Saturday ABA Program – Building Real-Life Skills, One Weekend at a Time
For many families, weekdays are packed with school, homework, and appointments. Our Saturday ABA Program gives youth with exceptional needs a dedicated weekend space to build real-world skills, friendships, fitness, and confidence—without adding pressure to their school days.
This is a one-of-a-kind, group-based ABA programat Hope Autism Services designed specifically for youth ages 9 to 18.
What is the Saturday ABA Program?
Saturday ABA at Hope is a structured, fun, and practical learning program that uses Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to teach skills that truly matter in everyday life.
Instead of focusing only on “table work,” we emphasize hands-on, real-world activities and community outings that help participants practice:
- Executive functioning and organization
- Social skills and relationship-building
- Communication and conversation
- Independence at home, school, and in the community
- Fitness, movement, and healthy habits
- Community participation through real outings
Our goal is simple: to help youth feel more capable, confident, and prepared for real life—now and as they move toward adulthood.
Who Is This Program For?
- This program is designed for:
- Youth with exceptional needs, aged 9 to 18
- Learners who can participate in a small-group setting with support
- Families looking for weekend programming that builds life skills, not just academics
- Whether your child needs help getting organized, building friendships, staying active, navigating the community, or managing daily tasks, Saturday ABA provides a supportive environment to practice these skills step by step.
What Skills Do We Focus On?
- Saturday ABA targets a wide range of real-world skills, including:
-
Executive Functioning & Organization
- Planning and completing tasks
- Time management and following schedules
- Organizing schoolwork, personal items, and daily routines
Friendships &
Social Relationships
- Friendships & Social Relationships
- Starting, maintaining, and ending conversations
- Reading basic social cues and respecting boundaries
- Joining group activities and building positive peer connections
Real-World
Independence Skills
- Budgeting: understanding money, tracking simple expenses, making spending choices
- Meal prep: basic food preparation, kitchen safety, following simple recipes
- Community skills & outings: navigating public places, practicing safety rules, buying items at a store, ordering food, asking for help appropriately during supervised community trips
Academics & Online Navigation
- Academics & Online Navigation
- Homework organization and study habits
- Using technology safely and responsibly
- Online navigation: logging into platforms, sending emails appropriately, basic digital etiquette
Communication & Conversation
- Communication & Conversation
- Expressing needs, thoughts, and opinions
- Turn-taking, listening, and staying on topic
- Problem-solving and self-advocacy in social situations
Fitness & Healthy Habits
- Participating in light exercise and movement-based activities
- Learning the importance of staying active and taking care of their body
- Building routines that include movement, stretching, and energy regulation through physical activity
Our Approach at Hope Autism Services
- Trauma-informed and compassionate: We prioritize emotional safety, choice, and respect in everything we do.
- Evidence-based ABA: Skills are taught using clear, structured methods and positive reinforcement.
- Real-life practice & outings: Whenever possible, learning happens through natural activities, group projects, fitness games, and supervised community outings, not just worksheets.
- Family collaboration: We keep parents in the loop and share practical strategies you can use at home.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re looking for a Saturday program that goes beyond childcare or tutoring—one that focuses on life skills, independence, friendships, fitness, and community participation—our Saturday ABA Program may be a great fit.
- Learn more about the schedule and fees
- Discuss whether this program is right for your child
- Join our waitlist or book an intake meeting
Book Free Consultation
Timings
- Morning Sessions:
- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Afternoon Sessions:
- 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Compassionate, high-quality support for children with autism, delivered by experienced and dedicated professionals.
Included Services
- 1:1 therapy with a Behavior Clinician, supervised by a BCBA
- Ongoing clinical supervision and oversight by a Registered Behavior Analyst (RBA)
- Individualized assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan based on priority goals
- Consultation with a Speech-Language Pathologist (as needed)
- Consultation with an Occupational Therapist (as needed)
- Opportunities for social interaction and group activities
- Regular parent/caregiver updates, with the option to observe sessions
- Progress tracking via Hi-Rasmus software, with unlimited access for parents/caregivers (fee applies)
- Parent/caregiver coaching for continued support at home
Each therapy session is personalized to meet your child’s unique needs and is guided by the goals established in collaboration with your clinical team. Sessions may focus on a variety of skill areas, including but not limited to:
Communication skills (e.g., expressive and receptive language, social communication)
Daily living skills (e.g., dressing, hygiene, self-care)
Toileting (e.g., toilet training, increasing independence)
Feeding skills (e.g., expanding food variety, improving self-feeding)
Reducing challenging behaviors (e.g., self-injury, aggression, property destruction)
School readiness and learning skills (e.g., attending to tasks, following instructions, transitioning between activities)
And more!
Each session is structured to maximize learning and progress while keeping your child engaged in a supportive and positive environment.
To begin the registration process, you can:
Fill out our online form available at Hope Autism Services Contact Us or Call us directly at 905-890-4673. You can also email us at in**@********sm.ca
What happens after I submit the form?
Once your form has been submitted, you will be placed in a queue to receive a follow-up call from one of our staff members. During this call, we will discuss your child’s needs, answer any questions, and outline the next steps for creating an action plan.
Are spots guaranteed once I submit the form?
No, spaces are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Your registration is not final until it has been reviewed and confirmed by our Senior Therapist.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!
Please pack a backpack for your child that includes:
Nut-free and shellfish-free snacks
A water bottle
A change of clothes
If your child needs any additional items, your clinical team will discuss them with you before the start date.
If your child requires medication during their session, please inform the intake team before completing your registration.