Strides Toronto has been providing evidence-based interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for nearly 20 years. We are proud of the high-quality, evidence-based services our staff provide to children and youth with ASD and their families. Our service offerings are flexible and consider individual needs. Individualized intake assessments are completed to help determine a plan for service. The wide range of services available to children, youth and their families are frequently evaluated and monitored to be flexible and responsive to changing evidence and practice.

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.

Behavioural Intervention
This service is for children and or youth who require individualized support across a few learning domains and teaches essential skills based on your child’s individual needs. It involves one-on-one sessions with a behavior therapist and may include small group instruction if appropriate. Areas of focus are identified in collaboration with caregivers and may include communication, social/play skills, learning readiness, daily living skills, self regulating, and management of challenging behaviour. Goals and session durations are personalized for your family’s needs.

Group Services
Group-based ABA Services focus on skill-building in the areas of communication, social skills, self-help skills or behaviour management/ group readiness skills. Individualized goals are selected based on assessment results and in collaboration with family goals.

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 Strides Toronto’s Foundational Family Services, please contact 416-438-3697 ext. 19055 or email autism@stridestoronto.ca.

The entry to school program includes two main parts. The first part is a six-month, group-based, skill-building program, focused on helping children develop school-readiness skills in six areas:

• Communication – conversation, expressing wants and needs, understanding words and language, social communication, and non-verbal communication
• Play – toy exploration, and engaging in group play/games
• Social interaction – understanding of social boundaries, interactions with peers, and learning new behaviours by observing/imitating peers
• Functional routines – following classroom routines, and self-help skills such as dressing and toilet training
• Behavioural self-management – emotional regulation and being able to wait their turn
• Pre-academics, learning and attention – developing new learning skills, working within a group setting, and independent work

The group-based program is multi-disciplinary and supported by staff with expertise in:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Applied behaviour analysis
• Speech-language pathology
• Occupational therapy
• Early childhood development

After completing the group-based part of the program, children will start the second part of the program, which provides them with individual transition supports as they enter school. Families and educators will also be able to access consultation services from entry to school program staff, as needed, during a child’s first six months in school.

Call our intake line at 416-438-3697 ext. 19055 for more information.

Rapid and personalized care to support children with autism to keep themselves from harm as well as their loved ones.

Children with autism are particularly vulnerable to harm, including inappropriate behaviours, negative thoughts, and physical aggression. Safety is a critical issue among their families and caregivers. Our new Urgent Response Service provides 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:

• Short-term consultation with a child’s intervention team, caregivers and educators
• Respite services
• Direct support to the family and professionals involved to implement behaviour therapy with the child using a mediator model approach.

Each child and family will have an Urgent Response Service Coordinator working with them 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

Galloway March Break, Summer Camp, Holiday and Saturday Respite

Our Galloway 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:

1. Call the program at 416-724-7444
2. Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
3. Complete required paperwork; support to complete can be provided

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.

Attendees learn life skills such as cooking, street-safety, sexuality and relationship building. 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.

GASP uses Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to help develop goals for the youth. Assigned Primary Workers are responsible for the ongoing monitoring on the progress of goals. Functional Behaviour Assessments are completed a minimum of once a year and may be used as the basis for individual goal development. Family meetings and discussion with the youth are also essential components involved in the development of goal.

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:

1. Call the program at 416-724-7444
2. Set up an intake appointment to discuss the program, its cost structure, suitability and interest
3. Complete required paperwork; support to complete can be provided

Adults Achieving Independence through Motivation and Skill (AAIMS) is a full day program that supports adults with an autism spectrum disorder and/or developmental disabilities.

AAIMS focuses on the development of skills that will enhance quality of life, working towards independence. Knowledgeable, caring, creative and qualified staff support these adults in the areas of life skills, literacy, socialization, peer networking, volunteerism, and creating opportunities for their inclusion in the community.

AAIMS operates Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM at the cost of $60.00/day. There is an option of extended hours at an additional cost. AAIMS runs out of our Galloway Centre, this site offers a home like environment with the modern technologies to support learning and personal development.

AYCES provides programming for youth between the ages of 12 to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism (formerly called Asperger’s Syndrome).

The goal of the AYCES program is to encourage and help youth/young adults develop social and life skills, increase self-esteem, develop peer relationships, and create volunteer opportunities.

AYCES includes the following services:
• After-school program
• Summer camp
• March break
• Alumni Group
• Saturday outings

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.

Strides Toronto has been providing evidence-based interventions for children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for nearly 20 years. As a trusted agency in Toronto, a high degree of interprofessional partnership is in place to support information sharing and collaboration among services and the community. We are proud of the high-quality, evidence-based services our staff provide to children and youth with ASD and their families. Our service offerings are flexible and consider individual needs. Individualized intake assessments are completed to help determine a plan for service. Behavioural interventions and family services are integrated and coordinated with other services (e.g., speech and language therapy, mental health) which a child or youth and their family may be receiving. The wide range of services available to children, youth and their families are frequently evaluated and monitored to be flexible and responsive to changing evidence and practice.

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 resources to support families. Our VS are offered by phone or by video through our secure Zoom Healthcare platform.

Strides Toronto offers Free Ministry Funded OAP Services:
• Foundational Family Services
• Entry to School
• Urgent Response Services

Strides Toronto offers fee-based Core Clinical Services.

For more information about Strides Toronto’s Autism Services, please contact us at 416-438-3697, ext. 19055 or email autism@stridestoronto.ca.