Participants will learn the strategies to apply prior to a big life change and how to cope with the change. Big transitions may include moving, going to preschool, moving to a new school, having a new sibling, death of someone close, divorce, etc.

Difficulties with transitions are common challenges associated with an ASD diagnosis. This 2-hour group workshop will involve learning opportunities to explore several evidence-based strategies to support with everyday transitions such as going to the grocery store, leaving the house for recreational activities, morning/bedtime routines

In this presentation, participants will learn how to define behaviour, including examples of appropriate and challenging behaviour. Participants will learn how to apply the Antecedent-Behaviour-Consequence (A-B-C) Model, looking at the different functions of behaviour and general teaching strategies

This group will focus on basic organizational skills for everyday life. Emphasis will be placed on organizational strategies for the school and home. Participants will learn the importance of being organized in their daily lives and strategies for how organization can be maintained. Organizing one’s time will also be addressed as this is a necessary life skill, particularly in adolescence.

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a method of functional communication for anyone with a language disorder, including autism. PECS can be taught by professionals and parents, in all everyday settings. The PECS is based on the motivation of the chils and aims to bring about spontaneous and autonomous communication. Its teaching is rigorous and goes through 6 learning phases. It can improves the quality of life of the person and his family to the extent that it allows effective communication. This workshop focuses on learning the 6 phases of PECS as well as the assessment and intervention of ABA strategies. Each participant will have access to 3 consultations to support implementation and the continuation through next Phases of PECS.

Increase financial literacy with our Money Talks program. Participants will learn through a mix of games, practice, videos and other activities.

Topics include;
Making purchases with cash or debit
Budgeting basics
Needs vs. wants
Cheques
Tips & gratuities
Taxes
Types of savings & loans
Travelling with money

Sibshops is an opportunity for those who have a sibling with an ASD diagnosis. 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.

Join us for a mid-summer camp, just for the siblings. 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. Our 5 day camp includes snacks and lunch.

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.

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.

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 self- awareness, self-regulation, flexible thinking, and social competence. This virtual caregiver group intends to provide program material and psychoeducation regarding the above topics for caregivers to didactically support the needs of their child(ren) at home. All materials will be provided.

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.

Based on the Circles® Curriculum, parents will join a virtual group session to learn about one strategy we can use to teach about different degrees of talk, touch, and trust associated with various people in their child’s life. This program fosters communication about social and relationship boundaries and helps parents develop a visual support to teach these concepts to their child.
In the weeks following the virtual group session, we will meet individually with each family (virtual or in person) up to 3 more times to support the development of their own individualized ‘Circles’ that can be used for reference within the home. We will discuss any successes or barriers to using this visual to explain these concepts to your child, and whether any ‘tweaking’ has to be made to make the visual more effective for you and your child.
It is recommended that your child not attend the virtual workshop; however, it may be appropriate for them to attend follow-up consultations with their parent and the facilitator.

In our virtual group session, we will discuss a strategy that may help with communication around emotional or social scenarios: The Incredible 5-Point Scale. Children or youth who are interested in learning about the strategy for themselves are welcome to join their parents!
In the weeks following, we will meet individually with each family (virtual or in person) up to 3 more times to support the development of their own individualized scales that can be used within the home. We will discuss any successes or barriers to using the scales and whether any ‘tweaking’ has to be made to make the scales more effective for you and your family.

Want to learn how to make money? Want to learn how to volunteer? Are you ready to join the workforce? Join us from the comfort of your own home to learn how to pursue jobs you might be interested in. By the end of the group, you’ll know how to search online for jobs, you’ll know what you need to write a resume you can hand out to potential employers, and you’ll have practice with an ‘actual’ interview situation. Take the next steps toward being a part of your community!
Fine print for caregivers: Participants will join group sessions online with 1-2 facilitators. Peers will learn alongside each other how to search for employment (volunteer or paid), actively apply for jobs, and participate in interviews. Participants will be expected to complete a mock interview in their final session individually with a novel facilitator (i.e., not with the whole group present) so they may demonstrate the skills they learned in the previous 7 sessions.

We are pleased to offer drop-in clinics to access a 50-minute consultation session with Dr. Price. This service would be appropriate for caregivers of children of any age or adolescents who wish to have an individual consultation themselves. 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.

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.