A variety of treatment options are available and are dependent upon assessment results and the needs of the child and family. Weekly, one hour treatment sessions at our clinic are the most common option but intensive therapy blocks are sometimes recommended which may include 2-3 one hour visits per week. Group treatment sessions are often coordinated for children who would benefit from participating with their peers.

When weekly treatment sessions are not possible due to demands on the child’s and family’s schedules or resources, home programs may be provided that are monitored and upgraded as indicated. Sometimes, weekly treatment is not necessary and recommendations include referral to community based programs along with home programming suggestions.

Consultation with caregivers, educators and other professionals can be provided and is encouraged.

Formal and informal education is available to parents, caregivers and educators with provision of references and resources. Parent training evenings are offered throughout the year.

Services are coordinated with other professionals working with the client and behaviour therapy and speech and language pathology can be arranged on-site.

We provide a range of services to children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) which include assessment, treatment and consultation. We also are available to provide programming support for home, clinic and school-based programs. These services aim to maximize sensory, motor and communication abilities and also focus on the development of self-regulation, social engagement and play skills.

We use a sensory integration frame of reference and the DIR/Floortime approach to guide our interventions. The knowledge of sensory integration theory and practice allows the clinician to understand the unique sensory differences experienced by many children with ASD. These differences can impact skill development and quality of life. Clinicians utilize different types of sensory input with children to help them self-regulate and maximize their ability to attend to and interact with others. The DIR/Floortime Model focuses on development of social, emotional and intellectual abilities through the use of the child’s interests and abilities. This model emphasizes playful interactions embedded within activities that are highly motivating to the child. The role of parents and other family members is critical to this approach and therefore parent training and coaching is an essential component of this type of intervention.

Autism services include:

• Occupational therapy and speech and language pathology assessment and individual treatment sessions
• Individual treatment sessions that focus on development of interaction and play skills
• Small social skills groups
• Combined OT/SLP groups
• In-home observation
• Parent training and coaching
• Consultation to ABA/IBI teams
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy including the Alert Program for Self-Regulation and the 5-Point Incredible Scale
• Development of Visual Aids
• Development of Sensory Diets

Adults with sensory processing disorders are seen for evaluation and treatment.