The Joy of Learning Centre

Every child deserves to have fun while reaching their full potential and one private school in Oakville is making that possible.

Established in 2007, each program at The Joy of Learning Centre is delivered by trained therapists to motivate children living with autism spectrum disorders and special needs.

Founder and Director of the centre, Debbie Doherty, volunteered in autism therapy for years and discovered the best way to facilitate academic and social learning is through structured play.

“Play is significantly important,” said Doherty. “Most children with autism don’t even know how to play. So we give them the skills to learn how and then they can socialize with other children and that’s what it’s all about.”

The centre uses one-on-one Intensive Behavioural Intervention program (IBI) and Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), combined with verbal behaviour techniques.

Through repetitive play and allowing the children to interact with one another, the traditional therapies are more fun than daunting.

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Programs like art and music are incorporated into the curriculum along with gym and desk work to encourage positive skill development in all areas.

“A lot of these kids are going to be transitioning to full-time school,” said Jill Campbell, Senior Therapist at The Joy of Learning Centre. “Some of them already go to school and these are things they really need to fit in.”

Lorraine Cipparrone, whose son has been attending The Joy of Learning Centre for three years said the centre goes the extra mile when working with students and their families.

“They work with me which is important when you have a child with autism. They work with his school and all his therapists,” said Cipparrone. “To me, I need that support and I have a family here and I don’t get that everywhere else.”

Thanks to the centre’s programs and dedicated therapists, Cipparrone said her son is worlds apart from the extremely introverted boy he was three years ago.

“They have done wonders for him. They taught him basic life skills, they’ve taught him how to socialize with other people and it’s continual learning.”

Debbie Doherty said for everyone involved at the centre, the joy and learning is mutual.

“The name Joy of Learning started out because we wanted to give them joy. But in turn they’re the ones that give us joy and we are learning from them every single day about how wonderful they are!” 

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