About Giant Steps - Giant Steps Toronto/York Region

ABOUT US

Established in 1994 by parents of children with autism and educators and modelled on the Giant Steps program in Montreal, Giant Steps Toronto/York Region is a therapy centre for elementary-school aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

A registered charitable organization, Giant Steps is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with representation from the business community and families living with autism.

Giant Steps is committed to evidence-based learning and is built around 3 core therapies – behaviour, occupational and speech therapies, and a curriculum developed around the Essential for Living model.

We are committed to enabling kids to gain new skills and abilities, navigate the challenges of autism and feel valued and included.

OUR MISSION

Giant Steps builds the skills and abilities of children with autism and fosters their growth and development through personalized, evidence-based therapies and life skills programming.

OUR VISION

With individualized, evidence-based and multi-disciplinary therapies, children with autism will participate meaningfully in their families, schools and communities, feel valued and included, and become contributing citizens as adults.

OUR VALUES

WE CELEBRATE

The strengths, the individuality and the potential of every child

WE STRIVE

To incorporate the values of respect, diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do

WE BELIEVE

In a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach and evidence-based, goal-directed programming

WE PROVIDE

Personalized, evidence-based programming and a safe, supportive and resource-rich learning environment

WE COLLABORATE

With families on program plans, evaluation and generalization of learned skills to home and other environments

OUR APPROACH

At Giant Steps, we are passionate about improving the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. We believe that a comprehensive, data-driven approach of direct therapies and life skill programming best meets the complex learning needs of children with ASD. Children participate in individualized therapy and skill development programs based on detailed therapy plans, the child’s academic and life skill goals, and frequent clinical reviews.

Our team consists of a Clinical Director, a Speech & Language Pathologist, a registered Occupational Therapist, registered BCBA, RBT and Behaviour Therapists, and Therapy Assistants.

Our therapists are highly experienced in working with children with autism. Using a wide array of best practices, they deliver 3 core therapy programs – speech, behaviour, and occupational therapies. Play, social, and daily living skill development is incorporated into each child’s programming. Each child receives 1 hour of direct therapy/week in each of the 3 disciplines.

In addition to their 3 weekly therapy sessions, children work with our Therapy Assistants on a 2:1 child to staff ratio. Thematic daily activities are based on the Essential for Living (EFL) communication, behaviour and functional skills curriculum. Visit Our Programs for more details.

Families are important partners in all aspects of their child’s program, working with our team to establish and modify therapy plans and foster the generalization of therapeutic strategies to all settings.

Since starting at Giant Steps in October 2021, we have seen remarkable progress in Stefano’s social skills, engagement, and readiness to learn. He is now showing a genuine interest in engaging with other kids in the program and actively participating in the group activities. We have seen a tremendous improvement in his receptive language and non-verbal communication. Every day he is becoming more independent and surprising us with a new skill he has learned.

It is all thanks to the dedicated and caring team at Giant Steps; the expert therapists who work together to build an individual plan for each child and are constantly reviewing goals and building upon acquired skills. To all the donors, thank you for your continued support of Giant Steps and for providing the opportunity for my son and other kids with autism to receive the life-changing therapies they need to flourish.

Elvira & Jose, current Giant Steps’ parents