UPDATE: There are some changes occurring to our programs for 2025. Please see this update here.
OUR PROGRAMS
- Teen Groups (ages 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-18)
- Note: Groups placement is based on age and individual needs. We aim to pair participants with no more than 2 years difference in age or school grade level.
WHO WE SERVICE
- Teens and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), learning and language disorders, and other related exceptionalities.
- Teens and young adults who demonstrate challenges in the areas of communication, socialization, and/or peer relationships and require a structured, low ratio learning environment to learn new skills and make friends.
HOW TO REGISTER
- To register your child for an upcoming group, please complete our online registration form. Phone contact will be coordinated to further discuss groups, format, and curricula.
- Elaine Bissonnette: 613-722-4374 or ebissonn@magma.ca
TEEN GROUPS
1. Teen Social Skills Group: ages 13-14, 15-16
This group focus on social skills for teens who experience challenges with communication, co-operation, and social reciprocity. The screening process will ensure that the students’ needs are addressed and that the group dynamics create a positive environment. Depending on the needs of the groups, the focus may be:
- Respect, turn taking and social space
- Learn skills for self-regulation and reducing impulsivity
- How to cooperatively work and negotiate in dyads and groups
- Learning skills for problem solving and handling disagreements during social interactions
- Conversational rules and underlying skills – via role playing and discussions
- Debates, short presentations, and discussions regarding how to deal with awkward situations.
2. Self-Advocacy Group: ages 14-15, 16-18
This unique program developed by Lynda-Marie Trifilette, focuses on highlighting the boys’ strengths and helping them understand their challenges. It explains the purpose of Individual Educational Plans and explains accommodations vs modifications. The goal of this program is to teach the boys the skills they need to be successful pursuing post-secondary education and succeeding in the working world.
The screening process for this program will ensure that the students’ level of maturity and potential participation will
benefit them.
Using direct instruction, scenarios, role-play, and other teaching methods, we will explore:=
- Individual needs and challenges
- Discussing Individual Education Plans (IEP)
- Learning about accommodations
- How to advocate for accommodations
3. Understanding and Building Executive Functioning Skills: ages 14-15, 16-18
This unique program, developed by Lynda-Marie Trifilette, focuses on the wide range of executive functioning skills and how they are not only intertwined with each other but also dependent on each other. Through self-assessments and discussions, the students will gain an understanding of the skills and strategies needed to be successful in their academic pursuits and in their daily lives.
The screening process will ensure that the needs of the students will be addressed and that the group dynamics create a positive environment.
Using self-reporting, direct instruction, discussions and sharing of experiences, we will explore:
- What are Executive Function Skills
- How the Executive Functioning Skills work together and depend on each other
- Learning strategies and skills to improve the Executive Functioning Skills that are challenging