Making Small Talk provides a variety of programs and services that ensure the successful growth and development of children and teens with special needs. The programs Making Small Talk offers support students with ASD, ADHD and other Learning Disabilities. Some of our programs include Social Skills, IBI, and a unique school program for children 3 years old and up.
We support all our clients to reach their full potential and work with them throughout their growth and development in independence, advocacy skills, and self-confidence. We work alongside your child, teaching them the skills they require to have a positive and successful learning experience. Your child will be encouraged to explore their natural environment with like-minded peers.
We provide a variety of programs and services that ensure the successful growth and development of children and adults with special needs. We support them to reach their full potential and work with them to grow and develop in independence, advocacy, and self-confidence.
Making Small Talk started off as York Autism Centre with Linda Hurren running Social Skills classes and providing some private IBI services in King City in 2007. As her reputation grew in the community so did Making Small Talk. The company remained in King City for 5 years as it grew to include new services and new staff members. With the business growing it was time for a move to a bigger location, so in the fall of 2013 Making Small Talk relocated to Vandorf. This new location offered Making Small Talk a larger space to expand and add new programs. With all of our supportive families following along, the new building became home. Making Small Talk was able to expand many new programs and launch the School Readiness Program. Making Small Talk now offers services for Children, Young Adults, and Families throughout York Region.
speciality programs
Making Small Talk provides a variety of programs and services that ensure the successful growth and development of children and adults with special needs.
We offer programs to support students with ASD, ADHD and other Learning Disabilities. We offer a range of programs: Social Skills, IBI, School Readiness and Square Peg Project.
IBI Therapy
Making Small Talk offers both in centre and in home Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI). Our IBI program is based on individual programs developed from the completion of either the Verbal Behaviour Milestones Assessment and Placement Program VB-MAPP or Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills ABLLS
Social Skills
Making Small Talk offers Social Skills classes for children 3 to 25 years old. In each of the programs we follow a Social Thinking Curriculum. We work alongside the child teaching how to understand the unstated rules in social situations. Teaching Verbal and Non-verbal communication to assist the child in developing their social language in their home, school and community environments.
School Readiness Program
The School Readiness Program meets the needs of children who are having difficulty being successful within a typical Nursery school or child care setting. This program is suited for children aged 18 months to 6 years old, who are on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, Socially or developmental delays
Behaviour Consultancy
Making Small Talk provides Behaviour Consultancy services to all our clients. We have a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) candidate consultant who assesses behaviours, writes and implements protocols while teaching and supporting parents.
Parent Support Program
Making Small Talk offers a wide variety of parent support programs. Some of these programs include our MST@home behaviour support program. Making Small Talk wants to support our families in all environments from our centre to the child’s school and in their home. These programs have been developed to offer maximum benefit for an affordable cost to families.
Some of the workshops we offer:
IEP development
Behaviour in the home
Getting your Child ready for school
Contact Making Small Talk for more details on programs and services
or to make an appointment to visit the facilities and meet the staff.