What is autism?
Autism refers to a neurological condition when the brain is wired differently. It is typically characterized by specific reactions to social interactions, communication, engagements in repeated behaviours, and becoming immersed in specific themes. Typically, children are diagnosed before the age of three and exhibit particular reactions to sensory stimuli and a change of routine. Besides that, they experience difficulty with social clues and emotional understanding, communication, language, and flexibility of thinking sensory processing and behaviour.
A brain wired differently requires different approach to learning and teaching. Through employing very specific academic intervention programs to functional breaks and high structure, we offer a quite different approach to learning and teaching. After an initial assessment of learning challenges and a learning style, an individually tailored program is drawn to address each student’s specific learning style.
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome is a term coined by Hans Asperger which came to describe high functioning autistic children who used speech. These individuals usually have average to above average intelligence, but are impaired in social interactions, emotions decoding and have very specialized interests.
What autism is NOT
AUTISM IS NOT being shy and socially awkward. Many of us experience bouts of social awkwardness, and some people are just shy from the beginning. Autism is so much more complicated than that. Kids with autism frequently avoid eye contact or stare at a person’s mouth to avoid extra stimulation or assist comprehension, but that doesn’t make them particularly shy.
AUTISM IS NOT necessarily an intellectual disability. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder separate from intellectual disabilities. While it’s true that lower IQ among autistic population is more prevalent than among the general population, there is also a ton of evidence suggesting that standard IQ testing might be inadequate and unrepresentative of cognitive functioning of autistic individuals. Whatever the natural aptitude is, we meet the child on their basic level of achievement and build up on their strengths to help them reach their full potential.
AUTISM IS NOT an inability to learn. True, many students on the spectrum will require a different approach to learning. Autism is a spectrum and each individual’s ability to learn will be unlike the others. The spectrum requires of an educator to approach each student differently and in a unique way. There is no one size fits all approach, but with the right one, many students can progress steadily and consistently.
How we can help
We stand by our motto – given the right skills and approach, every child can learn.
A differently wired brain requires a different approach to teaching and learning. Our academic intervention programs are rooted in Direct Instruction, individually tailored to address each student’s needs and level of achievement. Our functional breaks and a more structured routine are individually tailored to a specific student style. Members of our team have background in behavioural and developmental psychology, and use their skills to train their students’ emotional intelligence, executive functioning, mindfulness, memory training and focus.
What we can do
We are a team of special education interventionists who have background in educational, clinical, developmental psychology, special education, behavioral management and social skills development.
Besides a vast expertise and years of experience, we offer a clear interventional path based on research-verified educational programs.
We remediate phonics, comprehension, numeracy, writing, and spelling. We integrate structure, predictable routine and behavioural strategies into our weekly classes to instill independent learning skills and positive learning experience. We collaborate with school, psychologists, OTs, and other professionals to establish student’s continuous growth.
Have questions? Send us a message.
Direct Instruction method
Direct Instruction (DI) is a defined, free of misinterpretation, teacher-led method based on clear key principles. It is believed that every child can learn and improve academically at their own pace when presented with best teaching and materials. In other words, DI proves that students, if properly taught, can learn. Supported by decades of research, this method of teaching reading, writing, spelling and math has demonstrated to deliver results superior to other methods of instruction.
Our Direct Instruction programs are typically implemented 1-on-1. Your child’s tutor ensures mastery of the concept and only moves forward if full grasp of material is achieved. Our students make best progress if this kind of intervention is used.
Testimonials
Educational Expertise
We help you navigate a rough sea of magnitude of educational programs best suited to your child’s current needs. We will set up an easy to follow, sustainable learning plan aligned with Ontario curriculum expectations.
