Group-based Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Services

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Group-based ABA Services

Summer groups are open for registration until May 19, 2024!

Groups at Kinark help support participants 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.

Start by meeting our team and let us find the right group for you!

Our groups:

  • Are eligible for purchase through OAP Core Clinical services funding, Interim One-Time Funding, and some private insurance providers
  • Use evidence-based strategies of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in a fun and supportive environment
  • Are supervised by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
  • Include a manual or workbook and summary report to support the practice of skills at home and in the community

Summer Groups by Location:

  • Barrie: Explorer Club, Exploring Feelings, Friendship Crew, Hangout with Friends, PEERS® Friendship, AIM
  • Etobicoke: Friendship Crew, PEERS® Bully Proofing
  • Markham: Explorer Club, AIM Explorers, Friendship Crew, Bully Proofing Crew, Exploring Feelings, Hangout with Friends, PEERS® Bully Proofing, PEERS® Friendship
  • Oak Ridges: Explorer Club, Friendship Crew, Hangout with Friends
  • Oshawa: Explorer Club, Bully Proofing Crew, Hangout with Friends, PEERS® Friendship
  • Virtual: Friendship Crew, Bully Proofing Crew, Exploring Feelings, PEERS® Friendship, PEERS® Bully Proofing, PEERS® Dating, AIM, Career Connections, Dungeons & Dragons

Ages 2-4

Ready, Set, Play! – Play Skills – Free for OAP Families

Learn how to help your child enhance their social and play skills through fun activities with Ready, Set, Play! 

This program offers parents/caregivers the opportunity to:

  • Play with their child in an interactive, play-based, small group format 
  • Receive coaching and learn specific strategies to support their child’s play
  • Explore new toys and ways to play with their child
  • Participate in fun and interactive group activities

Ages 4-12

Explorer Club – Play and Social Skills

In Explorer Club, children interact with others through fun activities to develop their play and social skills.

Explorer Club goals include: 

  • Join in play with others 
  • Take turns, share responsibility, and problem-solve through play  
  • Self advocate by asking to continue or saying “no” to an activity 
  • Answer simple questions 
  • Request help or additional information when needed 

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 6 – 27, 2024
  • Saturdays, 9 – 11 am
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • July 8-12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Oshawa

1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1
G 4X8

  • July 8 – 12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Oak Ridges

12960 Yonge Street, Unit 10 & 11,
Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

  • July 8 – 12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hour each
  • Cost: $800

Oak Ridges

12960 Yonge Street, Unit 10 & 11,
Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

  • August 3 – 24, 2024
  • Saturdays, 9 – 11 am
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 19 – 23, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Ages 7-12

Children’s Friendship Training

Children’s Friendship Training combines child and parent sessions to support children in making and keeping friends.

In this group, children will learn the skills needed to:

  • Make a good first impression
  • Converse with other children
  • Find common interests with other children
  • Play fairly and be gracious when winning or losing
  • Resolve conflicts
  • Join other children at play
  • Be a good host on a playdate

Friendship Crew

In Friendship Crew, children are taught social skills that support friendship building and are given the opportunity to practice these skills.

Friendship Crew goals include:

  • Starting and entering conversations
  • Maintaining reciprocal conversations
  • Choosing appropriate friends
  • Good sportsmanship
  • Handling disagreements

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • July 6 – August 3, 2024
  • Saturdays, 9 – 11 am
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 4 – 9, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • July 8 – 12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 8 – 12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Etobicoke

5399 Eglinton Ave West, Suite 101
Etobicoke ON
M9C 5K6

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Oak Ridges

12960 Yonge Street, Unit 10 & 11,
Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

  • July 29 to August 2, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Bully Proofing Crew

In Bully Proofing Crew, children are taught skills to handle and respond to teasing and bullying.

In this program, the topics covered include:

  • Handling teasing
  • Responding to embarrassing feedback
  • Minimizing cyberbullying
  • Managing rumours and gossip
  • Handling physical bullying
  • Handling disagreements
  • Changing a reputation

Oshawa 

1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8

  • August 12 – 15, 2024
  • Monday to Thursday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • August 6 – 9, 2024
  • Tuesday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $550

AIM Explorers – Social-Emotional Skills

Kinark’s AIM program is based on curriculum developed by Dr. Mark Dixon and Dr. Dana Paliliunas. AIM helps participants develop social-emotional skills by combining three evidence-based practices: Mindfulness Training, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). 

In this group, participants will learn to:

  • identify the feelings and thoughts that can affect their behaviour at home, school, and in their relationships with others
  • learn new ways of thinking that can help them persevere through difficult situations
  • important tools to help them balance their own emotions, develop their personal values, and make better choices

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 22 – 26, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Exploring Feelings

Strong feelings can be confusing to anyone, and especially to a child. Kinark’s Exploring Feelings program is based on curriculum developed by world-renowned Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Tony Attwood, and helps children recognize connections between the way they’re thinking and feeling.

In this group, children will learn to:

  • Recognize and understand their emotions
  • Understand how emotions can affect their body, thoughts, behaviour, and speech
  • Identify situations that may provoke certain feelings and begin to build their “Emotional Toolbox” with tools they can use during difficult situations

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 19 – 23, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • July 8-12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $600

Hangout with Friends

Meet up with old friends and make some new ones!

Hangout with Friends is designed for children and teens who are currently in or have participated in our social skill groups. Led by the interests of the group, participants may prepare a lunch or snack together, share lunches, play board games, or engage in group activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Together with our experienced PEERS® certified clinicians and overseen by a BCBA, participants will have a chance to practice skills they learned in groups, including:

  • Identifying common interests
  • Starting and ending conversations
  • Maintaining reciprocal conversations
  • Using humour appropriately
  • Being a good sport
  • Handling disagreements
  • Any other skills as opportunities arise

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 8 – 12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 12 – 2 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 12 – 2 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Oshawa

1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8

  • August 12 – 15, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 12 – 2 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Oak Ridges

12960 Yonge Street, Unit 10 & 11,
Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8

  • August 19 – 23, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Ages 10-14

Fearless – Social Group – Free for OAP Families

The goal of our Fearless Social Group is to create a supportive environment for participants to have fun and make friends. We strive to build self-esteem, encourage peer support, and foster the development of social conversations and relationships.

Our Fearless themes are:

  • RED. Nail Painting and DIY Spa Night.
  • WILDEST DREAMS. Learn how to braid or create fun styles with your hair!
  • SPARKS FLY. Cupcake baking.
  • BAD BLOOD. Board Game Night.
  • SHAKE IT OFF. Learn how to dance while enjoying your favourite music!
  • BLANK SPACE. Movie and Concert night.
  • LOVER. Make your own friendship bracelet!

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • April 19 – May 31, 2024 
  • Fridays, 4 – 5 pm
  • 7 sessions x 1 hour each

Ages 12-18

PEERS® for Adolescents – Social Skills

The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) is internationally acclaimed and used in over 35 countries. Parent participation is a vital component of PEERS® and allows for the concepts and strategies learned in the group to be implemented in the community.

In this full 14-week program, participants will learn to:

  • Use appropriate conversation skills
  • Use electronic communication in a safe way
  • Choose appropriate friends
  • Use humour appropriately
  • Start, join, and exit conversations
  • Be a good host during get-togethers
  • Be a good sport
  • Handle arguments and disagreements
  • Handle rejection, teasing, and bullying
  • Change a bad reputation
  • Handle rumors and gossip

PEERS® Friendship

PEERS® Friendship is an evidence-based social skills group for motivated teens and young adults who are interested in learning new ways of making and keeping friends. 

In PEERS® Friendship, the topics covered include:

  • Starting and entering conversations
  • Maintaining reciprocal conversations
  • Choosing appropriate friends
  • Finding a source of friends
  • Good sportsmanship
  • Organizing get-togethers
  • Handling disagreements
  • Changing a reputation

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • August 19 – 23, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Oshawa

1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am-12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • July 29 – August 2, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10am – 12pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

PEERS® Bully Proofing

PEERS® Bully Proofing is an evidence-based social skills group for motivated teens and young adults who are interested in learning skills to handle and respond to teasing and bullying.

In PEERS® Bully Proofing, the topics covered will include:

  • Handling teasing
  • Responding to embarrassing feedback
  • Minimizing cyberbullying
  • Managing rumours and gossip
  • Handling physical bullying
  • Handling disagreements
  • Changing a reputation

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • August 19 – 22, 2024
  • Monday to Thursday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $550

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 22 – 25, 2024
  • Monday to Thursday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Etobicoke

5399 Eglinton Ave West, Suite 101
Etobicoke ON
M9C 5K6

  • August 12 – 15, 2024
  • Monday to Thursday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $550

PEERS® Dating

PEERS® Dating is an evidence-based social skills group for motivated teens and young adults who are interested in learning skills to be successful in the dating world. 

In PEERS® Dating, the topics covered will include:

  • Flirting with potential partners
  • Letting someone know you like them
  • Choosing appropriate people to date
  • Asking someone on a date
  • Handling rejection
  • Turning someone down
  • Planning and going on dates
  • Dating do’s and don’ts
  • Handling pressure from partners

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

AIM – Social-Emotional Skills

Kinark’s AIM program is based on curriculum developed by Dr. Mark Dixon and Dr. Dana Paliliunas. AIM helps participants develop social-emotional skills by combining three evidence-based practices: Mindfulness Training, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). 

In this group, participants will learn to:

  • identify the feelings and thoughts that can affect their behaviour at home, school, and in their relationships with others
  • learn new ways of thinking that can help them persevere through difficult situations
  • important tools to help them balance their own emotions, develop their personal values, and make better choices

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • July 29 – August 2, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • August 26 – 30, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Career Connections

Level up your job-hunting skills and be prepared for the workplace!

In Career Connections, participants will learn:

  • How to look for a job that matches their interests, strengths, and skills
  • To write a resumé
  • Job interview skills
  • Social skills, self-advocacy skills and unwritten social “rules” of the workplace

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

Exploring Feelings

Strong feelings can be confusing to anyone, and especially to a child. Kinark’s Exploring Feelings program is based on curriculum developed by world-renowned Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Tony Attwood, and helps children recognize connections between the way they’re thinking and feeling.

In this group, children will learn to:

  • Recognize and understand their emotions
  • Understand how emotions can affect their body, thoughts, behaviour, and speech
  • Identify situations that may provoke certain feelings and begin to build their “Emotional Toolbox” with tools they can use during difficult situations

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 19 – 23, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • July 8-12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10am – 12pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $600

Hangout with Friends

Meet up with old friends and make some new ones!

Hangout with Friends is designed for children and teens who are currently in or have participated in our social skill groups. Led by the interests of the group, participants may prepare a lunch or snack together, share lunches, play board games, or engage in group activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Together with our experienced PEERS® certified clinicians and overseen by a BCBA, participants will have a chance to practice skills they learned in groups, including:

  • Identifying common interests
  • Starting and ending conversations
  • Maintaining reciprocal conversations
  • Using humour appropriately
  • Being a good sport
  • Handling disagreements
  • Any other skills as opportunities arise

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • July 8 – 12, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 12 – 2 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Markham

7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 12 – 2 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Oshawa

1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8

  • August 12 – 15, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 1 – 3 pm
  • 4 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Barrie

10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2

  • August 12 – 16, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 12 – 2pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $800

Dungeons & Dragons – Social Group – Free for OAP Families

Dungeons & Dragons is a role-playing game that uses storytelling to create an interactive and engaging environment where participants can practice problem solving and social skills.

In this group, participants have opportunities to:

  • Work collaboratively with others
  • Practice problem-solving
  • Engage in conversations

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing platform

  • July 16 – August 13, 2024
  • Tuesdays, 4:30 – 6 pm
  • 5 sessions x 1.5 hours each
  • July 8 – August 12, 2024
  • Mondays, 4:30 – 6 pm
  • 5 sessions x 1.5 hours each

Ages 18+

PEERS® Friendship 

PEERS® Friendship is an evidence-based social skills group for motivated teens and young adults who are interested in learning new ways of making and keeping friends.

In this program, the topics covered will include:

  • Starting and entering conversations 
  • Maintaining reciprocal conversations 
  • Choosing appropriate friends 
  • Finding a source of friends 
  • Good sportsmanship 
  • Organizing get-togethers 
  • Handling disagreements 
  • Changing a reputation 

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing
platform

PEERS® Dating

PEERS® Dating is an evidence-based social skills group for motivated teens and young adults who are interested in learning skills to be successful in the dating world.

In this program, the topics covered will include:

  • Flirting with potential partners 
  • Letting someone know you like them 
  • Choosing appropriate people to date 
  • Asking someone on a date 
  • Handling rejection 
  • Turning someone down 
  • Planning and going on dates 
  • Dating do’s and don’t’s
  • Handling pressure from partners

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing
platform

Career Connections

Level up your job-hunting skills and be prepared for the workplace!

In Career Connections, participants will learn:

  • How to look for a job that matches their interests, strengths, and skills
  • To write a resumé
  • Job interview skills
  • Social skills, self-advocacy skills and unwritten social “rules” of the workplace

Virtual

Delivered via secure video conferencing
platform

  • July 15 – 19, 2024
  • Monday to Friday, 10 am – 12 pm
  • 5 sessions x 2 hours each
  • Cost: $650

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