Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario with virtual login capability. Individual consultations: Virtual and/or in person at GJCC North (584 Red River Road) or GJCC South (200 Brock Street East).

Using strategies grounded in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), the workshop focuses on helping caregivers gradually expand their child’s acceptance of new foods while reducing stress and challenging behaviours during mealtimes. Topics include creating positive mealtime routines, introducing new foods gradually, reducing mealtime pressure, and using reinforcement to support progress. Caregivers will practice strategies at home between sessions and collect simple information about their child’s responses to new foods in order to guide coaching and adjustments to the plan.

Start Date: May 4, 2026

Six-week program:
Week 1) Group information session attended by all (2 hours)
Week 2) Individualized assessment meeting with RBA (1 hour)
Week 3) Plan review with caregivers (1 hour)
Week 4) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)
Week 5) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)
Week 6) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)

Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay with virtual login capability. Individual consultations: Virtual and/or in person at GJCC North (584 Red River Road) or GJCC South (200 Brock Street East)

Using strategies grounded in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) this workshop is designed to support caregivers in teaching toileting skills to their child. The program begins with a group information session where caregivers learn the foundational steps involved in toilet training, including building readiness skills, establishing consistent routines, using visual supports, and applying reinforcement strategies to support success. Caregivers will receive a pre-readiness skills checklist to help determine whether their child is ready to begin active toilet training or whether early steps such as pairing the bathroom environment and increasing sitting tolerance should be prioritized. Caregivers will implement strategies at home and participate in a series of individual consultation sessions with the facilitator to review their child’s progress, problem-solve challenges, and receive individualized guidance.

Start Date: May 6, 2026

Five-week program:
Week 1: Group information session attended by all (2 hours)
Week 2: Individual consultation (1 hour)
Week 3: Individual consultation (1 hour)
Week 4: Individual consultation (1 hour)
Week 5: Individual consultation (1 hour)

Thunder Bay

Virtual / Online - Families can attend GJCC North (584 Red River Road) if they do not have access to technology to attend virtual session.

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.

September 10, 2026 (5:00pm - 6:30pm)

Thunder Bay

584 Red River Road (with virtual login available as required). One on one individual consultations virtual.

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.

September 16, 2026

Workshop: 5pm to 7pm Individual consultations to be scheduled separately with caregivers

Families can attend either GJCC North or GJCC South (200 Brock Street East) to access technology for individual consultations.

Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay (Virtual login capability available). Individual consultations: In person at GJCC North (584 Red River Road) or GJCC South (200 Brock Street East). Virtual available for children residing outside of Thunder Bay

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.

October 8, 2026

Four week program:
Week 1) Group information session (1.5 hours)
Week 2) Assessment and treatment planning with RBA (1 hour)
Week 3) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)
Week 4) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)

Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay (Virtual login capability available). Individual consultations: In person at GJCC North (584 Red River Road) or GJCC South (200 Brock Street East).

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.

October 16, 2026

Five Week Program:
Week 1) Group information session #1 with RBA and IT (2 hours)
Week 2) Group information session #2 with RBA and IT (2 hours)
Week 3) Assessment and planning with RBA (1 hour)
Week 4) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)
Week 5) One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)

Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay with virtual login capability. Individual consultations also virtual.

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.

November 4, 2026

Four Week Program:
Week 1) Group session #1 (1.5 hours)
Week 2) Group information session #2 (1.5 hours)
Week 3) Initial planning meeting with RBA and caregivers (1 hour)
Week 4) Follow-up planning meeting with RBA and caregivers (1 hour)

Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay with virtual login capability. Consultation with RBA virtual. Individual consultations: In person at GJCC North (584 Red River Road) or GJCC South (200 Brock Street East). Virtual available for rural families.

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.

November 5, 2026

Five Week Program:
Week 1: Group workshop #1 (1.5 hour)
Week 2: Group workshop #2 (1.5 hour)
Week 3: Assessment and planning with RBA (1 hour)
Week 4: One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)
Week 5: One-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)

Thunder Bay

Workshop: 584 Red River Road, Thunder Bay with virtual login capabilities. Individual consultations with RBA also virtual. Consultation with Instructor Therapist at GJCC North or GJCC South (virtual for clients in District).

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.

November 19, 2026

Five Week Program:
Week 1) Group Workshop # 1 (1.5 hours)
Week 2) Group Workshop #2 (1.5 hours)
Week 3) Assessment and planning with RBA (1 hour)
Week 4) Planning and on-on-one coaching with Instructor Therapist (1 hour)
Week 5) Follow-up 1 on 1 coaching (1 hour)