Our Services

Friendship Foundations

We work one-on-one with young children and their parents to help develop early conversation, self-regulation and social play. Families may work with a speech-language pathologist and/or an occupational therapist depending on the goals, and our staff partner with parents to build individualized programs for each client and family.

Children are typically between ages 4 and 7 and communicate using at least short sentences.
Sessions are generally 1 hour and focus on 1-2 key areas chosen by the parent and SLP/OT following initial informal assessment.
At least 1 parent or caregiver must participate regularly with their child.
Parents are involved throughout the session, either for discussion with the SLP/OT or during play with their child.
Sessions are virtual but children are not required to be able to sit in front of a screen to engage with the SLP.

PlayGreat

This program empowers families to learn how to coach their children in natural social situations so that they can build friendships with other kids in their social circles. We help parents focus on one friendship goal at a time and learn specific strategies to help their child to move toward that goal. Children registered in this group do not see each other, but rather parents of kids with similar social goals come together to learn as a group. Children are also seen by the SLP for one-on-one coaching sessions with their parents.

PlayGreat is for kids in grades 2-6 and their parents or other important adult.
Kids should be able to talk in long sentences about abstract ideas.
This group involves 8 parent-only group virtual sessions (2 hours each) and 5 parent-child individual virtual sessions for each family (1 hour each).
Parents must be ready and willing to be active participants in the group.
Consultation to schools and other professionals can be provided.

From Hanging In to Hanging Out

Friendship experiences in grades 7-12 have a different feel than in elementary school. We help clients set goals and learn strategies to make and keep friends in whatever way is most meaningful for them at this time in their lives. This may include individual, small, or large group sessions. A parent or other trusted adult is always included in at least some of our sessions so that there is someone to help the teen take what they’re learning and apply it in everyday situations.

Teens from grades 7-12 are grouped based on age, communication style and interests.
Group sessions range from 1-2 hours in length depending on the number of participants.
Session content is developed based on the strengths and needs of each client.
Individual sessions are available as required.
PEERS ® Program modules are offered when appropriate.
Consultation to schools and other professionals can be provided.

Occupational Therapy @ Connections SLP

Occupational Therapy can help with friendship! Engaging with others requires our brains and bodies to feel ready and able to interact when opportunities arise and the way we process sensation and self-regulate can impact these interactions. Our occupational therapy sessions help clients and their parents understand their own sensory systems as they learn strategies to help them navigate friendships based on their specific profiles.

Individual OT sessions are for kids, teens, and young adults.
Parents or other trusted adults who can help clients understand their sensory health and use their strategies in daily life are always included.
Use of The Safe and Sound Protocol is available when appropriate.
Consultation to schools and other professionals can be provided.

Connections Rec

Our recreational programs offer opportunities to connect with others with similar interests and experiences. These programs are delivered by fun and dynamic neurodivergent young adults with interest and experience in working with kids and teens. Our SLPs and OT can provide support for families involved in our Rec programs upon request.

Buddies

Our Buddies program provides in-person mentoring in a casual and fun way from young adults who have walked the same path as the child or teen. Parents first meet with our director to create a Buddy Plan, which includes information about the child’s favourite activities, current strengths, and goals. Our buddies will meet the child and a parent at home or in the community to spend time doing an activity that the child enjoys.

Currently available to families in York Region and North York with kids in grades 3-8.
Sessions are typically 90 minutes long.
A parent must remain in the home or onsite during Buddy sessions.
Sessions are recreational and therefore not covered by insurance or the OAP.

Game Groups

Come meet us at the game table! Our virtual game groups use the Kids on Bikes tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) system to bring like-minded kids together. Roleplaying games provide an opportunity to expand skills in creativity, conversation, perspective-taking, future thinking, flexibility and so much more, all wrapped up in a whole lot of fun.

Kids in grades 4-7 will be placed in small groups by age.
Groups are 90 minutes in length and include 1 group character creation session and 6 group game sessions.
Families must register for the full 7-session group; this program is not available on a session-by-session basis.
Each 7-session group includes its own mystery to be solved by the group as they work toward a final solution on the last day.
Groups are recreational and therefore not covered by insurance or the OAP.

Young Adults

Our services for young adults focus on helping clients to continue developing confidence and skills to navigate personal, school or workplace relationships after high school. Clients may work with a speech-language pathologist and/or occupational therapist depending on their goals.

Clients may be seen individually or in small groups
Sessions range from 1-2 hours in length depending on the number of participants
Session content is developed based on the goals, strengths and needs of the client(s)

Our Services

Our Services

Friendship Foundations

PlayGreat

From Hanging In to Hanging Out

Occupational Therapy @ Connections SLP

Connections Rec

Buddies

Game Groups

Young Adults

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