Who we are
The Life Skills Development Team is an interdisciplinary team led by Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, Life Skills Coaches, and Youth Facilitators that can provide community-integrated services that enhance quality of life and support successful transitions across childhood, youth, and adulthood.
Our specialized programs focus on restoring and improving functioning, skill development, increasing independence, promoting health and wellness, and reducing barriers to meaningful participation through proven approaches. Each client receives individualized services aligned with their rehabilitation goals.
Who we serve
We accept self-referrals from parents (or caregivers), as well as internal and external referrals. All new clients are required to participate in an intake appointment.
What we do
Each client receives individualized services aligned with their rehabilitation goals. Our services are tailored to the needs of each individual and supported within their own rehabilitation pathways.
Programs offered throughout the year include groups and independent skill building based on individual goal areas.
Experience-based and evidence-informed life skills activities teach skills using discussion, role playing, problem-solving, peer teaching and peer mentorship and real work learning approaches. Acquired skills are practised in a simulated and/or real environment where calculated risk taking is encouraged.
| Heather Keating |
| Erin Heck |
| Rachel Arsenault |
| Lindsey White
|
| Kaitlyn Large |
| Stephanie Di Martino |
| Michelle Halliday |
| Mirusha Ravindran |
Services Delivery Steps for Individuals and Group Programs:
Click on each box below for information about referrals, screening, goal setting and follow-ups for both individual and group Life Skills Development services.
- At least 6.5 years of age or older at the time of referral
- We offer services to individuals ages 7 to 18, and continue to support clients over 18 who are still enrolled in high school.
- Clients must have a confirmed diagnosis to be eligible for services.
- Clients residing in the province of Ontario
- Clients can participate in group programming between 90-120mins in length, with occasional breaks .
- Clients should be able to express their wants and needs using their preferred method of communication and follow basic directions
- While our programs offer small staff-to-client ratios, we do not provide 1:1 support for complex medical or behavioural needs.
- We accept self-referrals from parents (or caregivers), and any clinician internal or external.
- We accept referrals from community programs or other agency that provides services for children and youth.
- Referral form can be found here.
All new clients must participate in a 60–90 minute intake appointment to ensure services will meet their needs
- Clients are scheduled for an initial onsite appointment to learn about our services.
- Clients are asked to indicate their interest (or goal areas) and our clinicians can assist with additional referrals or providing support and resources.
Goals we address
- Social and Friendship Skills
- Kitchen Safety and Cooking Skills
- Money and Budgeting
- Community Safety and Navigation
Ways we address goals
- Group programming *
- Individual 1:1 coaching *
- Overnight Programs *
*goal specific to client
Follow-up Services
- Group opportunities to practise skills are discussed as an option
- Connections to appropriate individual and group programs at Holland Bloorview or in the community
- A block of goal-specific intervention may be booked and provided
- Strategies are shared to increase participation and independence
Where & When
- Follow-up appointments can take place at your home, school, community, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, or virtually, depending on which service you are receiving and type of goal identified.
- Clinicians will work with clients and families to identify appropriate appointment times for follow-up interventions to be delivered.
1-to-1 Support
- Please notes that these services do not provide 1:1 support for medical or behavioural needs. If 1:1 support is required while receiving service, it is the client/caregiver's responsibility to make the necessary arrangements.
- Family Resource Centre for support (Link)
- Friendship and Belonging Programs (Link)
- Adapted Sports & Recreation (Link)
- Adapted Recreation Equipment Loan (Link)
Groups
We offer a variety of group programs within the community and hospital. Groups include:
- introductory life skills development
- residential independent living through The Independence Program (TIP)
- transit training
- integrated camping
- friendship development
- recreation participation
- employment and volunteering activities
Joining Group Programs
Participants will be recommended for group programs depending on their identified goal area. Some of our programs do have costs or fees associated with them. For information about funding support, please contact the Family Resource Centre at resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca.
Cancellation policy
Details around cancellation dates will be provided at time of group enrollment. Notification of withdrawal is required at least two weeks before the program starts and an administrative fee of $50 will be applied. If notification is not given within the appropriate time period, the full program fee will be charged.
When accepted to a program, the TRLS staff will work with clients and families to make sure their identified support needs are met. However when all possible avenues have been exhausted, it may be determined that we are unable to meet the participant’s needs and program participation cannot continue. Any decision like this will be made in collaboration with the family, client, program staff and manager.
Referral Criteria
Download referral criteria in English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Spanish and Tamil.
