4-Week PDA Caregiver Group

This group was created in response to hundreds of caregivers who've told us: "I wish someone had explained this to me years ago."

Too many families feel lost after learning their child is an Autistic PDAer. Long waitlists, lack of informed providers, and conflicting advice can leave caregivers overwhelmed and alone. Our mission is to make Autism support accessible, affirming, and grounded in lived experience—so families can skip the years of trial and error and start feeling supported sooner.

Our groups support caregivers in the early stages of their PDA journey. They’re ideal if your child was recently identified as a PDAer, behavioural strategies haven’t worked, and you want to understand PDA more deeply while connecting meaningfully with other families on a similar path.

Yes! Our groups qualify as ongoing Occupational Therapy and are eligible under Autism Funding. We can help you submit a Request to Pay. They may also be covered through the At-Home Program, Distributed Learning funds, local bursaries (e.g., Variety Heart Fund), or extended health plans with OT coverage.

One-to-one therapy is fully individualized but often has long waitlists. Groups offer faster access, peer connection, and about 50% lower cost. Many caregivers find the shared experience helps ideas “stick” and reduces the isolation that often follows PDA identification.

We don’t just teach strategies in isolation. Our work is shaped by what Autistics of all ages have taught us, by deep partnerships with the Autistic community, and by lived experience on our team. Everything we share is practical, doable, and rooted in real life. Each group also includes guided time for caregivers to connect and learn from one another—something most programs don’t build in, but that matters just as much as the content itself.

Payment is collected in full when the group begins. Because each group depends on a minimum number of families for a meaningful peer experience, payments are non-refundable once the group starts. This helps us maintain consistent group size, keep costs lower, and focus fully on supporting you.

Each group requires a minimum of five caregivers to run. You’ll only be billed once the group officially starts. If the minimum isn’t met, families are notified at least seven days in advance, and we’ll guide you through a simple funding amendment so your Autism Funding isn’t tied up.

Life happens. We understand. If you can't make it to a session, you'll still receive the handouts, tools, and key takeaways. You may also be able to join the same session in the following month's cohort.

Only if you want to. Some caregivers like to share, while others prefer to listen — both are welcome. Our groups run more like guided workshops than open-ended discussions. We focus on sharing information and creating space to reflect, not on problem-solving each family’s individual situation.

From a high-level framework perspective, yes, including understanding meltdowns, shutdowns, demand avoidance, and sensory-related and communication behaviours. The groups focus on strengthening attachment, connection, understanding, and general support strategies at home. These foundations often improve relationship, and therefore regulation and participation. However, individualized behaviour support tailored to your family's unique dynamics is best provided through 1:1 services, as a short-term group setting cannot fully address those needs.