Hand In Hand Therapy Centre

Intensive Behavioural Intervention

Children with autism face a number of challenges poor social interaction skills, communication difficulties and developmental delays. Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) can help children with autism. It's a structured approach to breaking down the barriers that isolate children with autism from the world around them. We as IBI professionals work with children with autism either one-on-one or in small groups. They use systematic methods derived from principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis to promote development and change behaviour. Research tells us that IBI should be commenced early because very young children can gain the most from this approach. IBI is intensive. It typically involves between 20 and 40 hours of direct service per week. IBI is individual. Program goals are based on a thorough assessment of each child's unique strengths and needs. IBI is practical. The focus is on developing the skills each child needs for greater independence.

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA THERAPY)

ABA is an evidence based approach that uses and learning and motivation to affect socially significant change, and is used in various capacities across many different industries, such as education, mental health, and organizational management. ABA therapy has been long considered a gold standard in treatment for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Get Ready For School

September is around the corner and the time for children to return back to school is quickly approaching.Hand in Hand Therapy program is designed to help prepare students for a smooth transition back to school and re-establish school related routines. Our goal is to teach skills that enable learners to function as independently as possible upon returning to school after a long summer break. Students enrolled in our Get Ready for School Program will experience two-days of school-themed activities with flexible enrolment options available. Similar to our social skills programs, a low ratio of students to staff (maximum ratio of 3:1),Get Ready for School program is designed to replicate the group instruction environment of a school while providing an effective level of support for all students.
Prerequisite skills For children who have not participated in a Get Ready for School program in the past, parents will be required to fill out a questionnaire by email regarding their child's developmental abilities and identified needs before acceptance. To attend, children must demonstrate that they can:

- Follow simple instructions from adults
- Possess functional communication skills
- Sit appropriately in a group setting
- Indicate when they need to use the washroom

Activities and Curriculum
All activities will focus on helping children prepare for their transition back to school.
Activities Include:
- Circle time: Children will practice attending to the teacher, story time, calendar skills, and show and tell
- Gym: Fine/ Gross motor activities, structured activities and sports to help build team work and leadership skills
- Classroom routines catered to each childs needs such as pre-printing/printing skills, journal, expressive language activities
- Arts and crafts School Skills Targeted:
- Turn taking/ waiting for turns
- Sitting appropriately in groups for circle
- Sharing
- Participating in group activities
- Following instructions during free time/ structured activities
- Following routines
- Transitioning appropriately from one task to another
- Attending to the teacher
- Attending to other students
- Social skills

Transitional Services

Our transitional support therapists work with children who have varying degrees of behavioural challenges in a public school setting to provide them assistance in integrating with the school system. It can be as simple as throwing tantrums in resistance to attending school ranging to supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or other similar conditions. We work closely with the teachers and school staff in effort to increase their knowledge and skills allowing them to better support students. Our goal is to achieve a student who will be fully integrated with their typically developing peers in the school environment.

Respite Services

At Hand in Hand we offer respite services for child and adults with special need, please call or email to inquire about fees and times available.

Social SKILLs/ Camps (summer camps, Christmas break and March break camp)

• A variety of social group are offered in the centre.
• Children in our social groups and camp program develop invaluable skills such as;
• Peer interactions
• Social Communication
• Emotional Recognition
• Self Regulation
• Cooperative Play
• Self Advocacy
• Team Building Skills
• Perspective Taking
• Situational Awareness
• Self-Esteem
• Problem Solving Skills
• Body Awareness
• School Routines
• Self Help Skills
• Turn Taking and Sharing
• And much, much more!
• But most importantly building strong, lifelong Friendships!!

Music Therapy

All children love music, what type and In what form? We are here to find out. The rhythmic component of music is very organizing for the sensory systems of individuals diagnosed with autism. As a result, auditory processing and other sensory-motor perceptual/motor, gross and fine motor skills can be enhanced through music therapy.

• It can improve vocalization, verbalization and vocabulary
• Improved behaviour
• Increase memory
• Improve motor skills (piano lessons)
• Helps with Coordination
• Assists both sides of the brain working together
• Help children to follow verbal commands
• And much more.

In House Yoga

Through the combined practice of yoga, music and mindfulness, children with autism increase social and communication skills, increase body awareness, reduce anxiety, improve their ability to understand and express emotions and foster a positive sense of self. Yoga practices can contribute significantly to maintaining optimal health outcomes while improving the quality of life in children with ASD.