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
Coming Soon Bracebridge, North Bay, Parry Sound, Timmins
This interactive seminar with teach siblings and friends about autism spectrum disorder. Learn More
Autism and Mental Health
Tuesday, November 14
Tuesday, December 19
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, October 24
Tuesday, December 05
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, October 17
Tuesday, November 21
7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Learn tips to build independence and advocacy skills in your child/youth. Learn More
Change is Hard
Tuesday, October 03
Tuesday, November 28
7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Support your child with changes and transitions and better understand why they may have difficulties. Learn More
Combating Sleep Issues
Tuesday, August 22 2023 Tuesday, September 19 2023 Coming Soon Online
Learn strategies and steps to improve sleep. Learn More
Foundations of Communication
Tuesday, October 03
Tuesday, October 10
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Find out what speech and language services are in this informative seminar. Learn More
Holiday Survival
Tuesday, November 28
Tuesday, December 12
7:30 pm
10:00 am
Online
Prepare for the winter holidays with many strategies and resources. Learn More
Interpret My Behaviour: Introduction to ABA
Tuesday, October 10
Tuesday, November 21
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn about Applied Behaviour Analysis and some common strategies. Learn More
Introduction To Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Tuesday, September 26 2023 Tuesday, November 14
Tuesday, December 05 7:30 pm 10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Learn More
Introduction To Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Wednesday, November 29
9:00 am
North Bay
Learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Learn More
Managing Challenging Behaviours
Wednesday, November 29
5:00 pm
North Bay
Learn about why your child/youth might be engaging in challenging behaviours and gain strategies to support decreasing behaviours Learn More
Managing Challenging Behaviours
Tuesday, October 17
Tuesday, November 07
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
Not On My Plate
Tuesday, September 19 2023 Coming Soon Online
Sharing strategies to overcome difficulties with picky eaters. Learn More
School Readiness
Tuesday, August 29 2023 Coming Soon Online
Learn skills to prepare your child for kindergarten. Learn More
Talking to Children About Difficult Topics
Tuesday, July 25 2023 Tuesday, September 12 2023 Coming Soon Online
Learn strategies about how to talk to your child about difficult topics. Learn More
Toilet Training 101
Tuesday, October 24
Tuesday, December 19
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Toilet training techniques and strategies using ABA principles are discussed. Learn More
Tools for Communication
Tuesday, November 07
Tuesday, December 12
10:00 am
7:30 pm
Online
Learn about Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Learn More
Transition to Adulthood
Coming Soon Online
Learn how to prepare yourself and your child for adulthood. Learn More
Transition to High School
Coming Soon Online
Prepare yourself and your child for the transition to High School. Learn More
Zones of Regulation
Tuesday, July 11 2023 Tuesday, September 05 2023 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
Coming Soon Online
Learn essential cooking skills to increase independence in the kitchen. Learn More
Healthy Bodies
Coming Soon Bracebridge, North Bay, Parry Sound, Timmins
Learn about the essential parts of living a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Learn More
Learning to Play
Coming Soon 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 Bracebridge, North Bay, Parry Sound, Pembroke, Timmins
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
Coming Soon Bracebridge, Pembroke
Children will have fun building and experimenting with peers. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Start Cooking
Coming Soon Timmins
Children will learn kitchen safety skills while learning to cook and socialize with peers. Learn More
Let’s Get Social Holiday Edition
Wednesday, November 29
4:30 pm
Bracebridge, Mattawa, North Bay, Pembroke, Timmins
Children will practice social skills while enjoying holiday activities, crafts, and games. Learn More
Let’s Get Social Holiday Edition
Thursday, November 30
4:00 pm
Parry Sound
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, September 07 2023 Coming Soon Online
Learn essential skills when searching for employment and being employed in the workplace. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Learn Sports
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
Thursday, October 05
4:00 pm
Parry Sound
Develop and create positive peer interactions while having fun playing video games. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Play Video Games – Ages 7-11
Wednesday, October 04
4:30 pm
Bracebridge, North Bay, Timmins
Develop and create positive peer interactions while having fun playing video games. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Play Video Games – Ages 12-15
Thursday, November 02
4:00 pm
Parry Sound
Develop and create positive peer interactions while having fun playing video games. Learn More
Let’s Get Social and Play Video Games – Ages 12-15
Wednesday, November 01
4:30 pm
Bracebridge, North Bay, Timmins
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
Monday, October 23
4:00 pm
North Bay , Bracebridge, Timmins
Join us for story time activities and games with peers. Learn More
Teen Chat Social Skills
Wednesday, September 06 2023 Coming Soon North Bay, Timmins
Learn social skills, such as initiating and sustaining conversations and creating positive peer interactions. Learn More
Transition to Adulthood
Wednesday, October 04
4:00 pm
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:
First-Then Boards
Thursday, October 05
Thursday, November 02
11:00 am
6:00 pm
Online
Learn how to create and use a first-then board. Learn More
Give Instructions and Prompt
Thursday, October 19
Thursday, November 23
11:00 am
6:00 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, October 19
Thursday, November 30
6:00 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to collect ABC data Learn More
Independent Activity Schedules (IAS)
Thursday, August 31 2023 Thursday, October 05
Thursday, November 09 11:00 am 6:00 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to create some independence for your child to complete tasks/activities. Learn More
Monitor Technology
Thursday, October 26
Thursday, November 23
6:00 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to reduce screen time and safely monitor technology. Learn More
Reinforce
Thursday, October 26
Thursday, November 30
11:00 am
6:00 pm
Online
Learn about motivation and reinforcers as well as how to use them effectively. Learn More
Reinforce
Wednesday, November 29
12:00 pm
North Bay
Learn about motivation and reinforcers as well as how to use them effectively. Learn More
Three-Part: How to Teach Daily Living Skills
Thursday, December 07
Thursday, December 14
Thursday, December 21
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Online
Learn strategies on how to break down and teach activities of daily living. Learn More
Three-Part: How to Teach Daily Living Skills
Thursday, December 07
Thursday, December 14
Thursday, December 21
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Online
Learn strategies on how to break down and teach activities of daily living. Learn More
Token Boards
Thursday, August 31 2023 Thursday, October 12
Thursday, November 02 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
11:00 am
Online
Learn how to use token boards effectively with your child. Learn More
Visual Schedules
Thursday, October 12
Thursday, November 09
11:00 am
6:00 pm
Online
Learn how to create and use visual schedules in a variety of settings. Learn More
Visual Schedules
Wednesday, November 29
2:30 pm
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 month7:30 pm
Online
Join this support group to connect with other caregivers and discuss important topics. Learn More
Sibshops
First Wednesday of the month4:00 pm
Online
Space for siblings to connect with each other in a supportive and fun environment. Learn More
Teen Connect
Mondays, July 17 - September 184:00 pm
Online
A supportive group to socialize and make friends while practicing social skills. Learn More
Teen Connect
Mondays, October 16 - November 204:30 pm
Online
A supportive group to socialize and make friends while practicing social skills. 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.