Highlighting Kinark’s Markham ABA Centre
Learn more about the services offered at the Marham ABA Centre and the benefits of the Snoezelen Room
Kinark Autism Services provides high-quality, individualized services to support children and youth with autism and their families. The Markham ABA Centre is a place where children, youth, and families receive tailored support from our clinical team of Registered Behaviour Analysts with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. One of the standout features of this centre is the Snoezelen Room—a sensory-rich environment that offers both therapeutic benefits and a haven for relaxation.
Understanding the Markham ABA Centre
Kinark’s Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services are evidence-based and tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs. The Markham ABA Centre offers group-based ABA programs, as well as individualized services, for children and youth on the autism spectrum. These programs are designed to foster skills in the areas of communication, social interaction, daily living skills, and emotional regulation. Our Centres offer:
- Qualified, experienced clinical team supervised by a Registered Behaviour Analyst, R.B.A. (Ont.)
- Family-centred approach with a focus on increasing skills that prepare your child for learning success in school settings
- Skills taught across developmental domains, such as communication, independence, play and social skills, school readiness, as well as the reduction of challenging behaviour
- Services delivered using a combination of one-to-one and small group instruction
- Access to interdisciplinary supports, such as occupational therapy and speech-language pathology, to meet the needs of the child and family
Services Offered at the Markham Centre
ABA Coaching Services
Kinark’s ABA Coaching is a consultative service available to parents, youth, and adults to address goals that would improve their quality of life in their everyday environments. It offers personalized, ongoing coaching based on individual strengths and needs. During coaching sessions, a Registered Behaviour Analyst (R.B.A.) will meet with family and/or youth as appropriate virtually, in-person at a Kinark Centre, or in-home/community. Together, you will identify goals followed by an assessment and individualized strategies based on the principles of ABA. Specific resources to support progress towards goals may also be provided.
Better Behaviour Clinic
The Better Behaviour Clinic uses Practical Functional Assessment and Skill Based Treatment to support children and youth with disruptive or interfering behaviour.
The behaviour clinic offers:
- Qualified and experienced clinical team supervised by a Registered Behavior Analyst, R.B.A. (Ont.) utilizing evidence-based best practice
- Assessment and treatment for individuals who are demonstrating mild to severe disruptive behaviour
- Family-centered approach with a focus on child and youth dignity and safety
- Services delivered in our newly renovated client-friendly space, located in Markham (other locations may be available upon request)
Centre-Based ABA Programs
Kinark’s Centre-based ABA services are designed to increase your child’s communication, independence, play and social skills, and school readiness skills. Our clinical team includes Registered Behaviour Analysts with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, R.B.A. (Ont.) who have many years of experience identifying the strengths and needs of children and youth with autism. Our experienced staff are adept at developing individualized services and supports for the children, youth, and families that we serve.
Foundational Family Services
Kinark also offers a list of Foundational Family Services to support parents and families of children and youth with autism. These services are offered free of charge for families registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Click the links below to learn more about each service:
Group-Based ABA Programs
Group-based ABA services at Kinark help support children and youth and their families in developing skills in play, social-emotional regulation, dating, careers, and more! Our group participants are matched based on their age, skills, and goals to make the group as fun and successful as possible for everyone. Group programs provide a supportive environment where children can learn and practice social, communication, and adaptive skills alongside peers. This approach not only promotes learning but also fosters friendships and confidence.
Occupational Therapy
Kinark’s Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment and treatment sessions for children and youth support a child’s daily function and focus on key areas, such as self-care, productivity (e.g., school or work), and leisure skills. Our OT services are geared towards helping children successfully engage in activities independently and reach important milestones needed for everyday tasks. This is achieved by enabling the development of individual skills, adapting tasks, and/or modifying the environment.
Psychological Assessments
Kinark offers a range of psychological assessments for children, adolescents and transitional age youth. These assessments are available for children and youth with autism or other neurodiversities (e.g. ADHD, learning disability, intellectual disability). A psychological assessment is used to better understand a child or youth’s development, thinking, learning, emotions, behaviour, and/or day-to-day functioning. Our assessments include a combination of caregiver interviews and questionnaires, observation of your child/youth, one-to-one testing activities with your child/youth and an interview (if applicable).
Speech-Language Pathology
Kinark offers Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) assessments and treatment sessions for children and youth. Our SLP services focus on the assessment and treatment of a broad range of speech, language, and communication impairments. These sessions support a child’s ability to communicate more effectively and participate in daily activities.
Introducing the Snoezelen Room: A Sensory Safe Space
One of the Markham Centre’s unique features is its Snoezelen Room. The Snoezelen Room is a multisensory environment that is both engaging and calming. The room is designed with specialized equipment, including fiber-optic lights, bubble tubes, comfortable seating, and tactile objects. It offers children a choice of sensory experiences, allowing them to control their environment and explore at their own pace.
Benefits of the Snoezelen Room
The Snoezelen Room is a valuable therapeutic tool, especially for children with autism who may experience sensory processing challenges. Here are some of the key benefits:
Sensory Regulation
Many children/youth with autism experience differences in sensory processing. The Snoezelen Room allows them to safely engage with various stimuli, such as lights, sounds, textures, and colors, helping them practice sensory regulation. By navigating at their own pace, children and youth can work on exploring different sensory inputs to support their sensory regulation.
Stress and Anxiety Reduction
For children/youth who may experience anxiety, the Snoezelen Room offers a peaceful retreat where they can feel calm and relaxed. The room’s design encourages mindfulness and self-soothing, providing children with an opportunity to manage stress effectively. Over time, they may carry these calming techniques outside the room, using them in situations that previously felt overwhelming.
Building Independence
One of the primary goals of ABA therapy is fostering independence. The Snoezelen Room provides opportunities for children to make choices, explore on their terms, and regulate their sensory input. These experiences build self-confidence, teaching children that they can have control over their environment and make decisions that suit their needs.
The Snoezelen Room: How to Gain Access
The Snoezelen Room provides a safe, sensory-friendly environment to help children develop critical life skills in a low-stress, positive setting. The Snoezelen Room is only accessible through your child/youth’s clinician. To learn more, contact your child/youth’s Occupational Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, or Registered Behaviour Analyst to determine if the Snoezelen Room is clinically recommended for you.
A Safe and Supportive Environment for Families at Kinark’s Markham ABA Centre
Kinark’s Markham ABA Centre is a safe space where families and children receive quality support and services. The Snoezelen Room is one of many tools the centre uses, as an example of Kinark’s commitment to sensory-inclusive spaces to create a supportive, welcoming space for children and families.
For more information about Kinark Autism Services, contact us directly by email at autisminfo@kinark.on.ca or call us at 1-800-283-3377.
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