What kinds of things can you target in therapy?

The possibilities are endless! Common areas of skill acquisition include language development, communication, early learning skills, academics, fine and gross motor development, play and leisure skills, social skills, self-regulation strategies, toileting, daily living skills, community safety, and even job readiness skills. Reducing challenging behaviours can also be an area of focus, such as reducing self-injurious behaviour, aggression, elopement, picky eating, and non-compliant behaviour.

How do I choose between home-based and centre-based therapy?

Every learner is different, and there are pros and cons to both. Home-based therapy allows the learner to practice skills in their natural environment. It allows parents to be more involved, which helps with the generalization and maintenance of skills. Centre-based therapy is great for learners who benefit from being around other learners with similar skills. It also provides a very controlled environment to facilitate small group learning and teach a variety of social skills. Both settings allow for therapists to go out into the community, which is essential for many goals.

How can you practice social skills in a home-based program?

Community outings are great for practicing social skills with typically developing peers. Your local library, Early Years Centre, or YMCA will have many drop-in programs that therapists can attend with the learner.

Who will be a part of the therapy team?

Most teams will consist of a Clinical Supervisor, Senior Therapist, and at least one ABA Therapist.

  • The Clinical Supervisor will be in charge of overseeing all programming and clinical decision making. They will determine appropriate assessment tools, work with parents to develop goals and a schedule that will most benefit their learner, review and contribute to all reports and programs, monitor progress, assist with parent/therapist training and inter-professional collaboration.
  • The Senior Therapist is also responsible for conducting assessments, preparing reports and programs/materials, monitoring progress, training parents and therapists, assisting with inter-professional collaboration (all under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor). They may also be available to work 1:1 with the learner.
  • The ABA Therapist will be the one to come work 1:1 with your learner. They will conduct 1:1 therapy sessions, graph data, assist with completing assessments, and communicate progress with parents and the Senior Therapist.

 How much does therapy cost?

The total cost of therapy depends on the number of hours of therapy per week. Services can be arranged by paying a fixed hourly rate for full service or individual charge out rates for specific team members.

Is there a difference between ABA and IBI?

No, there is no difference. The term 'Intensive Behavioural Intervention' or 'IBI' is simply referring to applying the principles of ABA in an intensive setting (20+ hours/week).

How many hours of therapy per week is needed?

Some learners can make amazing gains with just a few hours of therapy per week. Others require more intensive services. Focused service is typically 10-25 hours/week. It requires less hours and will target fewer goals. Comprehensive services target a wider range of goals and thus require more hours per week, typically more than 25 hours/week.

What kinds of assessments can you do?

Our team is trained to complete a variety of different behaviour and skills assessments. Some of our favourite skills assessments include the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised (ABLLS-R), the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS), and Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge Relational Training System (PEAK). Depending on the service model, sometimes a full skills assessment is beneficial. Other times, a behaviour assessment is more appropriate, such as a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) or Functional Assessment (FA). Indirect assessments, such as parent interviews and document reviews, may also be completed. Assessments are chosen based on individual client need, and a variety are often completed to help gather a wide range of information to be used during goal setting and program planning. Our team does not currently have the capacity to complete diagnostic assessments.

How do I know if I qualify for government funding?

Contact your local single point of access to get more information about eligibility for the Ontario Autism Program and how to apply for a childhood budget. Take a look at our 'Resources' page to browse through the various funding options that may be available to you.

More Questions?

We are happy to answer any other questions you may have.