How can Foundational Family Services help?
Foundational Family Services are available at no-cost to all families registered with the Ontario Autism Program. Our team of experts will give you the tools you need to work with your child or youth and support their growth with evidence-based services online, in-person or in groups.
Visit our main Autism page to learn more about our other Autism and Behavioural Services.
How do I get started?
You can access Foundational Family Services for free, all you need is your OAP registration number. Don’t have an OAP registration number? Contact us today and we can help.
Email [email protected], or call us at 1-800-668-8555 ext. 1333 to get more information, register for services, or book an appointment.
Autism Consultations
You can access our Autism consultations by video or phone from anywhere in Northern Ontario. They are open to any families who have a child or youth diagnosed with Autism. Consultations provide help on service coordination, behavioural consultation, and speech-language consultation.
Consultation spots are available every Tuesday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, with extended evening hours the first Tuesday of every month (last appointment at 6:00 pm). If Tuesday doesn’t work for your family, call to arrange a different day that suits your schedule.
Seminars for Caregivers
Our seminars are 1.5 to 2-hour long information sessions for caregivers. Each seminar focuses on a specific topic to help you engage with a child or youth with Autism. We focus on sharing information and giving you general strategies to increase your confidence in your chosen topic area. We have a variety of seminars available throughout the year and deliver both in-person and virtually. Please note, that seminars are being delivered virtually at this time.
We are offering the following seminars. Click on the topic below for dates and times:
ASD for Siblings and Little Friends (7-11)
Coming Soon Multiple Locations
This interactive seminar will teach siblings and friends about autism spectrum disorder. Learn More
Autism and Mental Health
Tuesday, April 29
Tuesday, June 03
7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Develop a better understanding of mental health and autism, and what it means to have a dual diagnosis. Learn More
Body Changes: Now What?
Tuesday, March 18 2025 Tuesday, April 22
Tuesday, May 13 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Learn how to support your youth during all the changes that come with puberty. Learn More
Building Independence and Self-Advocacy
Tuesday, December 03 2024 Tuesday, October 15 2024 Coming Soon Online
Learn tips to build independence and advocacy skills in your child/youth. Learn More
Change is Hard
Tuesday, July 09 2024 Tuesday, August 27 2024 Coming Soon Online
Support your child with changes and transitions and better understand why they may have difficulties. Learn More
Combating Sleep Issues
Tuesday, October 29 2024 Coming Soon Online
Learn strategies and steps to improve sleep. Learn More
Foundations of Communication
Tuesday, May 06
Tuesday, June 10
7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Find out what speech and language services are in this informative seminar. Learn More
Holiday Survival
Tuesday, December 03 2024 Tuesday, November 26 2024 Coming Soon Online
Prepare for the winter holidays with many strategies and resources. Learn More
Interpret My Behaviour: Introduction to ABA
Tuesday, April 15
5:00 pm
Bracebridge, Timmins, North Bay
Learn about Applied Behaviour Analysis and some common strategies. Learn More
Introduction To Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Tuesday, April 29
Tuesday, June 03
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Learn More
Managing Challenging Behaviours
Tuesday, April 08
Tuesday, May 13
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn about why your child/youth might be engaging in challenging behaviours and gain strategies to support decreasing behaviours Learn More
Master the School Meeting: School Advocacy
Tuesday, May 06
Tuesday, June 10
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn strategies and tips to advocate for your child while navigating the school system. Learn More
Not On My Plate
Tuesday, December 10 2024 Tuesday, January 28 2025 Tuesday, March 25 2025 Coming Soon Online
Sharing strategies to overcome difficulties with picky eaters. Learn More
School Readiness
Tuesday, May 20
5:00 pm
Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, North Bay
Learn skills to prepare your child for kindergarten. Learn More
Strategies for Social Communication
Tuesday, July 16 2024 Tuesday, September 17 2024 Coming Soon Online
Learn about social communication and strategies to help your child gain social skills. Learn More
Toilet Training 101
Tuesday, April 08
Tuesday, May 27
7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Toilet training techniques and strategies using ABA principles are discussed. Learn More
Tools for Communication
Tuesday, January 14 2025 Tuesday, February 11 2025 Coming Soon Online
Learn about Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Learn More
Transition to Adulthood
Tuesday, January 21 2025 Tuesday, February 25 2025 Coming Soon Online
Learn how to prepare yourself and your child for adulthood. Learn More
Transition to High School
Tuesday, April 22
Tuesday, May 27
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Prepare yourself and your child for the transition to High School. Learn More
Zones of Regulation
Tuesday, January 14 2025 Tuesday, February 25 2025 Coming Soon Online
Learn about emotional regulation and zones of regulation curriculum. Learn More
Autism Clinics
Our clinics are small group offerings for children and youth with Autism, and in some cases, their caregivers. They focus on social skills, positive peer interactions, and conversation skills. Through fun and interactive activities, children and youth increase their abilities to interact with each other and staff appropriately.
We are offering the following clinics. Click on the topic below for dates and times:
Fun with Food Virtually
Tuesday, October 01 2024 Tuesday, October 08 2024 Tuesday, October 15 2024 Tuesday, October 22 2024 Coming Soon Virtual
Learn essential cooking skills to increase independence in the kitchen. Learn More
Healthy Bodies
Wednesday, June 04
Wednesday, June 11
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, North Bay
Learn about the essential parts of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Learn More
Learn to Play (3-6)
Wednesday, April 09
Wednesday, April 16
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, North Bay
Learn a variety of play skills, strategies for transitions, and some visual supports. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Create
Coming Soon To Be Announced
Participants will learn the basics of visual art, drama, music, and dance in a social environment. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Start Building
Thursday, May 08
Thursday, May 15
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, North Bay
Children will have fun building and experimenting with peers. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Start Cooking
Coming Soon North Bay, Sturgeon Falls, Timmins, Bracebridge, Pembroke
Children will learn kitchen safety skills while learning to cook and socialize with peers. Learn More
Let’s Get Social Holiday Edition
Coming Soon Bracebridge, Mattawa, North Bay, Pembroke, Timmins
Children will practice social skills while enjoying holiday activities, crafts, and games. Learn More
Let’s Get Social Virtually
Coming Soon Online
A fun and interactive while building social connections in the digital age. Learn More
Let’s Get Working
Thursday, May 29
Thursday, June 05
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Online
Learn essential skills when searching for employment and being employed in the workplace. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Learn Sports
Wednesday, August 07 2024 Wednesday, August 14 2024 Wednesday, August 21 2024 Wednesday, August 28 2024 Coming Soon North Bay
Learn skills related to sports, sportsmanship, team communication, and rules of the game. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Play Video Games – Ages 7-11
Coming Soon Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, North Bay
Develop and create positive peer interactions while having fun playing video games. Learn More
Social Discoverers Level 1
Coming Soon Online
Learn and practice key social skills concepts through engaging stories, demonstrations, and games. Learn More
Social Discoverers Level 2
Coming Soon Online
Build and expand on the social skills learned in level 1 through engaging stories, demonstrations, and games. Learn More
Story Time with Friends
Coming Soon Bracebridge, Parry Sound, North Bay
Join us for story time activities and games with peers. Learn More
Teen Chat Social Skills
Thursday, November 07 2024 Thursday, November 14 2024 Thursday, November 21 2024 Thursday, November 28 2024 Coming Soon North Bay
Learn social skills, such as initiating and sustaining conversations and creating positive peer interactions. Learn More
Transition to Adulthood
Tuesday, March 04 2025 Tuesday, March 11 2025 Tuesday, March 18 2025 Tuesday, March 25 2025 Coming Soon Online
Learn daily living skills to help develop independence. Learn More
How-To Learning Series
Caregivers can learn how to use commonly suggested strategies to help with behaviours and communication in our virtual learning series. Each week we will focus on a different strategy and break it down step-by-step, while providing examples and answering any questions you may have.
We are offering the following “How-To’s”. Click on the topic below for dates and times:
Give Instructions and Prompt
Thursday, April 24
Thursday, June 05
11:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn how to break down instructions so your child responds to you and prompt them through learning something new. Learn More
How to Take ABC Data
Thursday, May 15
Thursday, June 12
7:30 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to collect ABC data Learn More
Monitor Technology
Thursday, May 15
Thursday, June 12
11:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn how to reduce screen time and safely monitor technology. Learn More
Reinforce
Thursday, April 10
Thursday, May 29
11:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn about motivation and reinforcers as well as how to use them effectively. Learn More
Token Boards
Thursday, April 24
Thursday, May 29
7:30 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to use token boards effectively with your child. Learn More
Visual Schedules
Thursday, April 10
Thursday, June 05
7:30 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to create and use visual schedules in a variety of settings. Learn More
Visual Schedules (in person)
Tuesday, June 17
5:00 pm
Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, North Bay
Learn how to create and use visual schedules in a variety of settings. Learn More
Family Support Groups
Our support groups for families offer a virtual community of support through shared experiences and learning. We provide a space to connect with others who share your journey.
Learn more about our support groups:
Caring for Caregivers
First Wednesday of the month: April 2, May 7, June 4 7:30 pm
Online
Join this support group to connect with other caregivers and discuss important topics. Learn More
Sibshops
Saturday, June 14
10:00 am
Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Timmins, Pembroke, North Bay
Space for siblings to connect with each other in a supportive and fun environment. Learn More
Ongoing services include:
- Diagnostics
- Consultations
- Individualized Behaviour Therapy
- Speech Language Therapy
Visit our main Autism page to learn more about our Autism and Behavioural Services.