., functional communication); identifying alternatives to disruptive behaviour, etc. In person sessions may include direct work with children and adolescents.

2024
May 8, 9
September 11, 12
October 16, 17
November 6, 7

2025
January 15, 16
February 12, 13

Sudbury-Manitoulin

208 Caswell Drive, Sudbury, Ontario

This group is based on the Circles Intimacy and Relationships (Level 1) curriculum by James Stanfield. The group is intended to help children with autism develop and understand social roles, relationship boundaries, and relationship-specific behaviours (e.g., it’s okay to hug your mother, but it’s not okay to hug the mail carrier) by using step-by-step dramatizations and visual examples to teach extremely abstract concepts in a very simple and concrete manner. Each session will focus on explaining the relationship between the level of intimacy between people and the way they Touch, Talk to, and Trust each other based on which “circle” of intimacy they are in. Different relationships and roles will be evaluated using 6 qualifiers: how long have you known the person, how often do you see the person, how many common bonds do you have with the person, how well do you know the person, how deep are your feelings for the person, and how safe are you with the person. The participants will get to keep a take home circle chart of their own that they’ve made that will place strangers, community helpers, neighbors, peers, friends, family members and a sweetheart (if appropriate) all with themselves at the heart of their personalized circle. We will be using words like "romantic touch” to describe interpersonal contact in romantic relationships without going into any explicit detail. The term “sweetheart” will be used to refer to a boyfriend or girlfriend. Consent and the right to withdraw consent will also be discussed. This is not intended to be a course on sexual education. The group sessions are being offered by an ABA consultant who will use ABA strategies (such as rewards, behavioural skills training and other interactive strategies) to assist in the learning of this material.

Thursdays (3:30pm to 5:00pm) beginning on May 9, 2024 and running to June 27, 2024

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

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.

May 10, 2024
September 11, 2024
January 8, 2025

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Virtual or in-person at 208 Caswell Drive, Sudbury, Ontario

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. We are happy to offer drop-in clinics for adolescents and caregivers to access a 50- minute consultation session with Dr. Price. Clients will be able to schedule a time during one of the clinic days, where they are able to discuss any current mental health concerns, learning basic strategies that can be implemented at home and in the community, and to receive recommendations to plan for next steps.

May 13, 2024- 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
June 28, 2024 - 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
July 29, 2024 - 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
August 30, 2024 - 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
September 23, 2024 - 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
October 28, 2024 - 1pm, 3pm, 4pm
November 25, 2024 - 1pm, 3pm, 4pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Northern Outreach & Clinical Services office (887 Notre Dame Ave Unit F, Sudbury, ON P3A 2T2)

We provide up to 3, one-hour sessions with a Behavior Clinician to directly support parents and caregivers to address a specific need/goal and the tools to support your child/youth’s skill development. Prior to these consultations, one of our skilled Foundational Family Service Clinicians will conduct an initial call to discuss your child’s current needs/skills and gather general information to help individualize these sessions. *Please note that due to the complexity of some specific needs/ goals, the Foundational Family Service Clinicians may determine that a goal is not appropriate for targeted sessions as they may require a more comprehensive assessment to be completed (i.e., accessing a core clinical service).

Targeted Consultation topics could include, but are not limited to:

• Strategies for toilet training (e.g., assessing readiness, developing a toilet training plan)
• Early learner communication (e.g., using a choice board)
• Social skills (e.g., sharing with a sibling)
• Transition support (e.g., using a visual schedule)
• Self-advocacy skills (e.g., sharing pronouns, advocating for specialized services in the school system)

To be determined by clinician and caregiver

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

BCBAs and caregivers troubleshoot, problem solve and consult about a topic of the caregiver’s choice. May be related to skill building, problem behaviour, incorporating ABA principles into daily living, etc. The clinic day consultations are intended to provide general information and may not be suitable for severe challenging behaviour or other complex issues. Please be prepared with some questions or scenarios to direct the conversation.

May 17, 2024
September 20, 2024
October 18, 2024
November 22, 2024
December 20, 2024
January 24, 2025
February 21, 2025
March 21, 2025

Available times for each above day:
9:00am -10:00am
11:00am - 12:00pm
1:00pm - 2:00pm
3:00pm - 4:00pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Northern Outreach & Clinical Services office (887 Notre Dame Ave Unit F, Sudbury, ON P3A 2T2)

Children’s Friendship Training is an in person, evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated children who are interested in learning ways to help them make and keep friends. During each small-group session, children learn a new skill and practice it with other group members. Meanwhile, parents learn how to support their children’s social development, coaching them as they practice their skills in the real world. Your child will learn these skills:

• Making a good first impression
• Conversing with other children
• Finding common interests with other children
• 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 on a playdate
• Showing respect to other children and adults

Group 1: Age 3-6 (9am-12:00pm)
Group 2: Ages 7-10 (1:00pm-4:00pm)
Note: Please select 9:00am for Group #1 OR 1:00pm Group #2

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Sudbury

The More Than Words Program is a parent/caregiver training program for early communicators that provides you with the tools, strategies and support you need to help you child reach their full communication potential. Offered within a group setting, and consisting of a mixture of group (parents only) and individual consultations (parent and child), the program empowers parents and caregivers to help their child reach the following three goals:
1. Improved social communication and back-and-forth interactions
2. Improved play skills
3. Improved imitation skills

As a parent and/or caregiver, here are some of the valuable things that are learned when attending the More Than Words Program:
• What motivates your child to communicate
• How to use your knowledge about your child to set appropriate and realistic goals
• How to make interactions with your child last longer
• Tips for using pictures and print to help your child’s understanding
• Strategies for how to talk so that your child understands you
• Strategies for developing your child’s play skills
• Ways to help your child make friends

Starting: Friday, July 5th, 2024
Ending: Friday, September 13, 2024

Sessions will take place on Friday mornings from 9:30am - 12:00pm.

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Northern Outreach & Clinical Services office (887 Notre Dame Ave Unit F, Sudbury, ON P3A 2T2)

Children’s Friendship Training is a 10-week, in person, evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated children who are interested in learning ways to help them make and keep friends.
During each small-group session, children learn a new skill and practice it with other group members. Children are given weekly assignments to help them apply the new skills in their daily lives. Meanwhile, parents learn how to support their children’s social development, coaching them as they practice their skills in the real world.
Your child will learn these skills:
• Making a good first impression
• Conversing with other children
• Finding common interests with other children
• 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 on a playdate
• Showing respect to other children and adults

Weekly sessions (Thursdays)
Group 1: June 6th, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 pm
Group 2: October 3, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Online. In person option exists in North Bay.

Hanen’s Talkability program is designed for parents of verbal children between the ages of 3-8, with social communication difficulties, particularly those who find it difficult to:
• Have conversations with others
• Play with children their own age
• Talk about things that interest someone else
• Change a routine without becoming frustrated

This program teaches parents practical ways to help their child learn people skills. By “people skills”, we mean the ability to “tune in” to the thoughts and feelings of others by paying attention to non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, eye gaze, and tone of voice. The ability to consider other points of view and to have empathy for others is essential for successful conversations and for making friends. Children with social communication difficulties require extra help to develop these skills.

When you take the TalkAbility Program, you’ll learn:
• How your child carries on conversation and the next steps to take to help him have back-and-forth conversations
• How to encourage your child to pay attention to the social messages people send non-verbally
• How to talk so your child can tune in to what others are thinking; help them appreciate another person's feelings and point of view
• How to help your child tell stories and play imaginatively
• How to help your child make friends

Thursday, September 5th, 2024

This program consists of eight group sessions with five individual consultations.

Sudbury-Manitoulin

190 Church Street Unit 2, Garson ON

Interactive art sessions for early learners focusing on imitation, direction-following, fine motor skills, and communication. Art exploration with caregiver support.

July 5th, (Fridays from 9:30am - 11:00am)

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Online or in-person at 1191 Lansing Ave., Unit 1, Sudbury ON P3A 4C4

Speech and Language Individual Consultations are designed to allow for caregivers the opportunity to discuss 1-2 concerns they have about their child’s speech and language development. Families will meet with a registered Speech-Language Pathologist for a total of four 1:1 consultations, which will last 45 minutes each, and be offered in-person or virtually.

During the first consultation session, parents/caregivers will meet with the Speech-Language Pathologist to discuss concerns they have regarding their child’s communication development. At this time, functional strategies and goals will be shared with the caregivers to ensure that they have the knowledge and confidence required to allow them to help their child become a more effective communicator in everyday life. This service is designed for families of children who are not yet using verbal words to communicate, use a limited number of words, communicate with a communication device (i.e. PECS, Proloquo, SnapCore), struggle to produce speech sounds, communicate using incomplete sentences, or have difficulties with social communication and interaction with peers. No matter what the need is, we can help!

The remaining 3 consultation sessions will involve either only the parent, or both parent and child. The Speech-Language Pathologist will guide the parent in implementation of the strategies and goals discussed during the first consultation session.

Dates and Times:
July 1st, 2024 (2 sessions available)
July 2nd, 2024 (2 sessions available)
August 1st, 2024 (2 sessions available)
August 2nd, 2024 (2 sessions available)
September 1st, 2024 (2 sessions available)
October 1st, 2024 (2 sessions available)
November 1st, 2024 (2 sessions available)
December 1st, 2024 (2 sessions available)

Once a family signs up, the agency will contact the family and book their four consultations at a time that works for both the agency and the family. Sessions will be made available between the hours of 9:00am - 3:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Sudbury-Manitoulin

190 Church Street Unit 2, Garson ON

Art classes for ages 8-12 years old to enhance creativity, emotional understanding, and social skills. Focuses on imitation, relational framing (i.e., making connections), and group interactions.

July 3rd, 2024 to August 28, 2024 (Wednesdays from 10:00am-11:30am)

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Exact locations to be determined.

This group is a unique opportunity for children who are speaking or non-speaking (and using augmentative communication) to have opportunities to socialize and use their skills in a fun and supportive environment. This will also provide an opportunity for children to see other children using AAC and will build their own confidence using their AAC to effectively communicate with their peers. Movement and sensory activities will be incorporated into each group session.

Group #1 Tuesdays, starting July 9th, 9:00am - 1:00pm (4-6 year olds) - Sudbury
Group #2 Thursdays, starting July 11th, 9:00am - 1:00pm (7-9 year olds) – Sudbury
Group #3 Wednesdays, starting July 10th, 9:00am - 12:00pm (4-9 year olds) – Manitoulin
Group #4 Wednesdays, starting July 10th, 1:30pm - 4:30pm (4-9 year olds) - Espanola

Sudbury-Manitoulin

190 Church Street Unit 2, Garson ON

Advanced art and Acceptance and Commitment Training-focused sessions for ages 12+. Develops self/emotion-regulation, perspective-taking, self-awareness, decision-making, and mindfulness through complex art projects. Participants should have sophisticated language and conversational skills.

July 3rd, 2024 to August 28, 2024 (Wednesdays from 1:30pm-3:00pm)

Sudbury-Manitoulin

190 Church Street Unit 2, Garson ON

Learn Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTr) strategies to prioritize your well-being and enact meaningful behavior changes based on your values. Ideal for caregivers seeking to manage stress and enhance life balance. Tailored support to reduce burnout through practical, value-driven adjustments.

Late group - October 3, 2024 from 7:30-8:30pm
Early group - October 3, 2024 from 12-1pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

190 Church Street Unit 2, Garson ON

Personalized Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTr) sessions tailored to your goals. Initial assessment identifies key behavior changes—like improving treatment adherence or enhancing selfcare behaviours to mitigate caregiver burnout. Includes daily email support for one week and a follow-up session to refine strategies and confirm progress.

January 9th 2025: 10h30am-11h30am; 12pm-1pm; 1h30pm-2h30pm; 3pm-4pm
January 10th 2025: 10h30am-11h30am; 12pm-1pm; 1h30pm-2h30pm; 3pm-4pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

190 Church Street Unit 2, Garson ON

Learn gentle, value-based sleep solutions without "cry-it-out." Our course includes personalized assessments and tailored strategies to improve your child's sleep. Appropriate for caregivers of children 0-18 years old.

January 6, 2025
February 3, 2025
March 3, 2025
Times to be booked directly with BCBA

Thunder Bay

TBD

Practice and boost social skills through Game On!. Relevant social skills will be covered to enhance the social skill toolbox involving playing games with others, focusing on the individual needs of each participant. We will also focus on learning to play (the game, if required), following the game rules and appropriately handling situations that occur while playing games.

July 8, 2024 to July 12, 2024 from 1:00pm-4:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Calling all 7 & 8 year olds! Practice and boost social skills through Game On!. Relevant social skills will be covered to enhance the social skill toolbox involving playing games with others, focusing on the individual needs of each participant. We will also focus on learning to play (the game, if required), following the game rules and appropriately handling situations that occur while playing games.

July 8, 2024 to July 15, 2024 from 9:00am-12:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Calling all 5 & 6 year olds! Practice and boost social skills through Game On!. Relevant social skills will be covered to enhance the social skill toolbox involving playing games with others, focusing on the individual needs of each participant. We will also focus on joining play with peers, following the rules of the game, and being a good sport.

July 22, 2024 to July 26, 2024 from 9:00am-12:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Join us for an art-based social skills group. While unleashing your creative side, we will focus on increasing conversation skills such as:
- Joining conversations
- Taking turns
- Staying on topic
- When others are bored
- Using a cover story to exit conversations

July 29, 2024 to August 2, 2024 from 9:00am-12:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Increase independence moving around Thunder Bay. Specific targets will be selected based on participant experience. Program targets could include:
- Navigating sidewalks & intersections
- Planning your route
- Reaching destinations within the city using transit
- Social rules & etiquette for using transit and traveling with members of the public

August 6, 2024 to August 9, 2024 from 1:00pm-4:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Join us for an art-based social skills group. While unleashing your creative side, we will focus on
increasing conversation skills such as:
- Joining conversations
- Taking turns
- Staying on topic
- When others are bored
- Using a cover story to exit conversations

August 19, 2024 to August 23, 2024 from 1:00pm-4:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Curious and creative? Join us for a STEM-themed social skills group focusing on:
- Teamwork
- Compromise
- Flexible thinking
- Confidence
- Creativity

August 12, 2024 to August 16, 2024 from 9:00am-12:00pm

Thunder Bay

TBD

Sibshops is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis. Sibshops is not therapy, but rather a venue for sibs to have fun, laugh, talk about the good and not-so-good parts, play some great games, learn something about the services/diagnosis of their brothers or sisters, and have some more fun. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch.

September 3; 9:00-3:30

Algoma

Hybrid/home/centre-based at 126 Queen St E, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

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.

First come first serve. Bookings currently being accepted from May 6th, 2024 to July 8th, 2024.

Kenora-Rainy River

Kenora

This Family PD Day Event is an opportunity for families with school aged children with ASD to spend a few hours of their PD Day socializing, having fun, and meeting with other autism families while creating and exploring activities. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

June 10, 2024 - 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Kenora

Family Craft Event is an opportunity for families with children under 19 years of age with ASD to spend a few hours of their day socializing and having fun with other autism families while creating and exploring. Sensory crafts and activities will be available to families. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

July 8, 2024 - 4:30 till 6:00

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

Faces and Emotions will teach children to understand the meaning behind the different facial expressions that they see in others, and those made by themselves. This skill will support the learners to improve their ability to connect and interact with people in a meaningful way.

Start date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Red Lake, Ontario

This service will be provided through a certified Sibshop facilitator. It is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis to connect with others, have fun, laugh, play games, and learn something about the services and diagnosis of their brother or sister. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch.

September 27th 2024

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

This program uses a collaborative model to provide participants with the tools they need to support their children in addressing sleep-related problems. Individualized sessions are offered to address specific behaviours that may be interfering in sleep routines.

Start date: Tuesday, October 9, 2024 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Sioux Lookout, Ontario

This service will be provided through a certified Sibshop facilitator. It is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis to connect with others, have fun, laugh, play games, and learn something about the services and diagnosis of their brother or sister. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch and will have a Halloween focused theme.

October 26th, 2024 - 9:30am till 3:00pm

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

This program uses a collaborative model to provide participants with the tools they need to support their children in addressing sleep-related problems. Individualized sessions are offered to address specific behaviours that may be interfering in sleep routines.

Start date: Tuesday, February 3, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Fort Frances , Ontario

This service will be provided through a certified Sibshop facilitator. It is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis to connect with others, have fun, laugh, play games, and learn something about the services and diagnosis of their brother or sister. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch.

November 9th 2024 - 9:30am till 3:00pm

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

This program uses a collaborative model to provide participants with the tools they need to support their
children in trying new foods while limiting problem behaviours or eliciting negative emotional responses.
Individualized sessions are offered to address specific behaviours that may be impacting a child’s willingness to eat a variety of foods.

Start date: September 25, 2024 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

This program uses a collaborative approach to provide caregivers with the tools they need to prevent challenging behaviours from worsening. Participants will also be equipped with the skills needed to support their children to develop communication and coping strategies in the home environment.

Start date: September 25, 2024 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

If in-person, where is the specific location service will occur.

This service will be provided through a certified Sibshop facilitator. It is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis to connect with others, have fun, laugh, play games, and learn something about the services and diagnosis of their brother or sister. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch.

January 25th, 2025 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Dryden

This service will be provided through a certified Sibshop facilitator. It is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis to connect with others, have fun, laugh, play games, and learn something about the services and diagnosis of their brother or sister. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch.

January 25th, 2025 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

This program uses a collaborative approach to provide caregivers with the tools they need to prevent challenging behaviours from worsening. Participants will also be equipped with the skills needed to support their children to develop communication and coping strategies in the home environment.

Start date: February 3, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Fort Frances, Ontario

This service will be provided through a certified Sibshop facilitator. It is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis to connect with others, have fun, laugh, play games, and learn something about the services and diagnosis of their brother or sister. This all-day session includes snacks and lunch.

March 14th 2025 - 9:30am till 3:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Fort Frances, Ontario

Family Craft Event is an opportunity for families with children with ASD to spend a few hours of their day socializing and having fun with other autism families while creating and exploring. Sensory crafts and activities will be available to families. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

November 8, 2024 - 4:30 till 6:00

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the importance visual supports can play in fostering
communication with their children at home, daycare, and school. Using a hands-on approach, participants will be provided with a number of tools that they can take with them to use with their children to implement the strategies learned in the workshop.

Start date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Kenora, Ontario

Family Craft Event is an opportunity for families with children with ASD to spend a few hours of their day socializing and having fun with other autism families while creating and exploring. Sensory crafts and activities will be available to families. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

December 9, 2024 - 4:30 till 6:00

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

Geared towards older learners, participants will learn about the importance of key skills that will enable
them to be successful as they move towards adulthood. These include planning a daily schedule, organization, flexible thinking, staying on task and accepting their own mistakes.

Start date: July 22, 2024 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Virtual

A virtual book club for children with siblings who have an Autism diagnosis. These sessions will use storytelling with children’s books to help family members aged 6-10 learn more about embracing differences and accepting those within the autism community. A new book will be read at each session. The group consists of a storybook reading, a related activity (mailed) and a follow-up caregiver debrief to discuss the story, its themes, and how to respond to questions that may arise later.

July 2, 2024 – 4-5pm
October 1, 2024 – 4-5pm
January 7, 2025 – 4-5pm

**Participants do not need to attend all three sessions.**

Thunder Bay

200 Brock Street East, Thunder Bay, ON

Participants will learn valuable skills that will support them in understanding expectations related to behaviours in a variety setting within their school environment.

Start date: August 19, 2024 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Dryden, Ontario

Youth Game and Pizza Party night is an opportunity for youths 12- 16 with ASD to socialize with other youth, make new friends, and play some fun games. Caregivers are asked to stay and participate. Pizza dinner and games will be provided.

August 29 2024 - 5:00pm till 7:00pm

Thunder Bay

7 Flicker Street, Manitouwadge, ON

Participants will learn valuable skills that will support them in understanding expectations related to behaviours in a variety setting within their school environment.

Start date: August 19, 2024 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Kenora-Rainy River

Kenora, Ontario

LEGO Social Group is an opportunity for children with ASD to build and explore using LEGO while socializing and meeting new friends. This group consists of free building, as well as guided building using the provided LEGO blocks.

Fall 2024

Thunder Bay

Manitouwadge - Our Lady of Lourdes School, 7 Flicker Street

This program provides children with practical skills to build meaningful and lasting friendships. As part of a small group, children will learn to make phone calls, maintain play, share in the interests of others, and respond appropriately to bullying and teasing.

Start date: July 8, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00pm

Sudbury-Manitoulin

239 Pine St. Sudbury, Ontario

The kitchen skills and making meals group is intended to teach teens kitchen and cooking skills in a fun, social environment. Each week, the group will plan and execute a simple meal focusing on healthy choices, safety in the kitchen and cooperation.

Starting: October 3, 3024

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Roots & Wings Psychology 888 Regent Street. Unit 100. Sudbury, ON P3E 6C6

Over the course of four weeks, caregivers will consult directly with a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst on a goal for their child. They will receive 1:1 coaching and/or continued consultations with the BCBA. Consultations will occur virtually or by phone, and in-person where possible. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) as well as Mindfulness and values-based coaching will be used with caregivers (i.e., Acceptance and Commitment Training). ACT is an evidence-based approach that combines mindfulness techniques with values-based processes which helps caregivers to address the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations that can arise when implementing new strategies.

A: Fridays starting May 5, 2023 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am
B: Fridays starting June 9, 2023 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am
C: Fridays starting August 18, 2023 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am
D: Fridays starting September 22, 2023 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Roots & Wings Psychology 888 Regent Street. Unit 100. Sudbury, ON P3E 6C6

Youth are invited to join a small group of their peers, learn and practice new skills, and have fun in a relaxed setting. This service is intended for youth who have basic conversational skills and want to have greater success making and keeping friends. Through instruction, demonstrations and role-play, participants will work on targeted skills such as: Trading Information, Maintaining Conversations, Entering and Exiting Conversations and Appropriate use of Humour. Lunch will be provided. A screening will be completed prior to the start date to establish that youth are a fit for the program.

A: May 6, 2023 10:00 to 3:00PM
B: October 21, 2023 10:00 to 3:00PM
C: January 20, 2024 10:00AM to 3:00PM Caregiver consultations by appointment

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Roots & Wings Psychology 888 Regent Street. Unit 100. Sudbury, ON P3E 6C6

Youth are invited to join a small group of their peers, learn and practice new skills, and have fun in a relaxed setting. This service is intended for youth who have basic conversational skills and want to have greater success making and keeping friends. Through instruction, demonstration and role-play, participants will work on targeted skills such as: Starting and Maintaining Conversations; Choosing Appropriate Friends; Finding a Source of Friends; Sportsmanship; Handling Disagreements; and Dealing with Teasing. A screening will be completed prior to the start date to verify criteria for the program are met.

A: May 13, 2023 10:00AM to 3:00PM
B: October 28, 2023 10:00 to 3:00PM
C: January 27, 2024 10:00AM to 3:00PM Caregiver consultations by appointment

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Webinar- available across the North Consultations- Sudbury and area

Learning social behaviour begins quite early in life. As we navigate this social world, we develop appropriate skills to the context of situations for healthy sexuality. For parents and children with ASD, this social world can become frightening. This interactive webinar will support families in developing useful social repertoires amongst their peers and the world around them. Kids should learn these skills as soon as possible to protect them from being vulnerable to certain situations. These tools will be shared with parents and individual consultations will target one appropriate social skill to maintain healthy boundaries.

November 18, 2023 - February 27, 2024

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Workshop will be virtual, consultations can be in home services, according to parent preference

Welcome to Holland! Simple and effective Applied Behaviour Analysis strategies can easily be incorporated into everyday life at home. This webinar offers practical solutions for families to develop a routine, integrate visual aids into daily life, keep children busy, master controlled choices, Before and After, and following through. The one hour consultations will focus on direct parent training that can be incorporated into everyday life (between the loads of laundry and making supper).
3 one hour virtual Individual sessions scheduled in accordance with family availability.

November 25, 2023

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Virtual

Transitions can be difficult for children and youth with ASD, but they don’t have to be. Parents will be provided with the tools, education and knowledge for advocacy skills and navigating systems seamlessly in order to support their child to experience smooth transitions. Sectors included can be between years of study and/or between school settings, secondary and post-secondary or for the adult sector, work force and community settings. These individual consultations and relevant resources will be child/youth specific in response to their personal strengths, needs and specific needs of the family.

October 21, 2023 - November 30, 2023 or December 2, 2023 - January 30, 2024 or February 24, 2024 - March 30, 2024

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Roots & Wings Psychology 888 Regent Street. Unit 100. Sudbury, ON P3E 6C6

Roots & Wings Psychology is pleased to offer social skills groups using the POWER-Solving®: Stepping Stones to Helping Children Solve Life’s Everyday Social Problems curriculum. This comprehensive social skills curriculum teaches problem solving, anger management, social conversation, and developing friendship skills. Examples of skills targeted include, but are not limited to: setting and achieving a goal within a given situation; staying calm when told ‘no’, or when things don’t go their way; starting, maintaining, changing the topic, and ending conversation appropriately; accepting others who are different from them; and learning how to play a game appropriately.

Eligible participants must be between 7 and 11 years of age with no externalized behaviours (i.e., physical aggression, property destruction, self-injurious behaviours), and well-established verbal repertoire (i.e., can read and write close to their grade level).

Pizza and drinks will be provided at each session.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 to Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sudbury-Manitoulin

Roots & Wings Psychology 888 Regent Street. Unit 100. Sudbury, ON P3E 6C6

Roots & Wings Psychology is excited to offer a new service called Sleep Tight. Good sleep is crucial in supporting our children/youth’s growth and development as well as healthy brain and body functioning throughout their day. The Sleep Tight program is a time limited service that offers a sleep assessment and treatment plan, along with one month of follow up support.

Goals of the treatment plan are developed collaboratively with caregivers in consideration of the client, family values, as well as safety and subjective experience. Goals can include but are not limited to: falling asleep quickly, staying asleep throughout the night, rise without difficulty in the morning, decrease drowsiness during the day, and fall and stay asleep unassisted.

October 2023
January 2024
February 2024

Thunder Bay

At Ignite’s centre in Thunder Bay

Following a 1-hour consultation meeting with our on-site BCBA, your child will receive 6 hours of 1:1 follow up service/caregiver coaching with our clinical team, at our center, for up to 4 weeks. Session dates and times will be arranged with each individual family.

Start dates:

May 1st, 2024
June 1st, 2024
July 1st, 2024
August 1st, 2024
September 1st, 2024
October 1st, 2024

Thunder Bay

TBD

Practice and boost social skills through Game On!. Relevant social skills will be covered to enhance the social skill toolbox involving playing games with others, focusing on the individual needs of each participant. We will also focus on learning to play (the game, if required), following the game rules and appropriately handling situations that occur while playing games.

July 2, 2024; 9:00-12:00