Parent & Caregiver Education

The transition to High School workshop is tailored to prepare families with helpful information and tips to help decrease some of the stress and anxiety related to this significant milestone. In this workshop, we build awareness to support a successful transition including ways to familiarize your child to the new school, prepare you for school meetings, skills, and routines to work on before the transition and more. The goal of this session is to provide you with ways to prepare your child for this transition, as well to support you in feeling more confident and informed.

Date: March 19, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To access Core Clinical services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) a Determination of Needs (DoN) will be completed with primary caregivers to determine funding amounts.

This session will provide an overview of the DoN. You will learn about the overall process, and have a better understanding of how to prepare, what to expect, and next steps. At the end of the session there is time allotted to answer additional questions you may have.

Date: March 24, 2025 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Does your child struggle when faced with unexpected events or changes to the routine? Do they insist on having things a certain way or have trouble shifting their point of view? Rigid thinking and behaviours are common and may be tied to anxiety. In this session, we’ll talk about some common issues around rigidity, ways to support your child in these moments, and strategies to help promote flexibility in thinking and behaviour.

Date: March 26, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Life after high school is a significant phase in your child’s life and planning for this transition is a mission like no other. The workshop aims to inform parents about effective transition practices including an early person-centered approach, self-advocacy, and strategies to teach various skills to prepare your child for the next stage in life.

Sign up to join our ASD Consultants to learn about how to create an effective transition plan, goal setting, as well as post-secondary options to consider for your child.

Date: March 28, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join us in discovering how playtime isn’t just fun, it’s a powerful way to help your child learn important life skills. This workshop provides an opportunity for you to ask questions about how to navigate tricky playtime moments, encourage positive behaviors, and bring out the best in your child, all while having a blast!

Date: April 2, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Toilet training can be a challenge for anyone! This session will cover what you need to know prior to starting toilet training for your child and set you up to be successful. This workshop will discuss key prerequisite skills and important considerations before starting a toilet training program. As well, you will learn how to decide when to move onto the next step of toilet training. You will learn various strategies and tools that can be used to help your child meet toileting goals including communicating their need to use the toilet.

We will provide you with the information you need to create an individualized toilet training plan for your child to be successful.

Date: April 4, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

To access Core Clinical services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) a Determination of Needs (DoN) will be completed with primary caregivers to determine funding amounts.

This session will provide an overview of the DoN. You will learn about the overall process, and have a better understanding of how to prepare, what to expect, and next steps. At the end of the session there is time allotted to answer additional questions you may have.

Date: April 7, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with autism may experience challenges with their child’s school placement, helping school staff understand their child’s needs, and understanding the services and supports your school board may offer. Seeing your child struggle with accessing curriculum or thriving in either virtual or in-school placements can be difficult.

Come and chat with one of Kinark’s School Consultants! Each session allows for an interactive experience for parents and caregivers to bring your questions about the school system and receive support from a School Consultant. You will also learn about other experiences from parents and caregivers, how to effectively advocate for your child, school policies and practices, individualized education plans (IEPs) and effective collaboration, as well as other valuable tips and tools for navigating and interacting with the school system.

Date: April 10, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Life after high school is a significant phase in your child’s life and planning for this transition is a mission like no other. The workshop aims to inform parents about effective transition practices including an early person-centered approach, self-advocacy, and strategies to teach various skills to prepare your child for the next stage in life. Sign up to join our ASD Consultants to learn about how to create an effective transition plan, goal setting, as well as post-secondary options to consider for your child.

Date: April 14, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

This session in the School Series focuses on bringing together the information of the previous three sessions on school policies and procedures to help you to effectively advocate for your child and collaborate with your child’s school team. This session will provide you with information on what it means to be an advocate for your child and effective ways to advocate. It also provides information on why it is important to collaborate with your child’s school team and ways to enhance collaboration. There will be an opportunity to discuss challenges you may face when working with your child’s school team and tips, tricks, and resources to overcome these challenges.

Date: April 16, 2025 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Does your child struggle when faced with unexpected events or changes to the routine? Do they insist on having things a certain way or have trouble shifting their point of view? Rigid thinking and behaviours are common and may be tied to anxiety. In this session, we’ll talk about some common issues around rigidity, ways to support your child in these moments, and strategies to help promote flexibility in thinking and behaviour.

Date: April 22, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Have you ever found yourself frustrated when your child just isn’t learning a skill? Teaching a child with ASD new skills may require additional thought and a clear plan. Behavioural Skills Training (BST) is a teaching procedure proven to support learning new skills. This session will review the steps of BST that parents can use to teach their child a wide range of new skills. Join us for this interactive session to build your own skills as an effective teacher/parent.

Date: April 24, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with autism may experience challenges with their child’s school placement, helping school staff understand their child’s needs, and understanding the services and supports your school board may offer. Seeing your child struggle with accessing curriculum or thriving in either virtual or in-school placements can be difficult.

Come and chat with one of Kinark’s School Consultants! Each session allows for an interactive experience for parents and caregivers to bring your questions about the school system and receive support from a School Consultant. You will also learn about other experiences from parents and caregivers, how to effectively advocate for your child, school policies and practices, individualized education plans (IEPs) and effective collaboration, as well as other valuable tips and tools for navigating and interacting with the school system.

Date: April 30, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

This session focuses on setting your child up for success by sharing ways that caregivers can prepare their child before potentially challenging situations to help limit challenging behaviour. This workshop provides a variety of practical strategies that may prevent challenging behaviour before an escalation occurs.

Date: May 6, 2025 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Parents and caregivers view the safety of their children as a significant concern. Many children and youth with autism are reported to wander or elope, making them more prone to leaving the safety of a caregiver or support person and wandering from their home, school or community setting. This causes significant risk for those who may not be aware of possible dangers or harm and puts tremendous stress on families. In this session, you will learn tips and tools you can use to help anticipate the risks, avoid the dangers, and teach the skills your child needs to stay safe at home and in the community.

Date: May 8, 2025 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

To access Core Clinical services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) a Determination of Needs (DoN) will be completed with primary caregivers to determine funding amounts.

This session will provide an overview of the DoN. You will learn about the overall process, and have a better understanding of how to prepare, what to expect, and next steps. At the end of the session there is time allotted to answer additional questions you may have.

Date: May 12, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Most parents and caregivers view safety as a significant concern. Parents of children with autism often have additional issues to consider when addressing the safety concerns of their children. This workshop outlines essential safety skills with regards to water and road safety. You’ll learn tips and tools you can use to anticipate the risks, avoid the dangers, and teach the skills your child needs to stay safe at home and in the community.

Date: May 14, 2025 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Puberty is a normal part of life that everyone goes through, but it can bring up a lot of mixed emotions for both parents and pre-teens. Without preparation, it can be confusing and stressful. As your child’s body goes through changes, understanding what’s happening can help you feel more confident in supporting them. In this session, we’ll cover topics like privacy, sexuality, and consent. We’ll also talk about puberty, including self-care, masturbation, and more.

We’ll explore how you can use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies to encourage independence and help your child apply these skills in different situations. As a parent or caregiver, it’s key to help your tween/teen with special needs take charge of their health, navigate their sexuality, and get ready for the changes that come with puberty. We’re here to give you the information and tools to support both you and your child during this important stage of growth and development.

Date: May 22, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Medical and Dental procedures are an important part of maintaining good health. However, preparing your child for these events can be stressful. This training is designed to review how Evidence Based Practices can be utilized to teach children with autism to prepare for appointments and undergo medical and dental procedures. You will become familiar with strategies to help your child learn to experience these events including offering choice, breaking down the steps into achievable targets, use of reinforcement, plus other effective methods to increase the likelihood of success. You will leave this session with a variety of practical strategies and tools to help your child cooperate in procedures and succeed in appointments.

Date: May 27, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

This workshop will empower you with a deeper understanding of modern approaches to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) that respect and celebrate neurodiversity. Gain insights into the diverse experiences of individuals with autism, appreciating the unique strengths and challenges they bring. Explore how today’s ABA practices prioritize the needs and values of both the client and their family, promoting a collaborative and inclusive approach. Discover how contemporary ABA methodologies align with neurodiversity-affirming philosophies to support and enhance the well-being of neurodiverse individuals.

This session is designed to equip parents with the knowledge and tools to support their child’s unique journey through evidence-based, compassionate, and inclusive ABA.

Date: May 30, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

We all know how challenging a picky eater can be, but did you know there are Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) strategies that can help? You will become more familiar with the importance of good eating habits, issues common to picky eaters, and factors that may influence them, how to increase healthy eating routines, and ways to track how your child’s eating habits are changing. Additional resources on creating and managing a healthier lifestyle will be provided.

Date: June 2, 2025 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with autism may experience challenges navigating all the available supports and services for their child. Come and chat with a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) to learn more about treatment areas and scope of practice within the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

This session allows for an interactive experience where parents and caregivers can ask questions related to ABA and how it can help support your child. Topics covered may include treatment focus, differences between ABA and other therapies such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, and how to look for a quality ABA service provider.

Date: June 5, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

To access Core Clinical services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) a Determination of Needs (DoN) will be completed with primary caregivers to determine funding amounts.

This session will provide an overview of the DoN. You will learn about the overall process, and have a better understanding of how to prepare, what to expect, and next steps. At the end of the session there is time allotted to answer additional questions you may have.

Date: June 10, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Sleep concerns can be common in children with autism and many parents struggle with how to address them. You are not in this alone! We are here to support you with ways to develop a healthy sleep routine.

In this workshop you will learn ways to track your child’s sleeping behaviours, identify and troubleshoot potential problems with your child’s current sleep routine, establish and introduce a new sleep routine for your child, and discuss some strategies based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) that aim to promote better sleeping behaviours for your child.

Date: June 13, 2025 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Reinforcement is a natural process involved in learning virtually all new skills. As parents, reinforcement can be one of the most powerful tools we use to support specific goals with our children. In this education session, you will learn how to use reinforcement to teach your child new skills, increase their motivation, expand their interests, and strengthen your relationship with your child. And the good news is, children don’t have to be reliant on planned reinforcers (special rewards) for all this to be possible.

This session will also discuss how to teach our children to eventually work for naturally occurring reinforcement.

Date: June 16, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We all thrive on routine. Children with autism do especially well with predictability and repetition. But what happens when your child’s regular routine is disrupted? This workshop will teach you how to establish a healthy routine at home with your child or children and how to manage disruptions. You will learn the importance of establishing predictable day-to-day routines as well as how to help your child adapt to changes in routine. We will review and provide you with several ABA-based tools that will help you create structure at home such as a first-then board, visual schedule template, choice board, table-top activities, etc.

Date: June 18, 2025 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Join us in discovering how playtime isn’t just fun, it’s a powerful way to help your child learn important life skills. This workshop provides an opportunity for you to ask questions about how to navigate tricky playtime moments, encourage positive behaviors, and bring out the best in your child, all while having a blast!

Date: June 24, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m.