Autism Services

Autism Services at Community Living North Halton

Community Living North Halton currently provides services and supports through Foundational Family Services and through our Core Clinical Services- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Program. Please see below for more information about each program, as well as helpful links for families. 

Please click here for a list of current, free workshops.

Core Clinical – Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA): Fee for Service (Ages 9-18)

Community Living North Halton provides evidence-based, core clinical ABA services that are overseen by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) and Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) who is registered to the OAP Approved Provider’s List. This service is an eligible expense through the Ontario Autism Program and families may use their OAP funding or private funds to purchase these services. Services and supports are individualized to meet individual and family needs and are offered in a variety of settings, and delivered through 1:1 or group-based learning. 

For more information, or to speak to one of our staff, email [email protected] 

To add yourself to our waitlist for services, click here.

Foundational Family Services (Ages 0-18): Free

Foundational Family Services supports capacity building for families to support their child’s learning and development. This service is offered free of charge to families who have a child who is registered to the Ontario Autism Program, with an OAP registration number. Services are offered through a consultative approach and are based on a family’s changing needs over time. Services are offered in a variety of ways, including both telehealth and virtual options. Please see an outline of the following foundational family services below: 

• Family Resource and Clinic Days 
• Brief Targeted Consultation 
• Caregiver workshop and coaching sessions – click here
• Family and Peer Mentoring 
• Transition Supports 

Family Resource and Clinic Days

Meet with a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) or a Behaviour Clinician for an hour to discuss current challenges you are facing as it relates to challenging behaviour you are experiencing or a skill/behaviour you would like to increase or develop. The CLNH team member will discuss concepts and strategies that you can try at home to address your current concern.

*Sign up for our Clinic Day if you need help determining which of our services best suits your needs*

• Schedule: Based on clinician/family availability (mutually agreed upon time)
• Registration: Please use our online registration page HERE. You will receive an email confirmation to confirm your appointment.
• Modality: Remote

Brief Targeted Consultation

Work with CLNH’s clinical team to target a skill you are looking to increase or decrease across 3, 1 hours sessions + 1-month follow-up sessions. The Behaviour Clinician will gather information on your goal for consultation during your initial appointment. Your clinician will share strategies and problem solve with you and follow up on the outcome during your consultation sessions.

• Schedule: Based on clinician/family availability (mutually agreed upon time) 1 approximately 1-hour initial appointment and 3, 1-hour consultation sessions + 1, 1-hour follow-up session 1 month later.
• Registration: Please use our online form HERE and a Behaviour Clinician will contact you to set your initial appointment.
• Modality: Remote

Caregiver Workshops and Coaching Sessions

Behaviour Clinicians will present on a variety of topics to increase parent and caregivers’ knowledge in Applied Behaviour Analysis and related topics. Learn new concepts or refresh yourself on what you have learned in the past while having the opportunity to ask questions and interact with Behaviour Clinicians. Want to discuss more? After the workshop, sign up for an individualized coaching session with a Behaviour Clinician on the workshop topic.

• Schedule: As advertised
• Online Registration Form: Click HERE
• Modality: Remote

Please click here for a list of current, free workshops.

Family and Peer Mentoring

Do you have a child with ASD and are looking for help in supporting your other children? Meet with a Behaviour Clinician to review a Parent’s Guide to Supporting Siblings of individuals with ASD. Take the opportunity to share your individualized goals or concerns regarding the ASD diagnosis or sibling support and the Behaviour Clinician will provide support using resources that address your needs.

• Schedule: Based on clinician/family availability (mutually agreed upon time) up to 3 consultation sessions
• Online Registration Form: Click HERE
• Modality: Remote

Transition Supports

Behaviour Clinicians will support families of children and youths experiencing school based transitions, transitioning to adulthood, etc. based on the individual need of the parent/caregiver. Click the link below to fill out our questionnaire and register to meet with a Behaviour Clinician.

• Schedule: Based on clinician/family availability (mutually agreed upon time) up to 3 consultation sessions
• Registration Form Link
• Modality: Remote

For more information on the Ontario Autism Program: Foundational Family services, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-foundational-family-services

Workshops

Registration for the workshops below can be found here.

Feeding problems in children with Autism

Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, at 10 am, Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 6 pm

Feeding challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can indeed be complex and overwhelming for both children and caregivers. Join us for a workshop where we delve into the intricacies of these difficulties and provide practical strategies for support. In this session, we’ll explore common feeding problems faced by children with ASD, such as selective eating and sensory sensitivities, alongside behavioral issues that arise during mealtimes. Our approach to tackling these challenges involves first identifying clear goals tailored to the unique needs of each child. Whether it’s expanding food variety, improving mealtime behavior, or ensuring adequate nutrition, setting the right goal is crucial for success. We’ll also delve into the concept of positive reinforcement and how it can be a powerful tool in encouraging and rewarding positive eating behaviors. By utilizing positive reinforcement, we can unlock the potential for healthier, happier mealtimes for children with autism and their families.

All About Behaviour

Tuesday, March 18th, 2025, at 6 am. Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 at 10 am

This workshop will provide an overview of behaviour from an Applied Behaviour Analysis viewpoint. The workshop aims to support caregivers in understanding the function of a behaviour for their child. Concepts will be discussed for assessing and addressing challenging behaviours through strategies such as environmental management, skill development, and engaging in alternative behaviours.

Using Visuals to Support Routines and Transitions

Tuesday March 4th, 2025 10am, Tuesday April 22nd 2025 at 6pm

In this workshop we will focus on how to use visuals and reinforcement to provide support for transitions, routines, and increasing cooperation with your learner. Caregivers will learn how to identify and select goals and reinforcers and use their learner’s motivation to engage in transitions and routines. The workshop will also cover how to create and use visual supports.

Sibling Support

Tuesday March 25th 2025 at 6pm , Tuesday April 29th 2025 at 10am

This workshop will explore some common subjects related to raising children both with and without an autism diagnosis together and considerations caregivers may want to incorporate in their communication with all their children around navigating family life, fairness and differing expectations, bonding, handling difficult emotions, and understanding their sibling with autism.

Helpful Links

For more information on the Ontario Autism Program please visit the Ministry Website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program  

For more information about Foundational Family Services, click here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-foundational-family-services 

For information about registering to the Ontario Autism Program, please visit the AccessOAP website: https://accessoap.ca/ 

To access the OAP Approved Provider List, click here: https://www.oapproviderlist.ca/ 

If your child does not have a service navigator or care coordinator, please connect with Halton Support Services here: https://cwsds.ca/our-services/halton-support-services/