Adult Education
Empowering Autistic Adults to Thrive
In partnership with the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), Giant Steps offers an Adult Education Program designed to support autistic adults aged 21 and over in developing greater independence, strengthening community connections, and accessing meaningful employment opportunities.
With the opening of the Giant Steps Centre in 2023, autistic adults now enjoy a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically to support autistic adults on their journey toward independence and employment.
State-of-the Art Learning Environment
The Giant Steps Adult Education Program takes place in the Espace Autiste & Majeur – Québecor wing, which features specialised spaces to enhance learning and skill development.
Dedicated Classrooms
Five dedicated classrooms feature a variety of seating options and adaptable layouts to support different learning styles, comfort levels, and individualized instruction.
Culinary Kitchen
A fully equipped culinary kitchen allows participants to develop practical cooking skills, nutrition knowledge, and daily living independence.
Maxi Mini-mart
The Maxi Mini-mart offers a simulated grocery store environment where participants can practice shopping, budgeting, and customer service skills.
Creative Arts Studio
The Creative Arts Studio encourages entrepreneurship, self-expression, and creativity through hands-on activities in art, design, and media.
Healthy Living & Wellness Room
The Healthy Living & Wellness Room supports physical activity, movement, and overall well-being in an adapted and inclusive space.
Adult Lounge
An adult lounge offers a relaxed setting that fosters social connection, independence, and opportunities for self-directed activities.
Program Overview
The Adult Education Program welcomes a diverse group of autistic learners and offers individualized support tailored to each participant’s strengths, needs, and personal goals. The program combines the Ministry of Education’s Social Participation curriculum with hands-on learning and real-world work experiences to help participants develop autonomy, build confidence, and acquire essential life skills at their own pace.
Class format
Classes are bilingual and structured to foster both academic and social development, with five class groups consisting of approximately 10 to 12 participants each.
Personalized Learning Pathways
Each participant follows a personalized learning pathway, co-developed with the adult education and employment team. These pathways span 1 to 8 years depending on the individual’s needs and are evaluated annually to ensure meaningful progress and continued alignment with evolving goals.
The Lumina Pathway
Lumina is a Giant Steps initiative integrated within the Adult Education Program that supports autistic youth and adults in identifying their strengths, exploring their interests, and building the skills needed to thrive at home, in their communities, and in the workplace. The Lumina Pathway is built around four interconnected areas that participants explore based on their goals and pace, including daily living and independence and community connection and safety.
Participants also engage in strengths and talents development through the Lumina Lab, exploring interests through hands-on activities, and inclusion and real-world opportunities, where skills are applied through social enterprises, internships, and community-based experiences.
Employment Readiness & Social Enterprise
The program emphasizes real-world work experience through a combination of classroom instruction, internal projects, and external employment placements. Participants develop employability and life skills in a supportive, inclusive setting. Key features include:
Job-readiness training
Job-readiness training in communication, time management, and task planning.
Internal initiatives, including:
- La Cantine
- “Kitchen Kindness” initiative, which gives back to the community in meaningful and compassionate ways.
- Floral design
- Internal work placements across Giant Steps Centre activities
Community-based employment placements
Community-based employment placements with local industry partners who prepare autistic adults for the labour market, offering potential employment opportunities in industries such as:
- Hospitality
- Grocery & Retail
- Food and Beverage
- Tourism
Ongoing support from a dedicated job coach who:
- Prepares participants for the workforce
- Provides on-the-job guidance
- Helps facilitate transitions into paid or volunteer employment
A Pathway to
Meaningful Employment
Finding meaningful employment remains one of the greatest challenges for autistic individuals. In Canada, 86% of autistic adults are either unemployed, underemployed, or not paid equal wages for the same work as their non-autistic colleagues. At Giant Steps, we are committed to changing this reality.
As the provincial delivery partner of the Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) employment program, we provide additional support to help participants successfully transition into real employment.
Admissions Process
Eligibility Criteria:
- Autistic adults aged 21 and over
- Ability to learn in a group setting
Admissions Process:
- Admission forms are available by contacting the Adult Education team
- Pre-selected applicants are invited to an in-person interview
- All applicants are informed of their application status in writing
Questions?
Interested in learning more about Giant Steps’ Adult Education Program? Our team is here to answer your questions.