Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Behaviour Consultation/Intervention (ABA) Programs

  • Every child is different. The recommended number of hours depends on your child's strengths, challenges, goals, age, and family priorities. During the intake process, our team will help determine an appropriate level of support based on your child's individual needs.

    • Comprehensive Program: A minium of 6 hours per week of one-on-one session

    • Growth Program: A minimum of 6 hours per month of one-on-one session and a minimum of one hour Behaviour Consultant lead session per month.

  • There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some children benefit from short-term support focused on specific goals, while others may require ongoing services as they develop new skills and face new challenges. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure services continue to meet your child's needs.

  • The Comprehensive Program provides a higher level of support and typically includes more direct intervention sessions (set schedule) and consultation time. The Growth Program offers a less intensive option with fewer consultations and one-to-one intervention sessions while still providing ongoing guidance and support from a Behaviour Consultant.

  • Yes. Many children participate in social skills groups, executive functioning programs, parent coaching, or other services alongside their Behaviour Intervention program. Our team can help determine which combination of services may be beneficial.

  • Yes. Families may request a change in program level as their child's needs change. Program transfers are subject to staff availability and may require adjustments to schedules, fees, and service recommendations.

Behaviour Consultation

  • A Behaviour Consultant oversees your child's program, develops goals, provides parent coaching, monitors progress, trains Behaviour Interventionists, and helps ensure consistency across home, school, and community settings.

  • The frequency depends on your program and individual needs. Some families meet weekly, while others meet less frequently. Consultation schedules are discussed during intake and adjusted as needed.

  • Yes. Families receive regular (usually monthly) updates regarding progress, goals, recommendations, and program planning. The frequency and format of reports may vary depending on the program.

    • Comprehensive: Yes. Behaviour Consultants may work directly with your child during assessments, consultation sessions, parent coaching sessions, program reviews, and skill-building activities when appropriate.

    • Growth: Yes. Behaviour Consultants work with your child one-on-one once per month to support progress toward the selected monthly goal.

  • Yes. Our Executive Director, Tahnee Lam, is actively involved in all programs at New Step. She oversees program development, reviews goals and recommendations, supports the clinical team, and monitors participant progress. Depending on the program, she may also participate directly in assessments, consultations, parent meetings, training sessions, and intervention activities.

Program & Services

Behavioural Intervention

  • Behaviour Interventionists work directly with your child to help develop skills related to communication, social interaction, executive functioning, emotional regulation, independence, play, daily living, and other individualized goals identified by the Behaviour Consultant.

    • Comprehensive: Whenever possible, we strive to provide consistency by assigning the same Behaviour Interventionist. However, staffing changes, scheduling needs, or program requirements may occasionally result in changes.

    • Growth: Not necessarily. The Growth Program operates on a drop-in model, so participants may work with different Behaviour Interventionists from session to session. Families can view the assigned Behaviour Interventionist for each session on the registration calendar before signing up. All Behaviour Interventionists receive guidance from the supervising Behaviour Consultant and have access to your child's program goals to help ensure consistency and continuity of support.

  • All Behaviour Interventionists receive ongoing training, supervision, and support from our Behaviour Consultants and clinical team. Programs are regularly reviewed to ensure quality and consistency.

Parent Involvement

  • Parent involvement is an important part of success. The level of involvement varies by family and program, but we encourage parents to participate in consultation meetings, learn strategies, and support skill development outside of sessions.

  • Yes. Our goal is to help families build practical skills and confidence. Parents receive individualized strategies and recommendations to support their child in everyday situations. Growth Program families also receive a monthly parent training video featuring practical strategies and tools to help reinforce learning and skill development at home. Comprehensive families are invited to participate in complimentary virtual parent meetings with our Executive Director, Tahnee Lam, typically offered every two to three months. During these sessions, parents can discuss challenges, ask questions, and receive additional strategies and guidance to support their child's success at home.

Progress & Outcomes

  • Progress is monitored through observations, data collection, parent feedback, skill assessments, and ongoing review of individualized goals.

  • Goals are reviewed regularly throughout the program and may be updated as your child develops new skills or priorities change.

  • Item descriptionIf progress is slower than expected, our team will review the program, identify potential barriers, and make adjustments to goals, teaching strategies, or supports as needed.

  • No. Because every child is unique, outcomes cannot be guaranteed. However, our team is committed to providing individualized, evidence-informed support and continuously monitoring progress.

Scheduling & Logistics

  • Service availability varies depending on the program type, staff schedules, and location. Our clinic is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week, excluding statutory holidays. Please note that clinic operating hours do not necessarily mean staff are available on-site at all times. Please contact us for current service availability and scheduling options.

  • Waitlist availability varies throughout the year. Please contact us to learn about current availability and estimated wait times.

  • The timeline varies depending on staffing availability, scheduling, funding approvals, and program needs. Some families may begin shortly after intake, while others may require additional wait time.

    • The Growth Program is designed to offer flexibility for families who require less intensive support. Unlike the Comprehensive Program, there is no fixed weekly intervention schedule.

    • For Behaviour Consultant-led sessions, families may register for available sessions up to two weeks in advance, subject to staff availability. Each participant may register for up to one session (1 hour) per week, with a maximum of two sessions per month. Session schedules vary based on staff and program availability and are not guaranteed.

    • For Behaviour Intervention sessions, families may register for available sessions up to two weeks in advance, subject to staff availability. Basic Growth participants may register for up to one Behaviour Intervention session (1 to 1.5 hours) per week, with a maximum of 8 intervention hours per month. Premium Growth participants may register for up to one to two Behaviour Intervention sessions (1 to 1.5 hours) per week, with a maximum of 10 intervention hours per month. Session schedules vary based on staff and program availability and are not guaranteed.

  • Cancellation policies are outlined in your service agreement. Fees may apply for late cancellations or missed appointments.

FAQ

Other

Funding & Fees

  • Yes. We accept AFU funding for eligible families and can assist with the required
    paperwork and funding processes.

  • Comprehensive Program: Starting at $1,559 per month

    Growth Program: Starting at $546 per month

  • Program recommendations vary by child and family. Our team will discuss
    expectations and service options during the intake process.

  • Yes. Consultation and Behaviour Intervention services are billed separately,
    allowing families to choose a program structure that best meets their needs.

Why choose New Step?

  • New Step combines Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Relationship
    Development Intervention® (RDI®), and Executive Functioning strategies
    to provide individualized, relationship-based support. We focus not only
    on skill acquisition, but also on helping children develop flexibility,
    independence, problem-solving abilities, and meaningful relationships.

  • Yes. While ABA principles form an important part of many programs, we
    also incorporate strategies from RDI®, executive functioning frameworks,
    parent coaching models, and other evidence-informed approaches when
    appropriate.

  • RDI® is a parent-guided approach that focuses on building dynamic
    thinking, social understanding, flexibility, emotional regulation, and
    meaningful relationships. RDI® principles may be incorporated into
    consultation, parent coaching, social skills programs, and individualized
    intervention plans.

  • Executive functioning skills are integrated throughout our programs.
    Depending on the child's needs, we may support areas such as planning,
    organization, time management, self-monitoring, task completion,
    flexibility, problem-solving, situational awareness and independent
    thinking.

  • Depending on program needs and availability, children may work directly
    with our Executive Director during consultations, assessments, parent
    coaching sessions, group programs, and specialized services. The
    Executive Director also provides clinical oversight and guidance to ensure
    quality across all programs.