The Galloway School Break program offers service during the school holiday, march Break and an 8-week summer program for youth aged 12 to 18 with and Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or a developmental disability. The goal of this service is to provide a brief break for youth and their families in a safe, supportive environment with a family-centered approach. This service involves community access, outings, physical activities and skill development with a focus of socialization and life skills enhancing an individuals capacity and independence.
Steps to access the program:
- Call the program at 416-724-7444
- Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
- Complete required paperwork; support to complete can be provided
Registration for Summer 2024 is OPEN!
AYCES School Break Respite program operates during the festive holidays, March Break and 8 weeks during the summer. The AYCES Program provide a brief break with a flexible family/youth centered approach, providing a safe fun space to get to together with their peers. The program’s focus is community access and independence, commuting to and from community activities with the TTC, participating in community events and activities. This service strives to promote independence, encouraging the development and maintaining of a peer network, empowering them build their capabilities, with the goal of enhancing their social and life skills development.
How to Enroll
- Call the program at 416-724-7444
- Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
- Complete required paperwork *support to complete can be provided
Registration for Summer 2024 is OPEN!
Selecting the Right Autism Core Clinical Service Provider for Your Family
About Us
At Strides Toronto, we have over 20 years of experience providing personalized autism services. Our dedicated team of intake workers, skilled behaviour therapists, and Registered Behaviour Analysts (RBAs) work closely with families to create personalized plans that are engaging, supportive and effective, and tailored to your loved one’s unique needs.
What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?
ABA is a scientifically supported approach for supporting autistic individuals. Decades of research demonstrate ABA’s effectiveness, making it one of the most scientifically supported therapies for autism.
1 to 1 ABA Services
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) core clinical services (CCS) are designed to offer children and youth on the autism spectrum access to evidence-informed ABA clinical services tailored to their unique strengths, needs, and goals. We provide a range of service intensities to ensure that each individual receives the support that best suits them. Our 1 to 1 sessions are ran by highly trained behaviour therapists are overseen by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA). If appropriate for your child, 1 to 1 sessions may include small group learning. We are committed to supporting your journey and enhancing the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Our CCS ABA programs meet all criteria set forth by the OAP, allowing you to access our services using your OAP funding or personal financial resources, including private insurance.
Key Areas of Focus
Our clinicians deliver 1 to 1 ABA services and supports that help autistic children and youth achieve their individual goals and address needs they may have across various domains. These could include:
- Communication: Enhancing how individuals express their needs and understand others.
- Social Interaction: Improving participation in social situations and shared activities.
- Play & Leisure: Encouraging independent and social engagement in play.
- Activities of Daily Living: Supporting daily tasks like dressing and hygiene.
- Motor Skills: Developing fine and gross motor skills for activities like writing and walking.
- Cognitive Skills: Fostering problem-solving and concentration abilities.
- Sensory System: Managing reactions to sensory stimuli.
- Interfering Behaviours: Addressing behaviours that impact daily life participation.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Building flexibility and resilience in daily routines.
The Strides Toronto Advantage
Personalized ABA Treatment Dosage
Our ABA services are highly customizable. We design individualized behaviour plans that target meaningful goals for each child, ensuring that the level of support aligns with their specific needs.
The number of hours for ABA therapy is specifically personalized based on:
- Age and developmental needs of the child
- Specific skills to be developed for the child
- Severity of challenges for the child and family
- Family and environmental factors
The goal is to provide the level of support that best meets the individual’s needs and promotes their development. While some individuals benefit from a schedule with more hours, others may thrive with less frequent sessions.
Highly Personalized ABA Treatment Plans
At Strides Toronto, we employ Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based teaching methods to create personalized and meaningful goals for children and youth on the autism spectrum. Our services are tailored to meet each child’s unique needs.
Expert Clinical Supervision
Our programs are overseen by qualified Behaviour Analysts registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts (RBAs) and Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). With smaller caseloads, our clinicians ensure consistent and frequent monitoring of your child’s goals and progress, providing regular, in-person oversight to adjust programming to optimize growth and learning for your child.
Highly Trained Therapists Delivering Evidence-Based Programs
At Strides Toronto, our full-time qualified behaviour therapists undergo extensive training and a mandatory clinical evaluation process. We prioritize consistency in staffing while ensuring effective generalization of skills.
Cultural and Linguistic Considerations
We work closely with each family to personalize care, acknowledging that cultural differences can influence interactions, goal setting, and behaviour improvement methods. Many of our therapists speak multiple languages which helps to facilitate communication. Interpretation services are also available.
Transparent Communication and Support
We provide regular updates, program data, and open communication to keep your family involved throughout the treatment process. Additional support includes caregiver training, team meetings, and access to program materials.
Beyond Autism-Specific Services
We offer developmental and mental health supports individualized to your families needs to create a holistic plan for your family.
Our Services
We offer a range of free services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP), including:
- Caregiver Mediated Early Years Services
- Foundational Family Services
- Entry to School Services
- Urgent Response Services
Getting Started
Schedule a Free Needs Assessment
We offer a free no-obligation initial intake assessment to understand your child’s strengths, needs, and goals. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about our services.
Costs and Funding
Our services can be purchased using OAP funding or personal financial resources, including private insurance. We provide transparent pricing that includes:
- Intake needs assessment
- RBA/BCBA clinical supervision
- Highly qualified and trained full-time behaviour therapists
- Direct and indirect assessments
- Individualized behaviour plans
- Caregiver training and support
- Program data
- Program materials
- Detailed invoices
Contact Us
Choosing the right autism provider is a big decision, but with the right team, you’ll feel supported and confident with your choice. We are here to help you every step of the way. For more information about our autism and developmental services and creating a highly personalized plan for your family, please contact us at:
Phone: 416-438-3697 ext. 19055
Email: autism@stridestoronto.ca
Foundational Family Services is a part of the new needs-based Ontario Autism Program (OAP) designed to provide families and caregivers a range of evidence-based services to support their child and youth’s learning and development. Foundational Family Services will be individualized and responsive to families’ changing needs over time.
All families registered in the OAP are eligible to receive these services and supports at no cost. Strides Toronto is pleased to be offering Foundational Family Services in a variety of formats including virtual, and in-person services. You can choose to access these services at any point based on your family’s needs. There are no limits to the number of times you can register for these services.
We offer a wide range of Foundational Family Services. Coaching is integrated into our various services to support parents and caregivers to implement the recommended strategies and transfer skills.
These services and supports may include:
Workshops and Coaching Sessions
We offer a variety of virtual education opportunities on a wide range of topics. Workshops will be delivered online either through video links or through our Zoom Healthcare video conferencing platform.
Brief Targeted Consultation
This brief service includes parent/caregiver coaching and strategies using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) principles to address your child/youth’s individual strengths, needs, and goals. Consultations will be offered by phone or by video through our secure Zoom Healthcare platform to help address a specific goal.
Transition Supports
We provide supports and services to promote a smooth transition into the school system and the broader community.
Family Resource and Clinic Days
We have an established parent education curriculum, including training packages to support social communication and behaviour management. Strides Toronto encourages active parent and caregiver engagement and participation to better support your child/youth’s needs.
For more information about Strides Toronto’s Foundational Family Services, please contact 416-438-3697 ext. 19055 or email autism@stridestoronto.ca.
Group-based ABA Services are OAP approved for Core Clinical Service and focus on skill-building in the areas of communication, social skills, self-help skills or emotional regulation/group readiness skills. Individualized goals are selected based on assessment results and in collaboration with family goals.
Our clinical team includes experienced Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Our team of experts will work with you and your family in developing individualized services and supports to meet the needs of your child/youth with ASD.
Family-centred care is the fundamental basis of service delivery within Strides Toronto’s Autism Services. This approach values parents and caregivers as experts on their child and as key decision makers in their child’s interventions. It also recognizes their lifelong commitment to their child’s learning and wellness.
We offer a variety of in-person and virtual services (VS) and Core Clinical resources to support families. Our VS are offered by phone or by video through our secure Zoom Healthcare platform.
Behaviour Consultations
Individualized consultation services are for families looking for support on a specific goal. Behaviour Consultations includes coaching and strategies using Applied Behaviour Analysis principles (ABA) to address your child individual strengths, needs, and goals. Behaviour consultations will include clinical assessments to obtain information, and individualized Behaviour Intervention Plan, and parent training. Topics may include behaviour reduction, toileting, sleep, community outings, or a specific goal of your choice. Coaching is available to support parents and caregivers in implementing recommended strategies to help with long-term outcomes and to help transfer skills. Parents attend all Consultation Services sessions. Consultations are offered by phone or by video through our secure Zoom Healthcare platform. Depending on the goal and your family’s needs, consults are offered in 6 and 12-week durations.
For more information about Behaviour Consultations services, please contact 416-438-3697 ext. 19055 or email autism@stridestoronto.ca.
Our Galloway Saturday Respite program offers a range of accessible relief services for youth aged 12 to 18 and adults aged 18 to 35 with a developmental disability or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The goal of these services is to provide quality and flexible family centred programming that promotes the development of both social and life skills to the young adults who attend.
Access to service is based on an individual’s plan, family’s changing needs and availability. To be eligible all participants will have to complete a respite plan that meets our service criteria. This plan is reviewed yearly by staff and the family and/or individual. Available during breaks in the school year.
Steps to access the program:
- Call the program at 416-724-7444
- Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
- Complete required paperwork; support to complete can be provided
The AYCES Saturday Respite program operates two alternating Saturdays a month for youth 12 -18 with a Level 1 autism spectrum disorder. A goal of the AYCES Saturday Program is to provide a brief break with a flexible family/youth centered approach, providing a safe fun space to get to together with their peers. This service strives to engages youth, encouraging the development and maintaining of a peer network, empowering them build their capacity, enhancing their social and life skills through community access and social activities.
How to Enroll
- Call the program at 416-724-7444
- Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
- Complete required paperwork *support to complete can be provided
Rapid and personalized care to support children with autism to keep themselves from harm as well as their loved ones.
Our Urgent Response Services provide timely services to address a specific need, designed to prevent risk escalation to self, others, and/or property. Children and their families can receive up to 12 weeks of personalized services and support, which may include:
- Utilizing a mediator model approach, short-term consultation with a child’s intervention team and caregivers to help stabilize risk of harm.
- Respite services to support caregivers.
- Service coordination to develop and oversee the service plan. The coordinator will also provide service navigation to other services within or outside the Ontario Autism Program.
If you have additional questions, contact Surrey Place at 1-833-575-KIDS (5437) or childrens.registration@surreyplace.ca
Referral Details
All referrals are welcome. Families can self-refer or can be referred by a clinician, care coordinator or other relevant professionals. Upon referral, you will be screened to determine if you are eligible.
Eligibility Details
- Ages: 0 to 18 years
- Must have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).
- Showing one of the following high-risk behaviours that have escalated in intensity over the last 14 days:
- Suicidal ideation or behaviour
- Violent thinking
- Fire starting
- Harm to animals
- Risk of exploitation
- Self-injurious behaviour
- Aggression
- Inappropriate sexual behaviour
- Flight risk
- Property destruction
The Galloway After School Program (GASP) is a socialization, life skills, and activity group for adolescents and young adults in East Toronto who have been diagnosed with Autism or a mild to moderate developmental challenge.
Participants will learn life skills such as cooking, street-safety, hygiene, managing and understanding emotions, and healthy relationships. GASP helps meet individual needs and provides a safe, structured, and fun environment where they can learn and develop more independence skills. Activities and outings encourage a sense of cooperation, responsibility, and achievement.
The program operates under the principles of ABA to understand behaviour and to help develop goals for the youth, with a focus on learning and the enhancement of social and life skill development. Youth are assigned Primary Workers are responsible for the ongoing monitoring on the progress of goals.
The program runs two afternoons a week during the school year – approximately seven hours per week. The staffing ratio is one staff member per four youth.
Steps to access the program:
- Call the program at 416-724-7444 or Fahmida.momen@stridestoronto.ca to start the intake process
- Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
- Complete required paperwork; support to complete can be provided