Ages 8-13 years
In partnership with Young Caregivers Association
Do you have a brother or sister with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or another developmental disability? You’re not alone! Join our Sibling Resilience group, a fun and supportive space to connect with other kids who understand what you’re going through.
Here’s what you can expect:
Ages 14-17 years (Grade 9 and above)
This group helps teens with Autism learn how to handle strong emotions and stressful situations without making things worse. Using DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills, participants will practice ways to stay calm, think clearly, and make safe choices when they feel overwhelmed, angry, sad, or anxious.
Through hands-on activities, discussion, and real-life examples, teens will learn coping strategies such as distraction, self-soothing, grounding, and healthy problem-solving. The goal is to help youth build confidence in managing distress and to feel more in control of their emotions.
This two-part group series is designed for teens and young adults with a basic understanding of puberty, offering a supportive space to explore relationships, sexuality, and personal health.
Teens must be able to participate in a group setting with 1 staff to 3 teens ratio.
Ages 7-9 years
Children will learn a variety of social skills (initiating/exiting conversations, joining into conversations, exiting conversations) and have an opportunity to practice these skills with peers. Skills will be taught in a group format using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) evidence based strategies.
This program is appropriate for children who can follow multi-step instructions independently, communicate using verbal requests, comments, and questions and can participate in a group setting with 1 staff to 3 children ratio.
*No session during March break (Monday, March 16, 2026)
This group helps to start teens learn how to think in more flexible ways. It will start to teach them that situations are not just "all good" or "all bad," but can be somewhere in between.
In the program, teens will practice noticing different possibilities and learning that it is okay to feel unsure sometimes. The will practice how to change strict black and white thoughts into more balanced and realistic ones. These skills aim to teach teens how to manage their feelings, understand others better, and handle every day situations more successfully.
*No session during March Break (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)
The Keeping Your Cool series will teach children to identify their emotions, learn how their emotions impact others, and explore practical strategies for regulating their emotions. This series will focus on using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) strategies to teach the concepts and use of the Zones of Regulation. This program is appropriate for children who can follow multi-step instructions independently, communicate using verbal requests, comments, and questions and can participate in a group setting without 1:1 support.
*No session during March Break (Thursday, March 19, 2026)
Bethesda3280 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON905.684.6918
Bethesda Children's Services3310 Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON905.684.6918
