To determine the best group for you, start by filling out an interest form on our website. Our Clinical Coordinator will reach out to you to discuss options and schedule a sample group session for you. During the sample session, you will get a chance to meet some of our facilitators and try out some group activities. We will reach out after this meeting to provide individualized recommendations for you.

Each group is structured in a way that best suits the learning styles of the participants. Engaging activities are incorporated into each group so that participants can practice and apply the skills learned, in a fun and supportive environment.

We love having parents involved and believe that parent involvement is key to each child/teen’s success. All families enrolled in Group services receive access to our online training library which provides information about the groups, how we teach, and how families can support learning at home. Some groups such as Children’s Friendship Training and PEERS® for Adolescents offer parent training sessions alongside the child/teen sessions so that parents can stay involved throughout their child’s learning journey. Families also receive a group summary report at the end of each group, outlining their child’s progress, as well as individualized recommendations for next steps. Throughout the group, we welcome questions and are happy to discuss any concerns and provide updates on your children’s learning.

Virtual groups offer some advantages over in-person groups, such as increased flexibility and accessibility, and may be a good first step to groups for individuals who may be uncomfortable with in-person settings or new environments. For some, virtual learning may be just as beneficial as in-person learning, as long as the participant has the required pre-requisite skills to be successful in this setting (e.g., being attentive and having basic tech skills).

At Kinark, we are committed to providing the best possible support for every child. While our group-based ABA services offer a wonderful opportunity for children to learn and grow together, certain factors may suggest that a child might benefit more from a different level of care. These factors include:

• Challenging behaviors that disrupt group learning and cannot easily be redirected.
• A need for 1:1 support, as our groups are structured with a 1 staff to 3 participant ratio.

If your child falls into any of these categories, we are happy to discuss alternative services that may better meet their needs. Our goal is to ensure that every child receives the personalized attention and support they deserve for their development and success.

Facilitators will not discuss diagnoses during the group and our participant session resources/ PowerPoints will not include references to any diagnoses. If another participant brings this up, this will be out of the facilitators’ control; however, facilitators are usually able to redirect these discussions quickly.

Yes! Our group-based ABA services are eligible for purchase through OAP Core Clinical services funding, and some private insurance providers.

Yes! Our participants are grouped by age as well as skill levels to make them as fun and successful as possible for everyone.

Each group has different eligibility criteria, depending on the recommended ages and skills taught in the group. A child’s suitability is determined during the sample session, which also helps us match participants based on their age, skills, and goals. Generally, the children/teens who are most successful in this program are those who work well in a group setting (with a 1:3, child to staff ratio), are motivated to participate, interested in peers, and do not engage in disruptive behaviours that cannot be easily redirected.

We are always looking to expand our services! If you’re looking for a service that’s not currently being offered, please complete an interest form and let us know what you’re looking for!

To sign up for a group, fill out an interest form on our website by clicking the “Get Started Here” button. Our Clinical Coordinator will then reach out to you to discuss groups, answer your questions, and schedule you in for a sample group session to try out our group activities and meet our facilitators. Following the sample session, we will provide you individualized group recommendations for your child.

The sample group session has, on average, 4 – 6 participants. During the sample group session, you will meet one of our group facilitators who will engage the participants in a few sample activities from our groups. Please note that participants in this session may not be in your final group. Based on this meeting, we match participants based on their age, skills, and goals.

You would have received a password at the beginning of service. Please keep that password in a safe and accessible place. Any document with personal information, such as you/your child’s name, birth date, or address, must be password-protected to ensure confidentiality. If you need help with your password, please reach out to a member of the groups team who will be able to help you.

After the final session of your group, Kinark will send you an invoice. It will include the name of the participant, dates of the group ABA service provided, total cost of services, and the clinician’s name and R.B.A. (Ont.) number. This invoice includes all the information requested by AccessOAP if you will be reconciling funds through OAP Core Clinical services funding.

The invoice includes all the information requested by AccessOAP for families who will be reconciling funds through OAP Core Clinical services funding. AccessOAP can only approve expenses for services that have already been delivered. For this reason, we only provide this invoice after the final group session is completed.

Some clinicians may be on the OAP Providers List but may not yet appear on the AccessOAP drop down menu. If this is the case, please select the “Other” option and input the provider’s information.

Please reach out to your group facilitator or any member of the groups team and we will be happy to register you!