Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy proven to be the most effective treatment in teaching individuals living with autism. For us at The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, using ABA is one of the many approaches to actively create an environment of empowerment and inclusion for your child and all People of Determination. During our sessions, we focus on improving specific behaviors such as social skills, communication, emotional regulation skills, academic skills and daily living skills such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, and job competence. We provide therapy in various settings including our center, schools, homes as well as the child’s natural environment such as a play area or mall. Our services also extend to young adults, teaching them functional living skills.

Every parent would like to witness their child who is living with autism grow into an independent adult. Several evidence-based modalities can help your child achieve this including Occupational Therapy (OT). OT is an allied health science profession with an aim of independent participation and function in all Activities of Daily Living (ADL). For us at The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, our OT services help individuals on the autism spectrum reach their full potential as we take a holistic approach, looking at the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of an individual. OT provides practical support to empower, facilitate recovery, and overcome barriers that may prevent individuals from participating in their daily lives. It can improve fine motor skills; gross motor skills; eye-hand coordination; functional adaptive skills; academic skills (writing skills), and spatial awareness. OT can be beneficial for conditions includingAutism/pervasive developmental disorders; Spina Bifida (birth defect affecting the spine); Cerebral Palsy (movement disorder); Down Syndrome (born with an extra chromosome); cancer/s; Multiple Sclerosis (disease of the brain and spinal cord); juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; hydrocephalus (buildup of fluid in the brain); mental health or behavioral problems; broken bones or other orthopedic injuries; post-surgical conditions; burns of all kinds; hand injuries; birth injuries or birth defects; sensory processing disorders; traumatic injuries (brain or spinal cord); learning problems; traumatic amputations; intellectual disabilities; and development delays.

Physiotherapy can optimize and improve the quality of life for your child through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education. Our physiotherapists (PTs) develop individualized treatment plans to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and to help maintain independence. In doing so, we can help your child develop and maintain age-appropriate functional skills. Physiotherapy can be beneficial for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD); Cerebral Palsy; Down Syndrome; Global Development Delay; Spina Bifida; Multiple Sclerosis; Spinal Cord Injuries; Dystrophies (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – muscle weakness and loss; Charcot Marie Tooth – progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch sensation across various parts of the body); Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis; Amputations; Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine); Torticollis (problem involving the muscles of the neck); and Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot in a vein) among other conditions.

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) is a specialized therapy for individuals with communication delays, deficits, and swallowing disorders. At The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, SLT pathologists provide the therapy. Our Team comprises PROMPT-certified therapists who treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and professionals certified to train others in the use of Makaton, a unique language program that uses symbols, signs, and speech to enable people to communicate. PROMPT (Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) is a technique that uses touch cues to manually guide through a targeted word, phrase, or sentence. SLT Therapy can be beneficial in conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD); Articulation Disorder; Birth Defects (cleft lip/ palate); Childhood Apraxia of Speech; Cerebral Palsy; Down Syndrome; developmental speech-language delay; hearing impairments; intellectual impairments; learning disability; phonological disorder; pragmatic disorders; social communication disorder; specific language impairment; stuttering/ cluttering; voice disorders; and childhood neurological disorders, among others.

At The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, our supervisors are certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. This is a certification that identifies independent practitioners who provide behavior analysis services. This certification guides them to adhere to continuing education requirements and keep up to date with the latest research to ensure the highest standard of patient care in line with global best practice.

We are committed to creating an environment of empowerment and inclusion, and for us at The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, we believe helping young adults with vocational training can positively impact their motivation and self-esteem. Through our Job Readiness Program, we help young adults gain hands-on experience in a simulated work environment and assist with internships in collaboration with government and private institutions. Vocational Training enhances a young adult’s job skills to participate and pursue meaningful employment in various settings based on their choice of interests and hobbies. Our program focuses on teaching young adults the essential skills to be successful in future job opportunities. We teach basic office or clerical tasks (i.e., typing a document, printing, photocopying, laminating, shredding, delivering documents to staff members etc.). We also teach skills such how to search for a job, how to write a resume, how to interview for a position, filling up application forms, appropriate social skills training for the workplace, safety rules and appropriate work attire. Once the young adult progresses through the Job Readiness Program, we then facilitate internship and work opportunities.