Giant Steps

What Giant Steps does

Giant Steps Toronto/York Region, legally Giant Steps Toronto Inc., is a registered Canadian charitable organization (Charitable #89836 2579 RR0001) founded in 1994 and modeled on the Montreal Giant Steps program. It operates a single multi-disciplinary autism therapy centre at 75 Waterbridge Lane, Unionville (Markham), Ontario, serving children ages 18 months to 14 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families across the Greater Toronto Area. The organization delivers four core evidence-based therapies — Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and music therapy — combined with a life-skills curriculum based on the Essential for Living (EFL) framework, under a 1:2 staff-to-child ratio with weekly 1:1 sessions per discipline. Its clinical team comprises OAP-approved registered health professionals (BCBA, SLP, Communication Disorders Assistants, OTs, Music Therapist) supported by therapy assistants, with services delivered through full-day (9am–4pm) and half-day (AM/PM) programs plus individual therapy sessions.

The organization's revenue model blends fee-for-service program and therapy charges (reimbursable in part through the Ontario Autism Program and extended health benefits) with diversified fundraising: individual and foundation donations, a registered-charity tax-receipt program, recurring charitable gaming proceeds from Bingo World Richmond Hill, annual community events (notably a sold-out golf tournament raising $60,000+), and project-based government grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The center is equipped with specialized sensory and physical-activity equipment (climbing apparatus, trampolines, treadmill, scooter boards, squeeze machine, weighted items) and uses iPads, SMART Boards, PECS, and augmentative communication devices for non-verbal children, with a therapy assessment and client management system handling data collection. Governance is provided by a volunteer Board of Directors led by Martin Buckingham (President) with representation from business and parent stakeholders, and there is no private equity, venture capital, or parent company involvement.

Name

Giant Steps

Legal name

Giant Steps Toronto Inc.

Website

https://giantstepstoronto.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Giant Steps is a registered Canadian charity operating a multi-disciplinary autism therapy centre in Markham, Ontario, delivering integrated ABA, speech, occupational, and music therapy plus life-skills programming to children ages 18 months to 14 years across the Greater Toronto Area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pediatric Autism Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Pediatric Rehabilitation & Developmental Therapy Centers (PT/OT/SLP) (HLAFAJAL)

Keywords

• Autism therapy services
• Applied behaviour analysis
• Speech language therapy
• Occupational therapy services
• Special needs education

Headquarters

HQ city

Markham

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program and Therapy Fees: Families pay fees for programs and services including full/half day programs and individual therapy sessions. Families can pursue reimbursement through Ontario Autism Program (government funding) and extended health benefit packages from insurance companies.
2. Charitable Donations: The organization is a registered charitable organization (Registered Charitable # 89836 2579 RR0001) that receives donations from individuals and organizations. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $20 and up.
3. Charitable Gaming: Giant Steps benefits from charitable gaming at Bingo World Richmond Hill as one of 80 local charities, generating ongoing fundraising revenue through volunteer-operated bingo events.
4. Government Grants: Ontario Trillium Foundation provided $48,200 Resilient Communities Fund grant and $28,500 Capital grant for equipment, technology, and professional development.
5. Event Fundraising: Annual golf tournaments and community events generate significant fundraising revenue. The 2nd Annual Golf Tournament raised over $60,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Giant Steps is a multi-disciplinary autism therapy centre that delivers an integrated program combining four evidence-based therapies—Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Music Therapy—with the Essential for Living life-skills curriculum. Services are offered as full-day and half-day programs for children ages 2–10, and as individual therapy sessions for children ages 18 months to 14 years, delivered by OAP-approved registered clinicians at a single dedicated facility in Unionville, Ontario.

Product overview

Giant Steps is a multi-disciplinary autism therapy center offering a unified program combining four core therapies (ABA/Behaviour Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Music Therapy) with a life skills curriculum based on the Essential for Living model. Programs are delivered through full-day (9am-4pm) or half-day (AM/PM sessions) formats for children 2-10 years, with individual therapy sessions also available for children 18 months-14 years. All services are evidence-based, OAP-approved, and include physical activity components. The therapy team includes registered BCBAs, SLPs, OTs, music therapists, and therapy assistants working in a coordinated multidisciplinary approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-Day Program Monday-to-Friday full-day therapy program from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for children ages 2–10 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, delivering weekly one-on-one sessions in ABA (behaviour), Speech & Language, Occupational Therapy, plus Music Therapy and the Essential for Living (EFL) life-skills curriculum, on a 1:2 staff-to-child ratio.
• Half-Day Program Part-time therapy program for children ages 2–10 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, available as AM sessions (9:00 am–1:00 pm) or PM sessions (12:00 pm–4:00 pm), integrating behaviour, speech, occupational, music therapies and EFL life-skills instruction within a shorter centre-based day.
• Individual Therapy Sessions Stand-alone, one-on-one therapy sessions for children ages 18 months to 14 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder, available in speech, behaviour, music, and/or occupational therapy on a per-session basis separate from full/half-day program enrollment.
• Behaviour Therapy (ABA Services) Applied Behaviour Analysis services provided by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, including assessment, individualized behavioural strategy development, and team-led implementation of behaviour modification plans.
• Speech & Language Therapy Speech and language services delivered by Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Communications Disorders Assistants (CDAs) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, using individualized communication plans that incorporate visual strategies, sign language, picture symbols, PECS, and augmentative communication devices.
• Occupational Therapy Registered Occupational Therapy services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, addressing sensory processing, gross and fine motor skills, motor planning, visual perception, and self-care through sensory integration strategies (sensory diets, specialised equipment).
• Music Therapy Music therapy sessions led by a registered Music Therapist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, incorporating singing, song creation, instrument play, and music technology to develop focus, attention, social/emotional skills, relaxation, self-expression, sensory input, and communication.
• Essential for Living (EFL) Curriculum A communication, behaviour, and functional-skills curriculum and assessment/tracking tool for children with complex needs, targeting eight essential skill areas including functional communication, behaviour skills, play/social skills, and activities of daily living (toileting, eating, dressing).
• Physical Activity Program Daily physical-activity programming for enrolled children, including outdoor walks, gross-motor activities in the centre's gym, and planned exercise breaks using climbing apparatus, trampolines, treadmill, exercise bikes, and other equipment to increase physical well-being and readiness to learn.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children develop from non-verbal to using 3-4 word sentences
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Gracie Humaita WoodbridgeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 June 2026Martial arts tournament organizer that invited Giant Steps to their annual Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Festival on June 6, 2026. Event benefits Giant Steps' therapy programs and raises awareness for kids with autism.
• Markham Unionville MPP Billy PangminorOthers · 1 January 2026Local MPP who attended Ontario Trillium Foundation recognition event at Giant Steps on January 16, 2025, touring the centre to see new resources and equipment purchased through grants.
• Lebovic Golf ClubminorOthers · 1 January 2025Host venue for Giant Steps' 2nd Annual Golf Tournament on May 29, 2026 at 14012 Leslie Street, Aurora, ON. Provided shotgun/scramble tournament facilities for 134 golfers.
• Bingo World Richmond HillcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGiant Steps is one of 80 local charities benefiting from charitable gaming at Bingo World Richmond Hill, 350 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3G7. Volunteers raise significant funds for therapy and life skills programs.
• Autism Alliance of CanadaminorOthersGiant Steps is a member of the Autism Alliance of Canada, aligning with national standards for autism therapy and support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Centria Healthcare: US-based national provider of autism services including ABA, speech, and occupational therapy. Comparable in clinical service mix and paediatric autism focus, though operates as a scaled, US-centric incumbent.
• Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers: Large US-based multi-site operator of applied behavior analysis and related therapies for children with autism. Comparable centre-based, multi-disciplinary therapy model, though at substantially greater scale and US-focused.

Regional players

• Children's Treatment Network of Simcoe York: Regional children's treatment network serving York Region (the same sub-region as Giant Steps) with developmental, rehabilitation, and autism services. Comparable in geography and target population, though funded as a broader service network rather than a single therapy centre.
• KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development: Ontario children's treatment centre delivering OT, SLP, physiotherapy, and developmental services for children with autism and other developmental needs. Comparable in multi-disciplinary therapy mix and charitable structure, though serves a different Ontario region.

Direct peers

• Surrey Place Centre: Toronto-based charitable organization providing developmental services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, including therapy, diagnostic, and community programs. Comparable in GTA location, multi-disciplinary model, and registered-charity structure.
• Kerry's Place Autism Services: Ontario-wide registered charity and one of the largest autism service providers in Canada, delivering residential and community-based programs. Comparable in mission, OAP provider status, and Ontario regulatory environment, though with a broader geographic and residential footprint.
• Monarch House: Canadian multi-disciplinary provider of autism and developmental services with multiple sites across Ontario and Western Canada. Closest for-profit analog to Giant Steps' four-therapy, centre-based model.
• Geneva Centre for Autism: Toronto-based registered charity providing multi-disciplinary autism services including ABA, speech-language, and occupational therapy for children and youth. Most directly comparable to Giant Steps in geography, mission, and therapy mix.
• Blue Balloon Health Services: Toronto-area private provider of ABA, speech-language, and occupational therapy for children with autism. Comparable in therapy mix and target population, though operating on a for-profit basis rather than as a registered charity.

Others

• Autism Alliance of Canada: National industry association of which Giant Steps is a member. Not a competitor, but a relevant peer given shared advocacy role and standards alignment in the Canadian autism ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/giantstepstoronto
• Facebookfacebook.com/GiantStepsToronto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/giant-steps-toronto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Giant Steps