DASCH Specialized Support

Where skills lead to independence

Personalized support for life-long growth.

Our Specialized Support team works with the people we support to develop life skills and engage with their community.

Upon request, the team evaluates the individual needs of the people we support and assists them, their families, and their support teams.

The process can include assessments of a person’s skill levels, strengths and challenges, personalized goals, intervention plans, communication strategies and literacy.

Types of support

Literacy and life skills

Increase independence through improving communication, decision-making, and social skills. The team can also support literacy and math skills.

Diet and nutrition

Receive personalized nutrition education from our registered dietitian through group and one-on-one sessions. Topics include healthy eating, food safety, specialized diets (e.g., diabetes, celiac disease), cooking classes, and grocery store tours. Our dietitian also ensures that menu plans meet nutritional requirements.

Behavioural Wellness

Encourage positive changes in challenging behaviour such as verbal or physical aggression, self-injury, and inappropriate social behaviours with a personalized approach. Our interventions focus on reducing negative behaviours by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours and anticipating potential triggers.

Mindful aging support

Understand the changing needs that aging can bring with the support of our team’s expertise in disabilities and dementia. Our team includes certified trainers from the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia. They can help with regular check-ins and tailored plans to provide support at each stage of dementia. Learn more about the aging support at DASCH.

Occupational therapy

Enhance well-being and the ability to engage in life activities by improving and adapting everyday movements. Participants can access occupational therapy assessments and training through our partnerships.

Psychiatry services and clinical consultation

Receive behavioural recommendations from our Specialized Supported team, guided by a clinical psychologist. We also partner with a consulting psychiatrist who works with DASCH residents and supports their networks.

Skill groups

Develop the skills to handle life’s challenges and improve social abilities. We offer small group skills classes to those who receive support from DASCH or Community Living disABILITY Services.

Class topics include:

• Healthy relationships and dating
• Emotional management and coping strategies
• Comprehensive sexual education

If you have questions about any services provided by DASCH Specialized Support, please contact us to learn more.