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The Geneva Centre For Autism is an educational and training organization in the field of autism in Toronto, Ontario. Geneva Center is an international leader in promoting community awareness and education for children, youth and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Mission
The mission is to empower individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and their families, to fully participate in their communities.

Goals:

Geneva Centre for Autism strives to:


 * Build the capacity and skills of individuals, families, community agencies and professionals to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder realize opportunities for successful community inclusion
 * Provide leadership in the development and delivery of services that are marked by excellence and flexibility and are grounded in evidence
 * Raise awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders and promote the rights of all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect

'''Values: '''

Our actions and relationships will demonstrate our core values of:


 * Accountability
 * Collaboration
 * Compassion
 * Trust

History
Geneva Centre for Autism was created in 1974 as a 3½ week residential camp for just 20 children with autism. Named for an international conference on autism that had taken place in Switzerland in 1974, this annual summer camp was the exclusive function of the Centre for the next three years. In 1977, government funding was granted for a follow-up program that allowed staff to travel across Ontario, visiting the homes of camp participants once each month.

This work continued until 1983, when research revealed that while camp participants made great strides during the camp program and monthly visits, they were struggling without continued support throughout the year. At this point, the Centre decided to re-direct its funding to a broader range of year-round non-residential services, and the government was very supportive. In 1984, the transition began. Geneva Centre for Autism started to change from a small-scale residential camp into a full service agency and resource centre. Geneva Centre for Autism’s programs and services are driven by a person-centred philosophy with emphasis on skill-building using evidence-based clinical practices and approaches that recognize the unique needs and strengths of an individual with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Centre is guided and supported by a Professional Advisory Council comprised of world-renowned experts in the field of Autism.

Whereas skill-building is critical in equipping individuals with an ASD to be active participants in their communities, it is just as important to equip communities to successfully include them. With the Centre’s vision of Successful Community Inclusion, Geneva Centre for Autism created the Training Institute in 1991 to promote community awareness and education on ASD. Only when communities are armed with the knowledge and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders and their impact on individuals and their families can they fully recognize the need for appropriate accommodations and support. Over the years, the Centre has grown to become a recognized leader in developing and implementing training programs on Autism Spectrum Disorders meeting the needs locally, across Canada and internationally.

Services
SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

At Geneva Centre for Autism, their services build skills in children so they can realize their potential. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and other community partners, they develop and deliver a wide range of innovative services that meet the unique needs of children on the Autism spectrum. These services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team that includes psychologists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and behavioural therapists.

SERVICES FOR PARENTS

Geneva Centre for Autism offers a wide range of services that are designed to support families who have a child diagnosed with an ASD. services are guided by an empowerment oriented approach that supports families to enhance their advocacy skills and coping strategies. The family is the centre of their intervention planning.

YOUTH AND ADULT SERVICES

Geneva Centre for Autism offers a wide range of services to youth and adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. All of services for youth and adults are guided by an empowerment-oriented approach whereby the unique strengths, abilities and interests of each individual are respected and emphasized.

Steps For Success: This program is designed to facilitate the successful transition from high school to community-based activities for young adults with an ASD.

Bridging Abilities: This program provides three days of structured group activities on a weekly basis to adults with an ASD. In addition, the program offers one-to-one support in the community in order to enable adults with an ASD to participate in those specific activities that reflect their unique interests and/or individualized learning objectives.

Adult Evening Groups: These member-driven groups allow adults with ASD to socialize with peers, access social support and/or engage in leisure activities.

Movie Night: 8 times each year, the Centre hosts a private showing of a recent feature film for individuals with Asperger Syndrome and their guests.

Respite: Temporary relief for parents and guardians from the physical and emotional demands involved in caring for a family member with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Fee-based Services: Alternative options to access appropriate and individualized clinical intervention and support on a fee-for-service basis.

Financial Assistance: Support provided to explore and access various sources of funding.

About Autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by core deﬁcits in three domains: social,interaction, communication, and repetitive or stereotypic behavior. The degree of impairment among individuals with ASD is variable, but the impact on affected individuals and their families is universally life-altering.The condition was initially described in the U.S. and European medical literature in the mid-1940s; however, references to individuals both ﬁctional and historical who apparently meet the ASD clinical proﬁle go back several centuries.

Classic autism and Asperger syndrome share three core diagnostic features: (1) difﬁculties in social development and (2) in the development of communication, alongside (3) unusually strong, narrow interests and repetitive behavior.

Mailing address
112 Merton Street

Toronto, Ontario

Canada

M4S 2Z8

Two blocks south of the Davisville subway station.

Tel: (416) 322-7877

Fax: (416) 322-5894


 * More Contact Info

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