About the program: Buddy Up Program | NorthStar Before every Buddy Up session, our volunteers arrive excited and prepared. Most of our volunteers are high school students. They come with games to play, crafts to create, and thoughtful plans to fill the afternoon with laughter and connection. Like many people on their first day, they wonder, Will my Buddy enjoy this? Will we have enough to do? But after their very first session, many discover something they never expected. Som

About the program: Buddy Up Program | NorthStar Building meaningful friendships starts with understanding, respect, and shared experiences. That is the idea behind Buddy Up, NorthStar's peer connection program that brings together autistic children and trained volunteer Buddies in a safe, welcoming environment. Through games, sports, creative activities, and community outings, the program gives children the opportunity to develop friendships and confidence while allowing volu

For many families raising a child on the autism spectrum, one word has often defined the journey: waiting. Waiting for assessments. Waiting for funding. Waiting for therapy to begin. The Ontario government’s 2026 budget signals an important shift—one that may help more children access support earlier. A Major Increase in Autism Funding The province is investing $965 million into the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) for 2026–27, including $186 million in new funding. What does thi

Why Buddy Up Matters Every child deserves a friend — but not every child is taught how to make one. Children with autism and other developmental differences genuinely want friendships, yet struggle to read social cues, understand boundaries, or communicate in familiar ways. These challenges often lead to misunderstandings, isolation, and painful rejection. Inclusion is more than sharing a space. It requires a supported environment, intentional activities, and peers who unders

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often seen as a “single diagnosis,” but in reality, every child’s presentation can be very different....