Society for Autism Support and Services

and, other parts of the country, when requested. We are a large multi-disciplinary team of psychologists, behavioural consultants, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, teachers, early intervention therapists, behavioural therapists, adolescent and adult facilitators, program supervisors and managers who provide a range of services across ages and across the autism spectrum. We believe in people with autism and know the benefits that tested and scientifically proven supports and services can bring. All our programs are designed to maximize each individual’s potential

We rely on the tested and scientifically proven principles and use a naturalistic, developmental and behavioural approach that incorporates each child’s strengths, interests and preferences. Individual programs focus on skill development within a variety of functional areas that impact individual or family functioning within daily routines and activities. The programs and services provided by SASS are individualized to meet the needs of each individual and family we serve, evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and family-centered. Family members are critical and are encouraged to actively participate in all aspects of programming. When an individual enters one of our programs, a functional assessment of strengths and needs is completed. This typically involves observation, file review, objective data collection, discussion with parents/caregivers, and, when warranted, standardized testing. Prioritized programming goals are established by the parents/guardians with the assistance of our multidisciplinary team. We emphasize the importance of functional social-communicative skills, while considering the most appropriate mode of communication. Visual supports are an integral part of our programming and are individualized. We teach reciprocal social interactions, with a focus on initiation, developing a broad base of communicative functions, while ensuring that all goals and supports meet the individual at their communicative level. We know learning is enhanced when people are having fun, so activity-based learning is employed across all of SASS’s programs and services. Our Services
Society for Autism Support and Services (SASS) operates a range of programs in and around the city of Calgary. These programs are designed to meet the needs of people with Autism and their families. Early Intervention Program provides programs for children from the time of diagnosis to 6 years and their families. Programs include a Specialized Service for toddlers, combined Specialized Services and Program Unit Funding (PUF) and Specialized Services only. Programming is conducted in the home, and community. Out-Of-Home Living Program offers a range of out-of-home living arrangements for children/youth from 6 to 18 years old. Therapeutic Aftercare offers afterschool and/or weekend support for children/youth from 6 to 18 years old. Depending on needs, services are provided in the family home or at the Group Living Centre. Adolescent and Adult Services offers a variety of skill building programs for individuals aged 13 years and older. These include vocational and life skills training, as well as work experience and employment programs. Additionally, Society for Autism Support and Services is proud to be the host agency for Ready Willing and Able. Community Education/ Consultation offers Behavioural (overseen by a Registered Psychologist), Psychological, Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy consultation on a fee for service basis. Services provided include individual assessment and intervention, group intervention and community workshops. All services are contingent upon available resources. Counselling in person or via telehealth/video conferencing Mental Health Across the Autism Spectrum Counselling Service offers a variety of options for individuals age 10+ and their family members. In order to benefit from counselling, individuals must have the ability to talk with a counsellor about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We offer individual, family, and group counselling sessions with clinicians with expertise in Autism and mental health.