ABA Therapy
1:1 ABA SERVICES DESIGNED FOR YOUR CHILD
Connections Behaviour Consulting offers in-person services at our various locations. ABA services will be tailored to every client in the form of a focused or comprehensive program. If you have specific goals in mind, focused ABA can help you reach them. A comprehensive ABA program offers intensive interventions to address behavioural concerns and build skills. Common goals include:
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Communication skills
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Self-help
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Academics
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School readiness
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Social skills
ABA services always begin with a comprehensive skills assessment and are overseen by a BCBA®.
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REMOTE OPTIONS: TELEHEALTH
We are passionate about providing services for those who may not have access to ABA therapy due to geographical reasons. Telehealth services seek to improve a client's well-being through the use of two-way video and audio conferencing. Telehealth can follow a focused ABA model, where we work 1:1 with your child on specific learning goals, or our parent coaching model, where we provide you with strategies to help with daily life.
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Who can benefit from Art Therapy?Art therapy is beneficial for children, youth, and adults, especially those who find it difficult to express their emotions verbally. It’s particularly effective for individuals on the autism spectrum, those with anxiety, social challenges, or emotional regulation issues, and anyone seeking an alternative to traditional talk therapy. No prior art experience is needed—just a willingness to explore and create.
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Does my child need a specific diagnosis to participate in Art Therapy?No, a specific diagnosis is not required to participate in Art Therapy. Art therapy is open to all children and youth who could benefit from creative expression as a way to explore emotions and improve mental well-being. Whether your child has a diagnosis or not, the therapy is tailored to their unique needs and challenges. If you’re unsure whether Art Therapy is the right fit, feel free to contact us for a consultation.
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Does my child need art skills to participate?Not at all! Art therapy is about the creative process, not the final product. Your child doesn’t need any art skills or experience to participate. The focus is on self-expression, building emotional awareness, and promoting mental wellness, rather than creating perfect pieces of art.
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How does art therapy differ from doing art as a hobby?While both involve creativity, art therapy is guided by therapeutic goals, structured and purposeful, designed to promote emotional and psychological well-beingwithin a therapeutic relationship with a qualified Art Therapist. While arts and crafts can be therapeutic in nature, Art Therapy provides an outlet for expression and exploration of emotions, thoughts and feelings held and witnessed by someone with appropriate training to do so.
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My child is very busy - do they need to be able to sit still to participate?Not necessarily. Art therapy sessions areflexible and can be adapted to your child’s unique needs. Many children find it easier to express themselves through creative activities while being active or moving around. Our Art Therapist will work with your child to ensure they feel comfortable and engaged, whether they are sitting still or moving during the session.
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What does a typical session look like?Each session is personalized to meet your child’s individual needs. A session usually begins with a check-in through art making or conversation tomeet the child where they are in the moment, and adjust sessions plans accordingly. For example, the Art Therapist may have planned an activity based on the previous session, but what the child is bringing this session may alter those plans, and the therapist can adjust accordingly to meet the needs of the child in front of them, not the child in last week’s session.After the check in, the therapist may introduce a directive art invitation or invite the child to choose from a variety of curated art materials for a non-directive, client-led approach. Materials and art making may include: painting, modelling clay, pastels, markers, to name a few—to express emotions, explore senses or share a special interest. The session may end with a developmentally appropriate discussionabout the art made, and/or art making process, focusing on insights or feelings that came up during the activity.
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Can I use insurance to pay for art therapy?It depends on your insurance plan. Many insurance companies offer coverage for psychotherapy services, and art therapy is often included as part of mental health benefits. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for art therapy sessions and whether a referral from a healthcare provider is needed.
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Can I use core services funding to pay for Art Therapy?Yes, in many cases, Core Services Funding through the Ontario Autism Program can be used to cover art therapy sessions with a licensed psychotherapist.
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Where can I learn more about Art Therapy?To learn more, you can look at this great resource on the Autism Ontario page.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU & YOUR FAMILY THRIVE
We know that day-to-day tasks and routines can be a struggle, and we are here to help. Parent coaching is available for parents who want to focus on specific goals at home or learn more about how they can incorporate ABA principles into their daily lives. Parent coaching can focus on goals such as:
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Toilet training
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Daily schedules
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Tolerating non-preferred, but necessary activities (e.g., dentist visits)
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Daily living skills
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Bedtime routines
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Playing with siblings
We use a behavioural skills training model (BST) for parent coaching sessions and all training is overseen by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA®).
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Who can benefit from Art Therapy?Art therapy is beneficial for children, youth, and adults, especially those who find it difficult to express their emotions verbally. It’s particularly effective for individuals on the autism spectrum, those with anxiety, social challenges, or emotional regulation issues, and anyone seeking an alternative to traditional talk therapy. No prior art experience is needed—just a willingness to explore and create.
-
Does my child need a specific diagnosis to participate in Art Therapy?No, a specific diagnosis is not required to participate in Art Therapy. Art therapy is open to all children and youth who could benefit from creative expression as a way to explore emotions and improve mental well-being. Whether your child has a diagnosis or not, the therapy is tailored to their unique needs and challenges. If you’re unsure whether Art Therapy is the right fit, feel free to contact us for a consultation.
-
Does my child need art skills to participate?Not at all! Art therapy is about the creative process, not the final product. Your child doesn’t need any art skills or experience to participate. The focus is on self-expression, building emotional awareness, and promoting mental wellness, rather than creating perfect pieces of art.
-
How does art therapy differ from doing art as a hobby?While both involve creativity, art therapy is guided by therapeutic goals, structured and purposeful, designed to promote emotional and psychological well-beingwithin a therapeutic relationship with a qualified Art Therapist. While arts and crafts can be therapeutic in nature, Art Therapy provides an outlet for expression and exploration of emotions, thoughts and feelings held and witnessed by someone with appropriate training to do so.
-
My child is very busy - do they need to be able to sit still to participate?Not necessarily. Art therapy sessions areflexible and can be adapted to your child’s unique needs. Many children find it easier to express themselves through creative activities while being active or moving around. Our Art Therapist will work with your child to ensure they feel comfortable and engaged, whether they are sitting still or moving during the session.
-
What does a typical session look like?Each session is personalized to meet your child’s individual needs. A session usually begins with a check-in through art making or conversation tomeet the child where they are in the moment, and adjust sessions plans accordingly. For example, the Art Therapist may have planned an activity based on the previous session, but what the child is bringing this session may alter those plans, and the therapist can adjust accordingly to meet the needs of the child in front of them, not the child in last week’s session.After the check in, the therapist may introduce a directive art invitation or invite the child to choose from a variety of curated art materials for a non-directive, client-led approach. Materials and art making may include: painting, modelling clay, pastels, markers, to name a few—to express emotions, explore senses or share a special interest. The session may end with a developmentally appropriate discussionabout the art made, and/or art making process, focusing on insights or feelings that came up during the activity.
-
Can I use insurance to pay for art therapy?It depends on your insurance plan. Many insurance companies offer coverage for psychotherapy services, and art therapy is often included as part of mental health benefits. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for art therapy sessions and whether a referral from a healthcare provider is needed.
-
Can I use core services funding to pay for Art Therapy?Yes, in many cases, Core Services Funding through the Ontario Autism Program can be used to cover art therapy sessions with a licensed psychotherapist.
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Where can I learn more about Art Therapy?To learn more, you can look at this great resource on the Autism Ontario page.
WE HAVE SPECIALIZED SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOU & YOUR CHILD.
We provide services for children and youth who require a more intensive level of support due to complex concerns and behavioural challenges. Complex special needs services include a comprehensive individualized plan to address concerns at home, school and the community. We take a collaborative approach and recognize the importance of working with community partners.
Finding the Right Plan for You
The first step of beginning services with us is consulting with one of our clinicians to discuss which service will best suit your needs