Parent & Caregiver Education

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Parent & Caregiver Education

Kinark Autism Services offers a variety of educational opportunities on a wide range of topics for parents and caregivers of children and youth with autism.

Parent and Caregiver Workshops

Spring dates and topics are open for registration! All workshops are free of charge!

The workshops will be delivered virtually via our secure video conferencing platform. Specific instructions will be emailed to registered participants prior to each session.

Our team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and clinicians have many years of experience training and coaching parents, caregivers, and other professionals using evidence-based practices.

Upcoming Events

View Events Calendar


March Workshops

Teaching Your Child using Behavioural Skills Training – March 20

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: March 20, 2024 from 12 – 1 p.m.

Ask a School Consultant – March 22

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 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: March 22, 2024 from 12 – 1 p.m.

Sensory Processing and Regulation – March 25

Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder process sensory information (i.e., information coming in through your vision, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching senses), from the world around them differently from others. This workshop, led by an Occupational Therapist, will explore more about the sensory system, how it affects people with ASD every day, and how to support your child day to day.

This session aims to provide caregivers with a general overview of sensory processing and emotion regulation strategies. You will also learn about the functions of behaviour, triggers of dysregulation, and tools/strategies to support sensory regulation that you can implement at home.

Date: March 25, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Parenting a Child with ASD and Mental Health Needs – March 26

Many children with ASD also struggle with mental health challenges like constant worries, low mood, and overwhelming feelings of frustration. Your child may act in ways you don’t understand, and they may not be able to explain how they are feeling. When your child is unable to control their emotions or actions, you may feel helpless, and you may not know where to start in providing support.

This workshop will help you understand the overlap between ASD and mental health disorders, explore the ways that emotions can be both helpful and unhelpful, and learn how you can best support your child. This workshop is primarily geared towards parents with a child in elementary school, although much of the information shared is relevant for children of all ages.

Date: March 25, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The Determination of Needs Information Session – March 26

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 26, 2024 from 9 am – 10 am

Introduction to Toilet Training – March 27

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: March 27, 2024 from 9:30 – 11 a.m.


April Workshops

Sexual Health: Early Years – April 3

As children age and experience different stages of growth, it is important to begin to teach skills related to both health and sexuality. In this session we explore the topics of health, awareness of sexuality, privacy, and consent. We also discuss how to utilize the principals of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to promote independence and generalization of skills related to these topics. Discussion of these topics, as well as ways of teaching them is important as these are core components of human development. As a parent or caregiver, it is important to teach children with special needs to take good care of their own health and to address their sexuality.

This workshop is designed to provide preliminary information and strategies to support you and your child in introducing some of these vital early learning skills.

Date: April 3, 2024 from 12 – 2 p.m.

Communicating with Words – April 8

From the first cry after your child’s birth to learning to say their first word, there are many steps along the way and many more to go before your child masters communicating with words. This session will provide an overview of communication milestones and critical early language skills.

You will leave with individualized goals and several key strategies you can use to further your child’s early language and communication development.

Date: April 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Ask a School Consultant – April 9

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 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 9, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Unstuck and Moving On: Understanding Rigidity and Promoting Flexibility – April 10

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 10, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Before Behaviour: Setting My Child Up for Success – April 17

The Behaviour Series is made up of three independent but related workshops where caregivers learn ways to support their child before, during and after displaying challenging behaviour. 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. Please note that this session may have content that overlaps with a previously offered series, Managing Meltdowns: Part 1 and Part 2.

Date: April 17, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Ask Me Anything… About Groups – April 17

Interested in enrolling your child in a social skills group, school, or community program? Wondering how you can help them be successful in group settings? Wondering how skills are taught in groups and what skills can be learned?

Meet and chat with one of our group facilitators to learn more!

Date: April 17, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Introduction to Toilet Training – April 19

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 19, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ask an OT – April 22

Come and chat with our Occupational Therapist to learn more about our Occupational Therapy services and how it can support your child’s development. This session allows for an interactive experience where parents and caregivers can ask questions related to Occupational Therapy.

Topics covered may include sensory processing and managing sensitivities, developing motor skills, activities to support handwriting readiness, strategies for picky eating, building self-regulation skills and promoting independence with daily self-care (e.g. dressing, toileting).

Date: April 22, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

The Determination of Needs (DoN) Information Session – April 24

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 24, 2024 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Keeping your Child with ASD Safe: Household and Fire Safety – April 30

Most parents and caregivers view safety as a significant concern. Parents of children with ASD often have additional issues to consider when addressing the safety concerns of their children.

This workshop outlines essential safety skills with regards to household and fire 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.

Date: April 30, 2024 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.


May Workshops

Ask a BCBA – May 2

Parents and caregivers of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may experience challenges navigating all the available supports and services for their child. Come and chat with a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) 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: May 2, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Healthy Sexuality: The Middle Years – May 6

Puberty is a normal stage of life and one that we all experience. But if not prepared, can be a time of mixed feelings for parents and pre-teens, causing confusion and anxiety. Your child’s body is growing and changing and the more you know about those changes, the more you can prepare and support your child. In this session we explore the topics of privacy, awareness of sexuality, and consent. Also covered will be puberty, including self-care, masturbation, and more. We will discuss how to utilize the principals of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to promote independence and generalization of the skills related to these topics. As a parent or caregiver, it is important to teach pre-teens with special needs to take good care of their own health, address their sexuality, and prepare for the changes that occur during puberty.

This workshop is designed to provide information and strategies to support you and your child in introducing some of these skills related to aging and puberty.

Date: May 6, 2024 from 12 to 2 p.m.

During Behaviour: Helping your Child Find Their Calm – May 8

The Behaviour Series are three independent but related workshops where caregivers learn ways to support their child before, during and after displaying challenging behaviour. This session focuses helping your child find their calm and shares what caregivers can do during an episode of challenging behaviour to support the child who is experiencing strong and uncomfortable emotions.

This workshop provides a variety of practical strategies that may help keep caregivers in a space where they might effectively support the child who is having difficulty returning to a calm state.

Date: May 8, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Keeping your Child with ASD Safe: Water and Road Safety – May 14

Most parents and caregivers view safety as a significant concern. Parents of children with ASD 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, 2024 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Keeping your Child with ASD Safe: Wandering and Running Away – May 16

Parents and caregivers view the safety of their children as a significant concern. Many children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) 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 16, 2024 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Sexual Health: Menstruation – May 22

Supporting children as they become young adults is an exciting time. A significant teaching time can be when a youth begins their menstrual cycle. This session is designed to support parents in building healthy self-care routines for their child and introducing the topic of getting a period in a positive way.

The workshop provides practical tips and strategies to teach the skills associated with getting a period, how to manage symptoms and how to teach youth to advocate for their needs. There is a large age range when a child may get their first period and children with special needs may require extra time to acquire the necessary skills. This session is targeted at parents and guardians of youth ages eight and older.

Date: May 22, 2024 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Teaching Functional Life Skills – May 24

Everyone knows it’s important to teach your child their ABCs and 123s. But what about the skills they need to get through the rest of their day, the rest of their lives? Functional life skills are essentially skills that allow us to function independently at home, school, work, and in our communities – things like brushing our teeth, ordering take-out, filing our taxes.

In this workshop, you will learn 7 steps to teaching your child functional life skills. This workshop is appropriate for caregivers of learners at all stages of development.

Date: May 24, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Picking Apart Picky Eating – Understanding How to Support Mealtime Success – May 27

In this companion part of our Let’s Eat series, our Occupational Therapist will guide you through exploring the environmental, motor and sensory factors that impact eating and provide practical strategies to improve your child’s tolerance of a variety of foods using a gradual, sensory-based approach.

Topics covered include: pre-requisite skills for eating, establishing positive mealtime routines, developing motor skills, steps to eating, food play, food chaining and sensory regulation for meal times. Resources will also be shared to support implementation of the strategies provided at home to ease mealtime stress for parents and caregivers.

Date: May 27, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Determination of Needs (DoN) Information Session – May 28

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 28, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Building Healthy Sleep Routines – May 30

Sleep concerns can be common in children with ASD 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: May 30, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.


June Workshops

Transitions Done Right – June 3

Change happens…but it does not have to be hard! In this session we will help you identify the bigger and smaller transitions in your child’s life and provide you with the tools and strategies for success. You will learn how to prepare your child for the many transitions across their day, their week, and the bigger transitions for years to come.

In this workshop we will also share strategies on how to access transition supports at school. You will participate in a make-and-take component that will help you create helpful transition tools and resources to take home and use with your child.

Date: June 3, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

After Behaviour: Responding Intentionally and Effectively to Behaviour – June 4

Responding Intentionally and Effectively to Behaviour focuses on the things that caregivers can do after both valuable skills and challenging behaviour to make it more likely that the child will display those valuable skills that they possess and make it less likely the child will rely on challenging behaviour to get their needs met when faced with similar situations in the future. This workshop provides a variety of practical strategies that may reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviour re-occurring after an escalation has calmed and increase the likelihood of developing valuable skills.

The Behaviour Series: Before Behaviour, During Behaviour, and After Behaviour are three independent but related education sessions where you can learn more about ways to support your child who is displaying challenging behaviour and struggling to learn helpful ways to get their needs met. Please register separately for each session that you are interested in attending.

Date: June 4, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Unstuck and Moving On: Understanding Rigidity and Promoting Flexibility – June 5

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: June 5, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Let’s Eat – June 11

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 11, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Determination of Needs (DoN) Information Session – June 13

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 13, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Autism and Executive Functioning – June 17

Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder experience challenges with executive functions, including, focus, inhibition, memory, emotion, and planning. Executive functions underlie many life skills and behaviours that are used in daily activities both at home and school. This ranges from simple activities, such as following one-step instructions, to more complex activities, such as preparing a meal.

This workshop, led by an Occupational Therapist and a Psychologist, will further explore executive functions, how it affects individuals with ASD, and how to support your child day to day. The aims of the session are to provide caregivers with a general understanding of the different components of executive function, the impact on daily activities, and strategies/suggestions to support a child with executive function challenges.

Date: June 17, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Keeping your Child with ASD Safe: Water and Road Safety – June 17

Most parents and caregivers view safety as a significant concern. Parents of children with ASD 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: June 17, 2024 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Creating Routines at Home – June 19

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 19, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Skills for Successful Group Participation – June 25

When we enroll our children in social skill groups, school, and various community programs, we want to ensure they have the pre-requisite skills they need in order to be able to learn in these environments. We want them to benefit from what is being taught and these experiences. There are so many skills that a child needs to possess before learning can take place in a group setting. These are skills that are not always explicitly taught and they differ from those of a 1:1 setting.

In this session we talk about those pre-requisite readiness skills, what they are, why they are important and how you can work on teaching these skills at home. We talk about listening and following directions, tolerating transitions, imitation, joining in, group demands and more!

Date: June 25, 2024 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Teaching your Child using Behavioural Skills Training – June 27

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: June 27, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.

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