What: Pursuits helps adolescents and adults with ASD develop appropriate work behaviours, and fine-tune vocational, life and social skills in a structured, caring environment. Pursuits programs offered in the Spring 2012 session are as follows:

• Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES)® - A work and performance based curriculum that allows clients to explore and complete processes and products that are simulations of real-world job tasks.
• Skills for Life Workshop Series - A series of workshops with weekly topics such as nutrition, fitness and budgeting discussed in a group learning environment, then individualized life skills being addressed in the last hour of each class.
• Skills for Life – Individualized life skills, such as hygiene, housekeeping, and snack preparation, are targeted with personalized teaching.
• Autism Community Works® - A community based vocational training program where clients with ASD volunteer alongside typical peers at local not-for-profits.
• Work Experience – in partnership with London Drugs, Royal Oak location, participants receive supported, real, on-site employment experience and training for 33 hours.

Who: Individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Are aged 13 years and older as of the program start date
• Have an ASD diagnosis and have been informed of such
• Are able to commit to attend scheduled treatment session
• Parent/guardian approval

Selection Process: Demand is expected to be greater than available treatment spaces. Priority will be given to those families who have not yet accessed Pursuits programs. Any individual who is unable to access the program due to the high volume of interest will be added to the next session’s intake list.

When: The Winter 2012 session is currently full, but applications are being accepted for the Spring session which runs from April 3 to June 16, 2012. The deadline for acceptance into the Spring session is January 30, 2012.

Where: The treatment program is funded by Sinneave Family Foundation, and services are provided by Society for Treatment of Autism. Pursuits is offered at The Ability Hub located on the third floor of the Child Development Centre.

For further information, or to arrange a tour of The Ability Hub, please call 403.210.5000 or toll free 1.888.733.7976.