Nurturing Potential. Supporting Families.Mississauga & the GTA
Bloom Abilities — Nurturing Potential. Supporting Families.
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For the preteen and teenage years

Groundwork at Bloom

Small-group skills programming for autistic young people ages 10–17

Build skills for friendships, shared responsibilities and greater independence through sport, art, music and everyday activities. Supervised by a registered behaviour analyst.

Ask about Groundwork
An adult speaking with a group of young people wearing sports bibs on an outdoor playing field.
AI-generated illustration.

Groundwork at a glance

Age groups
10–13 and 14–17
When
Weekday evenings and Saturdays
Support ratio
2 or 3 young people per therapist
Term
12 weeks, with set hours and a set price

Ask about the next term, available places, location, hours and price.

Skills for everyday life

Growing independence.
Stronger connections.

Growing older brings new social situations, choices and responsibilities. Groundwork supports autistic young people as they build friendships, manage challenges and take more responsibility in daily life.

Each young person has different strengths and priorities. Goals may include:

Learning through shared interests

Real activities,
with a purpose.

Sessions run on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Young people practise skills through activities that reflect their interests, with support matched to their goals.

Basketball and other team games offer chances to communicate and make decisions together. Art projects, drumming and music create opportunities to plan, share ideas and follow through. Cooking and community outings bring practical skills into everyday situations.

The focus is on skills each young person can use beyond the session, at home, at school and with other people.

Skills built where they’re actually used — in a game, a band, a kitchen, a room full of people.

Participation starts with choice

A group that fits.

Groups are organised for ages 10–13 and 14–17. We also consider shared interests and support needs when matching participants. Each group has two or three young people per therapist.

We choose activities with young people’s interests in mind. We explain what the program involves, and each young person chooses to take part. Their preferences and boundaries matter throughout.

Individual goals. A clear plan and price.

Groundwork runs as a twelve-week term with a set number of hours and a set price. You know the full cost before you begin.

Each participant has their own goals within the group. We agree on your child’s goals with you at the start and review them with you at the end of the term.

Care you can understand

Supervision
and funding.

Every group is planned and supervised by a behaviour analyst registered with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO). Read about professional roles and supervision.

Groundwork is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) delivered in a group. Ontario Autism Program (OAP) core clinical services funding can cover eligible ABA services. Check that your child’s funding covers the program before you enrol. Read Ontario’s core clinical services guidelines.

We help you understand your funding at no charge, whether or not you enrol with us. Explore fees and funding.

Find out whether Groundwork fits

Let’s talk about
the next term.

Ask about available places, location, hours and price. Your first conversation is free, by phone or your preferred remote format. Expect a reply within 48 hours.

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