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
Caregiver Workshops
LOCATION Virtual, phone, or in-person appointments available.
Contact us to register
Bethesda Children and Youth Services is committed to empowering parents and caregivers with knowledge and strategies to support your child’s overall well-being.
Homework Strategies
Caregivers will learn strategies to support their child in completing their homework and becoming independent with school assignments.
DATE/TIME Wednesday September 10 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register
The Power of Play
Play is more than just fun – it’s a powerful tool for learning and development! This interactive workshop, part of our Introduction to Teaching series, equips caregivers with playful strategies to: nurture foundational skills like imitation, joint attention, turn-taking, and pretend play, and turn everyday moments into opportunities for growth and connection.
DATE/TIME Wednesday September 17 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register
Transitions, Changes, and Losses
Over the course of a day one goes through an incalculable amount of transitions and changes. Transitions and changes are common challenges for children/youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This can often create moments of stress that derail plans and cause ongoing stress for caregivers. From daily transitions to ongoing grief, in this workshop a Behaviour Therapist (BT) and Psychotherapist introduce skills and strategies for caregivers to utilize in everyday transitions (i.e., morning routine) and helps to prepare for communicating and working through sudden or potential loss (i.e., moving, loss of employment, death and other grief).
DATE/TIME Monday September 22 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register
ABA at Home: How to Generalize Skills
Learn how to take the Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) skills your child is learning at Bethesda or school and apply them to your home setting.
DATE/TIME Wednesday September 24 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Toilet Training
LOCATION Virtual register
Is your child showing readiness signs for toilet training? This workshop will help parents and caregivers recognize readiness skills and patterns of current toileting behaviours and learn toilet training strategies based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). This workshop is best suited for parents of children ages 7 and younger.
DATE/TIME Wednesday October 8 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register
Workshops and Caregiver Learning Series
Emotional Regulation: How to Lend your Calm
Caregivers will learn practical strategies on how to be an emotional support for their child, and teach them calming strategies.
DATE/TIME Wednesday October 15 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Identifying and Coping with Autistic Burnout
Is your child/youth experiencing depression, or could it be “autistic burnout”? Come learn about the signs and symptoms of a concept that is gaining attention in recent years, “autistic burnout”. Let’s discuss how you can support your child through certain lifestyle changes to improve their psychological wellbeing.
DATE/TIME Monday October 20 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Desensitization: Preparing your Child for Cold Weather
Caregivers will learn strategies to prepare their child for colder weather, and wearing winter clothes.
DATE/TIME Wednesday October 22 6:30pm - 7:30pm
ABA 101: Proactive Strategies
Caregivers will learn about the functions of behaviour, power of reinforcement, and proactive strategies to support their child.
DATE/TIME Wednesday October 29 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Picky Eating
This interactive workshop equips parents, caregivers, and clinicians with practical strategies to address picky eating in children. We’ll explore a variety of positive approaches.
DATE/TIME Wednesday November 12 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual register
Teaching Independence
Caregivers will learn strategies to support their child becoming more independent with daily living tasks.
DATE/TIME Wednesday November 19 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual
Understanding your Child’s Diagnosis
Caregivers will learn what is autism and how to best support their child.
DATE/TIME Wednesday November 26 6:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION Virtual
Surviving the Holidays
Caregivers will learn strategies to prepare their child for being off of school and having a different routine during the holidays. Caregivers will also be provided an activity guide with ideas to keep their children busy during the holidays.
DATE/TIME Wednesday December 10 6:30pm - 7:30pm LOCATION Virtual
