Inspirations Entrepreneurial Award Rosemary Maratta launches Autism House

By Cindy Davis

Rosemary Maratta is dedicated to her chosen profession of occupational therapy (O.T.). Guided by the theory of interdependence between the four dimensions of occupation outlined by renowned Dr. Ann Wilcock – doing, being, becoming, and belonging – Maratta has always been devoted to ensuring that her clients are provided the resources and support they need in order to increase their autonomy.

By day, Maratta works full time at Clinique N.E.A.T, a Neurodiversity, Evaluations, Assistance and Therapy Clinic. In her free time, she and her team of volunteers launched Autism House in 2019, a safe space that provides peer-to-peer services to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.

Located on St. Ambroise St. near the Lachine Canal, Autism House offers a variety of services including individualized autonomy training and support, peer-to-peer support groups in both English and French, parent support groups, a teen club whose members have affectionately named themselves “Autistics Anonymous,” journaling classes, budgeting lessons and more.

The goal, said Maratta, is to allow the participants to put into practice the skills they have learned in school and other guided programming, to provide them with more autonomy and a sense of empowerment in their own lives. The programs are mainly led and guided by the participants themselves, with some volunteer leaders who have autism. Maratta said that she and the other professional volunteers are mainly there to make sure the programs run smoothly, but they generally let the participants take the lead.

“While doing an activity or meaningful occupation, which is the O.T. part, they start chit chatting – it’s just so dynamic,” said Maratta. “They choose topics from week to week and they just talk and socialize and everyone finds it beneficial because it's a place where they can just be who they are.”

The ultimate goal for Maratta and her team is to continue providing these services while also developing a combined housing and community space project for semi-autonomous adults with autism.

It is her hard work and dedication that motivated Henry Zavriyev to award Rosemary Maratta with the Fall 2021 / Winter 2022 Inspirations Entrepreneurial Award, recognizing outstanding entrepreneurs in the special needs community. As a prize, Zavriyev will be providing Autism House with the funding and support to continue the weekly teen club until Summer 2022.

“The minute I heard about Rosemary and the Autism House I wanted to get involved. It’s hard not to be touched and want to do more when you realize what great lengths Rosemary goes through on a regular basis to help these teens. Our community is lucky to have her and I hope this program can continue for years to come,” said Zavriyev, sponsor of the award.

Dania Szanajda, who nominated Maratta for the award after her children were helped by her, was in tears when she found out that she had won. “The introduction of Rosemary Maratta into our children’s lives has produced extraordinary results. Like many special needs’ parents, we endured many disappointments, treatment fatigue and finally, skepticism. Today we are now in awe and grateful,” she said. “Rosemary’s approach is based on science, providing continuous feedback, and loaded with passion. By reinforcing positive outcomes, my children cultivated the desire to return to work harder towards accomplishing their goals while having fun. Definitely a game-changer in our children’s lives, providing us hope, and reason to celebrate and look forward to their future. Rosemary is my childrens’ inspiration, and, now, mine as well.”

Maratta accepted the award on behalf of the Autism House team, who she said “work so hard to make it happen.”

“I'm so thankful and so grateful to Henry, and so happy that he picked our teenage initiative to support because it's really close to my heart,” she said. “The teenage years can be a rocky road; they're going through many changes. Henry's helping a need that is so important because as they become teenagers, their whole experience of socializing, making friends, being out there or having a place to talk about their interests is vital. I want to thank him so much.”

If you have an entrepreneur to nominate, email us at info@inspirationsnews.com.

Housing survey

The Autism House, in partnership with the Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC), is conducting a survey to better understand existing needs to guide future housing initiatives. 

If you are an autistic adult: https://sondage.uqam.ca/659726?lang=en.

If you are a parent or caregiver of an autistic person 16 or older: https://sondage.uqam.ca/781599?lang=en.

For assistance completing the survey, contact 514.625.3258 or dylan@lamaisondelautisme.ca.

From left, Gabriella Szanajda, Rosemary Maratta and Dania Szanajda at Autism House on November 5.