Hands Autism Services

We offer Core Clinical Services to meet the unique needs of your child or youth, including: 

• Applied Behaviour Analysis, and 
• Speech-Language Therapy 

All of our Core Clinical Services are provided in a variety of ways to meet your unique goals, including one-to-one, group-based, and caregiver-mediated approaches. 

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) 

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) helps your child/youth set goals and meet their needs. It supports building new skills, enhancing delayed skills, or minimizing challenging behaviours. We are flexible and tailor our approach to therapy depending on the child or youth we’re working with. 

First, we work to understand your child/youth’s current skills and challenges. Then we create a personalized behaviour intervention plan that meets the needs of the child/youth and the family as a whole.

Speech-Language Therapy 

Speech-Language Therapy helps your child/youth develop their communication skills. Our Speech-Language Pathologist will support your child/youth with needs like: 

• Articulation 
• Pronunciation 
• Expressing and understanding language 
• Social skills 
• Cognitive communication 
• Literacy skills 
• Augmentative and/or alternative communication 
• Swallowing/feeding issues 

Every child/youth starts therapy with an assessment to determine their current skill level. Then, we will work with you and your family to create a personalized and flexible treatment plan to meet the needs of the child/youth. 

Caregiver-mediated early years programs support families with young children ages 12 to 48 months (1 to 4 years). The programs help young children learn new skills and meet individualized goals. 

We are pleased to offer Project ImPACT as a caregiver-mediated early years program, which is supported by research and based on developmental science and applied behavioral analysis (ABA) principles, and is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. 

Project ImPACT is a coaching program for young children with Autism that teaches parents/caregivers strategies you can use to help your child develop social, communication, imitation, and play skills during daily routines and activities. Working with your family, our professionally trained team will teach parents/caregivers therapeutic strategies and specific techniques based on your child’s individual needs.

How do I register? 

Children ages 12 to 48 months with Autism who have received an invitation letter from the Ontario Autism Program may register for caregiver-mediated early years programs. 

You may choose to request caregiver-mediated early years services from Hands. If you did not receive a letter, call us – we’re here to help. 

Entry to School is a group-based program for children, ages 3 to 5, who are getting ready to start kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time. 

The Entry to School Program offers families: 

• A six-month, group-based skill-building program, focused on communication, play, social interaction, routines, and more 
• Transition support for children as they start school ​for the first time 
• Consultation services as needed, during your child’s first six months in school 

The program is free for families, and funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. 

How do I register? 

Families with children ages 3 to 5 years, who have received an invitation letter from the Ontario Autism Program, may register. 

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. 

Our Foundational Services include: 

• Consultations 
• Seminars 
• Clinics 
• Support Groups, and 
• How-to Learning Series

We offer respite funding for those in crisis, as well as for group and individual activities. You can find our applications for respite funding on our Resources page.

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is something people are born with. It makes socializing and communication hard for them. They might not look at you when you talk, or they might get upset with changes. They might repeat words or not like loud noises. But, people with Autism also have great skills like remembering things well, being creative, and knowing a lot about things they like.

Asperger Syndrome, or Aspergers, used to be a name for “High-functioning” autistic individuals. Now, Aspergers is just part of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some people still prefer to use the term Asperger’s when speaking about themselves.

The term “high-functioning” was used to describe individuals with an autism diagnosis who needed limited minimal support.  “High-functioning”, however, suggests others are “low-functioning”  this is not an accurate way of looking at the needs of individuals with an autism diagnosis.

Today, autism is viewed in terms of the level of support needed by individuals with an autism diagnosis. Support levels are categorized as level 1, level 2 or level 3.

Level 1:  is for those with an autism diagnosis and who have slight difficulties with social communication and/or restricted/repetitive behaviours. Level one was often used for “high-functioning” autistic individuals.

Level 2:  is for those with greater difficulty with social communication and/or restricted/repetitive behaviours.

Level 3:  is for those with more severe difficulty with social communication and/or restrictive/repetitive behaviours.

A proper autism diagnosis, provided by a qualified practitioner, will determine the level of support needed.

Yes, Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability one is born with. Signs of autism begin to show in early childhood.

This may sound scary but it simply means a person’s brain is developing in a unique way so autistic individuals may learn differently and see the world around them differently. In fact, everyone’s brains develop differently.

Autism can sometimes mean struggles with social interaction, communication and behavioural challenges.  Autistic people have many strengths, so,  an autism diagnosis is not ‘bad’ it just means your loved one needs support and assistance to manage day-to-day interactions.

No, Autism is not a mental illness it is a neurodevelopmental disorder.  Some individuals prefer to say “difference” or “condition” rather than disorder as they feel there may be a sense of stigma attached to having a disorder.

No, Autism is not a learning disability.

As a neurodevelopmental disorder, Autism affects more than one aspect of a child’s development. for which there are many services, supports and treatments available.

ADHD is one of the most common disorders that occur with Autism.  People with ADHD and Autism both learn and see the world in unique and different ways. There are also a lot of overlapping symptoms between ADHD and Autism including;

• inattention and easily distracted,
• repetitive self-stimulating behaviour (stimming),
• sensory issues, and
• an inability to control emotional responses (dysregulation).

A formal diagnosis from an accredited healthcare professional can help confirm ADHD, Autism or both and will allow families to begin a treatment journey.

It is estimated about 1 in 50 Canadian kids have Autism (Public Health Agency of Canada 2019). In the US, the numbers are 1 in 36 children and adolescents.

Boys are 4 times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with Autism, however, Autism sometimes looks different in girls and may not initially be as obvious.

Signs of Autism and/or developmental delays can be scary. They can also be different for everyone and they may appear at different times. So don’t panic or jump to conclusions.

If your child is showing any of the signs listed here, please speak with us at Hands, or reach out to your family doctor/pediatrician as soon as possible.

• No social smiling by 6 months
• No babbling, pointing, or meaningful gestures by 12 months
• No use of single words by 16 months
• No two-word phrases by 24 months
• Not responding to sounds, voices, or name
• Little or no eye contact
• Unusual use of toys or objects (e.g., lining up toys, interested in only certain parts of a toy rather than the entire object)
• Not showing items to others or sharing their interests
• Showing more interest in objects than people
• Any loss of speech or social skills
• Limited or no interest in other children
• Behavioural issues like self-injury or self-isolation
• Repeating words or phrases
• Repetitive movements or behaviours, such as spinning, hand/arm flapping, body rocking/bouncing
• Intense dislike or interest in sensory experiences (e.g., lights, noise, textures)
• Intense reactions to minor changes in routine or surroundings

Autism is something people are born with and Genetics, biology, and environment can all be important factors in the development of Autism.

Age of parents, infections and exposure to certain drugs during pregnancy, a difficult birth, and extreme prematurity are some factors that might increase the risk of having Autism.

People with certain genetic disorders, like Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, and Down Syndrome are also more likely to have Autism.

No, vaccines do not cause Autism.

Yes, genes play a role in Autism. A family history of Autism increases the likelihood of having a child with Autism.

No, a person is born with Autism.

Signs or symptoms may not be diagnosed until later in life. Some people are very good at masking their symptoms and ‘fitting’ in so they don’t seem different.

Things like being older when having a baby or certain drugs during pregnancy might increase the chance of having a child with Autism.

Autism affects each person differently because people with Autism have unique strengths and challenges, so each person has different treatment needs.

Treatment plans are created for each individual to meet their specific needs.

ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) and IBI (Intensive Behavioural Intervention) are two treatments you may have heard of.  ABA focuses on learning everyday skills needed for success and works on challenging behaviours.  IBI is an intensive form of ABA with more than 20 hours a week of treatment and may cover many different areas of learning.

Some people may need Speech and Language Therapy to assist with the use of language and social skills and/or Occupational Therapy to help with sensory and motor skills.

There may also be times when medication can help with Autism symptoms like high energy levels, difficulty focusing, self-harm and anxiety and/or depression.

There’s no cure for Autism, but treatments such as ABA and IBI can help with the challenges Autism brings, and medications can help with some symptoms.

Sometimes, doctors prescribe medications for things like staying calm or focusing, which can be hard for people with Autism.

ABA Therapy (Applied Behaviour Analysis) is a scientific approach that teaches people with Autism skills that encourage productive behaviours. For example, teaching someone; to point and ask for something rather than grabbing it or whining for it, how to make a snack or how to use public transit.

An ABA Centre provides ABA Therapy using one-to-one and group activities that focus on developing skills that encourage productive rather than unproductive behaviours.  Autistic children and adolescents as well as youth with significant behavioural/social difficulties will benefit from ABA Centre services/programs.

Hands Autism Diagnostic Services offers ABA therapy through our IBI (Intensive Behavioural Intervention) program.  Children and youth with an autism diagnosis and who are registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) can access Hands IBI service on a fee-for-service model.

Funding for families is provided through OAP for children and youth based on a child’s level of need.

Family doctors, pediatricians or psychologists, can diagnose Autism. A psychological assessment which includes interviews with parents and teachers and one-on-one testing with children may be used.

Hands can provide advice and options for those seeking a new ASD assessment which may be provided by your family doctor, pediatrician or psychologist.

There’s no single test for Autism. Doctors may use a variety of tests and interviews to figure out if someone has Autism, the most common test is the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule which is an activity-based tool to assess communication and social interaction skills and the imaginative use of materials.  Creating a developmental history through in-depth clinical interviews forms a big part of making an Autism diagnosis.

If there is a history of Autism in your family and you struggle with:

• Interacting with others,
• Non-verbal communication,
• Keeping relationships,
• Repetitive speech or motor functions like finger flicking or rocking and,
• If you maintain very strict routines,
• Have an obsessive nature or intense sensory issues with things like loud noises or certain textures,
• you may want to consult your family doctor.

Talking about Autism can be difficult for some people. Many Autistic individuals may simply tell you they are Autistic.

If you think someone might have Autism you could talk to them or their caregiver to ask if they have Autism. A person may display Autistic signs or symptoms but only a qualified diagnosis can answer the question with certainty.

Currently, there is no reliable method of testing for Autism pre-birth.

All children with an Autism diagnosis can access funding through the OAP which provides funding for Autistic children up to the age of 18.

Yes, the needs of someone with Autism can change over time and as they grow. Puberty may be a particularly difficult time for Autistic youth.  A supportive family and team of professionals are important in for skill building, mental health and achieving success.

No.  We are seeing higher numbers due to better-informed clinicians and better methods of diagnosing Autism.

Stimming is doing the same thing over and over, like rocking or flipping a toy to provide self-induced stimulation. It’s common in people with Autism and helps them deal with too much or too little sensory input.

Stimming often develops in infants and young children and may decline with age. Stimming may also be a factor for people living with ADHD.

Tell them everyone’s brain is unique. Explain that people with Autism are good at some things and find other things hard. There’s no perfect time to talk about it; it depends on the child. We all have unique talents and abilities so assure your child they are loved and supported.

Hands offers Project ImPACT which is similar to JASPER.  JASPER is a curriculum option under the OAP-funded Caregiver-Mediated Early Years Program (CMEY). Hands offers Project ImPACT as an option under this funded program for children between 12 and 48 months of age who receive an invitation letter. If you would like to learn more, contact our team (contact info).

Other curriculums under the CMEY umbrella include:

• Early social interaction/social communication emotional regulation and transactional supports (ESI/SCERTS)
• Pivotal response treatment (PRT)
• PLAY project
• Social ABCs