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Impact Village

Where your community becomes your family.

NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS!

at our Whitby centre and for in-home services

Our village is committed to providing holistic ABA services, educational and supportive resources, parent/caregiver support and training, and consultative services that are built to set up individuals and their families for success in both their everyday life at home, as well as within their communities. We are committed to creating an inclusive ‘village’ and network of support where everyone can thrive!

Welcome to Impact Village!

How may we support you today?

1:1 ABA Therapy

Teaching skills that matter.

Creating change that lasts.

Available at our Whitby centre, in-home, in the community, or online (virtual)

Small Groups & Social Skills

Making friends & building your village

Available at our Whitby centre or in the community (select programs)

Parent/ Caregiver Training & Consultation

Empowering & educating families

Available at our Whitby centre, in-home, in the community, or online (virtual)

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

Welcome to our village.

Impact Village is FIVE YEARS OLD today. Time flies when you're having fun!

We are so proud of what we've built. Not a lot of small businesses make it to this point, so we are extremely grateful for achieving this milestone, and do not take any of it for granted.

To all the staff, students, volunteers, collaborating professionals, families, schools, local businesses, and other organizations who partner with us and who root for our clients, we cannot thank you enough for making this village nothing short of exceptional.

As we continue to expand and evolve, we remain committed to being a team who will always show up, support, and advocate for you.

Happy anniversary to our village! Thanks for sticking around.

Impact Village is FIVE YEARS OLD today. Time flies when you're having fun!

We are so proud of what we've built. Not a lot of small businesses make it to this point, so we are extremely grateful for achieving this milestone, and do not take any of it for granted.

To all the staff, students, volunteers, collaborating professionals, families, schools, local businesses, and other organizations who partner with us and who root for our clients, we cannot thank you enough for making this village nothing short of exceptional.

As we continue to expand and evolve, we remain committed to being a team who will always show up, support, and advocate for you.

Happy anniversary to our village! Thanks for sticking around.

What a year it has been at Impact Village!
We are so incredibly proud of our team, our clients, and our entire village!
As a team, we completed team trainings together, team building days, and even some rec volleyball ball outside of work - together, we come ready to cheer and celebrate progress, and celebrate wins.

We are so excited to see what 2025 has in store for us! 🩵

What a year it has been at Impact Village!
We are so incredibly proud of our team, our clients, and our entire village!
As a team, we completed team trainings together, team building days, and even some rec volleyball ball outside of work - together, we come ready to cheer and celebrate progress, and celebrate wins.

We are so excited to see what 2025 has in store for us! 🩵

We hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday break, and are ready to head back to school today!
🩵📚📖🖇️✏️📝📏📚🩵
Be safe & be kind!

We hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday break, and are ready to head back to school today!
🩵📚📖🖇️✏️📝📏📚🩵
Be safe & be kind!

No gate keepers here! This information NEEDS to be shared.

The great thing about conferences, like the Symposium (hosted by the Geneva Centre for Autism), is that valuable information is shared between experts and colleagues so that EVERYBODY benefits -- you're able to improve on what you're currently doing to serve your clients. You're providing your team with more resources and support so they can grow as professionals.

Knowledge has the potential to be so powerful if you actually implement what you've learned. When you know better, you do better.

We hope that the examples and the stories that Sonia shared this past week add a different perspective to the important role that cultural humility plays in our ABA services. We also hope that you all feel inspired to show up for your community so that your clients feel understood, respected, and valued.

No gate keepers here! This information NEEDS to be shared.

The great thing about conferences, like the Symposium (hosted by the Geneva Centre for Autism), is that valuable information is shared between experts and colleagues so that EVERYBODY benefits -- you're able to improve on what you're currently doing to serve your clients. You're providing your team with more resources and support so they can grow as professionals.

Knowledge has the potential to be so powerful if you actually implement what you've learned. When you know better, you do better.

We hope that the examples and the stories that Sonia shared this past week add a different perspective to the important role that cultural humility plays in our ABA services. We also hope that you all feel inspired to show up for your community so that your clients feel understood, respected, and valued.

If the back-to-school season feels overwhelming to you, here are a few things that might help you (swipe thru)!

There are people around you that are there to help, so use them when you can. If you don't have a community of support, build one! Start with your child's teachers, who see them for the majority of the day during the school year.

Connect them with other professionals who are familiar with your child -- who know their personality, skillset, and goals. Voice your concerns and ideas so that you're all working together.

A great way to set your kids up for success is to set yourself up for success. We hope this helps get you started.

For more information about joining our village as a client, visit our website (www.impactvillage.ca) or email info@impactvillage.ca.

If the back-to-school season feels overwhelming to you, here are a few things that might help you (swipe thru)!

There are people around you that are there to help, so use them when you can. If you don't have a community of support, build one! Start with your child's teachers, who see them for the majority of the day during the school year.

Connect them with other professionals who are familiar with your child -- who know their personality, skillset, and goals. Voice your concerns and ideas so that you're all working together.

A great way to set your kids up for success is to set yourself up for success. We hope this helps get you started.

For more information about joining our village as a client, visit our website (www.impactvillage.ca) or email info@impactvillage.ca.

10 reasons why parents in our village attend our monthly check-ins:

1. They're free!
2. Parents can enjoy their coffee/tea while it's still hot!
3. It can be a break parents need from the house that isn't running errands
4. Parents can hang out with other cool parents for an hour (or even just pop in to say hello before picking up their kids)
5. Meeting parents at these check-ins can lead to deeper connections where they may end up getting together outside of these gatherings, thus growing their own community
6. It's a space where parents can come to express their successes and challenges without fear of judgment
7. Parents can RECEIVE support and helpful advice from other parents who have been in their shoes
8. Parents can GIVE support and helpful advice to other parents who are about to go through what they've already been through
9. Parents are reminded and reassured that they're doing a great job.
10. Parents learn that they're not alone in their experiences

Although our team works primarily with our clients, we are here to support the entire family -- clients, siblings AND caregivers. We're always in their corner, educating, guiding, and empowering them.

10 reasons why parents in our village attend our monthly check-ins:

1. They're free!
2. Parents can enjoy their coffee/tea while it's still hot!
3. It can be a break parents need from the house that isn't running errands
4. Parents can hang out with other cool parents for an hour (or even just pop in to say hello before picking up their kids)
5. Meeting parents at these check-ins can lead to deeper connections where they may end up getting together outside of these gatherings, thus growing their own community
6. It's a space where parents can come to express their successes and challenges without fear of judgment
7. Parents can RECEIVE support and helpful advice from other parents who have been in their shoes
8. Parents can GIVE support and helpful advice to other parents who are about to go through what they've already been through
9. Parents are reminded and reassured that they're doing a great job.
10. Parents learn that they're not alone in their experiences

Although our team works primarily with our clients, we are here to support the entire family -- clients, siblings AND caregivers. We're always in their corner, educating, guiding, and empowering them.

Another amazing team building day in the books.

Impact Village will be FOUR this year, and we couldn't have gotten where we are today without the dedication, passion, knowledge, creativity, hard work, commitment, and fun-loving energy of all of our staff.

We will always build you up.

We will always hold you down.

Thank you for everything you do.

Another amazing team building day in the books.

Impact Village will be FOUR this year, and we couldn't have gotten where we are today without the dedication, passion, knowledge, creativity, hard work, commitment, and fun-loving energy of all of our staff.

We will always build you up.

We will always hold you down.

Thank you for everything you do.

Allow us to introduce ourselves!

We are Sonia and Reena, Co-Owners of Impact Village.

It all started more than ten years ago, when Sonia, a then-Seneca College student completing her field placement, was assigned to shadow Reena, a then-Instructor Therapist at an ABA program centre in Toronto. Fast forward through five years of education at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and two degrees (Sonia), four children (Reena), almost fifteen years of friendship (Sonia AND Reena), and one global pandemic, Impact Village was born.

With an intense passion to be of service to our community, and a laser-focused vision to carry out socially valid and culturally humble ABA services, our goal is to educate, support, and empower our clients to thrive in their communities, and to create meaningful change in the lives of our village. And so far, so good!

To learn more about our incredible staff, click on "Our Story & Team" on our company website: www.impactvillage.ca.

Allow us to introduce ourselves!

We are Sonia and Reena, Co-Owners of Impact Village.

It all started more than ten years ago, when Sonia, a then-Seneca College student completing her field placement, was assigned to shadow Reena, a then-Instructor Therapist at an ABA program centre in Toronto. Fast forward through five years of education at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and two degrees (Sonia), four children (Reena), almost fifteen years of friendship (Sonia AND Reena), and one global pandemic, Impact Village was born.

With an intense passion to be of service to our community, and a laser-focused vision to carry out socially valid and culturally humble ABA services, our goal is to educate, support, and empower our clients to thrive in their communities, and to create meaningful change in the lives of our village. And so far, so good!

To learn more about our incredible staff, click on "Our Story & Team" on our company website: www.impactvillage.ca.

ABA 🤝🏾Psychotherapy
They say it takes a village 🩵 and we are so fortunate to have Sabrina Khandai (@skresiliencecentre ) to be part of our village 🌎
For the 2nd year in a row, Sabrina has facilitated a group session for our client’s siblings. We know that siblings play such an important role in our client’s wellbeing - they are often an extra helper at home, an extra friend or support at school, and are often asked to help and take on more responsibility given their sibling’s needs.

We want to make sure that they feel supported in their unique role, and that they are able to grow their own village and connect with other siblings who are going through similar experiences. Sabrina’s group provides a safe space to share how you’re feeling, learn more about autism and their siblings needs, and to leave with creative emotional regulation outlets and coping strategies.

ABA 🤝🏾Psychotherapy
They say it takes a village 🩵 and we are so fortunate to have Sabrina Khandai (@skresiliencecentre ) to be part of our village 🌎
For the 2nd year in a row, Sabrina has facilitated a group session for our client’s siblings. We know that siblings play such an important role in our client’s wellbeing - they are often an extra helper at home, an extra friend or support at school, and are often asked to help and take on more responsibility given their sibling’s needs.

We want to make sure that they feel supported in their unique role, and that they are able to grow their own village and connect with other siblings who are going through similar experiences. Sabrina’s group provides a safe space to share how you’re feeling, learn more about autism and their siblings needs, and to leave with creative emotional regulation outlets and coping strategies.

Challenging and unsafe behaviors - like aggression towards others, self-injurious behaviour (SIB) and elopement - are well known in the field ABA. Whether it is an individual we are supporting who is hitting, kicking, scratching, hair pulling, or biting - we have likely all experienced it.
From the individual’s perspective, having really big emotions, and not being able to express yourself verbally (whether that is vocally, ASL, or AAC, etc) can lead to some of these unsafe and challenging behaviours, as this is their way of communicating with those around them.
At Impact Village, we want to make sure we are doing our best to keep our clients and therapists safe, and to respond in a caring and compassionate way while we teach the individual how to have their wants and needs met in a safe and effective way.

Last month, our entire team completed the SafeManagement training together, to learn how to keep ourselves safe and how to safely de-escalate an individual, if ever needed.

Thank you to our amazing instructor, Valerie - who made sure we all left educated and empowered!

Challenging and unsafe behaviors - like aggression towards others, self-injurious behaviour (SIB) and elopement - are well known in the field ABA. Whether it is an individual we are supporting who is hitting, kicking, scratching, hair pulling, or biting - we have likely all experienced it.
From the individual’s perspective, having really big emotions, and not being able to express yourself verbally (whether that is vocally, ASL, or AAC, etc) can lead to some of these unsafe and challenging behaviours, as this is their way of communicating with those around them.
At Impact Village, we want to make sure we are doing our best to keep our clients and therapists safe, and to respond in a caring and compassionate way while we teach the individual how to have their wants and needs met in a safe and effective way.

Last month, our entire team completed the SafeManagement training together, to learn how to keep ourselves safe and how to safely de-escalate an individual, if ever needed.

Thank you to our amazing instructor, Valerie - who made sure we all left educated and empowered!

"Great leaders don't set out to be a leader.... They set out to make a difference. It's never about the role, always about the goal."

Our two Senior Therapists are the sturdy backbone of our team. Striving for continuous personal and professional growth, Megan and Bekki show up every day to support our team and clients with confidence, compassion, and a commitment to Impact Village's goals, mission, and values.

Check out their bios on our website to learn more about the paths that led them to our village, and stay tuned for more introductions to the rest of the team!

www.impactvillage.ca

"Great leaders don't set out to be a leader.... They set out to make a difference. It's never about the role, always about the goal."

Our two Senior Therapists are the sturdy backbone of our team. Striving for continuous personal and professional growth, Megan and Bekki show up every day to support our team and clients with confidence, compassion, and a commitment to Impact Village's goals, mission, and values.

Check out their bios on our website to learn more about the paths that led them to our village, and stay tuned for more introductions to the rest of the team!

www.impactvillage.ca

We've been busy!

Last week, Dr. Sonia Levy (IV's Clinical Director) and Megan Winter (one of IV's Senior Therapists) finished up part two of their Cultural Humility training at Durham College in Oshawa.

As a company, we pride ourselves in being able to provide culturally humble and socially valid ABA services. And our policies and practices change and evolve the more we learn and grow.

This training provided just that -- sharing what we know, and what has worked for us, and showing how other providers and professionals can implement similar relevant changes into their own services. We don't know all the answers, and we won't. Part of this training showed participants that a major key in this ongoing process lies in asking lots of questions, and being open to learning more about their clients and their families and the specific things they value.

To inquire about any of our trainings, feel free to email info@impactvillage.ca. And keep your eyes peeled because there may be more upcoming trainings, workshops, and talks in the near future! 😉

We've been busy!

Last week, Dr. Sonia Levy (IV's Clinical Director) and Megan Winter (one of IV's Senior Therapists) finished up part two of their Cultural Humility training at Durham College in Oshawa.

As a company, we pride ourselves in being able to provide culturally humble and socially valid ABA services. And our policies and practices change and evolve the more we learn and grow.

This training provided just that -- sharing what we know, and what has worked for us, and showing how other providers and professionals can implement similar relevant changes into their own services. We don't know all the answers, and we won't. Part of this training showed participants that a major key in this ongoing process lies in asking lots of questions, and being open to learning more about their clients and their families and the specific things they value.

To inquire about any of our trainings, feel free to email info@impactvillage.ca. And keep your eyes peeled because there may be more upcoming trainings, workshops, and talks in the near future! 😉

It's more than just awareness.

We are in 2024. Access to information is literally at our fingertips. We can deep dive and learn about any topic under the sun. Spreading awareness about autism is helpful, but we can all certainly do more. How can we use what we are learning about autism to create a world where autistic individuals and their families feel included, welcomed, respected, valued, and accepted?

What can autism acceptance look like in your community?

It's more than just awareness.

We are in 2024. Access to information is literally at our fingertips. We can deep dive and learn about any topic under the sun. Spreading awareness about autism is helpful, but we can all certainly do more. How can we use what we are learning about autism to create a world where autistic individuals and their families feel included, welcomed, respected, valued, and accepted?

What can autism acceptance look like in your community?

Since we started our company in 2020, we have been working on and revising our policies to be more equitable and inclusive.

We want to challenge other companies to do the same - so we have started this IG challenge! Swipe through to see how to play & challenge others to have a more equitable and inclusive practice!

We recently revised our time-off policy to give our amazing employees the flexibility to substitute a stat holiday for another day that is more culturally relevant and meaningful.

You don’t celebrate Easter, and are happy to work on Good Friday, but need the first night of Passover off? No problem. We can swap those days, and you can honour your holiday without using your personal or vacation time!

#culturalhumility #ABA #DEI #Equitable #Equity #inclusive

Since we started our company in 2020, we have been working on and revising our policies to be more equitable and inclusive.

We want to challenge other companies to do the same - so we have started this IG challenge! Swipe through to see how to play & challenge others to have a more equitable and inclusive practice!

We recently revised our time-off policy to give our amazing employees the flexibility to substitute a stat holiday for another day that is more culturally relevant and meaningful.

You don’t celebrate Easter, and are happy to work on Good Friday, but need the first night of Passover off? No problem. We can swap those days, and you can honour your holiday without using your personal or vacation time!

#culturalhumility #ABA #DEI #Equitable #Equity #inclusive

In Ontario, we are fortunate enough to have 9 statutory holidays. These holidays are paid time off that does not count as any personal, sick, or vacation days, and is mandated by the Ontario and Federal government (paid time off, or you get paid 1.5 X your rate if you work that day*) These are universal days that everyone in Ontario, who is an employee, gets off.

These holidays include: New Year’s Day (January), Family Day (February), Good Friday (Easter), Victoria Day (May), Canada Day (July), Labour Day (September), and Christmas and Boxing Day (December).

But what happens if you don’t celebrate Easter? What if you need time off to attend the first night of your family’s Passover Seder, and you’re happy to work on Good Friday? What happens if you don’t celebrate Christmas? What do you do with your time off and how do you ensure that your religious holidays are able to be celebrated and honored appropriately?

During a podcast conversation with Ben (@behaviourspeak ), Sonia and Ben were discussing how it would be wonderful if people had more flexibility with their statutory holidays, especially the religious stat holidays, so that those of different religions could have paid time off on more meaningful days, without using their personal, sick, or vacation days. Ben shared that this was permitted in British Columbia (BC), and later confirmed that it was an option in Ontario as well! After learning this, we decided to update our employee handbook and our employee policies, to ensure that everyone at Impact Village is able to have time off in a meaningful way.

This is just one way that, at least here in Ontario, and in BC, organizations and businesses can create culturally humble policies and support all of their employees!

#CulturalHumility #WhenYouKnowBetterDoBetter #ImpactVillage #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI

In Ontario, we are fortunate enough to have 9 statutory holidays. These holidays are paid time off that does not count as any personal, sick, or vacation days, and is mandated by the Ontario and Federal government (paid time off, or you get paid 1.5 X your rate if you work that day*) These are universal days that everyone in Ontario, who is an employee, gets off.

These holidays include: New Year’s Day (January), Family Day (February), Good Friday (Easter), Victoria Day (May), Canada Day (July), Labour Day (September), and Christmas and Boxing Day (December).

But what happens if you don’t celebrate Easter? What if you need time off to attend the first night of your family’s Passover Seder, and you’re happy to work on Good Friday? What happens if you don’t celebrate Christmas? What do you do with your time off and how do you ensure that your religious holidays are able to be celebrated and honored appropriately?

During a podcast conversation with Ben (@behaviourspeak ), Sonia and Ben were discussing how it would be wonderful if people had more flexibility with their statutory holidays, especially the religious stat holidays, so that those of different religions could have paid time off on more meaningful days, without using their personal, sick, or vacation days. Ben shared that this was permitted in British Columbia (BC), and later confirmed that it was an option in Ontario as well! After learning this, we decided to update our employee handbook and our employee policies, to ensure that everyone at Impact Village is able to have time off in a meaningful way.

This is just one way that, at least here in Ontario, and in BC, organizations and businesses can create culturally humble policies and support all of their employees!

#CulturalHumility #WhenYouKnowBetterDoBetter #ImpactVillage #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI

New year, new swag! We’re excited to start planning more team building and company outings for this year! 🩵💙🤍 #ImpactVillage

New year, new swag! We’re excited to start planning more team building and company outings for this year! 🩵💙🤍 #ImpactVillage

Remember why you started.

Back when @impact_village was just a dream, we knew we wanted to build a company that aligned with our values, and that would provide ABA services to help each individual thrive in all the communities they’re a part of — their local and school communities, their religious community, their cultural community, and all other aspects of their lives.

We absolutely love learning about our clients cultures, religions, families and everything that makes them who they are! And we love using the information we’ve learned to create meaningful goals.

We are so excited that so many people enjoyed Thursday’s webinar hosted by @ontariobfsr @bfsronline and @ontaba1 and that Sonia was able to speak with @louispabusch about such an important concept in our field - cultural humility.
With over 300 people registered for the webinar (both live and recorded access) they were able to discuss what it looks like to provide socially valid and culturally humble ABA services from intake to maintenance.

While the examples in the webinar can certainly be used, the bigger takeaway is recognizing that when it comes to ABA services it should never be ‘one size fits all’ and to avoid cookie cutter ABA. While some individuals may have similar program goals (e.g., greetings) the specific targets and how the skills are taught should always be individualized.

Incorporating these individual differences into meaningful program goals can change the world of the individuals and families we support, as well as the field of ABA.

Swipe to see a pic of the owners from 2012 (12 years ago!) - when their ABA journey started 🩵 Remember why you started!

Remember why you started.

Back when @impact_village was just a dream, we knew we wanted to build a company that aligned with our values, and that would provide ABA services to help each individual thrive in all the communities they’re a part of — their local and school communities, their religious community, their cultural community, and all other aspects of their lives.

We absolutely love learning about our clients cultures, religions, families and everything that makes them who they are! And we love using the information we’ve learned to create meaningful goals.

We are so excited that so many people enjoyed Thursday’s webinar hosted by @ontariobfsr @bfsronline and @ontaba1 and that Sonia was able to speak with @louispabusch about such an important concept in our field - cultural humility.
With over 300 people registered for the webinar (both live and recorded access) they were able to discuss what it looks like to provide socially valid and culturally humble ABA services from intake to maintenance.

While the examples in the webinar can certainly be used, the bigger takeaway is recognizing that when it comes to ABA services it should never be ‘one size fits all’ and to avoid cookie cutter ABA. While some individuals may have similar program goals (e.g., greetings) the specific targets and how the skills are taught should always be individualized.

Incorporating these individual differences into meaningful program goals can change the world of the individuals and families we support, as well as the field of ABA.

Swipe to see a pic of the owners from 2012 (12 years ago!) - when their ABA journey started 🩵 Remember why you started!

Here's the link to register!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BDbpkqOfT-OseComwTcEyw

Impact Village Clinical Director, Dr. Sonia Levy PhD ABA, BCBA, will be a guest speaker for a webinar by ABAI and Ontario Behaviorists for Social Responsibility, entitled Cultural Humility on ABA Service Delivery.

If you've already registered, you can submit any questions or topics you'd like to be addressed by clicking here:

https://surveymonkey.com/r/S67XR3W

Posted @withregram • @ontariobfsr Meet one of our speakers!!

#aba #behaviouralanalysis #appliedbehaviouralanalysis #ontariocanada

Here's the link to register!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BDbpkqOfT-OseComwTcEyw

Impact Village Clinical Director, Dr. Sonia Levy PhD ABA, BCBA, will be a guest speaker for a webinar by ABAI and Ontario Behaviorists for Social Responsibility, entitled Cultural Humility on ABA Service Delivery.

If you've already registered, you can submit any questions or topics you'd like to be addressed by clicking here:

https://surveymonkey.com/r/S67XR3W

Posted @withregram • @ontariobfsr Meet one of our speakers!!

#aba #behaviouralanalysis #appliedbehaviouralanalysis #ontariocanada

We wanna hear from you!

If you know someone who is looking for support when it comes to reading social cues and understanding all the little nuances that help a conversation run more smoothly, the PEERS Program can help with that.

Please let us know (send us a DM or email us at accounts@impactvillage.ca) if you'd like us to start with our Adolescent sessions or our Young Adult sessions first, and we'll be sure to share all the details with you when the program is scheduled to begin. We will start with whichever group fills up first.

We look forward to your feedback!

We wanna hear from you!

If you know someone who is looking for support when it comes to reading social cues and understanding all the little nuances that help a conversation run more smoothly, the PEERS Program can help with that.

Please let us know (send us a DM or email us at accounts@impactvillage.ca) if you'd like us to start with our Adolescent sessions or our Young Adult sessions first, and we'll be sure to share all the details with you when the program is scheduled to begin. We will start with whichever group fills up first.

We look forward to your feedback!

We'd love for you to be a part of our village!

We are looking for incredible candidates to fill a Lead ABA Therapist role and a contract Senior Therapist (BCBA) role.

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you know who you think would be a great fit.

Lead ABA Therapist:
ca.indeed.com/job/lead-aba-therapist-89b90b95a899aef6

Senior Therapist, BCBA:
ca.indeed.com/job/senior-therapist-814889473df77f9c

We'd love for you to be a part of our village!

We are looking for incredible candidates to fill a Lead ABA Therapist role and a contract Senior Therapist (BCBA) role.

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you know who you think would be a great fit.

Lead ABA Therapist:
ca.indeed.com/job/lead-aba-therapist-89b90b95a899aef6

Senior Therapist, BCBA:
ca.indeed.com/job/senior-therapist-814889473df77f9c

Today our Summer Social Skills group went out for lunch and then went bowling! 🎳

We are so grateful that our rented space in Ajax is walking distance to so many wonderful community outings. We have been able to play at playgrounds, go swimming in the community pool, visit the library, and go out for lunch!

We like to schedule special days throughout the summer to practice our social, play, and community safety skills out in our community. While our learners see this as a ‘fun day out of the classroom’, we see it as an opportunity to take what we’ve been practicing in our learning space and apply it to real life situations. Moving beyond contrived social and play opportunities, beyond role-playing, and practice these skills, with the support of their therapist, in the real world…all while making learning fun!

Swipe through to see some of the things we practiced during our outing today!

Today our Summer Social Skills group went out for lunch and then went bowling! 🎳

We are so grateful that our rented space in Ajax is walking distance to so many wonderful community outings. We have been able to play at playgrounds, go swimming in the community pool, visit the library, and go out for lunch!

We like to schedule special days throughout the summer to practice our social, play, and community safety skills out in our community. While our learners see this as a ‘fun day out of the classroom’, we see it as an opportunity to take what we’ve been practicing in our learning space and apply it to real life situations. Moving beyond contrived social and play opportunities, beyond role-playing, and practice these skills, with the support of their therapist, in the real world…all while making learning fun!

Swipe through to see some of the things we practiced during our outing today!

Time flies when you're having fun!

We are humbled by the lessons these first two years of business have taught us.

We are grateful for the staff, students, volunteers, clients, families, schools, and companies that partner with us to enrich the culture of our village.

We are excited for all the ways we'll be making an impact in the communities we serve, as well as in the field of ABA.

And we're ready for whatever year 4 has in store for us.

Time flies when you're having fun!

We are humbled by the lessons these first two years of business have taught us.

We are grateful for the staff, students, volunteers, clients, families, schools, and companies that partner with us to enrich the culture of our village.

We are excited for all the ways we'll be making an impact in the communities we serve, as well as in the field of ABA.

And we're ready for whatever year 4 has in store for us.

Team appreciation post!

Our staff work so hard and are so committed to the families we serve.

Yesterday, our team got a chance to take it a bit easier and declutter and organize our workspace. Rearranging the space so that everything is tidier and more accessible makes life easier for them as they set up for their client sessions. Everyone loves a clean and organized office (I know our team definitely does).

And in the afternoon, we got to connect with each other on a deeper level -- seeing a more personal side of them. We got to laugh with each other and hear life stories that wouldn't otherwise be shared in the middle of a session or while working on data sheets. Work is more enjoyable when you're building community, supporting each other as colleagues and as people.

Maybe we're biased, but we've got the best team!

What kind of team-building activities does your company enjoy?

Team appreciation post!

Our staff work so hard and are so committed to the families we serve.

Yesterday, our team got a chance to take it a bit easier and declutter and organize our workspace. Rearranging the space so that everything is tidier and more accessible makes life easier for them as they set up for their client sessions. Everyone loves a clean and organized office (I know our team definitely does).

And in the afternoon, we got to connect with each other on a deeper level -- seeing a more personal side of them. We got to laugh with each other and hear life stories that wouldn't otherwise be shared in the middle of a session or while working on data sheets. Work is more enjoyable when you're building community, supporting each other as colleagues and as people.

Maybe we're biased, but we've got the best team!

What kind of team-building activities does your company enjoy?

You are looking at masterpieces created by our amazing young artists. BUT here's what you don't see...

These pictures were done through cooperative drawing -- every participant took a turn adding something to the drawing. So, the end product is the result of several artists contributing their own imagination and perspective to collectively create the character.

From this activity, our participants are practicing:

Flexibility: following a peer’s choice for what to add next

Turn-taking: being the one making the next choice

Following instructions: adhering to the rules of the activity

Co-operation: working together to put a picture together that they can all be proud of

These are some of the target goals that our clients are working on in our After-School Social Skills groups, and our therapists help to support them as they practice these skills in various ways that are still fun.

If you are interested in learning more about our small group programs, please email info@impactvillage.ca.

You are looking at masterpieces created by our amazing young artists. BUT here's what you don't see...

These pictures were done through cooperative drawing -- every participant took a turn adding something to the drawing. So, the end product is the result of several artists contributing their own imagination and perspective to collectively create the character.

From this activity, our participants are practicing:

Flexibility: following a peer’s choice for what to add next

Turn-taking: being the one making the next choice

Following instructions: adhering to the rules of the activity

Co-operation: working together to put a picture together that they can all be proud of

These are some of the target goals that our clients are working on in our After-School Social Skills groups, and our therapists help to support them as they practice these skills in various ways that are still fun.

If you are interested in learning more about our small group programs, please email info@impactvillage.ca.

Throwback all the way to last week when the kiddos were preparing their special crafts for Mother's Day.

It's always a joy to see these little hands at work, creating their own unique masterpieces.

Throwback all the way to last week when the kiddos were preparing their special crafts for Mother's Day.

It's always a joy to see these little hands at work, creating their own unique masterpieces.

The key is to reinforce what you want to see more of. It’s that simple.

Catch them doing something GOOD!

We (collectively as a society) somewhat default to pointing out what someone shouldn’t be doing - and reprimanding them or attempting to punish the “bad” behaviour in some way. We point out what people are doing wrong, and rarely point out what people are doing right and congratulate them. Reinforcing what you want to see, promotes skill building and builds a positive learning environment.

One of the group rules for the participants of our After-School Social Skills program is “kind words and kind hands”. Back when this rule was first being implemented, it would always be said before practicing any sharing, turn-taking, or competitive games that often bring about unkind behaviours. Rather than saying “no hitting, no gloating, no saying mean words”...we tell the group what we want to see - Kind words. And Kind hands.

What does this mean to us? Giving your friend a compliment, being a good sport and celebrating your win in a way that doesn’t make someone else feel bad, and having gentle hands with friends - using your hands for hugging, high-fives, and helping (when appropriate, and with permission, of course).

Instead of bringing attention to all the instances where our participants did not follow the rule, the therapists highlighted the times when they did:

“I like how you were able to still congratulate your friend for winning the game, even when you were upset.” or “I like how you used a strategy when you were mad, and made sure to keep yourself and your friends safe when you were feeling some big emotions”

“You did so great coming to me and asking me for help when you were feeling frustrated.”

When we emphasize those behaviours we love to see (versus pointing out the behaviours that are less desireable), it gives them a clearer picture of what to do for next time, and it shows them that they’re capable of it because they’ve done it before!

Kind words. Kind hands. Always.

The key is to reinforce what you want to see more of. It’s that simple.

Catch them doing something GOOD!

We (collectively as a society) somewhat default to pointing out what someone shouldn’t be doing - and reprimanding them or attempting to punish the “bad” behaviour in some way. We point out what people are doing wrong, and rarely point out what people are doing right and congratulate them. Reinforcing what you want to see, promotes skill building and builds a positive learning environment.

One of the group rules for the participants of our After-School Social Skills program is “kind words and kind hands”. Back when this rule was first being implemented, it would always be said before practicing any sharing, turn-taking, or competitive games that often bring about unkind behaviours. Rather than saying “no hitting, no gloating, no saying mean words”...we tell the group what we want to see - Kind words. And Kind hands.

What does this mean to us? Giving your friend a compliment, being a good sport and celebrating your win in a way that doesn’t make someone else feel bad, and having gentle hands with friends - using your hands for hugging, high-fives, and helping (when appropriate, and with permission, of course).

Instead of bringing attention to all the instances where our participants did not follow the rule, the therapists highlighted the times when they did:

“I like how you were able to still congratulate your friend for winning the game, even when you were upset.” or “I like how you used a strategy when you were mad, and made sure to keep yourself and your friends safe when you were feeling some big emotions”

“You did so great coming to me and asking me for help when you were feeling frustrated.”

When we emphasize those behaviours we love to see (versus pointing out the behaviours that are less desireable), it gives them a clearer picture of what to do for next time, and it shows them that they’re capable of it because they’ve done it before!

Kind words. Kind hands. Always.

We hope you enjoyed our sample of how to approach holidays within ABA therapy programs, through a culturally humble lens!

While we would love to cover every religious holiday, tradition, custom, and practice across all cultures, we also know that part of practicing cultural humility is understanding that there is no full level of competency or achievement - rather it is a shift in how you approach programming to support your client, who may differ from you in their ethnic background, culture, religion, or family dynamics.

Practicing through a culturally humble lens promotes a shift or change in your clinical framework, with respect to how you relate to programming, that is able to support your clients in the most holistic way. It encourages you to listen to your client and their families, and to incorporate meaningful goals that will lead to family and community enrichment, which should always be a priority.

Being able to feel included and to participate in important family traditions, milestones, and knowledge of holidays allows for access to a larger supportive community and network, an enriched environment, and socially valid goals to be accomplished.

If you, or your company, are interested in learning more about cultural humility within the field of ABA, and how you or your company can incorporate more DEI into your ABA practice, contact us as at info@impactvillage.ca to schedule or sign up for DEI training with our clinical supervisor, Dr. Sonia Levy!

We hope you enjoyed our sample of how to approach holidays within ABA therapy programs, through a culturally humble lens!

While we would love to cover every religious holiday, tradition, custom, and practice across all cultures, we also know that part of practicing cultural humility is understanding that there is no full level of competency or achievement - rather it is a shift in how you approach programming to support your client, who may differ from you in their ethnic background, culture, religion, or family dynamics.

Practicing through a culturally humble lens promotes a shift or change in your clinical framework, with respect to how you relate to programming, that is able to support your clients in the most holistic way. It encourages you to listen to your client and their families, and to incorporate meaningful goals that will lead to family and community enrichment, which should always be a priority.

Being able to feel included and to participate in important family traditions, milestones, and knowledge of holidays allows for access to a larger supportive community and network, an enriched environment, and socially valid goals to be accomplished.

If you, or your company, are interested in learning more about cultural humility within the field of ABA, and how you or your company can incorporate more DEI into your ABA practice, contact us as at info@impactvillage.ca to schedule or sign up for DEI training with our clinical supervisor, Dr. Sonia Levy!

Eid Mubarak to those in our community who celebrate!

We wanted to continue with our April posts about how to create more inclusive holiday celebrations, and how to approach religious holidays through a culturally humble lens when including them in your ABA therapy programs. This involves creating programs that will support inclusive family traditions, holidays, and celebrations.

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#ABA #CulturalHumility #CommunityParticipation #DEI

Eid Mubarak to those in our community who celebrate!

We wanted to continue with our April posts about how to create more inclusive holiday celebrations, and how to approach religious holidays through a culturally humble lens when including them in your ABA therapy programs. This involves creating programs that will support inclusive family traditions, holidays, and celebrations.

‌

#ABA #CulturalHumility #CommunityParticipation #DEI

Happy Easter to those in our community who celebrate!
‌
Continuing from our last post, with respect to learning about the different holidays that people in your community celebrate, and how to create programs that will support people with participating in family traditions and celebration, we wanted to talk about Easter!

#ABA #CulturalHumility #CommunityParticipation

Happy Easter to those in our community who celebrate!
‌
Continuing from our last post, with respect to learning about the different holidays that people in your community celebrate, and how to create programs that will support people with participating in family traditions and celebration, we wanted to talk about Easter!

#ABA #CulturalHumility #CommunityParticipation

Chag Pesach Sameach to those in our community who celebrate Passover!

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Learning about the different holidays that people in your community celebrate opens the door to learning so many beautiful things outside your own personal experiences.

‌

Taking the time to get to know more about your client’s culture and seeing what is important and meaningful to their families can give you insight into areas where providing that extra knowledge and support makes a difference for your client as well as their entire family.

#ABA #CulturalHumility #CommunityParticipation

Chag Pesach Sameach to those in our community who celebrate Passover!

‌

Learning about the different holidays that people in your community celebrate opens the door to learning so many beautiful things outside your own personal experiences.

‌

Taking the time to get to know more about your client’s culture and seeing what is important and meaningful to their families can give you insight into areas where providing that extra knowledge and support makes a difference for your client as well as their entire family.

#ABA #CulturalHumility #CommunityParticipation

Here are five ways you can promote autism acceptance this month (and every month after that):

1. Recognize that one person with autism does not represent the entire autistic community. Getting to know different autistic people in your community (e.g., your school, your neighbourhood, your workplace) as an individual will help you to learn more and understand their unique needs, abilities, and interests.

2. Ask questions! Ask if they prefer to be called ‘a person with autism’ or ‘an autistic person’. Ask questions with the intention to learn and understand. Be willing to admit that you don’t know everything and that what you once knew can change or evolve. This kind of learning is lifelong.

3. Follow accounts here on IG or on other social media platforms. There’s no better way to witness how different autistic individuals process and experience the world than to get that information directly from that community.

4. Support autistic entrepreneurs and creatives or support businesses that provide employment support and opportunities to people with autism.

5. Attend conferences and public events that provide education and research around autism, then share what you learned with your family, friends, and social network.

There are countless resources to learn more about autism, and better understand how people learn, behave, and communicate in a variety of different ways. The true work happens when we take what we learn and create more supportive and inclusive communities. People shouldn't have to change who they are to feel belonging, rather we should work to create a community that allows everyone to feel safe, supported, and included.

Here are five ways you can promote autism acceptance this month (and every month after that):

1. Recognize that one person with autism does not represent the entire autistic community. Getting to know different autistic people in your community (e.g., your school, your neighbourhood, your workplace) as an individual will help you to learn more and understand their unique needs, abilities, and interests.

2. Ask questions! Ask if they prefer to be called ‘a person with autism’ or ‘an autistic person’. Ask questions with the intention to learn and understand. Be willing to admit that you don’t know everything and that what you once knew can change or evolve. This kind of learning is lifelong.

3. Follow accounts here on IG or on other social media platforms. There’s no better way to witness how different autistic individuals process and experience the world than to get that information directly from that community.

4. Support autistic entrepreneurs and creatives or support businesses that provide employment support and opportunities to people with autism.

5. Attend conferences and public events that provide education and research around autism, then share what you learned with your family, friends, and social network.

There are countless resources to learn more about autism, and better understand how people learn, behave, and communicate in a variety of different ways. The true work happens when we take what we learn and create more supportive and inclusive communities. People shouldn't have to change who they are to feel belonging, rather we should work to create a community that allows everyone to feel safe, supported, and included.

Here are FIVE ways to make your ABA therapy clinic space more inclusive:

1. Include toys/dolls/games from different cultures, promoting imaginary play that can resemble home life
2. Provide a variety of skin-tone coloured pencils and crayons for artwork.
3. Utilize learning materials (e.g., puzzles) that show a range of cultures, abilities, and religions
4. Connect with client families and ask what cultural/religious celebrations they take part in
5. Display in your books and wall visuals characters and images that promote diversity and representation.

Creating an environment that is diverse and inclusive is an everyday commitment; there is no endpoint where someone can be considered fully culturally competent. Nobody is going to know everything about everything, so the best way to approach this as a daily practice is with a lens of humility. Be open to learning by seeking training, engaging in self-reflection, and not making assumptions, but rather practice asking more questions.

For more amazing tips on how to promote anti-racism and cultural humility in your ABA therapy clinic space, check this out (humble brag: one of the authors is Impact Village’s very own Clinical Director!):

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8369869/

What are some ways that you are promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in your space?

Here are FIVE ways to make your ABA therapy clinic space more inclusive:

1. Include toys/dolls/games from different cultures, promoting imaginary play that can resemble home life
2. Provide a variety of skin-tone coloured pencils and crayons for artwork.
3. Utilize learning materials (e.g., puzzles) that show a range of cultures, abilities, and religions
4. Connect with client families and ask what cultural/religious celebrations they take part in
5. Display in your books and wall visuals characters and images that promote diversity and representation.

Creating an environment that is diverse and inclusive is an everyday commitment; there is no endpoint where someone can be considered fully culturally competent. Nobody is going to know everything about everything, so the best way to approach this as a daily practice is with a lens of humility. Be open to learning by seeking training, engaging in self-reflection, and not making assumptions, but rather practice asking more questions.

For more amazing tips on how to promote anti-racism and cultural humility in your ABA therapy clinic space, check this out (humble brag: one of the authors is Impact Village’s very own Clinical Director!):

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8369869/

What are some ways that you are promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in your space?

5 Benefits of being part of a support group:

Yesterday, we ran our first Sibling Support Group, facilitated by the incredible Sabrina Khandai of @skresiliencecentre . Sabrina came with a wealth of knowledge and an interactive activity that taught our participants how to take care of themselves when they face tough challenges.

So many great gains came out of this experience for our participants, but some we would like to highlight include:

They got to meet and connect with new people who have shared experiences, as a sibling of a child with special needs

They felt more understood and less alone with the things they experience and struggle with

They got to share their own thoughts and feelings that helped others feel more understood and less alone

They were provided with a safe and supportive space to express as much as they felt comfortable sharing about the things they go through

They learned about new tools and resources to help them cope with the challenges they face

At the end of the day, participants left with a calming kit, a beaming smile, and a hopeful heart. Thought-provoking reflection and discussions created an undeniable feeling of empowerment within each group as each participant shared honestly and related on such a personal level with complete strangers, validating and encouraging others while at the same time recognizing their own resilience and the immense love they have for their sibling.

We were so happy to have served these siblings yesterday, as every member of the family deserves to be heard and supported. If you are interested in participating in a future sibling support group, please email info@impactvillage.ca.

5 Benefits of being part of a support group:

Yesterday, we ran our first Sibling Support Group, facilitated by the incredible Sabrina Khandai of @skresiliencecentre . Sabrina came with a wealth of knowledge and an interactive activity that taught our participants how to take care of themselves when they face tough challenges.

So many great gains came out of this experience for our participants, but some we would like to highlight include:

They got to meet and connect with new people who have shared experiences, as a sibling of a child with special needs

They felt more understood and less alone with the things they experience and struggle with

They got to share their own thoughts and feelings that helped others feel more understood and less alone

They were provided with a safe and supportive space to express as much as they felt comfortable sharing about the things they go through

They learned about new tools and resources to help them cope with the challenges they face

At the end of the day, participants left with a calming kit, a beaming smile, and a hopeful heart. Thought-provoking reflection and discussions created an undeniable feeling of empowerment within each group as each participant shared honestly and related on such a personal level with complete strangers, validating and encouraging others while at the same time recognizing their own resilience and the immense love they have for their sibling.

We were so happy to have served these siblings yesterday, as every member of the family deserves to be heard and supported. If you are interested in participating in a future sibling support group, please email info@impactvillage.ca.

“Anything is possible, when you have the right people there to support you.” - Misty Copeland

At Impact Village, we're all about being that community of support for our clients and their families - and that includes ALL family members.

Siblings are in a unique position as they are often supporting their older/younger siblings with extra needs in a variety of ways and can sometimes take on additional caregiver responsibilities -- whether it's being an extra friend at recess or helping their sibling with an activity of daily living.

Because of their unique role and responsibilities, we know that they would greatly benefit from their own support system, or group of peers, where they can connect with others who have shared experiences. We are so excited to be partnering with Sabrina Khandai, a Registered Psychotherapist and the owner of @skresiliencecentre, to bring this much-needed mini-community to those who could really use it.

In this group, they will learn more about their sibling's diagnoses as well as strategies that will help them manage their own feelings during challenging moments of frustration and overwhelm. It is our hope that these siblings will leave this session with a better understanding of their sibling’s needs, with an appreciation for their incredible contributions to their family, all while feeling validated as sibling of a child with special needs, who also has their own individual experience.

If you're interested in learning more about this group, or would like to reserve a spot, please email info@impactvillage.ca before Wednesday, March 8th, 2023.

“Anything is possible, when you have the right people there to support you.” - Misty Copeland

At Impact Village, we're all about being that community of support for our clients and their families - and that includes ALL family members.

Siblings are in a unique position as they are often supporting their older/younger siblings with extra needs in a variety of ways and can sometimes take on additional caregiver responsibilities -- whether it's being an extra friend at recess or helping their sibling with an activity of daily living.

Because of their unique role and responsibilities, we know that they would greatly benefit from their own support system, or group of peers, where they can connect with others who have shared experiences. We are so excited to be partnering with Sabrina Khandai, a Registered Psychotherapist and the owner of @skresiliencecentre, to bring this much-needed mini-community to those who could really use it.

In this group, they will learn more about their sibling's diagnoses as well as strategies that will help them manage their own feelings during challenging moments of frustration and overwhelm. It is our hope that these siblings will leave this session with a better understanding of their sibling’s needs, with an appreciation for their incredible contributions to their family, all while feeling validated as sibling of a child with special needs, who also has their own individual experience.

If you're interested in learning more about this group, or would like to reserve a spot, please email info@impactvillage.ca before Wednesday, March 8th, 2023.

On behalf of our village, we would like to wish you all a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

In our last team email, our staff was asked to recap 2022 with a Rose, Thorn, Bud exercise.

Rose: share a highlight or a success

Thorn: share a challenge or something you struggle(d) with

Bud: share something new you're learning or that you're excited to explore for the new year

Please feel free to recap your year with us by sharing your Rose, Thorn, and Bud.

2023, we're ready for you! Let's see what you've got in store for us.

On behalf of our village, we would like to wish you all a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

In our last team email, our staff was asked to recap 2022 with a Rose, Thorn, Bud exercise.

Rose: share a highlight or a success

Thorn: share a challenge or something you struggle(d) with

Bud: share something new you're learning or that you're excited to explore for the new year

Please feel free to recap your year with us by sharing your Rose, Thorn, and Bud.

2023, we're ready for you! Let's see what you've got in store for us.

Here we grow again!

Cultivating a diverse community where respect, inclusion, and acceptance are top priority is something that Impact Village takes great pride in.

We have been fortunate enough to attract such an amazing group of therapists who align with our vision and who come to work every day with the utmost professionalism, ready to support clients so they can reach their goals.

If you know of any families living in the Durham region who are looking for that kind of support, we are happily accepting new clients. We are a great team to have in your corner. Impact Village would love to collaborate with families and give them the tools and resources they need to set them up for success in their community.

Please direct all inquiries to info@impactvillage.ca.

Here we grow again!

Cultivating a diverse community where respect, inclusion, and acceptance are top priority is something that Impact Village takes great pride in.

We have been fortunate enough to attract such an amazing group of therapists who align with our vision and who come to work every day with the utmost professionalism, ready to support clients so they can reach their goals.

If you know of any families living in the Durham region who are looking for that kind of support, we are happily accepting new clients. We are a great team to have in your corner. Impact Village would love to collaborate with families and give them the tools and resources they need to set them up for success in their community.

Please direct all inquiries to info@impactvillage.ca.

Ring in the new year right!

Impact Village is offering a Social Skills Program: Winter Break Camp edition! It's a great way to start off 2023, with fun games and activities, and an opportunity to hang out with other kids before school resumes and it's back to reality.

The Winter Break Camp will be held the week of January 3rd, 2023. Participants will be working on their own personal targets, while also practicing a lot of the skills that come with working in a group setting. Some of these skills include sportsmanship, flexibility, emotional regulation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

If you have any questions about this program or if you would like to reserve a spot for your child, please email info@impactvillage.ca.

Ring in the new year right!

Impact Village is offering a Social Skills Program: Winter Break Camp edition! It's a great way to start off 2023, with fun games and activities, and an opportunity to hang out with other kids before school resumes and it's back to reality.

The Winter Break Camp will be held the week of January 3rd, 2023. Participants will be working on their own personal targets, while also practicing a lot of the skills that come with working in a group setting. Some of these skills include sportsmanship, flexibility, emotional regulation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

If you have any questions about this program or if you would like to reserve a spot for your child, please email info@impactvillage.ca.

What a fun day today!

When everyone clocks in, we're focused on clients: programs, progress, protocols, and problem-solving. So today was definitely a nice change of pace.

We all got to sit down, enjoy lunch together, and learn more and more about each other as people instead of just as professionals.

Even with the families we work with, interacting with them on a daily basis gives us so many opportunities to witness them as cool people instead of just our clients.

I think this is a main ingredient for our team's recipe for success: connecting and building genuine community with each other.

We are truly grateful for the village we are cultivating and want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

What a fun day today!

When everyone clocks in, we're focused on clients: programs, progress, protocols, and problem-solving. So today was definitely a nice change of pace.

We all got to sit down, enjoy lunch together, and learn more and more about each other as people instead of just as professionals.

Even with the families we work with, interacting with them on a daily basis gives us so many opportunities to witness them as cool people instead of just our clients.

I think this is a main ingredient for our team's recipe for success: connecting and building genuine community with each other.

We are truly grateful for the village we are cultivating and want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

What's the difference?!?!

When comparing this program to the School Readiness Social Skills program (see previous post to learn more about that), the main difference is that this program offers more personalized support to help build skills needed in a classroom setting.

While there is still an opportunity to socially interact with other students during group activities like circle time and story time, the main focus here is working 1:1 with a therapist on certain targets based on each individual student's goals and needs.

This program takes place at our onsite location in Ajax on Mondays and Wednesdays in the morning.

If you would like more on information on the program or registration, please feel free to email info@impactvillace.ca

What's the difference?!?!

When comparing this program to the School Readiness Social Skills program (see previous post to learn more about that), the main difference is that this program offers more personalized support to help build skills needed in a classroom setting.

While there is still an opportunity to socially interact with other students during group activities like circle time and story time, the main focus here is working 1:1 with a therapist on certain targets based on each individual student's goals and needs.

This program takes place at our onsite location in Ajax on Mondays and Wednesdays in the morning.

If you would like more on information on the program or registration, please feel free to email info@impactvillace.ca

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." - Mr. Rogers

Our School Readiness program has been going strong since the start of our 2020/2021 school year, and it is such a great setting for young kids to get the support they need to build a sturdy foundation of learning skills.

Play is the primary way in which children learn about the world and about themselves, and our social skills group does exactly that with lots of fun and interactive games and activities to get kids to interact with their peers.

Spots are still available! If you'd like to learn more information or if you want to register your child for this program, contact us at info@impactvillage.ca.

"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." - Mr. Rogers

Our School Readiness program has been going strong since the start of our 2020/2021 school year, and it is such a great setting for young kids to get the support they need to build a sturdy foundation of learning skills.

Play is the primary way in which children learn about the world and about themselves, and our social skills group does exactly that with lots of fun and interactive games and activities to get kids to interact with their peers.

Spots are still available! If you'd like to learn more information or if you want to register your child for this program, contact us at info@impactvillage.ca.

🟠Today is a day to listen, learn, and reflect on the past transgressions of Canada and the Catholic Church. There cannot be reconciliation without education & action. 🟠
————————————————————
Last year, many of our clients had questions and concerns after they learned about the true meaning of Orange Shirt Day in school. Many of our very literal thinkers were confused, scared, and anxious about some of the images and metaphors that were used to describe residential schools. Things such as losing your voice, being stolen from your home, and some of the imagery of spirits returning had long lasting impressions and became the focus, while the true meaning and understanding of this very important day was missed.

This week, in preparation for the lessons, books, and videos that our clients were sure to be presented with in school, we took time to talk, listen to their questions, and help them better understand why we honor this day, and what some of the metaphors mean. For our activity, we asked them to think of words that describe how they feel in school (or ABA) and how every child should feel this way when they’re learning.

We think they did a phenomenal job 🧡

#NationalDayOfTruthAndReconciliaton #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters

🟠Today is a day to listen, learn, and reflect on the past transgressions of Canada and the Catholic Church. There cannot be reconciliation without education & action. 🟠
————————————————————
Last year, many of our clients had questions and concerns after they learned about the true meaning of Orange Shirt Day in school. Many of our very literal thinkers were confused, scared, and anxious about some of the images and metaphors that were used to describe residential schools. Things such as losing your voice, being stolen from your home, and some of the imagery of spirits returning had long lasting impressions and became the focus, while the true meaning and understanding of this very important day was missed.

This week, in preparation for the lessons, books, and videos that our clients were sure to be presented with in school, we took time to talk, listen to their questions, and help them better understand why we honor this day, and what some of the metaphors mean. For our activity, we asked them to think of words that describe how they feel in school (or ABA) and how every child should feel this way when they’re learning.

We think they did a phenomenal job 🧡

#NationalDayOfTruthAndReconciliaton #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters

Welcome to the terrific two's!

Taking stock of all the ways that Impact Village has evolved, grown, stretched, and formed has been such a rewarding experience.

We learned some really hard lessons, and bounced back stronger than ever. Our community welcomed new clients new families, new staff, and we're so much better with them all here.

And yet, with all the ways this company has changed, our vision remains the same: to provide families with exceptional support and resources that set them up for success in their communities, and to shift more and more people's perspective on how ABA can have a huge beneficial impact on the world.

Thank you all for your support! We're seriously just getting started.

Welcome to the terrific two's!

Taking stock of all the ways that Impact Village has evolved, grown, stretched, and formed has been such a rewarding experience.

We learned some really hard lessons, and bounced back stronger than ever. Our community welcomed new clients new families, new staff, and we're so much better with them all here.

And yet, with all the ways this company has changed, our vision remains the same: to provide families with exceptional support and resources that set them up for success in their communities, and to shift more and more people's perspective on how ABA can have a huge beneficial impact on the world.

Thank you all for your support! We're seriously just getting started.

Yesterday, the clients from our After School Social Skills program were surprised with a special online visit from the incredible staff at @northyorkink.

After participating in their regular group check-in at the beginning of every session, the staff treated them to a drawing session.

Even though everything was over Zoom, our clients still held their own and came up with some killer finished products.

But maybe we're biased.

What do you think? Did they understand the assignment?

(Special thanks once again to @northyorkink for keeping our families in mind during Autism Acceptance month and showing love with their time and talent)

Yesterday, the clients from our After School Social Skills program were surprised with a special online visit from the incredible staff at @northyorkink.

After participating in their regular group check-in at the beginning of every session, the staff treated them to a drawing session.

Even though everything was over Zoom, our clients still held their own and came up with some killer finished products.

But maybe we're biased.

What do you think? Did they understand the assignment?

(Special thanks once again to @northyorkink for keeping our families in mind during Autism Acceptance month and showing love with their time and talent)

Some of our social skills clients were fortunate enough to receive handmade and personalized colour-by-number drawings of their favourite characters.

To celebrate Autism Acceptance month, the amazing crew at @northyorkink devoted their time and skill to create these amazing illustrations for our clients on the ASD spectrum.

They turned out pretty darn good, if we do say so ourselves. What do you think?

Some of our social skills clients were fortunate enough to receive handmade and personalized colour-by-number drawings of their favourite characters.

To celebrate Autism Acceptance month, the amazing crew at @northyorkink devoted their time and skill to create these amazing illustrations for our clients on the ASD spectrum.

They turned out pretty darn good, if we do say so ourselves. What do you think?

Please share in the comments how you can demonstrate autism acceptance this month (and every month) in your community.

Please share in the comments how you can demonstrate autism acceptance this month (and every month) in your community.

Happy Autism Acceptance Day, everyone!

For the month of April, we'll be sharing posts and resources to promote more acceptance in our community.

Acceptance starts with letting autistic individuals take the lead on how they want to share their experiences. We learn more when we listen more.

Help give us a head start by sharing some of your favourite autistic artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, speakers, and voices in the comments.

Happy Autism Acceptance Day, everyone!

For the month of April, we'll be sharing posts and resources to promote more acceptance in our community.

Acceptance starts with letting autistic individuals take the lead on how they want to share their experiences. We learn more when we listen more.

Help give us a head start by sharing some of your favourite autistic artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, speakers, and voices in the comments.

We've got some really exciting news to share about what's going down at Impact Village next week.

We're collaborating with @northyorkink to do something our clients and families are gonna LOVE!

Stay tuned this week to learn more because we'll be sharing more info!

We've got some really exciting news to share about what's going down at Impact Village next week.

We're collaborating with @northyorkink to do something our clients and families are gonna LOVE!

Stay tuned this week to learn more because we'll be sharing more info!

March Break is next week!

We are so excited for our Social Skills camp. Our clients are in for such a treat. The team has a lot of fun activities planned for next week -- a great way to hang out with friends, while still getting some group learning in.

Share your March Break plans in the comments below.

March Break is next week!

We are so excited for our Social Skills camp. Our clients are in for such a treat. The team has a lot of fun activities planned for next week -- a great way to hang out with friends, while still getting some group learning in.

Share your March Break plans in the comments below.

Everyone needs a village. Check out how we are supporting our clients to find their communities!

For information on any of these Social Skills programs, email info@impactvillage.ca.

Everyone needs a village. Check out how we are supporting our clients to find their communities!

For information on any of these Social Skills programs, email info@impactvillage.ca.

To our Ontario families celebrating Family Day:

No matter what your family looks like or what family means to you, we hope you get to spend quality time with your village.

To our Ontario families celebrating Family Day:

No matter what your family looks like or what family means to you, we hope you get to spend quality time with your village.

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