The Portia Learning Centre

Our free ABA printables make it easy to continue your child's progress beyond therapy sessions.

From firefighter and police officer activities to calendar skills and pronouns practice - we've got you covered.

These printables support key ABA concepts and daily living skills that families can use anytime, anywhere.
Visit our resources page to download today.

💙 Shared with thanks to Shiny Educational Resources for creating and sharing such helpful materials for the ABA community.

Check it out now: https://www.portialearning.com/resources/aba-printable-materials/

Our Whitby learners became junior scientists this week with a bubbly, foamy science experiment!

Using simple household ingredients, they watched a fizzing, foaming reaction bubble right up and over the bottle.

Hands-on science like this is packed with learning opportunities:
✨ Cause & Effect - Watching what happens when ingredients combine
✨ Following Instructions - Working through the steps in order
✨ Vocabulary Building - Learning words like bubble, foam, fizz, and react
✨ Sensory Engagement - Exploring textures, colours, and reactions

There's nothing quite like the wonder on a child's face when science comes to life 💙

🍓 July Favourites from Ottawa East

Our team made the most of summer with themed play, creative crafts, and calming sensory fun. Here are a few highlights from the month.

Summer learning is always better with a little creativity 💙

🥪 Building Life Skills with PALM at Whitby

In our PALM summer program, we focus on the practical, everyday skills that build independence and confidence.

Last week, our learners followed a simple 3-step visual recipe to make their own cheese sandwich.

Activities like this are about so much more than a snack:
✨ Following Instructions - Working through steps in the right order
✨ Visual Supports - Using a checklist to stay organized and independent
✨ Fine Motor Skills - Practicing safe knife use with kid-friendly tools
✨ Sequencing - Understanding what comes first, next, and last
✨ Independence - Building confidence in the kitchen and beyond

Every small step toward independence is a big win worth celebrating! 💙

🍦 Ice Cream Shop Fun at Nepean 🍨

Our pretend play ice cream store is scooping up some serious learning opportunities.

Using Natural Environment Teaching (NET), children practice:
✨ Turn-taking as customer and server
✨ Communication skills through ordering
✨ Following multi-step directions
✨ Social interaction and role-play
✨ Fine motor skills with scooping and serving

When learning feels like play, magic happens! This engaging setup makes every interaction meaningful while building essential life skills.

Great ABA therapy rarely comes from one professional working alone. It comes from a team supporting your child from different angles.

In our latest post, Ontario clinical psychologist Dr. Dillon Browne explains the role a psychologist plays on an interdisciplinary team:
✨ The difference between a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and psychologist
✨ How psychologists help untangle overlapping diagnoses
✨ How psychologists and behaviour analysts work together
✨ Why the whole family, not just the child, is part of the plan

The goal is never to fix your child, but to understand them and support your whole family along the way. 💙

Read the full post: https://www.portialearning.com/blog/interdisciplinary-therapy/

🎉 Crazy Hair Day at Kanata 💇

Our Kanata team and learners had a blast celebrating Crazy Hair Day.

From wild colours to gravity-defying styles, everyone brought their most creative looks to the centre.

Days like these remind us that learning and laughter go hand in hand 💙

Wondering whether a communication device could help your child, or worried it might stop them from talking?

This co-authored guide answers the big questions from both an ABA and speech-language perspective, featuring the team at TalkInc Speech, Language, & Voice Therapy!

Inside the post:
✨ What AAC devices are, explained in plain language
✨ Low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech options (with Canadian pricing)
✨ Core vs. fringe vocabulary and why it matters
✨ Busting the most common AAC myths

The research is clear: AAC supports spoken language, it doesn't replace it. And the best results come from a team working together. 💙

Read the full guide: https://www.portialearning.com/blog/aac-devices-in-aba/

📚 Grab & Go Resources at Nepean

Our colourful resource board makes essential life skills accessible and fun!

Each envelope contains step-by-step visual guides for important daily activities:

🧼 Hand Washing 🚽 Toileting 👟 Putting on Shoes 🤐 Zipping 🦷 Brushing Teeth 🕐 Mealtime Routines

When children have clear, visual instructions, they can "grab and go," they're empowered to succeed. These resources make learning life skills engaging and achievable.