Read time: 3 minutes
In these uncertain times, it’s important to have a goal and work towards achieving something. At Side by Side, that’s exactly what I’ve been working on! When I began Side by Side, I envisioned a group of talented therapists who would use applied behaviour analysis to improve the lives of special needs kids and their families by empowering parents to implement the strategies we use every day.
What I very quickly realized is that parents want the support of a team of professionals, not only behaviour analysts. Each of the disciplines brings a valuable skill set to the table and families deserve to have access to all of these skill sets under one roof. While I believe in applied behaviour analysis with my whole heart, I recognize that it doesn’t hold all the answers and that my ability to be helpful is amplified when I work with a team.
I would like to announce that Side by Side Therapy is expanding our services and will be offering applied behaviour analysis, speech therapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, psycho-educational assessments and respite. I have been working hard to put together an excellent team of therapists who are dedicated to our mission of empowering parents to empower their children. Check the blog in the next few weeks for some short profiles of our team members.ย
Please read below for a short description of each of the disciplines and some examples of goals that might be targeted:
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA):
A therapy based on the science of learning and behaviour. At Side by Side, the main goal of ABA Therapy in Toronto is to change socially significant behaviours. A socially significant behaviour is one that is stopping you from fully participating in your life.ย Some examples are: communication skills, social skills, play skills, life skills and decreasing challenging behaviours (aggression, self-injury etc). applied behaviour analysis can also be used to teach academics.ย
Possible goals:
- Responding to name
- Sorting items
- Reading
Speech Therapy (SLP):
A therapy that revolves around increasing speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders. Speech Therapy in Toronto involves work with children with autism or other special needs to increase their ability to communicate their needs and this often has an added bonus of decreasing challenging behaviours.ย ย
Possible goals:
- Increasing vocabulary
- Improving articulation
- Improving social skills
Occupational Therapy (OT):
A therapy that focuses on teaching the skills that a person needs to fully participate in their daily activities (or occupations).ย Occupational Therapy in Toronto can help address mobility difficulties and how a child accesses their environment. OTs can suggest ways that the environment can be modified to allow the child to participate.ย
Possible goals:
- Learn toothbrushing
- Improve handwriting skills
- Expanding variety of foods eaten
Therapeutic Recreation:
A therapy that addresses goals from all domains of a personโs life using recreation and play as a vehicle for change. Itโs about more than just playing. Therapeutic Recreation in Toronto will use recreation (play and leisure) to achieve goals and push your child to learn and grow.ย
Possible goals:
- Increasing engagement in social interactions with a peer
- Improve fine motor skills
- Increase time spent engaged in independent play
Respite:
Respite in Toronto is a service available to families of special needs children.ย This service offers you the peace of mind to know that while youโre having a much needed and deserved break your child is being cared for and entertained. Our respite workers are informed of your childโs specific needs and interests and will design respite sessions to highlight these needs and interests.ย
Possible respite activities:
- Play at the park
- Swimming at the community centre
- Cooking with your child
Psycho-Educational Assessments:
If your child requires a psycho-educational assessment in Toronto to determine his or her learning needs, our psychometrist can help you. We will walk you through the entire process and will provide you with recommendations for services and strategies that your child will benefit from. We can also help you convey your child’s needs to their school.
If you would like to know more about how your child and family might benefit from any or all of these services please contact me directly by phone at 1.877.797.0437 or by email at [email protected].
Stay healthy everyone!
Lindsey