DASCH Specialized Support

At DASCH we are committed to supporting people’s wellbeing and growth, and are proud of the comprehensive clinical and support services we offer.

The experts from DASCH Specialized Support are dedicated to assisting people DASCH supports to develop adaptive life skills and community participation.

When consulted, they evaluate the behavioural requirements of people with intellectual disabilities and provide assistance to them, their families, and support teams.

This assistance includes assessments of a person’s skill levels, strengths and challenges as well as training in essential support mechanisms such as personalized skill development, intervention plans, communication improvement and literacy training.

What type of support is offered?

DASCH offers education and training for both internal and external people with intellectual disabilities that are tailored to match the participants’ comprehension levels, designed to facilitate their inclusion into the community and enhance their ability to handle life’s challenges. The covered topics encompass a range of areas such as:

• Developing Social Skills
• Fostering Healthy Relationships
• Emotional Management 
• Comprehensive Sexual Education
• Enhancing Emotional Literacy
• Dealing with Grief and Loss
• Strengthening Literacy and Communication

Our DASCH Specialized Support department also supports our programs and services through various specialties’ including:

Resource and Life Skills

Specialized life skills training is designed and conducted in either group or one-on-one settings. Group training covers emotional management, assertiveness, social and relationship skills, and sex education. Individual sessions are tailored to meet each person’s unique goals and could include budgeting, emotional regulation, fostering healthy relationships, and enhancing independence.

Communication and Literacy Services

This service aims to enhance effective communication (both verbal and non-verbal), facilitate interactions with others, support decision-making, and develop skills for self-presentation and engagement with community.  Participants gain autonomy, enhance social abilities, and develop literacy and mathematical proficiencies.

Dietary/Nutrition

Our Registered Dietitian offers comprehensive nutrition education and services throughout the organization. This includes group and one-on-one sessions, covering topics like healthy eating, food safety, specialized diets (e.g., Diabetes, Celiac Disease), cooking classes, and grocery store tours. The Dietitian ensures that menu plans meet all necessary nutritional requirements through regular reviews.

Behaviour Wellness Services

Our skilled SSRS Consultants are trained in various behavioural intervention techniques which are customized to each individual person’s requirements. Common behavioural concerns include physical and verbal aggression, self-injurious behaviour and inappropriate social behaviours. Our interventions primarily focus on reducing negative behaviours by teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours, as well as proactively addressing potential issues.

Mindful Aging Support Services

As we support people in various stages of life, we have expanded our expertise and training for people and their support networks. Through our certified trainers, we provide training in Dementia Capable Care based on the program from the Crisis Prevention Institute.

We are also certified trainers by the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia. With regularity, we conduct assessments with people as they age to assist in identifying changes in their behaviours, physical capabilities, and responses to their surroundings which assist in providing information for tailored support services.

Occupational Therapy Services

DASCH collaborates with various external partners in order to expedite and enhance our services. We are proud to be able to offer occupational assessments and provide ongoing training for the people we support and their support teams. This partnership helps bridge the long waitlist gap when community resources are unable to respond in a timely manner. 

Psychiatry Services and Clinical Consultation

Our Specialized Support and Resource team is mentored and supported in their work through our partnerships with a clinical psychologist, providing the team with consultation and supervision for behavioural recommendations and plans and a psychiatrist who provides psychiatric care and supports to the people we support within the organization and their support networks.