Bethesda Children and Youth Services | FREE Virtual Workshops
FREE Virtual Workshops
For ANY family in Ontario registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
Children and Youth Services
Bethesda Children and Youth Services is thrilled to provide a series of FREE virtual workshops designed to empower and support Ontario families with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to live their best lives.
These comprehensive programs cover a wide range of topics tailored to the specific needs of parents, caregivers, and youth.
Parent and Caregiver Workshops equip caregivers with essential tools and strategies to navigate the challenges and joys of raising a child with autism. From understanding the complexities of ASD to managing challenging behaviours, these workshops offer practical guidance and support.
Introduction to Teaching Series provide caregivers with valuable insights into effective teaching techniques and strategies to foster their child’s growth and development. These workshops will cover topics such as creating inclusive learning environments, developing essential life skills, and promoting independence.
Workshops for Youth Ages 12+ focus on building resilience, self-advocacy, and social skills. These sessions will create a supportive space for young people to connect with peers, learn valuable life skills, and develop a strong sense of self.
How do I get started with Bethesda’s Free Foundational Family Services?
If you have any questions about the below steps please reach out to a service coordinator: serviceinfo@bethesdaservices.com
905.684.6918 ext. 170
Step 1
Step 2
Are you registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) or Bethesda Children’s Behaviour Services?
Create your account through Bethesda’s membership portal. See page 4 *Your account will be approved within three (3) business days.
If you already have an account, log in.
Step 3
Step 4
Review the events in this guide to find the best programs for you and your family.
Please note there is a limit of one recreational and one clinical group service per child.
Register for your selections. If your preferred group is full, register for that group’s waitlist. Service Coordinators review and confirm registrants before each group begins and room may become available for you.
Create a Membership
Membership needs to be confirmed before you can begin registering for events.
Create your membership here
Follow these steps to create a membership account through Bethesda’s portal:
1. Navigate to bethesdaservices.com > Select Children & Youth Services in the menu bar > Select Client Login from the secondary menu bar.
3. Enter your Email Address > Click I’m not a robot > Click Next
If you will be creating accounts for more than one child, please register each child with a unique email address.
4. Enter the requested client information for your child > Click Next
5. Review and confirm the membership information > Click Confirm.
6. Once your membership application has been reviewed and accepted by a Service Coordinator, you will receive an email from admin@portal.bethesdaservices.com with a temporary password.
7. Please log in using the provided temporary password and immediately change your password to one you will more easily remember by clicking the Change password button.
8. Enter your current and new password (new password must include at least 12 characters, upper and lower case letters, at least one number and at least one special character.) > Click Save.
Your website membership application is now complete!
If you require assistance with creating your membership account, please connect with a Service Coordinator at 905.684.6918 ext. 170 or serviceinfo@bethesdaservices.com
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Workshops and Caregiver Learning Series
Understanding the Ontario Autism Program
Clarifying Autism Services and funding options
Meet one-on-one with a Service Coordinator to help parents and caregivers navigate Autism services in the Niagara Region and the province.
Get clear and concise information about:
• The Ontario Autism Program (OAP): Understand eligibility and explore funding options
• One-time Funding: Learn about additional financial support available
• Evidence-based Interventions: Discover the benefits of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and other proven strategies
DATE/TIME Available by individual appointment upon request. Phone 905.684.6918 ext.170
Contact us to register
LOCATION Virtual, phone, or in-person appointments available.
Caregiver Development Workshops
Bethesda Children and Youth Services is committed to empowering parents and caregivers with knowledge and strategies to support your child’s overall well-being.
Improving Sleep
Caregivers will learn strategies that can be used to help children fall asleep and maintain a full night’s sleep.
DATE/TIME Wednesday January 14 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register
Helping your Teen Cope with Depression
A psycho-educational workshop designed for parents and caregivers of teenagers who are struggling with depression and/or depressive symptoms. This workshop will explore depression from a mental health perspective, highlighting the differences between depression and other emotions such as sadness or grief, as well as the criteria that indicate a potential clinical diagnosis of a depressive disorder or episode. Some basic coping strategies for depression will be shared, as well as providing some general tips for caregivers who are supporting a teen with depression.
DATE/TIME Monday January 19
6:00pm - 7:00pm
LOCATION Virtual
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Mental Health in Collaboration with Contact Niagara
This workshop will explore the connection between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and mental health to highlight why children and youth with FASD are at increased risk for anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and trauma. Clinicians will introduce the concept of learned helplessness, which is a pattern that develops when repeated challenges and misunderstandings lead to feelings of defeat and reduced motivation, and discuss how it uniquely impacts people with FASD.
The session will offer practical, evidence-informed strategies for caregivers and professionals to support mental health through trauma-informed care, co-regulation, environmental structure, and strength-based interventions that help rebuild agency, resilience, and emotional well-being.
DATE/TIME Wednesday January 21
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Supporting Siblings
LOCATION Virtual
This workshop for parents and caregivers will discuss supporting the siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or other developmental disabilities. Topics will include sibling relationships, how having a sibling with ASD or other disabilities may affect that relationship, and the Glass Child phenomenon. Some general strategies for helping your siblings to find ways to co-exist will be discussed, and additional resources for places to find sibling support will be provided.
DATE/TIME Wednesday January 21
6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register register register
Workshops and Caregiver Learning Series
Planning for Community Outings
Turn everyday outings, from doctor’s appointments to grocery shopping, into positive experiences for you and your child. This interactive workshop equips caregivers with proactive strategies to: anticipate and address challenges during community outings, develop personalized plans for a smoother experience, and boost your child’s confidence in new environments.
DATE/TIME Wednesday January 28 6:30pm - 7:30pm
From Differences to Strengths:
Supporting Your Youth’s Unique Identity
This workshop helps caregivers reframe how they view and support their neurodivergent youth. Rooted in a strengths-based, affirming approach, From Differences to Strengths explores how understanding neurodiversity and identity through a positive lens can build confidence and strengthen family connection. Participants will learn practical strategies to promote resilience, acceptance, and self-expression, while discovering ways to celebrate their youth’s unique strengths and support their evolving identity, including LGBTQ+ identities. The session also addresses common caregiver challenges with compassion and perspective.
DATE/TIME Thursday February 12 12:00pm - 1:00pm
How to Handle Bullying
Caregivers will learn strategies on how to support their children if they are dealing with bullying, to identify the difference between bullying and teasing, and how to respond to bullies.
DATE/TIME Wednesday February 25 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Teen Workshops
Teen Emotions Toolbox
In this 1-hour virtual workshop teens will learn how to identify and regulate their emotions. They will learn coping strategies to use when they are triggered.
AGES
DATE/TIME 13-17 years Wednesday March 11 6:30pm - 7:30pm LOCATION Virtual
Pathways to Employment
In this 1-hour virtual workshop teens will learn strategies for applying for a job, writing a resume, interviewing, and job readiness skills
AGES
DATE/TIME 13-17 years Wednesday March 25 6:30pm - 7:30pm LOCATION Virtual
