OAP Digital Creation

& Coding Club

“Creativity is Contagious - pass it on”

—Albert Einstein

OAP Digital Creation & Coding Club

About The Collaboration

Willow Tree Mind & Wellness has teamed up with the Digital instructors at Little Robot Friends!

Through this collaboration, therapists from Willow Tree will support your children within this STEAM-focused program providing support to not only teach the technical skills of digital creation, but also OAP goals such as executive functioning, social-emotional and social skills. AccessOAP funding is eligible to be used within this program under ABA therapy.

Little Robot Friends is a STEAM-focused community for kids ages 6-12+ in the heart of the Danforth, Toronto’s East End. Our vision is to empower kids to think creatively about technology through collaborative, project-based learning that is guided by our students’ passion and curiosity. We strive to weave elements of art and crafting into all that we teach, as tangible creativity and problem-solving go hand in hand. Our programming includes day camps, after school activities, and birthdays. We have also recently opened up our first-ever tech workshop series for adults!

Learn more on their website: Little Robot Friends

About the Program

OAP Coding Club is an integrative after school small group program that runs for 12 weeks to teach coding and tech literacy skills as well as OAP goals such as executive functioning and social-emotional skills through:

video game design
arts and crafts
electronics and circuit-building
3D design, and
3D printing!

Who is the program for?

Children with Autism are eligible to sign up for this program and use OAP funding with the support of the ABA therapists from Willow Tree Mind & Wellness within a small group ratio (3:1). Note that this is an integrative program and other children may attend that are not exclusive to OAP.

Prerequisite Skills:

Language level – speaks and/or understands full sentences (some exceptions may be made on a case by case basis).
Does not engage in behaviours that are overly disruptive or may put themselves or others at risk of harm.
Follows group instruction though may require some support from their therapist.
Some clients that require 1:1 assistance may be supported – we have a limited number of 1:1 therapists available, typical ratio is 3:1.

Where is it located: At Little Robot Friends Location - 1832 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C1H8 CANADA

When: depending on ages and/or level Willow Tree is providing therapists during the following two groups: January 8th - April 6th

Wednesdays 5:15-6:15pm - Nano (7-10yrs): this group is great for older kids with less experience as well as younger kids with more experience. There is a lot of flexibility at this level, and activity-difficulty can be increased or decreased based on a group’s average experience level.
Tuesdays 5:15-6:15pm Micro (9-12yrs): is currently our highest level, and often has participants exploring newer platforms that have real-world applications (eg. The Fall 2023 term explored Gamemaker, a development platform used by industry professionals).

What technology does my child need?: Coding Club just requires a laptop! We have a fleet of laptops that participants can use while they’re in the space, so bringing your own is optional. You are more than welcome, however, to bring your own if your child feels more comfortable with their own. Although we have found that some older Chromebooks can be slow, whatever laptop you already have should be just fine.

What is the cost of the program?

Each hour long session is $120.00 to cover the cost of your therapist on site, supervision from an OAP clinical supervisor each month, as well as program materials and the Little Robot Friends programming fee’s.

A commitment to the entire 12 weeks is needed to secure your spot and payment is required upon registration.

Skills Taught within OAP Guidelines

Each child will have an Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) overseeing their programming, and will have an ABA therapist on site providing group services to support learners within the program.

Social Skills

Working collaboratively with peers
Opportunities to work collaboratively with peers or have peer input into the projects they are working on.
Conversation and building friendships
Opportunities throughout the program to converse with peers about technical topics, social exchanges and build friendships with common interest.
Waiting and Taking turns
Developing patience when other peers are sharing their work, turn taking.
Perspective Taking and Empathy

Throughout the program opportunities to support other peers that may be struggling on their projects (displaying empathy) as well as understanding that everyone is at a different level and may learn differently than others (perspective taking) may be taught throughout the duration of the program.

Executive Functioning Skills

Problem Solving
Opportunities to problem solve challenges that come with learning a new skill, learning from mistakes, and creating problem solving.
Impulsivity, emotional regulation, and flexibility.
- Naturally with learning a new skill, things may be challenging from time to time. This program will provide opportunities for children to learn how to regulate their emotions when things don’t go their way, their therapist may support them with regulation strategies when needed to help them get back on track. These will build positive habits for the kids to bounce back from setbacks and promote flexible responding to challenges.
Time management, planning and prioritization
- The nature of these projects will require some planning over time, kids will gain experience with time management (how long they need to engage in certain aspects of the project over time) as well as planning and prioritizing the focus for that day’s session.
Working Memory
- During sessions the Program facilitators will be modeling and providing instruction on how to create / design the topic for the day, the kids will then follow these models. This provides opportunities for kids to practice using their working memory skills and remember the steps that were modeled for them. Assistance Is available to help them through this process and problem-solving skills like how to make a checklist during teacher instruction and then follow it may be taught.
Sustained attention
- Kids will practice engaging in projects and listening to adult led instruction over time. Participants quickly learn that in order to create a quality finished product, they must engage in sustained attention to teacher instruction to improve their creations!

Mental Health and Wellness

Confidence and self esteem
- Kids will gain experience with the technical skills being taught over the 12-week program promoting confidence and positive self esteem in themselves and encouragement from their peers!
Growth Mindset
- Throughout the program we promote a growth mindset, and that learning can be challenging but if we try our best and practice, we can improve! We always encourage our participants to try again and help them to develop a growth mindset in response to draw backs or failures.
Connecting to their Passion
- For many kids digital design and creation can ignite a passion inside! Does your child love video games, art, or technology? This program may align with their passions and interests and be a great outlet for them to pursue in the future!