Philosophy of Care

All our programs are designed to maximize each individual’s potential.

We rely on the tested and scientifically proven principles and use a naturalistic, developmental and behavioural approach that incorporates each child’s strengths, interests and preferences.   Individual programs focus on skill development within a variety of functional areas that impact individual or family functioning within daily routines and activities.

The programs and services provided by Society for Autism Support and Services (SASS) are individualized to meet the needs of each individual and family we serve, evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and family-centered.  Family members are critical and are encouraged to actively participate in all aspects of programming.

When an individual enters one of our programs, a functional assessment of strengths and needs is completed. This typically involves observation, file review, objective data collection, discussion with parents/caregivers, and, when warranted, standardized testing.  Prioritized programming goals are established by the parents/guardians with the assistance of our multidisciplinary team.

We emphasize the importance of functional social-communicative skills, while considering the most appropriate mode of communication.  Visual supports are an integral part of our programming and are individualized.  We teach reciprocal social interactions, with a focus on initiation, developing a broad base of communicative functions, while ensuring that all goals and supports meet the individual at their communicative level.

We know learning is enhanced when people are having fun, so activity-based learning is employed across all of SASS’s programs and services.

We use a team approach, because achieving goals requires a range of skills.  Our team includes:

•    Psychologists/Provisional Psychologists/Behavioural Consultants

•    Speech-Language Pathologists

•    Occupational Therapists

•    Teachers

•    Social Workers

All clinicians, where appropriate, are registered under the Health Professions Act and are members in good standing with provincial regulatory bodies. The work of Behavioural Consultants and Provisional Psychologists is supervised by a Registered Psychologist.  The work of the Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and the teachers is supported by assistants.