Philosophy

The Centre operates under a Neurodiversity framework and a person-centered model. This means that we define autism as a developmental disability that affects how people think, understand the world, move, communicate, and socialize. The Autistic brain is a natural variation. We endeavor to understand each person’s specific context, dreams, and goals to support their achievement. Our services and programs reflect what is important to autistic people. We are constantly evaluating our services and keeping up to date on current best practices because if better is possible, we do it. We also recognize that at different stages of life, family/guardians are key decision-makers for and with their dependents. We work as a team that includes the autistic person, their family, multi-disciplinary personnel, and others from the autistic person’s community. The environment and people within it adapt to meet each individual’s needs, creating a sense of belonging and participation in all activities and settings. We integrate developmental and behavioural sciences employing strategies in natural activities and routines to teach skills and promote success. We maximize effectiveness by using empirical findings, professional experience, and the values and preferences of persons served. Our services and programs are inclusive of and responsive to overlapping identities, cultures, and unique experiences.