Could you use a night out once a month just to relax and have some fun with other grown-ups (and no children)? Join us on the first Wednesday of every month for our Caregiver Club! We’ll plan something a little different for each month - your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Light refreshments will be provided. Come out and enjoy a little R&R and make some new friends!
September 3rd - Paint Night
October 1 - Games Night
November 5 - TBD
December 3-TBD
Triple P is a caregiver education course that focuses on causes of misbehaviour, teaching new skills, increasing desired behaviours, decreasing misbehaviour and survival skills for difficult situations. This course is recommended for caregivers new to the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or another developmental disability and/or the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). This course is appropriate for caregivers with children aged 0-12 years old.
A four-part, weekly workshop series designed to support parents, caregivers, and youth as they prepare for life beyond childhood! Each workshop will provide practical tools, expert guidance, and insights into the services and supports available during this important transition. Our goal is to help families plan with confidence. Take the next step toward a successful transition to adulthood!
Hosted at Bethesda’s Niagara Family Centre (NFC)
Free to Attend | For Caregivers with Transitional Aged Youth Featuring Guest Speakers from Community Partners Each Week Transition Planning Resources will be provided.
Part 1: Navigating the Transition to Adulthood
Tuesday, September 16 | 6:00pm-8:30pm Learn about the Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) process of transitioning to adulthood in the community and at Bethesda. This foundational session sets the tone for the remaining workshops!
Part 2: Community Supports & Goal Setting
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 6:00pm-8:30pm Do you know for which services your youth is eligible? Find out in this session! We will provide you with the resources you will need to begin customizing your plan and setting goals for your youths future, with the help of Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).
Part 3: Engaging Youth in the Transition Process
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 6:00pm-8:30pm
Hear from young adults about their real-life transition experiences. Learn tips on goal setting, advocacy, and self-determination. Youth are encouraged to attend this session with their parent/caregiver.
Part 4: Introduction to Adult Services at Bethesda
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 6:00pm-8:30pm Discover Bethesda’s adult services, including Passport funding, day/respite programs, healthcare changes, and guardianship/consent. Learn how to access services as your youth approaches adulthood.
Questions? Contact the team
Play is more than just fun – it’s a powerful tool for learning and development! This interactive workshop, part of our Introduction to Teaching series, equips caregivers with playful strategies to: nurture foundational skills like imitation, joint attention, turn-taking, and pretend play, and turn everyday moments into opportunities for growth and connection.
Over the course of a day one goes through an incalculable amount of transitions and changes. Transitions and changes are common challenges for children/youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This can often create moments of stress that derail plans and cause ongoing stress for caregivers. From daily transitions to ongoing grief, in this workshop a Behaviour Therapist (BT) and Psychotherapist introduce skills and strategies for caregivers to utilize in everyday transitions (i.e., morning routine) and helps to prepare for communicating and working through sudden or potential loss (i.e., moving, loss of employment, death and other grief).
Learn how to take the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) skills your child is learning at Bethesda or school and apply them to your home setting.
Is your child showing readiness signs for toilet training? This workshop will help parents and caregivers recognize readiness skills and patterns of current toileting behaviours and learn toilet training strategies based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). This workshop is best suited for parents of children ages 7 and younger.
Caregivers will learn practical strategies on how to be an emotional support for their child, and teach them calming strategies.
Is your child/youth experiencing depression, or could it be “autistic burnout”? Come learn about the signs and symptoms of a concept that is gaining attention in recent years, “autistic burnout”. Let’s discuss how you can support your child through certain lifestyle changes to improve their psychological wellbeing.
Caregivers will learn strategies to prepare their child for colder weather, and wearing winter clothes.
Have you been caring for the needs of others for as long as you can remember? Do you feel as though you’ve been drowning in your responsibilities?
Take this opportunity to connect with other parents and caregivers who understand the kind of struggles we face caring for children who have special needs. Reflect on what’s important to you and learn how to find more peace and joy in your life. No matter where you are in life, this experiential workshop will move you.
Caregivers will learn about the functions of behaviour, power of reinforcement, and proactive strategies to support their child.
This interactive workshop equips parents, caregivers, and clinicians with practical strategies to address picky eating in children. We’ll explore a variety of positive approaches.
Caregivers will learn strategies to support their child becoming more independent with daily living tasks.
Caregivers will learn what is autism and how to best support their child.
Caregivers will learn strategies to prepare their child for being off of school and having a different routine during the holidays. Caregivers will also be provided an activity guide with ideas to keep their children busy during the holidays.
Bethesda3280 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON905.684.6918
Bethesda Children's Services3310 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON905.684.6918
