Kinark Autism Services

05/28/2026

Picky eating can be challenging, but we've got you covered. 🍎

Join us for Let’s Eat, a FREE virtual session where caregivers can learn how ABA strategies can support healthier eating habits. We’ll explore common challenges, factors that influence picky eating, and practical ways to build positive routines and track progress over time.

📅 June 1, 2026
⏰ 9:30–11:30 a.m.
💻 Virtual

👉 Don't forget to register! https://bit.ly/4mO8Jo3

05/26/2026

📺 TV Shows & Movies That Help Kids Understand Autism 🎬

Stories on screen can be powerful for helping children learn about autism in a way that feels engaging, relatable, and meaningful. Here are some kid‑friendly shows and movies that introduce autistic characters with kindness and curiosity, or open the door to important conversations about understanding and inclusion:

📺 TV Shows

🏠 Sesame Street (Julia): A gentle, age‑appropriate introduction to autism through everyday moments
🐧 Pablo: A beautifully animated series told from the perspective of an autistic child
🎨 Doc McStuffins: Encourages understanding feelings, communication, and caring for others

🎬 Movies

🐟 Finding Dory: A helpful way to talk about memory, differences, and supporting one another
🐙 Luca: A great metaphor for being different, masking, and finding acceptance
🤖 The Mitchells vs. the Machines: Celebrates neurodivergent traits, creativity, and non‑traditional thinking

These stories don’t need to “explain” autism directly to be impactful. Watching together and talking about what kids notice, like feelings, strengths, and challenges can help build empathy and understanding early on.

05/23/2026

💬 For Parents Just Starting to Explore ABA

It’s okay to have questions. It’s okay to feel unsure.
ABA is not about changing who your child is. It’s about supporting how they learn and grow 🌱

ABA helps skills carry over into everyday life. This includes skills like:
🏡 Home routines
🏫 School readiness
🛝 Play and social time
💬 Communication and self-expression

Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process, too. We work with families to help children thrive, wherever life takes them 💙

With patience, personalization, and positivity, ABA helps children build skills that support independence, confidence, and connection.

05/21/2026

Summer camp can feel overwhelming, especially when social situations, big emotions, or large groups feel hard to navigate. 💛

Kinark’s Summer Camps are designed with small, structured groups where children can build social confidence, practice emotional regulation, and develop friendship skills before joining larger camp activities with guided support.

With exciting themes like Candy Carnival 🍭, Dinosaur Discovery🦕, and Superhero Week 🦸, campers can learn, grow, and have fun while building real-life skills that carry beyond summer.

📍 Location: Markham
📅 Registration end date: June 4, 2026
⚠️ Limited spots available

Know more about the camps and explore more exciting themes by clicking below.

https://kinarkautismservices.ca/programs-and-services/summer-camps/

Kinark Autism Services supports children and youth with autism in Ontario through evidence-based therapy and family services. Learn more.

05/20/2026

Medical and dental appointments don’t have to feel overwhelming. 🌱

Join us for Preparing Your Child for Medical and Dental Appointments, a free virtual session designed to support caregivers of children with autism. Learn practical, evidence‑based strategies to help your child feel more comfortable, cooperative, and confident during appointments.

📅 May 26, 2026
⏰ 12 – 1 p.m.
💻 Virtual

👉 Sign up today! https://bit.ly/4u3rkPk

05/18/2026

🏛️ Happy International Museum Day! 🏛️

Exploring museums and family activity centres should be welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. Across Ontario, many museums are expanding sensory‑friendly experiences, tools, and relaxed visit options to support visitors with sensory sensitivities and diverse needs.
Here are some great sensory-friendly options to explore:

🦖 Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): The ROM offers a sensory‑friendly visitor guide developed in collaboration with Autism Ontario, along with quiet spaces and accessibility resources to help families plan a comfortable visit.
🐬 Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: Ripley’s hosts sensory‑friendly events throughout the year, featuring reduced lighting, no background music, limited capacity, and a quiet room for guests who need a break.
🏡 The Village at Black Creek: Relaxed Days offer a more flexible, welcoming environment with adapted programming for visitors seeking a calmer museum experience.
🎨 Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO): The AGO hosts Relaxed Visits and provides sensory maps, quiet spaces, and sensory kits to support a more accessible gallery experience.
🌿 Aga Khan Museum: The Aga Khan Museum offers sensory backpacks and visual social narratives, with occasional sensory‑friendly and family‑focused programs designed for neurodiverse visitors.
🏺 Gardiner Museum: As a smaller, quieter space, the Gardiner Museum offers a naturally calmer museum environment and continues to grow its accessible and family‑friendly programming.
🐾 Toronto Zoo: The Zoo hosts sensory‑friendly mornings and provides a downloadable sensory map to help visitors navigate quieter routes and spaces.

Whether you’re visiting dinosaurs, fine art, history, or underwater worlds, these thoughtful accommodations help make museum experiences more inclusive for all families. 💙

05/14/2026

☀️ Secure Your Spot in Our Summer Groups Program!

Looking for a supportive and engaging space where your child or teen can build important life skills alongside peers?

Our Group-based Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs help children and youth strengthen skills in:

✔️ Play and social interaction
✔️ Emotional regulation
✔️ Communication
✔️ Relationships and dating
✔️ Career readiness

…and so much more!

📌 Summer Groups are available for children and youth ages 2–18.

⏳ Registration is closing soon! Reach out to our team today to learn more and secure your spot.

Kinark Autism Services offers a wide range of group-based Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs for children and youth with autism.

05/14/2026

👋 Meet Vicky!

Vicky is one of our Behaviour Consultants at Kinark, and she talked to us about what she loves about her role, and why working with kids makes this work so meaningful. ✨ "We support with consultation services, school support services, we get to talk to families, we get to interact with our families and little children," says Vicky.

05/12/2026

Puberty and growing independence can bring a lot of questions for both parents and caregivers.

Join us for Navigating Sexuality: Guiding Teens and Tweens with Confidence, a FREE virtual session designed to help caregivers of youth with special needs feel informed and supported.

We’ll explore topics like puberty, privacy, consent, and self‑care, and share practical ABA‑based strategies to encourage independence and confidence during this important stage of development.

📅 May 21, 2026
⏰ 9:30–11:30 a.m.
💻 Virtual

👉 Spots are free, sign up today! https://bit.ly/4sTCqFA

05/08/2026

🧸Toys That Support Learning, Play & Connection🧸

Play can be a powerful way for autistic children to explore skills, interests, and creativity. Especially when toys encourage hands‑on learning, problem‑solving, and open‑ended fun. Here are some great toy options that our Instructor Therapists love:
🔢 Top Bright Balanced Math Game: encourages counting, balance, and number concepts
🍎 Learning Resources Avalanche Fruit Stand: supports sorting, turn‑taking, and fine motor skills
🏠 Melissa & Doug Take‑Along Wooden Doorbell Dollhouse: great for pretend play, cause‑and‑effect, and routines
🥚 EGGXpress Yourself Sorting Game: builds matching, color recognition, and coordination
🧸 Marble Run: promotes planning, visual tracking, and creativity
🛒 Orchard Toys Shopping List Game: encourages memory, language, and social play

Every child is different, and the “best” toy is one that matches their interests and play style. Following a child’s lead and keeping play pressure‑free helps turn toys into joyful learning tools. 💙