Specialized Autism Services for Children & Teens
Compassionate, Child-Centered Autism Therapy That Builds Confidence, Communication & Emotional Well-Being
At Autism Center for Kids, we believe every child deserves therapy that recognizes their unique strengths, interests, and potential. Our autism services are designed to support children and teenagers through evidence-informed, relationship-based therapy that promotes emotional growth, communication, creativity, independence, and meaningful social connections.
Rather than focusing solely on changing behaviours, we help children understand themselves, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills they need to thrive at home, school, and in their community.
Our multidisciplinary team creates individualized therapy plans that may include play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), developmental interventions, trauma-informed care, parent coaching, and social skills training. Every program is tailored to the child's developmental profile, learning style, and family goals.
Our Specialized Autism Therapy Services
01. Play Therapy
Play is a child's natural way of learning, communicating, and expressing emotions. Through play therapy, children explore feelings, develop problem-solving abilities, strengthen communication, and build trusting relationships in a safe, supportive environment.
Our therapists follow the child's interests while gently introducing opportunities to develop new emotional, cognitive, and social skills.
Play therapy can help children improve:
- Emotional regulation
- Social interaction
- Communication skills
- Flexible thinking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Self-confidence
- Imaginative play
- Emotional expression
- Attention and engagement
By making therapy enjoyable and meaningful, children become active participants in their own learning and development.
02. Art Therapy
Art provides children with a powerful way to communicate when words are difficult. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, and creative projects, children can safely explore emotions, reduce anxiety, and develop greater self-awareness.
Art therapy encourages creativity while supporting emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Benefits of art therapy include:
- Emotional expression
- Reduced anxiety and stress
- Improved self-esteem
- Increased confidence
- Better focus and attention
- Trauma processing
- Sensory-friendly learning
- Fine motor development
- Creative problem-solving
There is no right or wrong way to create art. Every artwork becomes an opportunity for growth, communication, and self-discovery.
03. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Many children with autism also experience anxiety, emotional dysregulation, rigid thinking, or negative self-talk. Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) programs are adapted to each child's developmental level and learning style.
Using visual supports, practical activities, and child-friendly strategies, we help children understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are connected.
CBT may help children develop:
- Emotional awareness
- Healthy coping strategies
- Anxiety management
- Flexible thinking
- Problem-solving skills
- Self-regulation
- Confidence
- Positive thinking patterns
- Frustration tolerance
Our therapists pace therapy according to each child's readiness, ensuring learning remains positive and engaging.
04. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
For children and teenagers who struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, or interpersonal difficulties, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) provides practical skills that improve emotional regulation and resilience.
DBT can help children learn:
- Mindfulness
- Distress tolerance
- Emotional regulation
- Healthy communication
- Conflict resolution
- Relationship skills
- Self-awareness
- Coping during stressful situations
Our clinicians adapt DBT techniques to suit each child's developmental abilities and individual needs.
05. Music Therapy
Music naturally engages children while encouraging communication, emotional expression, movement, and social interaction.
Whether children enjoy singing, rhythm activities, instruments, or movement, music therapy creates motivating opportunities to strengthen developmental skills.
Music therapy may support:
- Language development
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Attention
- Emotional regulation
- Motor coordination
- Sensory integration
- Confidence
- Self-expression
Music often provides an enjoyable way for children to participate in therapy while building meaningful relationships.
06. Miller Method®
Autism Center for Kids incorporates principles of the Miller Method®, a developmental approach designed to help children organize thinking, improve communication, and build meaningful interactions.
The Miller Method combines structured learning with child-led exploration while encouraging active parent participation.
This developmental approach may help children improve:
- Communication
- Social engagement
- Cognitive flexibility
- Problem-solving
- Attention
- Symbolic play
- Daily living skills
- Parent-child interaction
Parents receive coaching throughout the therapy process so new skills continue developing beyond therapy sessions.
07. Social Skills Programs
Social relationships play an important role in every child's development.
Our structured social skills groups provide opportunities for children to practice communication and friendship skills in supportive, engaging environments.
Children work on:
- Starting conversations
- Maintaining friendships
- Turn taking
- Cooperation
- Emotional understanding
- Perspective taking
- Conflict resolution
- Group participation
- Confidence in social situations
Groups are organized according to age, developmental level, and individual goals whenever possible.
Individualized Autism Therapy Programs
No two children experience autism in exactly the same way.
Our clinicians complete comprehensive assessments before developing individualized therapy plans that reflect each child's:
- Developmental profile
- Strengths
- Interests
- Communication style
- Sensory needs
- Emotional development
- Family priorities
- Long-term goals
Treatment plans are reviewed regularly and adjusted as children continue developing new skills.
Funding & Payment Options
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
Autism Center for Kids provides evidence-informed services that may be accessed using eligible Ontario Autism Program (OAP) funding.
Depending on current funding guidelines, families may use available OAP funding for approved autism-related services and individualized support.
Services may include:
- Autism therapy
- Developmental therapy
- Parent coaching
- Social skills training
- Mental health support
- Individualized intervention programs
Our team can help families understand available funding options and explain how services may fit within their child's plan.
Private Insurance
Many private insurance plans provide coverage for psychotherapy services delivered by registered mental health professionals.
Coverage varies between insurance providers and plans.
Before beginning therapy, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to confirm:
- Whether psychotherapy is covered
- Eligible provider types
- Annual coverage limits
- Referral requirements
- Reimbursement procedures
Our office provides detailed receipts that families may submit for reimbursement when applicable.
ACK Give Back Project
At Autism Center for Kids, we believe financial circumstances should never prevent children from receiving quality care.
Through the ACK Give Back Project, we support families who may not qualify for government funding or have adequate private insurance coverage.
This community initiative helps children access therapy services that might otherwise be financially unavailable.
Our commitment to accessible care reflects our mission of supporting every child with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you serve?
We work with children from approximately 2 years of age through adolescence, providing individualized therapy programs that evolve with each stage of development.
Do you offer virtual autism therapy?
Yes. We provide secure online therapy sessions throughout Ontario, allowing families to access professional support from home when appropriate.
Are parents involved in therapy?
Absolutely. Parent involvement is one of the most important factors in successful therapy outcomes. We provide coaching, education, and practical strategies that help families reinforce new skills during everyday routines.
How do you determine which therapies are appropriate?
Every child begins with a comprehensive assessment. Our clinicians carefully evaluate developmental strengths, communication, emotional functioning, cognitive abilities, sensory needs, and family goals before recommending individualized therapy services.
In-Person & Online Autism Services Across Ontario
Autism Center for Kids offers both clinic-based and virtual therapy to make professional autism and mental health services accessible for families throughout Ontario.
Our child-friendly clinics provide welcoming environments where children can participate in individualized therapy sessions, social programs, parent coaching, and developmental support.
Families who live outside our clinic locations—or simply prefer greater flexibility—can also access secure online therapy from the comfort of home.
This hybrid model allows children to receive consistent, evidence-informed care while reducing travel barriers for busy families.
Our Ontario Service Areas
Autism Services in Vaughan
Our Vaughan clinic provides comprehensive autism and mental health services for children and teens through individualized therapy programs, developmental support, psychotherapy, parent coaching, and social skills development.
Autism Services in Markham
Families in Markham have access to personalized autism therapy that helps children strengthen communication, emotional regulation, confidence, independence, and everyday life skills through evidence-informed care.
Autism Services in Oakville
Our Oakville services include both in-person and home-based support, helping children and teenagers improve emotional well-being, communication, behaviour, social interaction, and family relationships.
Autism Services in Scarborough
Children and families in Scarborough can access individualized autism therapy, psychotherapy, parent coaching, developmental support, and social skills programs designed around each child's unique strengths and goals.
Begin Your Child's Journey Today
Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential in a supportive, compassionate environment. At Autism Center for Kids, we are committed to helping children and teens build communication, emotional resilience, confidence, independence, and meaningful relationships through individualized, evidence-informed care.
Whether you are seeking autism therapy, play therapy, CBT, art therapy, music therapy, social skills groups, parent coaching, or developmental support, our experienced team is here to help your family every step of the way.
Contact Autism Center for Kids today to schedule a consultation and discover how our specialized autism services can help your child grow, learn, and thrive.