OUR SERVICES
Speech Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy,
Applied Behaviour Analysis and Mental Health Services
Private Practice
Our private practice services are client funded and are often covered by third party insurers/insurance companies). All of our services are eligible for funding under the Ontario Autism Program.
Privately funded services are offered at our five clinic locations, virtually, and in some cases, in home.
Core Clinical Services
Core clinical services is one of the streams of support for children and youth registered in the Ontario Autism Program. Based on the child’s individual needs, these OAP core clinical services can include applied behaviour analysis, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy and mental health services.
Following a determination of needs assessment through access OAP, families are given an amount of funding to purchase services for their children. All of ACT’s OT, SLP, MH and ABA services are eligible for core OAP funding.
More Information
We work closely with families to customize a program of evidence-based therapies that best fits the needs of both the child/youth and the family. Our premise is that parents are the experts on their children, and we are committed to collaborating with parents and guardians throughout the course of assessment and therapy.
All services are provided to children/youth and their families in the official language of their choice.
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
ACT’s Behaviour Therapists use Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to assist children and youth in developing skills in the areas of: language and communication, play, joint attention, activities of daily living, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and behaviour.
What is ABA?
ABA is an evidence-based, scientific intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It uses evidence-based behavioural principles to produce meaningful change in behaviour.
Skills that are commonly taught through ABA therapy include communication, cognition, pre-academics, play skills, joint attention, social skills, and independent self-help skills like dressing, feeding and toileting. In addition to this ABA therapy aims to replace challenging behaviours by teaching the individual more socially appropriate behaviours.
Strategies that are based in ABA included discrete trail teaching (DTT), incidental teaching or natural environment training (NET), the verbal behaviour approach to language and early childhood interventions like the Early Start Denver Model.
What does an ABA program look like?
ABA is delivered at a lesser intensity than Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI), typically less than 20 hours/week. ABA is used to target specific skills and typically focuses on 1 or 2 main goals identified by parents and the clinician as a priority for intervention (for example learning to get dressed, or decreasing aggression and teaching an appropriate replacement behaviour).
ABA Services at ACT
At ACT Learning Centre ABA clients receive:
- An individualized assessment and service plan that includes incorporates the parent’s goals for their child/youth. The individualized assessment and service plan will be overseen by ACT’s Clinical Supervisor with input from ACT’s senior therapist.
- Each ABA client receives input into each individualized program by ACT’s Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists (included in the ABA rates)
- Therapy/intervention by ACT’s highly trained staff in our clinic or in your home.
- Parent coaching and training to facilitate carry over to the home and community environment.
- Collaboration with other members of the child’s team (preschool, school, community)
Offered in:
- Colonnade (Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata
- Pembroke
- In-Home
Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI)
What is IBI?
IBI stands for intensive behavioural intervention. This is ABA delivered at a high intensity that includes 20 hours therapy or more per week. IBI includes programming across developmental domains in order to improve the child’s quality of life. The purpose of intensive behavioural intervention is to improve a child’s rate of learning and overall developmental trajectory.
Curriculums commonly used in IBI are the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R) and Verbal Behaviour Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP).
Services offered in ABA and IBI
- Functional assessment of behavior
- Skills based assessments (ABLLS-R & VB-MAPP)
- Individualized programming to target the child’s unique areas of need
- Communication training, including augmentative communication (PECS, Proloquo2Go) under the guidance and recommendations of ACT’s speech language pathologists.
- Teach school readiness and Social Skill training.
- Parent Coaching
- Consultation with other professionals
Who is involved in the implementation of ABA/IBI therapy at ACT?
ACT’s ABA therapy is delivered by our team of professionals, including an Instructor therapist, Senior Therapist and a Clinical Supervisor. ACT’s speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists are also members of ATC’s ABA team. Please click on the Our Team link for more information.
IBI Services at ACT
At ACT Learning Centre IBI clients receive:
- An individualized assessment and service plan that includes incorporates the parent’s goals for their child/youth. The individualized assessment and service plan will be overseen by ACT’s Clinical Supervisor with input from ACT’s senior therapist.
- Each ABA client receives input into each individualized program by ACT’s Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists (included in the IBI rates)
- Therapy/intervention by ACT’s highly trained staff in our clinic or in your home.
- Parent coaching and training to facilitate carry over to the home and community environment.
- Collaboration with other members of the child’s team (preschool, school, community)
Offered In:
- Colonnade (Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata
- Pembroke
- In-Home
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
ESDM
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive early intervention program for children with autism or children who are at risk for an autism spectrum diagnosis. ESDM is an evidence based behavioural intervention program that is play based. ESDM focuses on communication, social skills, imitation, play, and gross and fine motor skills. At ACT our ESDM team consists of the Supervising Therapist (either a BCBA, Senior Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist) who have been trained in the ESDM model. The supervising therapist is responsible for completing the ESDM assessment and writing the individualized program for each child.
The parents’ role in ESDM
ESDM recognizes that parents and caregivers are an integral part of the child’s intervention team. At ACT we encourage parents to be active participants in their child’s ESDM sessions.
Offered In:
- Colonnade (Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata
- In-Home
PLAY Project
What is the Play Project?
The PLAY Project is an evidence-based autism intervention program developed by Rick Solomon, MD, a Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrician. The PLAY Project is devoted to helping parents develop a better connection with their child through play and helping the child to improve their communication, development, regulation and social skills.
The PLAY Project offers support and training for families of young children with autism in the home setting or in our clinic. Caregivers are coached by certified PLAY Consultants under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists, psychotherapists or occupational therapists to implement methods and techniques that are effective, fun and useful in day-to-day interactions with their child.
How does the PLAY Project help my child?
The PLAY Project is a caregiver-mediated program, meaning that we support you to develop strategies to facilitate your child’s development. Your PLAY consultant assesses your child’s developmental progress at each visit. The assessment is used to develop the child’s individualized play plan which includes techniques and activities designed to help your child. Goals of the PLAY Project include:
- Increased caregiver/parent and child interaction
- Increased social interaction
- Improved social-emotional development
What is a typical PLAY visit like?
Your PLAY Consultant coaches you in the PLAY Project principles, methods and techniques so you can work with your child throughout your everyday interactions. During visits, you and the PLAY Consultant collaborate on practical ways to support your child through everyday interactions and activities. Siblings and other caregivers are welcome to join in the play-based activities too. Our Consultants show you practical way of making every interaction with your child a growing and learning experience. We can also provide training to childcare workers/nannies to allow them to use strategies while working with your child.
How long is a PLAY Project Session?
PLAY sessions typically include:
- 2 in-home visits per month that are 1-1.5 hours in length, for at least six months
- The visits include the PLAY Consultant modeling different strategies with your child as well as coaching you to try them
- A PLAY Plan is sent each month with detailed PLAY recommendations for methods, techniques and activities.
- Family support (to get resources, help with school, etc.)
What can I expect after each visit?
Each month, you will receive:
1. Videos of you and your child’s playful interaction.
2. A written assessment of your child’s progress and PLAY Plan.
3. Written coaching, feedback and detailed recommendations.
4. Supplemental handouts that will guide you in playing and interacting with your child.
Caregiver Coaching
We believe that caregiver coaching is an essential part of any intervention program. We are pleased to offer evidence based parent coaching programs that are eligible for funding under the Ontario Autism Program. Parents/caregivers may choose to combine parent coaching as a part of their child’s individualized program.
The following evidence-based parent coaching programs are offered at ACT:
ABA
Caregiver coaching and training is available with our BCBA or Senior Therapist to allow parents to follow through with therapy goals in the home based environment.
The Play Project
The PLAY Project™ is a caregiver implemented, intensive early intervention program for young children with autism that is evidence based. The Play Project is based on DIR/Floortime principles and recognizes that early intervention can make a profound difference in the life course of children because their brains are developing at an accelerated rate. Very young children, including children with autism, learn best through play in the natural environment of the home. The PLAY Project is delivered by parents, who are trained by ACT’s Play Project Consultants. It is a cost effective, evidence based intervention early intervention program geared towards children 6 years of age and under.
DIR/Floortime
DIR/Floortime caregiver coaching is provided by Cindy Harrison, ACT’s co-founder and Speech Language Pathologist. Caregivers are coached on how to interact with their child to facilitate regulation, joint attention, communication and language, motor skills, cognition, ideation and execution, and social problem-solving. Floortime promotes the child/youth’s development by developing a nuanced understanding of their sensory, emotional, and communication profile and using that to adapt the way we interact with the child to advance development.
Offered In:
- Colonnade (Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata
- Pembroke
- Kingston
- Virtually
- In-Home
Occupational Therapy
ACT’s Occupational Therapists offer assessment, education and treatment for infants, children and youth.
Our therapists have the training and knowledge to treat sensory processing, fine motor, gross motor, feeding, self-regulation, and activities of daily living (i.e. toileting).
ACT’s OTs provide assessment and therapy for clients with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, developmental delay sensory processing challenges, visual spatial difficulties and fine and gross motor delays. All of ACT’s OTs are licensed, regulated healthcare professionals.
Offered In:
- Colonnade(Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata (Ottawa)
- Pembroke
- Kingston
- Virtually
- In-Home (OTA Services)
Speech Language Pathology
ACT’s speech language pathologists assess and treat communication and swallowing/eating disorders in infants, children, youth and young adults. We also provide consultation and intervention in the area of augmentative communication.
ACT’s SLPs provide assessment and therapy for clients with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, developmental delay and communication delays. All of ACT’s SLPs are licensed, regulated health professionals with Master’s degrees in Speech Language Pathology.
ACT is now offering SLP consultations for families awaiting services. Learn more.
Offered In:
- Colonnade (Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata
- Kingston
- Virtually
Mental Health Services
ACT’s Mental Health services are delivered by our team of regulated health professionals including a Social Worker (MSW), Mental Health Consultant (PhD) and Registered Psychotherapists.
Our team has the training and knowledge to assess and provide treatment including, but not limited to, anxiety, identity, challenges at school or home, anger, stress, self-regulation, grief, bullying, teaching advocacy skills and executive functioning.
Services available through our mental health program include:
• One-to-One Counselling
• Parent Coaching
• Skills Development
• Advocacy
• System Navigation
• Case Management
Services are offered virtually and at the following ACT locations:
• Colonnade
• Lancaster
• Kanata
Ready to Get Started?
Government Funded – OAP Early Years Programs
Government funded services are funded by the Ministry of Child, Community and Social Services’ Ontario Autism Program and available across 16 clinic locations and in home.
Support Services
Support services are available for many of private practice services. Support services are client funded and often covered by third party insurers/insurance companies. They are also eligible for funding under the Ontario Autism Program.
Caregiver Coaching
We believe that caregiver coaching is an essential part of any intervention program. We are pleased to offer evidence based parent coaching programs that are eligible for funding under the Ontario Autism Program. Parents/caregivers may choose to combine parent coaching as a part of their child’s individualized program.
The following evidence-based parent coaching programs are offered at ACT:
ABA
Caregiver coaching and training is available with our BCBA or Senior Therapist to allow parents to follow through with therapy goals in the home based environment.
The Play Project
The PLAY Project™ is a caregiver implemented, intensive early intervention program for young children with autism that is evidence based. The Play Project is based on DIR/Floortime principles and recognizes that early intervention can make a profound difference in the life course of children because their brains are developing at an accelerated rate. Very young children, including children with autism, learn best through play in the natural environment of the home. The PLAY Project is delivered by parents, who are trained by ACT’s Play Project Consultants. It is a cost effective, evidence based intervention early intervention program geared towards children 6 years of age and under.
DIR/Floortime
DIR/Floortime caregiver coaching is provided by Cindy Harrison, ACT’s co-founder and Speech Language Pathologist. Caregivers are coached on how to interact with their child to facilitate regulation, joint attention, communication and language, motor skills, cognition, ideation and execution, and social problem-solving. Floortime promotes the child/youth’s development by developing a nuanced understanding of their sensory, emotional, and communication profile and using that to adapt the way we interact with the child to advance development.
Offered In:
- Antares (Ottawa)
- Lancaster (Ottawa)
- Kanata
- Pembroke
- Kingston
- Virtually
- In-Home
