Growing While We Wait
The Growing While We Wait group is a workshop grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), designed to support parents whose children are awaiting services. This experiential, group-based program is delivered through a collaborative partnership between caregivers and clinicians and introduces core ACT concepts to caregivers and family members of individuals with neurodevelopmental differences.
Unlike most caregiver-focused interventions, this workshop centers not on the needs of the child, but on the caregiver’s own wellbeing.
The workshop is offered to families on the waitlist for the Extensive Needs Service and runs over a three-week period, with weekly two-hour virtual sessions. Eligibility is determined following an assessment by the ENS team.
De-escalating Unsafe Behaviours
This training is for families and caregivers who are seeking effective strategies to manage and de-escalate unsafe or interfering behaviours. Participants will learn verbal de-escalation strategies and, where appropriate disengagement and/or holding skills.
The concepts in this course are adapted from the Crisis Prevention Institute’s (CPI) comprehensive Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training - a behaviour management system designed to support individuals presenting a range of crisis behaviours. As this is CPI’s pilot program, there is currently no cost for families. Each family is provided with one course workbook free of charge.
The training is available for families currently receiving or waiting for the Extensive Needs Service. Eligibility is determined following an assessment by the ENS team.
Ideally, all caregivers in the household can join. This way, learnings can be shared easily, and everyone can use the environmental strategies cohesively and effectively.
- For families of children: Only one caregiver is required to attend, as holds for a child can be safely performed by one adult.
- For families of teenagers (child/youth more than half the height of the caregiver): Two caregivers are required as holds cannot be done safely or effectively by one person.
The course runs once a week for three weeks. It includes two virtual sessions (two hours each) during the day and one in-person session (two hours) for families learning the physical dis-engagements/holds.
Respite
Respite care provides temporary relief for families from the challenges that come with continuous care for a child or youth with complex needs.
The Extensive Needs Service respite program is a partnership with VHA Home HealthCare and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. VHA is an established organization dedicated to supporting independence. They work closely with clients and families to deliver meaningful care and provide short-term relief for families who need rest and extra support for their children or youth.
Respite is offered to families currently receiving or waiting for the Extensive Needs Service. Eligibility is determined following an assessment by the ENS team. Respite program activities are formed in collaboration with VHA, ENS team as well as the family to meet each child or youth’s unique needs.
Respite services provide:
- Enjoyable activities
- Exploring new ways to have fun
- Opportunities to explore neighborhood amenities
- Support as needed: 1 worker with 1 client or 2 workers with 1 client
- Parents with free time
Program highlights:
- Free service for families
- Up to 50 hours of respite care
- Parents are free to leave the home during respite service
- Trained, experienced and caring respite staff
Resource Clinic
The Resource Clinic offers families and caregivers the opportunity to meet with a Service Coordinator one-to-one. The clinic supports families in navigating services and answering questions about supports available to their child or youth in a single appointment. The clinic can also assist with completing one-off tasks such as filling out a funding application, learning about respite or summer camp, discussing recreational and community programs.
The clinic is offered to families who are currently receiving or waiting for Extensive Needs Service. Eligibility to be determined following an assessment by the ENS team. Appointments are one hour and offered virtually or in person.
Let’s Make Friends
The Social Skills Parent Workshop is offered to caregivers of verbal children with social communication needs. Caregivers will participate in virtual training sessions to learn evidence-based strategies that will support the development of their children’s social play, conversation, and perspective-taking skills.
The workshop is provided by a speech-language pathologist and is available to families who are currently receiving or waiting for the Extensive Needs Service. It includes two virtual sessions (two hour each). Eligibility is determined following an assessment by the ENS team.
