Adult Day & Life Skills Program for Young Adults

Helping young adults 18+ with developmental and intellectual disabilities build independence, confidence, and real-world skills.

Adult Day & Life Skills Program for Young Adults

Helping young adults 18+ with developmental and intellectual disabilities build independence, confidence, and real-world skills.

Create it

The MindShift Academy is an adult day and life skills program in South Etobicoke for young adults 18+ with developmental and intellectual disabilities and neurodiverse needs.

Our members build practical skills for adulthood through hands-on, real-world experiences, including cooking, grocery shopping, household responsibilities, communication, friendships, community participation, and workplace readiness.

Our goal is simple: help each member build greater independence, confidence, purpose, and a stronger sense of belonging. We don't just fill a day. We build futures.

The world is our classroom.

What happens after 21?

Learn. Practice. Work. Earn. Belong.

The MindShift Academy creates new possibilities after high school for young adults with autism, Down syndrome, developmental and intellectual disabilities, and other support needs.

We celebrate each person's unique abilities, interests, and goals while supporting meaningful participation at home, work, and in the community.

More than a program, we are a community.

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Who is MindShift For?

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The MindShift Academy welcomes young adults 18+ with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, learning differences, and other neurodiverse identities. We provide a welcoming environment where each member's strengths, interests, and abilities are valued.

We take time to understand each member's goals and preferred ways of participating, creating meaningful opportunities to make choices, try new things, and take an active role in their own lives.

Families are invited to book a private tour, meet our team, and discover how The MindShift Academy can support their young adult's next steps with confidence, connection, and hope.

Everyday living and life skills

Cooking, grocery shopping and household responsibilities

Community participation and public transit

Workplace readiness, volunteering and employment exploration

Structure, purpose and connection after high school

Confidence, self-advocacy and emotional well-being

Friendships and meaningful relationships

Communication, self-expression and social connection

Program & Services

Our Life Skills Program is at the heart of everything we do, and a few things we offer are open to the whole community too.

Life Skills for Independence Program

SCHEDULE

Main Program

The MindShift Academy's flagship day program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members build real-world independence across cooking, employment, creative arts, and community life; five days a week, year-round.

5 Days / Week

AGES

ENROLMENT

18+

Open

Enrol Now

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100% Passport funding approved. No HST charged on our program. Call us at 416-562-5442 to talk through costs and funding options.

Culinary Program

Interactive Kitchen & Event Space

Book The MindShift Academy kitchen for your private event. Birthdays, team events, celebrations. Your rental directly supports and employs our academy members!

Private bookings

By appointment • 6 - 20+ guests

Hands-on cooking classes open to everyone. Runs on weekends, with select evenings. Curriculum shifts with the seasons, from summer preserving to Christmas baking.

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Weekends & select evenings

LSI members welcome (independent)

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