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Caregiver Skills Training (CST)

Empowering caregivers of children with developmental delays through practical skills and support.

Our Caregiver Skills Training program is designed to support and empower caregivers of children aged 2-9 years with developmental delays or disabilities. Through a combination of virtual group workshops (caregivers only) and individual coaching sessions (facilitator, caregiver, child), caregivers will learn strategies to enhance their child’s communication, social skills, and behavior in everyday activities.

Program Details:

  • Ages: 2-9 years
  • Duration: 9-week program
  • Date & Time:
    • Tuesday Workshops (12 PM – 2 PM): January 20 – March 17
    • Thursday Sessions (4:30 PM – 6:30 PM): January 22 – March 19
  • Frequency: Weekly virtual group workshops and three individual coaching sessions
  • Format: Virtual group sessions and individual coaching sessions
  • Location: Virtual; in-centre; and in-home
  • Language: For the time being, all sessions will be conducted in English

Eligibility:

  • Caregivers of children aged 2-9 years and 11 months with suspected or diagnosed ASD or other neurodevelopmental conditions. You do NOT need a diagnosis for this program.
  • Primary caregiver (parent, grandparent, or any adult over 18) must be able to attend all relevant sessions.
  • Willing to actively participate during sessions (camera on, participation in discussions).
  • Child needs support using joint attention and communicating their requests
  • Child needs support with pretend play
  • Final enrollment is confirmed following a phone screening.

What to Expect:

Caregivers will engage in virtual group sessions to learn how to use everyday play and home activities to improve their children’s communication, social skills, and self-help abilities. Individual coaching sessions will provide personalized support in the family’s home environment. The program aims to increase shared engagement, improve social communication, and reduce challenging behaviors, ultimately decreasing parental stress.

Fees & Funding

This program is made free of cost by the generous support of the United Way Greater Toronto.

Interested in this program?

Registration with SAAAC Autism Centre requires speaking with our Intake Team and providing them with your child's and family information.

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