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Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears within the first three years of life. It is a neurological disorder that affects the development of communication and social interaction skills.

Portia’s Centre-based Programming

• opportunity for increased social opportunities and group learning skills, essential for school readiness
• high-intensity supervision from on-site senior therapists and clinical supervisors

Parent-run Program (Hiring Instructor Therapists and Senior Therapists Privately)

• high therapist turnover, wasting time and money training new therapists
• program will most often not be as highly supervised as it should be

If you are a parent who has struggled to run their own program, you will see a significant rise in quality and satisfaction with the centre-based program at The Portia Learning Centre. You will have more peace-of-mind with the knowledge that our team of experts has your child in the best of care.

A centralized, inter-disciplinary team of experts

Our team includes Behaviour Analysts (Senior Therapists), Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Psychologists. Portia was founded because we strongly believe that a centre that centralizes these fields of expertise is the best solution for your child’s development. We work in close collaboration, ensuring that we can thoroughly assess and understand your child’s needs.

A customized program for every child

We will fully assess your child, then create a tailored program to fit their needs. Portia uses several scientifically-vali- dated methodologies to build a curriculum for your child across all stages of development (e.g. Verbal Behaviour, Early Start Denver Model, Pivotal Response Training).

Our unique approach is designed so your child meets their full potential through individualized program development. Research demonstrates that intensive one-to-one teaching using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) will enhance a child’s skills in all areas of development. Our comprehensive programs focus on communication, language development, social skills, life skills and adaptive behaviours.

Family involvement at every step of the process

Parent involvement is the cornerstone of our program. We emphasize interaction with your child as well as learning important techniques to maximize learning in the home and the community to ensure consistent, positive behaviour. You will be provided with hands-on training in the home, opportunities to observe live sessions, participate in workshops and attend monthly progress meetings. Working together with you as well as educators and professionals in all areas of your child’s life, we will continuously strive to enable a better future for them.

Reach out to us via Intake Form or call Pam Giles at 613-355-3003, we will schedule a call to review your child’s needs and discuss how Portia can best serve your child and your family.

Your child will be most successful when learning is conducted in a highly structured, intensive manner with access to reinforcement. Depending on their unique needs, goals can be easily implemented by the instructor therapist on a day-to-day basis.

Examples of SLP goals:

• articulation targets
• syntax and grammar
• oral motor and conversation skills

Examples of OT goals:

• fine and gross motor production (e.g., printing, cutting, throwing a ball)
• The above lists are not extensive; we will determine your child’s needs once they are assessed.