This page is updated regularly | Last updated: February 18, 2026
Table of Contents
Use this feature to quickly go to specific topics-of-interest on this page. Don’t worry, you can come back here at any time by clicking one of the “Jump to Table of Contents” buttons.
Community Resources
An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
The workshop offers an introduction to the diverse spectrum of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). We will discuss the unique strengths and challenges individuals with ASD navigate daily, while exploring strategies to create supportive environments.
Appropriate for: : Individuals, families and professionals.
Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Register by: May 22, 2026
Emotional Regulation – Virtual Workshop
Presenter: Jennifer Jacobs
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Register By: May 22, 2026
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Register By: June 19, 2026
This workshop will look at myths about emotions, explaining strategies to promote emotional regulation. This workshop would be suitable for caregivers who are struggling to help those that they care for cope with emotions. The idea that ‘all behaviour is communication’ will be explored along with ways to interpret the behaviour of nonverbal individuals.
Appropriate for: Parents and Caregivers.
Mental Health Services for Children and Youth in the Community – Virtual Speaker Series
Discover the mental health resources available for children and youth in our community. Our upcoming Speaker Series will guide you through the services offered by different agencies and how to access them.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
1pm to 2:30 pm
Speaker from Front Door
Register By: April 10, 2026
Register online on our website https://www.sdrc.ca/workshops-and-training/ Call 519-741-1121 ext. 2201 or email: r.khanam@sunbeamcommunity.ca
ASK A SLP ABOUT AAC (AUGMENTATIVE and ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION) – Virtual Workshop
In this information session the Speech-Language Pathologist will be sharing about what augmentative communication is and how it can help with comprehension and as a means of expression, what types of AAC systems are available, the difference in AAC apps and suggestions for getting started with AAC. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about using augmentative communication.
Appropriate for: Parents and Caregivers
Presenter: Tess Farrington, Communicative Disorders Assistant and Lorraine Otto, Speech-Language Pathologist
Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Register By: April 10, 2026
School Refusal – Virtual Workshop
Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers
Upcoming dates:
Presenter: Denise Burke
Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Time: 6 pm to 7 pm
Register By: March 27, 2026
Some of our clinics are:
-
- Ask A Behaviour Consultant Clinic
- Ask A Speech Language Pathologist Clinic
- Ask A Service Coordinator “Let’s Talk School” Clinic
- Intake Financial Clinic
- Speech Language Pathology Clinic
For specific information on each clinic and dates please visit: www.sdrc.ca/clinics. Call Rehana Khanam at 519-741-1121, ext. 2201 to register.
Brightside Sibling Group
Free group for children 11 and under who have a sibling with autism (registered with OAP).
- Supporting, fun, and safe space where you can connect with others who understand your experiences
- Facilitated by our Clinical Therapists
- Increase your understanding of autism
- Opportunity to share concerns about the future
- Problem solving and perspective taking
- Learn how to support your sibling and yourself!
Morning and Afternoon Sessions Available
Thursday, March 19, 2026 (RSVP by March 12, 2026)
Register for one session per child by emailing Rehana at r.khanam@sunbeamcommunity.ca
Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services.
65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener, ON, N2C 2H6
Offered as part of SDRC’s Foundational Family Supports through the OAP.
Groups at SDRC
Autism Social Skills Group
SDRC offers a 6-week Social Skills Group to children/youth with an autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 11 and 17 years. A referral is required as this is not a drop-in group. The Six-Week Group runs on Tuesday evenings from 5:00 pm-6:30 pm.
SDRC offers a Monthly Social Group for youth between the ages of 14 and 17 years with an autism spectrum disorder with no intellectual disability. Individuals must be able to be independent. The purpose of the group is to help individuals develop social skills. A referral is required as this is not a drop-in group.
Please call 519-741-1121 for more information about how to join.
The Weekly Mothers’ Support Group at SDRC
The Mothers’ Support Group is a 6-week group, providing the opportunity for mothers to discuss a range of topics related to parenting a child with an intellectual disability and/or autism. Topics include: understanding and sharing the diagnosis, grief and resilience, community resources, behavioural challenges and self-care. Guest speakers from the community and SDRC also contribute their expertise.
The group is a great way to connect with other mothers who understand your daily experience. It is a small group, for
6 – 10 members, and runs for 6 consecutive weeks.
Two times are offered:
– Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
– Thursday mornings from 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Groups are offered 2 – 3 times per year. Please call 519-741-1121 for more information about how to join.
The Monthly Mothers’ Group
Monthly Mothers’ groups of SDRC are offered at two different times:
Daytime: The last Friday of the month
from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Evening: The last Tuesday of the month
from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
The purpose of the group is to connect with other mothers, share ideas, learn more about community resources and get support. Speakers are often invited to share information on topics of interest to group members. Some of the topics discussed in the past year were: anxiety, school issues and grief.
Please call 519-741-1121 for more information about how to join.
The Monthly Fathers’ Support Group
The Fathers’ Support group is open to fathers in Waterloo Region who have a child (of any age) with an intellectual disability and/or autism. The group meets monthly.
It is a great opportunity for dads to discuss a wide range of topics related to parenting a child with an intellectual disability and/or autism. Fathers learn from guest speakers as well as from each other, sharing wisdom, understanding and a chance to talk to other dads who “get it”.
Some of the topics discussed in the past year were: mindfulness, sharing the diagnosis and advocating for your child.
The Fathers Support Group meets on the
3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
Please call 519-741-1121 for more information about how to join.
Who Can Access Services:
-
- Children, youth, and families living with or suspected of having FASD
- Ages: Up to 18 years old, or up to 21 if still attending school
- Must reside in the Waterloo Region
Referral Process:
-
- Referrals can be made via Plexus
- Eligible referrers include:
- The individual or their legal guardian
- Extended family members
- Family physicians
- Agencies acting on behalf of the individual/family (with permission)
- Individuals aged 16+ must provide consent if they understand the implications of assessment/treatment
Support Offered:
-
- Coordination and guidance from FASD Coordinators
- Resources for caregivers, health professionals, and social service providers
- Information and assistance regarding eligibility and services
Need Help or Have Questions?
Contact the FASD Coordinators at SDRC directly for clarification on eligibility or services for children under 18 at: plexusfasd@sunbeamcommunity.ca
They can also be found on Instagram and Twitter at – @Plexus Fasd Iike, follow, share and connect!
Referrals can be made here: Plexus Referral
sunbeam-centre.ontarionow.ca/self-referral/?aLanguage=
FASD Ontario Webinars
FASD Ontario has a resource page with past webinar recordings that cover a wide variety of topics within FASD including FASD and cannabis, FASD prevention, supporting parents raising children with FASD and more.
www.fasdinfotsaf.ca/webinars.
Recreation and Wellness Programs of SCDS
The team introduces the monthly Recreation and Wellness Calendar of Events, which contains information and details for all group activities at Sunbeam. It can be found on the Sunbeam Community website here:
www.sunbeamcommunity.ca/recreation-wellness-program
These programs are eligible for Passport funding for adults 18 and older, and are also available as fee-for-service options for children aged 12 and up.
For more information and registration, please contact the Recreation & Wellness department via phone: 519-893-6200 (ext. 1211) or email: recreation@sunbeamcommunity.ca
DSO Central West
DSO CWR is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, is one of nine DSO’s in Ontario and is administered by Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services.
What services can you apply for?
There are many different services offered across the province. Some of the services that may be available in your area include:
-
- housing supports
- respite for your caregivers
- supports to help you take part in the community
- specialized and clinical supports
- Adult Protective Service Worker Program
- Passport program
Please check their website, www.dsocwr.ca, for more information.
Community Resources
We want to provide an informative resource that will be a useful guide for you. Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre does not necessarily endorse the information contained in this Update. The purpose is to provide information to the community. It is up to the reader to decide what is useful for them. We make every effort to ensure that our information is accurate and relevant. We apologize for any errors or omissions that occur.
AccessOAP
Intake Organization to connect you with autism programs and services available to your family through the Ontario Autism Program.
If you have questions about the New Access-OAP, how to create an account or the Ontario Autism Program visit these websites:
Autism Ontario Calendar of Upcoming Events
Autism Ontario helps all individuals with autism and families in their communities have access to meaningful supports, information, and connections so they are equitably and seamlessly supported across their life course.
www.autismontario.com/events
CMHA Suicide Prevention Guide ‘Lean in and Listen’ is available online now
Lean in and Listen: A guide to help prevent suicide can help when someone needs it most. Inside the guide, you’ll find; what to say (and not say) when someone reaches out for help, what it means to be a “trusted person”, step-by-step instructions for creating a safety plan. Please check at this link below:
https://cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/CMHA-Lean-In-and-Listen-Suicide-Prevention-Guide.pdf
9-8-8
9-8-8 is a national helpline in Canada that gives people access to suicide prevention services via call or text. It’s available in all provinces and territories, 24/7 and free of charge. Its goal is to prevent suicide. Calls and texts will be directed to a network of partners in communities across the country. People can call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English and French.
Groups and Workshops at Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health
Groups are ongoing sessions, typically meeting weekly for about 8 weeks. Workshops are one-time events focused on specific topics.
Please visit their website at www.caminowellbeing.ca/groups-workshops for details.
To register for any group or workshop, please email groups@caminowellbeing.ca or call 519-743-6333.
Intro to the RDSP
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 1pm
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 2pm
School-Issue Parent Support Group of WRFN
This peer-led group provides support, advice and a safe environment for parents who have questions or concerns about school issues affecting their children with special needs. The WRFN (Waterloo Region Family Network) School Issues Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of each month during the school year. For more information, please contact Lisa Cook at lisa.cook@wrfn.info.
Special Education Resource Guide of Community Living Ontario (CLO)
Navigating Special Education in Ontario
A Guide for Students, Parents and Caregivers
This guidebook is intended to provide information for parents, caregivers, and community organizations that support students with disabilities. No matter your role, access to information is key when advocating for students throughout their learning journey.
Please check CLO’s website to see the Special Education Resource Guide
Belwood Lodge and Camp Registration
Belwood Lodge and Camp is now advertising registration for its 2026 season. Located in Belwood, Ontario, Belwood Lodge and Camp is an overnight summer camp dedicated to meeting the recreational needs of children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities.
Since 1946, Belwood Lodge and Camp has provided an engaging, safe holiday experience for people with intellectual disabilities. They offer music, dance, swimming, adaptive sports, science, nature, campfire, group games and many more. One, two, and three-week sessions are available, and the program is passport funding friendly. Registration and additional information are available by visiting www.belwoodlodgeandcamp.com emailing office@belwoodlodgeandcamp.com, or calling 519-843-1211.
To better serve our community, we have moved to an online format in the fall of 2025.