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Halton Autism Skills Groups

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Contact our Intake Coordinator
Phone: 289-208-2336
Email:  haltonautismservices@woodview.ca

What are Skills Groups?

Groups are offered in person. Skills groups feature a variety of themes such as developing executive functions skills, engaging in personal independence, and learning to engage in functional play with peers including turn-taking, requesting, sharing, and more.

Skills groups will help to further develop your child’s communication skills and daily living skills by learning and practicing through fun and exciting activities each week.

The ratio for each group changes based on the child’s needs and skills, up to a ratio of 2 staff to 8 children.

Parents and caregivers will be required to attend one mandatory parent session with a Clinical Supervisor at the end of the group block.  Parents will have the opportunity to watch videos to observe the progress and gains of their child in the group, for information sharing from Woodview Staff, and to discuss the next steps for future social and communication goals.

What is the focus of Skills Groups?

The focus of groups is to help and support children to reach their potential in social, communication, daily living and vocational skills.

Groups are offered in small ratios and use Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) principles and evidence-based strategies, plus video modelling, role play, and homework to teach these various skills.

Learn more about the variety of Halton Autism Services that we offer.

What are the pre-requisites to join the Skills Groups?

All children / youth must meet the prerequisites to attend skills group:

  • Can attend in a group model (1:1 is not offered)
  • Can wait appropriately 5 minutes
  • Can tolerate louder environments
  • Can tolerate being with other children
  • Can follow 1-2 step instructions and requests
  • Can participate in activities safely
  • Can participate in some conversation (with device or vocal)
  • Groups do not accommodate toileting protocols.  Children/youth need to toilet independently in order to attend groups in underwear. Participants may attend in a pull-up. 
  • No significant behaviours or safety concerns (bolting, flight risk, aggressive, verbal or physical behaviour, or self-injurious behaviour)

Please see below each group description for more specific criteria. 

Fall 2026

“Youth Hangout” (Ages 11-13)

This group is designed for Autistic youth to build meaningful friendships in a supportive, welcoming environment. Using evidence-based strategies, participants will learn practical skills for forming and maintaining friendships. The youth will plan outings together, participate in interactive activities, and practice social skills in real-life situations. The group may head out for activities like going to escape rooms, Activate, mini-putt, going to get food, or other community outings chosen with the group’s interests in mind. These shared experiences create natural opportunities to connect, collaborate, and have fun. Facilitators provide guidance, structure, and support throughout, helping participants reflect on experiences and build strategies they can use outside of the group. The cost of all materials and outings is included in the program fee. 

Location: 69 Flatt Road, Burlington
Date: Wednesdays, September 9 to December 16, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Ratio: 4 participants to 1 staff
Cost: $ 4,365
RBA: Kim Reich, OAP eligible expense

Additional pre-requisites to join the group:

  • Conversation skills (3-4 exchanges) 
  • Has interest in social opportunities 
  • Ability to participate with a 1:4 ratio 
  • Self-awareness of own behaviour and emotions 
“Gamers Group” (Ages 8-10)

This 12-week group uses evidence-based strategies to build peer interaction and self-regulation skills through interactive activities such as board games and video games. Through structured gameplay and guided coaching, youth develop positive peer relationships, sportsmanship, confidence, and cognitive flexibility while strengthening skills such as turn-taking, flexible thinking, frustration tolerance, communication, and winning and losing with appropriate responses. 

Location: 69 Flatt Road, Burlington
Date: Wednesdays, September 9 to December 16, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Ratio: 4 participants to 1 staff
Cost: $ 4,170
RBA: Kim Reich, OAP eligible expense

Additional pre-requisites to join the group:

  • Conversation skills (3-4 exchanges) 
  • Has interest in social opportunities 
  • Ability to participate with a 1:4 ratio 
  • Self-awareness of own behaviour and emotions 
“Teen Hangout” (Ages 14-18)

This group is designed for Autistic teens to build meaningful friendships in a supportive, welcoming environment. Using evidence-based strategies, participants will learn practical skills for forming and maintaining friendships. Teens will plan outings together, participate in interactive activities, and practice social skills in real-life situations. The group may head out for activities such as an escape room, mini-putt, going to get food, or other community outings chosen with the group’s interests in mind. These shared experiences create natural opportunities to connect, collaborate, and have fun. Facilitators provide guidance, structure, and support throughout, helping participants reflect on experiences and build strategies they can use outside of the group. The cost of all materials and outings is included in the program fee. 

Location: 69 Flatt Road, Burlington
Date: Fridays, September 11 to December 18, 2026 (no group on October 9 or November 20)
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Ratio: 4 participants to 1 staff
Cost: $ 3,783
RBA: Saskia Van Arragon, OAP eligible expense

Additional pre-requisites to join the group:

  • Conversation skills (4-5 exchanges) 
  • Has interest in social opportunities 
  • Safe in the community on a 1:3 ratio 
  • Self-awareness of own behaviour and emotions 
“STEM” (Ages 7-10)

This group is designed for Autistic kids to learn problem solving skills through fun and engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) activities such as building challenges and science experiments. Participants will have opportunities to build social skills through working in a group, sharing items, and communicating their plan within each activity. All material costs are included in the group fee.  

Location: 69 Flatt Road, Burlington
Date: Saturdays, September 12 to December 19, 2026 (no group on October 10
Time: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Ratio: 4 participants to 1 staff
Cost: $ 3,255
RBA: Saskia Van Arragon, OAP eligible expense

Additional pre-requisites to join the group:

  • Conversation skills (3-4 exchanges) 
  • Has interest in social opportunities 
  • Ability to participate with a 1:4 ratio
  • Self-awareness of own behaviour and emotions 
Autism Webinars

Looking for more resources? We’re pleased to offer free virtual autism workshops for families registered in the Ontario Autism Program.

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