The Special Abilities

The Special Abilities Board-Certified Behavior Analyst | Listed in OAP Provider List | Empowering families through ABA therapy.

Collaboratively working with families to create acceptance, appreciation, and awareness for individuals with developmental needs, and behavioral health concerns while supporting them to reach their fullest potential. Providing behavior analytic services through telehealth and in-person sessions based on competent, function-based, and empirically proven principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Are you wondering how to help your child gain the maximum benefit from therapy? The key lies not just in what happens du...
10/26/2025

Are you wondering how to help your child gain the maximum benefit from therapy? The key lies not just in what happens during sessions but what happens after.
Consistency, communication, and home reinforcement all play powerful roles in your child’s growth. Celebrate progress, stay patient, and remember that therapy is most effective when parents and therapists work as one team.

At The Special Abilities, we empower families to turn therapy goals into everyday skills.

10/23/2025

Toilet training can be one of the bigger hurdles for children on the autism spectrum. A recent systematic review found that behavioral strategies, especially when caregivers are involved, lead to better results in establishing toileting skills.

Other research shows that methods like video modeling, scheduled “toilet sits,” and reinforcing every success can meaningfully increase independent toileting in children with ASD.

Here are a few tips grounded in those studies:

Break down the routine into small, concrete steps (e.g. sitting, signaling, using the toilet).
Use visual supports or video modeling, so your child sees exactly what to do.
Schedule regular toilet times at the beginning and pick up on the child’s cues to prompt him to use the toilet
Reinforce attempts and successes immediately with praise or small rewards.
Involve caregivers: consistency across settings helps maintain and generalize the skill.
Every child’s pace is different. It needs structure, patience and a lot of consistency.

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10/20/2025

Every day, parents of children with special needs show what true strength and love look like.
They wake up early, stay patient through challenges, and never stop believing in their child’s potential.
You may not always be seen, but your dedication changes lives.
This reel is a small reminder that your efforts matter, your love matters, and you matter.
At The Special Abilities, we honor every parent walking this beautiful, sometimes hard, but deeply meaningful journey.
 

Car rides can sometimes feel overwhelming for children, especially those with sensory sensitivities or special needs. Pr...
09/22/2025

Car rides can sometimes feel overwhelming for children, especially those with sensory sensitivities or special needs. Preparing ahead can make the journey smoother and calmer. Packing your child’s favorite comfort item, like a blanket or soft toy, helps them feel secure. Playing familiar, calming music or an audiobook can also create a soothing environment. For longer trips, plan short stops to stretch, use the restroom, or simply take a break from the motion. These small adjustments can help reduce stress and make travel more enjoyable for your child and your family. Remember, every child is different, so notice what helps your child feel most comfortable and keep those strategies handy.

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Keeping children engaged in meaningful activities is more than just keeping them “busy.” For children with special needs...
09/17/2025

Keeping children engaged in meaningful activities is more than just keeping them “busy.” For children with special needs, interacting with their environment plays a vital role in learning, building independence, and improving emotional well-being. Structured activities help reduce challenging behaviors, create natural opportunities to practice skills, and strengthen family bonds. From simple playtime to exploring new environments, every interaction is a step toward growth. Remember, the goal is not perfection but consistency. A few minutes of interactive play or structured activity every day can make a lasting difference in your child’s development.

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Parenting a child with autism is a journey filled with love, learning, and unique challenges. Many parents face communic...
09/15/2025

Parenting a child with autism is a journey filled with love, learning, and unique challenges. Many parents face communication barriers, social isolation, and stress when navigating therapies and behaviors. It’s important to remember these challenges don’t define your child—they highlight the need for understanding and support. Building a strong support system, using evidence-based strategies like ABA therapy, and prioritizing self-care can help families thrive. Progress may look different for every child, but every step forward matters. You are not alone, and with the right tools and support, both you and your child can grow with confidence.
 
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As a parent of a child with special needs, you are your child’s strongest advocate. Building open communication with tea...
09/12/2025

As a parent of a child with special needs, you are your child’s strongest advocate. Building open communication with teachers ensures your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs are supported. Here are some meaningful questions you can ask to strengthen that home-school partnership.

09/10/2025

Every child deserves a voice, and AAC apps make that possible. Did you know there are different types of AAC apps?
Some use symbols for quick choices, others rely on text-to-speech for children who type. Hybrid apps grow with your child, while scene-based apps use real-life pictures to make communication more natural.
Choosing the right app depends on your child’s strengths and comfort. A speech or behavior therapist can help you decide the best fit. At The Special Abilities, we support families in finding tools that empower children to express themselves with confidence.

Helping children build focus is not about expecting them to sit still for hours. It’s about giving them the right tools ...
09/08/2025

Helping children build focus is not about expecting them to sit still for hours. It’s about giving them the right tools and environment to succeed. Simple strategies like creating a routine, breaking tasks into smaller steps, using visuals, and offering movement breaks can make a big difference. Every child’s attention span grows gradually, and your encouragement plays a key role in that journey. Remember, progress is more important than perfection.

Building confidence in children is a process, not a single step. As a therapist, I encourage parents to start by focusin...
09/04/2025

Building confidence in children is a process, not a single step. As a therapist, I encourage parents to start by focusing on their child’s strengths and celebrating small wins. Confidence grows when children are given the chance to try, make mistakes, and try again. Modeling confidence as a parent is powerful, because your child learns from watching how you handle challenges. Most importantly, praise their effort, not just the outcome, so they understand that persistence matters. Remember, every child’s journey is unique. With patience, encouragement, and a supportive environment, you can help your child build lasting confidence.

Dyslexia is a learning difference, not a reflection of intelligence. With the right support, children with dyslexia can ...
09/01/2025

Dyslexia is a learning difference, not a reflection of intelligence. With the right support, children with dyslexia can thrive in school and beyond. ABA therapy can help by breaking tasks into smaller steps, using positive reinforcement, and building strategies to reduce frustration. Early support is key to building confidence and success. At The Special Abilities, we’re here to guide your child’s journey toward learning and growth.

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4230 Sherwoodtowne Boulevard
Mississauga, ON

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