ISAND is open for virtual business!  We are offering a variety of individual and group programs using internet technology for video telepractice (such as Zoom, Doxy.me).  Our clinicians are able to provide quality care in a secure, private format, so that families can remain at home and keep up social distancing during this COVID-19 crisis.  Want to see some examples?  Check out our video samples of therapy activities on Youtube.  We even offer a FREE trial session to get the technology set up and demonstrate how the teleconferencing will work.

Below is a full list of our summer offerings and details on how to sign up!

Behaviour Intervention

• Individual Services with a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) or Behaviour Consultant focusing on skill building: communication skills, social skills, play skills, academic skills, etc. Services begin with an initial consultation phase, resulting in a customized behavioural plan, and a custom intervention model (different for each client).
• Parent Coaching on topics such as: managing challenging behaviour, helping your child with daily routines and/or to follow a schedule at home, developing positive interactions with your child, how to engage your child in different play activities, how to toilet train your child, etc.
• Positive Family Intervention – A parent education program (led by a behavior specialist) with group training, followed by individualized development of a child-specific behavioural plan – in 8 weekly appointments.

Early Intervention

• Parent Coachingin group and individual formats, addressing a variety of topics such as: play skills, establishing routines, increasing flexibility, transitions to new activities

Educational Counseling

• Our special educator, Candace Yanchyshyn, will continue to support families through the summer, and welcomes new clients to gain supports for back-to-school transition planning

Individual and Family Counseling

• Our social worker, Barb Muskat, is available for individual or family support via virtual sessions on an ongoing basis

Occupational Therapy

• Individual Services: focusing on parent coaching for home sensory and self-regulation ideas; fine motor skills via creative crafts; safety skills (such as mask wearing tolerance, hand-washing)
• Body Breaks Group is a great option for anyone looking to get their children active through dance and yoga poses, and also incorporates some sensory and self-regulation components.
  • Body Breaks – Basic – simple songs and movements, some sensory and self-regulation activities, more suited to the needs and interest of younger clients (early elementary) or those with greater challenges
  • Body Breaks – Challenge – more complex movements, dance along activities, and greater focus on sensory and self-regulation activities; more suited to older individuals (ages 10+) and/or those with better control of movement skills
  • 2 classes each week (Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 30 mins) over a 6 week period
• Youth Health and Fitness Program
  • Available for teens/young adults with fair-good cognitive ability/understanding 
  • Classes can include cardio and strengthening exercises, as well as a focus on healthy active living (general nutrition, sleep hygiene, occupational balance, self and sensory regulation) all whilst providing the opportunity for social interaction with similar peers 
  • 1 class weekly, 10:30-11:30am Wednesday mornings starting the week of July 6th for 6 weeks 

Speech-Language Pathology

• Individual Services focusing on:
  • Early communication and interaction skills
  • Parent coaching to identify the ways in which your child communicates and find the most effective parent-child interactions; including communication skills, verbal and non-verbal (e.g., gestures, eye contact), social skills (e.g., imitation) and early play skills.
  • Language skills for better understanding and self-expression
  • Motor speech intervention to support clients with apraxia, dysarthria, ataxia
  • Augmentative communication intervention (parent coaching and direct intervention for multi-modal supports such as signs, PECS, picture symbols, and communication devices)
  • Social skills (including conversation skills) and Social Thinking supports
  • Sessions can be modified to suit the client’s needs (30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes; weekly or bi-weekly)

Social Peers Program – Telepractice Edition

• ISAND’s clinicians have been developing a new model for Social Peers to create an effective e-learning social environment.  We now offer more structured sessions around key topics and themes; clinician-led activities; and parent participation to keep clients engaged.
• Small groups of 2-3 clients will meet weekly or bi-weekly (2 times) for engaging activities with a trained clinician.  Sessions can be modified to suit the clients’ needs (30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes).
• Telepractice peers sessions will focus on social communication skills, such as asking and answering questions, making comments, sharing (just enough) information, monitoring the peer’s engagement, showing and sharing ideas/materials. 
• New clients will be screened and have a trial session to ensure that telepractice is an appropriate way to target these skills; additional trials and/or individual social skills practice could be recommended for those needing extra support
• Existing clients (or previous social peers participants) will also be given the opportunity to have a trial session for the first appointment; clinicians will evaluate the client pairing suitability, motivation to participate in telepractice activities, and ability to benefit from this learning style
• Social peers sessions with be scheduled from June 22 – Sept 4^th (followed by feedback and reports the week of September 7^th)
• Themes for Summer Social Peers:
  • Animal Adventures:
    • Early Years: find great activities for kids who love Dora, Diego, Dino Dana, Wild Kratts!
    • School Age: explore habitats, learn from books and videos, and share activity ideas
  • Songs and Stories:
    • Early Years: sing action songs and hear repeating stories for building language, sharing ideas, and imitation skills
    • School Age: learn campfire songs; repeating songs; and collaborate to bring classic tales to life
  • Critter Club: for those who love the Blues Clues, Masha bear, Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol, activities with peers to ask/answer and think about these favourite characters
  • Travel Club: enjoy virtual tours to your favourite places, and join your peers in pretend play activities so you can see the zoo, the beach, a campsite, a picnic, and more!
  • Creative Crafting Club:
    • Preschool Creative Play: try at-home sensory exploration activities and develop looking and listening skills
    • School-Age Arts: learn to make, draw, craft and doodle while exploring new techniques to enhance fine motor and imitation skills
  • Cars, Trucks and Trains on the Go!
    • Early Years: listen and learn with peers who love their vehicles during games, stories, and activities
    • School Age: play games, share information; imagine new vehicles; explore
  • Master Builders: for interactive activities related to Minecraft; Lego; Magformers; and homemade creations – comment, brainstorm, explore, and try new ways to do things
  • Trading Card Club:for lovers of Yu-gi-oh and Pokemon; history, trivia, games, strategy and appreciation; share knowledge and try something new too
  • Youth Group:music appreciation and sharing/learning information about classics, new hits, and new artists; showcase your own talents if you dare, and learn about the back story of great performances

Ready to sign up?

If you are an existing client, please contact intake@isand.ca to schedule an individual appointment.  If you are a new client, start by completing an intake form available from our website.

We hope to see you soon! 

Maija Gulens, MS, CCC-SLP
ISAND l Clinical Director