About
Beyond the Walls is a program created to encourage independence, wellness, improved mental health, community involvement, joy and resilience in neurodivergent adolescents (who may have Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or similar neurodevelopmental disorders).
The focus of this program is to build capacity among neurodivergent youth to become more independent and to have a safe place to learn to use social strategies in everyday community activities.
Friendships in Leisure
The upcoming Beyond the Walls module will focus on Friendships in Leisure. This module promotes the development of social relationship skills while participating in inclusive leisure activities. Participants will be provided with opportunities to initiate friendships, engage in positive interactions with peers, practise good sportsmanship skills and discover shared interests in a group setting. Activities can include dinner at a restaurant, a night at the movies, an art class and more.
This module consists of six sessions. Sessions will be off-site and in the community or at Grandview Kids in Ajax. Families will be responsible for pick-up and drop-off for the community activities. Grandview Kids staff will meet participants at the specified community location. Families will be provided with specific locations prior to the start of the module.
Date: Thursday evenings, from October 15 to November 19, 2026
Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Grandview Kids’ Ajax HQ, The Jerry Coughlan Building (1461 Harwood Ave N.) or in the community.
Cost: $30 per participant.
- Workshop development and program supervision are overseen by Grandview Kids staff. This group is for leisure purposes only. As a result, registration costs are not covered under OAP Core Clinical Services funding.
Please note:
The timing may change depending on the activity for the week and will be communicated to families ahead of time, along with the location of each event.
Eligibility
Participants must:
- Be neurodivergent youth between the ages of 13 and 19 years of age
- Benefit from explicit direction in the program topics
- Be able to manage in a group environment of three participants to one staff
- Have a reliable method of communicating their wants and needs
- Not engage in harmful behaviour to self or others
- Respect a closed door
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures
You must meet the current health guidelines and complete a health screen to visit Grandview Kids.
At this time, masks are not required to attend this program. Updates to masking requirements may change. We will let you know if this changes.
Cancellation Policy
Groups are non-refundable if the participant can’t attend one or more sessions.
Questions?
If you have questions, please email PurchasedServices@grandviewkids.ca or call us at 905-728-1673 (toll-free at 1-800-304-6180) and press “5” to connect with the Purchased Services Team.
