Group-based ABA Services
Fall programs are now open for registration until July 23, 2023! Applications submitted after this date will be considered for our Winter programs.
Kinark Autism Services offers group programs for children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. These groups support skill development in areas such as social skills, play skills, emotional regulation, communication, and more!
All of our groups:
- Are eligible for purchase through Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Core Clinical services funding, Interim One Time Funding (IOTF), and some private insurance providers
- Provide engaging activities in a supportive environment, where children and teens can learn and practice skills
- Include a parent orientation and/or continued parent training sessions to support the practice of skills at home and in the community
- Use evidence-based strategies based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Are supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Include a summary report of your child/teen’s progress
Participants for our groups are matched based on age, interests, and skills to make the group as fun and successful as possible for everyone.
When you complete the interest form, you will be invited to a free sample group session/meet and greet with our team to see where your child/teen may fit best!
Learn more about our groups by scrolling down or clicking on the links below! Groups are listed by order of recommended ages from young children to teens.
- Ready, Set, Play!
- Kids Klub
- Emotions and Me
- Children’s Friendship Training
- AIM (Accept – Identify – Move)
- PEERS® for Adolescents
To get started, please complete the interest form.
Ready, Set, Play!
Recommended ages: 2 to 4
Help your child enhance their social and play skills through fun activities with Ready, Set, Play! This program offers:
- Interactive, play-based learning with parent and child in a small group format
- Opportunity to practice play and social skills with other children
- Specific coaching and strategies for parents
- Exposure to new toys and ways to play
- Fun and interactive circle and story times
Markham
7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5
- October 13 – November 3, 2023
- Fridays from 10 to 11 am
- 4 sessions x 1 hour each
Cost: This group is a FREE Foundational Family Services for eligible families registered in the Ontario Autism Program. Additional times, schedules and locations may be available. Please complete the interest form and specify your preferences.
Kids Klub
Recommended ages: 4 to 12
Help your child enhance their communication and social skills with Kids Klub! In this group, engaging games and activities will be used to help children learn important social skills to help them when:
- Meeting and greeting other children
- Asking for help, making, and responding to requests from other children
- Following instructions from other children during play
- Taking turns during play or activities
- Initiating play or conversations with other children
Specific goals for Kids Klub will be determined based on the group participants’ skills and needs.
Markham
Location
7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5
- September 9 – October 21, 2023
- Saturdays, 11am-12:30pm
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- Cost: $800
- September 9 – October 21, 2023
- Saturdays from 9:15 to 10:45am
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- Cost: $800
- Ages 7 to 12
- September 25 – December 4, 2023
- Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm (no class on Thanksgiving – October 9)
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $750
Oshawa
Location
1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8
- September 9 – October 21, 2023
- Saturdays from 9:15 to 10:45 am
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- Cost: $800
- September 9 – October 21, 2023
- Saturdays from 11 am to 12:30 pm
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- Cost: $800
- Ages 7 to 12
- September 28 – November 30, 2023
- Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $750
Fill out an interest form for our groups today!
Emotions & Me (1 & 2)
Recommended ages: 6 to 12
Emotions & Me is offered in a 2-part series. Participants should be comfortable with the skills covered in Emotions & Me 1 to be considered for Emotions & Me 2.
In Emotions & Me 1, children will learn important emotional regulation skills to help them:
- Recognize various emotions and identify what others may be feeling
- Describe how emotions may look and feel to them
- Learn ways to express negative emotions without interfering behaviours
- Practice mindfulness and various other strategies to relax when feeling escalated
- Learn about becoming more flexible in difficult and stressful situations
Virtual
Delivered via secure video conferencing platform
- September 26 – November 28, 2023
- Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $600
Markham
7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5
- September 27 – November 29, 2023
- Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $750
Oshawa
1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8
- September 28 – November 30, 2023
- Thursdays from 5:45 to 6:45 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $750
Complete an interest form for this group today!
Emotions and Me 2 uses role-play and practice to allow children to further develop their emotional regulation skills by learning to:
- Recognize more complex emotions, facial expressions, and how emotions feel to them
- Engage in flexible thinking during difficult and stressful situations
- Self-advocate and regulate their emotions when needed
Emotions & Me 2 will be offered in Winter 2024.
Children’s Friendship Training
Recommended ages: 7 to 12
Help increase your child’s social and friendship skills with Children’s Friendship Training! 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
Parent participation is a vital component of Children’s Friendship Training and allows for the concepts and strategies learned in the group to be implemented in the community. Parent sessions will run every other week at the same time as the child sessions.
Richmond Hill
12960 Yonge Street, Unit 10 & 11, Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8
- September 27 – November 29, 2023
- Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- 5 parent sessions
- Cost: $850
Barrie
10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2
- September 26 – November 28, 2023
- Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- 5 parent sessions
- Cost: $850
Markham
7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5
- September 27 – November 29, 2023
- Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- 5 parent sessions
- Cost: $850
Complete an interest form for this group today!
AIM (Accept – Identify – Move; 1, 2, 3)
Recommended ages: 7 to 18
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
Virtual
Delivered via secure video conferencing platform
- September 19 – November 21, 2023
- Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $600
Markham
7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5
- September 25 – December 4, 2023
- Mondays from 5:45 to 6:45 pm (no class Thanksgiving – October 9)
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $750
Richmond Hill
12960 Yonge Street, Unit 10 & 11, Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 1A8
- September 27 – November 29, 2023
- Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm
- 10 sessions x 1 hour each
- Cost: $750
AIM is offered in a multi-part series. Each program session builds upon the skills developed in previous sessions. AIM 2 and 3 will be offered in Winter and Spring 2024.
Complete an interest form for this group today!
PEERS® for Adolescents
Recommended ages: 12 to 18
Help your teen with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) learn new ways of making and keeping friends!
The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) for teens is internationally acclaimed and used in over 35 countries.
PEERS® at Kinark is offered in a 2-part series. Participants will need to complete Part 1 prior to registering for Part 2. Based on evidence in literature, it is clinically recommended that teens attend both parts in this series.
In Part 1, teens 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
Participation of parents/social coaches is a vital component of PEERS® and allows for the concepts and strategies learned in the group to be implemented in the community. Parent/social coach sessions will run every other week concurrently with the teen sessions.
Virtual
Delivered via secure video conferencing platform
- October 24 – December 5, 2023
- Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6 pm
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- 4 parent sessions
- Cost: $950
Markham
7271 Warden Ave,
Markham ON L3R 5X5
- September 18 – November 6, 2023
- Mondays from 4:30 to 6 pm
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- 4 parent sessions
- Cost: $950
Oshawa
1521 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON, L1G 4X8
- October 16 – November 27, 2023
- Mondays from 4:30 to 6 pm
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- 4 parent sessions
- Cost: $950
Barrie
10 Murray Street,
Barrie, ON, L4N 2X2
- October 19 – November 30, 2023
- Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 pm
- 7 sessions x 1.5 hours each
- 4 parent sessions
- Cost: $950
Complete an interest form for a PEERS® group today!
In Part 2, teens will learn to:
- 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® 2 will be offered in Winter 2024.