Caregiver Capacity-Building Group
for Families Living with Autism

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What it’s about:

Supporting a child or youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can present ongoing and complex challenges for parents and caregivers.

This support, education, and coaching group is designed to enhance caregiver capacity, confidence, and skills to help you support your child’s development, well-being, and participation in daily life.

This program provides caregiver coaching and support through an evening group format, delivered in a positive, compassionate, strength-based, and supportive environment. The group offers an integrated approach that promotes caregiver understanding, skill development, and problem-solving related to supporting a child or youth with ASD.

The group will be individualized to the needs of participating caregivers and will provide a safe and supportive space to engage in caregiver education, mentoring, and coaching.

Sessions will focus on:

  • Building connections and shared understanding among caregivers

  • Education and information related to autism and caregiver strategies

  • Sharing resources and practical tools

  • Collaborative brainstorming, consultation, and problem-solving related to caregiving challenges

  • Strengthening caregiver skills to support their child’s goals

All sessions will be facilitated by a professional Registered Social Worker with experience supporting families of children and youth with ASD.

Additional individualized caregiver coaching or support to address specific family or caregiving needs may be available upon request and as appropriate.

Program Details

  • When: Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm to 8pm (April 14 - June 2, 2026)

  • Where: The Drop Parry Sound (14 James St., downtown Parry Sound)

  • Cost: $50 / night ($400+ hst) *this program may be eligible for OAP funding and/or insurance; please check with your provider to confirm

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about your facilitator

Linda Rankin (MSW RSW) is a social worker, therapist, and advocate for creating stronger support systems for families and individuals living with Autism. Linda presents Autism education workshops for parents/caregivers, community members, and professionals across our region.

Highlights of her career include a variety of senior management roles, community development responsibilities, postsecondary teaching positions and mental health clinical leadership positions. Also included was her time with the North Bay Regional Health Centre, where she was the Coordinator responsible for decentralization of children’s psychiatric beds for the four Northeastern Ontario hospitals. While there, she also developed a set of Core Competencies for training staff working in the Mental Health and Addiction programs.

Caregiver Capacity Registration