The Geneva Center for Autism

As Alex and his family are fortunate enough to reside within the city of Toronto, they have access to the services provided by the Geneva Center for Autism.  An international leader in the development and delivery of clinical intervention services and training, the Geneva center offers a wide range of programs which Alex has begun to participate in, as well as resources to assist his parents, and educators.

The Asperger Program, at the Geneva Center is geared to “meet the needs of individuals with Aspergers who are between the ages of 12 and 18, and their families”.   Services provided include:

• Individualized consultation with members of a multidisciplinary team
• Series Workshops: Parent training on topics including behaviour, social communication and independent daily living
• Groups: Teen groups focusing on learning social boundaries, building self-esteem and coping with anger and anxiety
• Social settings: movie nights, held 8 times/year for individuals with Aspergers and their guests

In order to address the behaviours which are most in conflict with Alex’s academic and social success, Alex has begun attending Teen Groups at the Geneva Center, outside of the school day.  The skills learned through these groups are being reinforced in the home and in the school environment.  Alex is showing improved self-esteem and improved confidence in social settings.  He has even made a couple new friends.  The programs offered which are appropriate for Alex to attend are:

Coping with Anxiety / Anger Management

Using the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, participants learn strategies to help them manage anger and anxiety.  Participants learn how to identify their own anger and anxiety as well as possible triggers for expression of these emotions.  Group members develop a set of individualized “tools” (based on Tony Attwood’s Emotional Toolbox curriculum) to help “fix” negative emotions.  Strategies learned may include relaxation exercises, visualization, antidotes to “poisonous” thoughts, role play and rehearsal.  The group is run by a Behaviour Communication Consultant and a member of Geneva Centre for Autism’s clinical team. 

Understanding Asperger Syndrome and Building Self-Esteem

This group is designed for youth who are aware of their diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and would benefit from further explanation and support in understanding the diagnosis and developing self-esteem. Emphasis in placed on learning about one’s own strengths and challenges, developing respect for differences in other people and fostering self-acceptance. Some of the topics explored are:  differences inside and out; individual strengths and challenges, special interests, sensory differences, learning styles, dealing with emotions and who to tell about their diagnosis.  The group is run by a Behaviour Communication Consultant and a member of Geneva Centre for Autism’s clinical team.

Circles:  Learning Social Boundaries

This group explores the CIRCLES® Program to help explain interpersonal relationships that can sometimes be puzzling for children with ASD.  The CIRCLES® Program represents different types of inter-personal relationships as a series of different coloured concentric circles that radiate out from the individual.  Participants learn the differences between each circle and to distinguish between the different levels of talk, touch and trust associated with the different people in their lives.  Topics covered include the concepts of public and private, awareness of personal space, social boundaries, appropriate behaviour in the community, the definition of a friend compared to an acquaintance, the different levels of intimacy & trust, personal safety, and safety of others.