Adult Education Groups

Group programs for adults with autism or intellectual disabilities.

In-person & virtual educational group programs provide autistic adults and those with intellectual disabilities a supportive and collaborative environment to develop beneficial life skills and connect with their peers. Groups run for 8-10 weeks at a time, once a week for 1.5 hours per session.

Eligibility

Individuals must be 18 years and older with intellectual/developmental disabilities or a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Adult Social Skills Groups

Anger Management for Adults

An 9-week program providing coping strategies for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disabilities (ID) to deal with anger and emotional regulation.

Dating101 for Adults

An 8-week program that prepares adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID) for dating and relationships beyond being “just friends”.

Adapted-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

An educational group for adults with autism or intellectual disabilities that aims to enhance skills in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. The learning environment will include role-playing, written activities, and group discussions.

Healthy Sexuality for Adults

A 10-week program for adults with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities to gain knowledge about healthy sexuality and relationships.

Building Lasting Friendships for Adults

Building Lasting Friendships is an 9-week group program that teaches adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities social and communication skills needed to build friendships.

Healthy Relationships Group

An 9-week program that shows adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities how to build safe, healthy relationships.

Internet Safety for Adults

A 9-week group program teaching safe and secure internet usage for adults with autism or intellectual disabilities.

Adapted-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

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An educational group that aims to enhance skills in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. The learning environment will include role-playing, written activities, and group discussions.

The group welcomes participants who may be struggling with the following:

Managing emotions (e.g. anger, jealousy, sadness, etc.)
Managing situations in which one feels distressed
Getting along with others
Have negative thoughts, suicidal ideation or engage in self-harm
Have difficulty self-soothing

Session Dates

27 Week Program
Starting September 25, 2024 - April 16, 2025
Weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM or 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
In-person at 900 Hopkins St. Unit 8, Whitby, ON. L1N 6A9

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information: Call 343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

ELIGIBILITY

Individuals must be 18 years and older with intellectual/developmental disabilities or a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills
Discrimination skills
Participate in sessions with limited caregiver assistance
Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour

to Register

For DSO-eligible clients residing in Durham please contact Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) at 1-855-277-2121. Deadline for Registration: September 3, 2024

Fee: FREE

For non-DSO eligible clients or those residing outside of the Durham Region, a group fee applies. Book a call with the Service Navigator here. Deadline for Registration: September 3, 2024

Fee: TBD

Stay in the Know

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

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Anger Management for Adults

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information: Call 343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

Developing practical skills to cope with anger

A 9-week group program delivered virtually over video conference providing coping strategies for adults with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities.

Topics can include

Identify and communicate feelings
Types of anger
Helpful and unhelpful ways of dealing with anger
Coping strategies
Problem-solving
Assertiveness skills

Session Dates

Starting October 23, 2024, from 2:00pm - 3:30pm
1.5 hours weekly
In-person at 900 Hopkins Street, Whitby

Eligibility

Participants must be 18 years and older with intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID) or a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills • Discrimination skills • Echoic skills • Motor imitation skills • Ability to follow common 1-step instructions • Participate in session with limited caregiver assistance • Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour

TO REGISTER

For DSO-eligible clients residing in the Durham Region make a referral through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) at 1-855-277-2121.

Register by October 16, 2024.

Fee: FREE

Due to capacity limits, making a referral through the DSO does not guarantee a spot until Lake Ridge has confirmed your registration.

For non-DSO eligible clients or those residing outside of the Durham Region, a group fee applies. Book a call with the Service Navigator here.

Register by October 1, 2024.

Fee: $823.50

Stay in the Know

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

Join the Newsletter

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Dating 101 for Adults

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information:

343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR dating and relationships beyond being “just friends”.

A 9-week group program that prepares adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disabilities (ID) for dating and relationships.

Topics can include:

Types of relationships
Understanding consent
Hygiene, appearance and preparing for a date
Body cues and flirting
How to determine your relationship status
Dating etiquette
Dating safety and assertiveness
Healthy versus unhealthy relationships
Coping with breaks-ups and rejection

Session Dates

9 Week Program
Starting Week of December 2, 2024 - February 3, 2024
In-person at 900 Hopkins St. Unit 8, Whitby, ON. L1N 6A9

Eligibility

Eligible Adults will be 18 years and older, have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder/Intellectual Disability and must provide their own transportation to and from sessions.

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills • Discrimination skills • Echoic skills • Motor imitation skills • Ability to follow common 1-step instructions • Participate in session with limited caregiver assistance • Ability to sit independently for 20 minutes • Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour

TO REGISTER

For DSO-eligible clients residing in the Durham Region make a referral through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) at 1-855-277-2121.

Register by November 18, 2024.

Fee: FREE

Due to capacity limits, making a referral through the DSO does not guarantee a spot until Lake Ridge has confirmed your registration.

For non-DSO eligible clients or those residing outside of the Durham Region, a group fee applies. Book a call with the Service Navigator here.

Register by November 4, 2024.

Fee: $845.11

Stay in the know

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

Join the Newsletter

Back to Groups

Healthy Sexuality for Adults

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information:

343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

A 10-week program for adults with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities to gain knowledge about healthy sexuality and relationships.

Topics can include:

Different types of relationships
Public vs. private acts
Many roads to relationships
Anatomy
Sexual feelings and attractions
Communication and decision-making about sex
Pregnancy
Online dating and social media

Session Dates

Get notified the next time this group is accepting enrollments.

Starting week of January 13, 2025
1.5 hours weekly
In-person at 900 Hopkins Street, Whitby

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Adults will be 18 years and older, have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder/Intellectual Disability and must provide their own transportation to and from sessions.

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills • Discrimination skills • Echoic skills • Motor imitation skills • Ability to follow common 1-step instructions • Participate in sessions with limited caregiver assistance • Ability to sit independently for 20 minutes • Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour

Participation REQUIREMENTS

Access to an internet connection • Electronic device • Private space for learning

TO REGISTER

For DSO-eligible clients residing in the Durham Region make a referral through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) at 1-855-277-2121.

Register by December 30, 2024.

Fee: FREE

Due to capacity limits, making a referral through the DSO does not guarantee a spot until Lake Ridge has confirmed your registration.

For non-DSO eligible clients or those residing outside of the Durham Region, a group fee applies. Book a call with the Service Navigator here.

Register by December 16, 2024.

Fee: $926.95

Stay in the Know

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

Back to Groups

Building Lasting Friendships for Adults

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information:

343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

A 9-week group program that teaches adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities social and communication skills needed to build friendships.

Topics can include:

Greeting others
Initiating, and maintaining conversations
Nonverbal cues/reading body language
Levels of friendship
Good vs. bad friends
Assertiveness
Conflict resolution

Session Dates

Starting week of February 24, 2025
1.5 hours weekly
In-person at 900 Hopkins Street, Whitby

Eligibility

Eligible Adults will be 18 years and older and have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disabilities (ID). For virtual groups click here to view Virtual Participation Requirements.

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills • Discrimination skills • Echoic skills • Motor imitation skills • Ability to follow common 1- step instructions • Participate in session with limited caregiver assistance • Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour.

TO REGISTER

For DSO-eligible clients residing in the Durham Region make a referral through Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) at 1-855-277-2121.

Register by February 10, 2025.

Fee: FREE

Due to capacity limits, making a referral through the DSO does not guarantee a spot until Lake Ridge has confirmed your registration.

For non-DSO eligible clients or those residing outside of the Durham Region, a group fee applies. Book a call with the Service Navigator here.

Register by January 27, 2025.

Fee: $845.11

Stay in the Know

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

Back to Groups

Healthy Relationships for Adults

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information: Call 343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

Eligibility

Eligible Adults will be 18 years and older, have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disabilities (ID) and reside in the Durham Region. Click here to view Virtual Participation Requirements.

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills
Discrimination skills
Echoic skills
Motor imitation skills
Ability to follow common 1-step instructions
Participate in session with limited caregiver assistance
Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour.

skills for building safe, healthy, and mutually beneficial relationships in all aspects of life

A 9-week group for adults with autism or intellectual disabilities on understanding and developing relationship skills.

Topics can include:

Types of relationships
Public vs Private
Unhealthy vs healthy relationships
Conflict Resolution
Self-Esteem
Assertiveness in relationships
Consent
Rights and Responsibilities

Session Dates

9 Week Program
Starting week of March 24, 2025
In-person or Virtual TBD

To Register

Registration is now closed.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

Join our Newsletter

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Internet Safety for Adults

A 9-week group program teaching safe and secure internet usage for adults with autism or intellectual disabilities.

Topics can include:

Phishing and Scams
Trading personal information online
Talking with people online
Recognizing unsafe people online
Online Bullying

Session Dates

9 Week Program
Next Group will be in 2025
1.5 hours weekly on Tuesdays from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
In-person or Virtual TBD

Eligibility

Individuals must be 18 years and older with intellectual/developmental disabilities or a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

INDIVIDUAL SKILL REQUIREMENTS

Joint attention skills
Discrimination skills
Participate in sessions with limited caregiver assistance
Safety concerns and challenging behaviour are low and/or caregivers are able to safely manage any challenging behaviour

Need more information?

Contact Natalie Driscoll for more information: Call 343-227-6822 or email adultgroups@lrcss.com

Registration

Registration is now closed.

Stay in the Know

Join our email list or follow us on social media to be notified of upcoming groups.

Join the Newsletter

Back to Groups