Niagara Children’s Centre Behaviour Program Helps Young Child and Family Thrive

October 23, 2025

Niagara Children’s Centre Behaviour Program Helps Young Child and Family Thrive

St. Catharines, ON – With every sticker placed on his Spider-Man-themed token board, four-year-old Allan knows he’s one step closer to his daily reward of yoga and extra outdoor time.

Allan was referred to Niagara Children’s Centre after struggling with big emotions, intense meltdowns, and difficulty transitioning between activities in daycare settings. His family was introduced to the Centre’s Behaviour Analyst, who worked with them to develop strategies that would help Allan thrive in his daily routines.

“Since working with the Behaviour Analyst, our son is having more strong days with fewer meltdowns, and even when challenges come up, they don’t last as long,” said Arethea Harris, mother of Allan. “The strategies we’ve learned have become second nature for our family and made daily life so much smoother.”

One of those strategies was the introduction of a token board, an effective support tool that rewards positive behaviour. The board helps children understand and track their progress as they earn tokens for actions like sharing, helping, completing tasks, or using kind words. Once they collect enough tokens, they receive a reward. This approach helps children learn patience, follow routines, and celebrate their positive choices along the way.

The family recalls another early success that stood out as they implemented a plan to help Allan transition between activities, such as from outdoor play to indoor table work.

“With guidance from the Behaviour Analyst, we added a snack break at the table and then transitioned to table activities,” said Harris. “It was such a small adjustment, but it completely changed how he handled those moments — he went from crying and resisting to calmly joining in. It was the first time we felt like we were really moving forward together.”

Stories like Allan’s are made possible thanks to the Centre’s Behaviour Services Program, funded by a $100,000 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The program provides children and families with individualized behavioural supports, with a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) working alongside families and clinicians to assess behaviour and create personalized intervention plans.

Recognizing the impact of this investment, Niagara’s elected provincial representatives emphasized how specialized behavioural supports can change the lives of local children and families.

“I’m so proud to see the Ontario Trillium Foundation supporting Niagara Children’s Centre with this important investment,” said Wayne Gates, MPP for Niagara Falls. “This $100,000 grant is helping to ensure children with developmental delays get the specialized behavioral support they need to thrive. The work being done here is life-changing for kids and families across Niagara, and I want to thank the staff, the families, and every supporter of the Centre for the incredible difference they make in our community.”

With this support, Niagara Children’s Centre has been able to tailor behavioural strategies to each child’s unique needs. For Allan, this included personalized visual supports, token boards, coaching caregivers, movement breaks, and guidance on transitions — all of which have helped him navigate home routines, sibling interactions, and classroom activities with less intense meltdowns, greater independence and confidence.

“Niagara Children’s Centre is an essential part of our community, giving children and families the supports they need to thrive,” added Jennie Stevens, MPP for St. Catharines. “This Ontario Trillium Foundation grant will help the Centre pilot an innovative program that addresses the social and emotional needs of children with developmental delays. By investing in early and specialized supports, we are ensuring that more children can reach their full potential in school, at home, and in the community. This is about more than health care; it is about dignity, opportunity, and building brighter futures for families across Niagara.”

Families seeking support from Niagara Children’s Centre can do so through a referral from their primary healthcare provider, a community partner organization, or by self-referring through the organization’s website.

“Receiving support from the Centre has been a blessing for our family and more support is needed for families facing the same challenges,” said Harris. “As a parent of a neurodivergent child, you must give both yourself and your child a lot of grace and patience. It’s a big learning journey, so ask questions, and remember to take moments to breathe. Giving yourself time to rest and reset is just as important as supporting your child.”

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About Niagara Children’s Centre:
Niagara Children’s Centre provided rehabilitation and child development services to more than 5,900 children and youth last year across the Niagara Region with physical, developmental and communicative delays. The range of services include: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, augmentative and alternative communication, family services and therapeutic recreation.

For further information contact:
Michael Morrison, Marketing & Communications Officer
Phone: 905-688-1890 ext. 260
Email: michael.morrison@niagarachildrenscentre.com