AUTISM NOW

VOLUME 32, NUMBER 1

AN AUTISM EDMONTON PUBLICATION FALL/WINTER 2017

Editor: Iryna Bajraktari

Autism Now is developed by Autism Edmonton, to help engage members of the autism community, and is published two times per year.

Contents may be reproduced only with written permission of Autism Edmonton.

Contact

Mailing address: 101, 11720 Kingsway Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5

Email; autism@autismedmonton.org

Phone: 780-453-3971

Website: autismedmonton.org

Facebook: facebook.com/autismedmonton

Twitter: @AutismEdmonton

WE SEE A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL PEOPLE WITH AUTISM ARE VALUED AND HAVE A LIFE FILLED WITH POSSIBILITIES.

Since 1971, Autism Edmonton (Autism Society of Edmonton Area) has been providing services and supports to people in the community who are living with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Edmonton has become known as a "go-to" source that connects families, individuals and professionals with autism- related resources.

Autism Edmonton helps people navigate their options for services, find vital information, and develop skills and peer support through facilitated activity and discussion groups.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We are just a few days away from Christmas, a time when we look back at the year that has passed and prepare for the one ahead. To that end, I am pleased to share that thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, Autism Edmonton celebrates its most fruitful Gala yet, raising $660,000 to support services for people with autism. Furthermore, we are astonished by the number of people who have approached the agency recently to offer their help, which once again shows how compassionate people in our community are.

No event is too big or too small to turn an opportunity into a way to support a great cause. All of them help make a real difference in the lives of people on the autism spectrum and their families. We are very thankful to our Cycle participants and the many individuals and groups who organize events throughout the community and choose to donate the proceeds to our organization.

While we know financial resources are critical to serving our community, it takes dedication and hard work to ensure that we can build a brighter future for people with autism and their families. In short, it takes you – our generous supporters and volunteers – to help Autism Edmonton continue assisting those coping with the challenges of autism and creating a community where people with autism are valued and have a life filled with possibilities.

We are grateful for, and humbled by, the mind-blowing support of our donors and sponsors and the efforts of volunteers and staff to advance our cause. With your continued support, our agency will be able to reach new heights in the provision of supports and services.

Thank you all!

CAROLE ANNE PATENAUDE

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WELCOME TO OUR 2017-2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee

David Jardine (5th Year, President) – David is a parent of a 29- year-old stepson with autism.  He is a partner in the law firm of Shores Jardine LP and practices primarily in the area of administrative law. He has also been involved as a director with autism organizations at the provincial and national level.

Kevin Payne (3nd year) – Kevin is a self-advocate, diagnosed a few years ago.  During the day, he leads a team of IT professionals for a large organization. In his spare time, he is a part-time student in Psychology, and is involved in the community as a participating member and facilitator for multiple groups.  Having an understanding of both worlds, Kevin tries to be an advocate, mentor, and listening ear for his peers.

Jennifer Neal (2nd Year - Treasurer) – CPA, CMA - Jennifer is the mother of two boys (12 and 13 years old) one of whom is living with autism. As a designated accountant, Jennifer has spentover 20 years working in finance, and previously served on the CMA Chapter Executive Board. Jennifer currently works for Habitat for Humanity - Edmonton Society, as Controller. She is passionate about helping others, giving back to the community in a meaningful way and being a strong advocate for her son.

Dr. Yun-Csang Ghimn (6th Year - Secretary) - Yun has been a member of Autism Edmonton for many years and has done extensive work with other non-profit groups, especially in the area of research (ethics) and policy development. Having a visible-minority background, he taught indigenous students andhas successfully advocated cultural diversity and human rights.

Members at Large

Dr. Keith Goulden (5th year) – Keith is a Developmental Pediatrician with an interest in supporting children with autism and their families. He has worked at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital/University of Alberta for 21 years, and is currently the Lead Autism Specialist for the local Autism Treatment Network site. 

Mohammad Rauf (3rd Year) – Mohammad is a brother to a developmentally disabled 40-year old. Mohammad is an IT Project Manager and leads the design and development of technology solutions with local partners. He believes in social inclusion, intellectual stimulation, and holistic well-being of disabled and autistic members

Justin Reynolds (2nd Year) – Justin Reynolds has a young son on the spectrum.  He feels strongly about creating opportunities and giving back to the community for people with autism, whether that involves donating time and efforts individually, or contributing as an organization through inclusive hiring practices.  Justin is an avid runner and brings business experience to the Board table.

Luc Heath, CA, CPA (1st year) - Luc is a father of three, including a son on the spectrum. He is a senior manager at KBHChartered Accountants where his passion is providing both assurance and advisory services for family-run enterprises and non-profit organizations.  Luc is enthusiastic to be a part of a cause that strives to create opportunities for families impacted by autism.

Angela Kemble (1st year) - Angela is a mother of two teenage daughters, the oldest having been diagnosed with autism at three and half years of age. Angela resides with her husband in the small northern Alberta town of Athabasca, and is currently the Executive Director for the Northwest Central Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network. She looks forward tousing her education and experience to assist Autism Edmonton and is eager to learn all she can from those already involved with the organization.

Gabrielle Heselton (1st year) - Gabrielle is a special education teacher with 20 years’ experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She has taught the last 7 years in programs specifically designed for children and students with autism. Gabrielle has an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Alberta and is returning to school to pursue a degree in Counselling Psychology, focusing on research in the area of mental health and autism. Gabrielle is passionate about working with the autism community, providing support to individuals and families and advocating for acceptance and understanding.   Camila Silvestre (1st year) - Camila is a mother to a four-year old, bubbly energetic boy diagnosed with moderate autism. Camila has worked in the oil and gas industry for ten years and is currently employed as a Senior Lab Technologist with a Chemical Engineering background and runs a business development company on the side. She is passionate about promoting awareness and inclusion of autismand strongly believes in the potential and uniqueness behind the brilliant minds of individuals with autism. 

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OPENING DOORS FOR AUTISM GALA

On October 27, 2017, the Opening Doors for Autism Gala brought together a passionate community, as more than 500 honourable guests joined the Autism Edmonton’s most important bi-annual fundraising event which took place at Northlands EXPO Centre.

We were fortunate to receive support from many local organizations, led by our Title sponsor – Cameron Corporation. Thanks to the collective support of our sponsors, donors and supporters, our Gala raised over $660,000!

These proceeds will be invaluable in helping Autism Edmonton expand its programs and services and continue working with community partners to ensure that people with autism have access to life-long support.

The Gala night was a smash success. Upon arrival, our guests were greeted by the Autism Edmonton leadership team and invited to the pre-dinner reception. Right from the start, the energy in the crowd was contagious. Soft, uplifting music filled the ballroom and set the tone for friendly and engaging conversations throughout the evening.

At 7:00 p.m., just before the commencement of the dinner, our Gala Committee co-chairs Tina Naqvi-Rota and Gino Ferri opened the evening by welcoming the guests and acknowledging the help of those whose commitment allows Autism Edmonton to continue supporting people on the autism spectrum and their families.

Throughout the evening, guests were able to bid on live and silent auction items ranging from hockey jerseys to a trip to Greece. Inspired by Danny Hooper, a renowned Fundraising Auctioneer, to give generously, guests raised their paddles high to help people with autism live their lives to the fullest. 

We envision a community where all people with autism are valued and have a life fil led with possibilities

From left to right: Adarius Bowman, Edmonton Eskimos player, #GetToKnow partner and Adarius4Autism Inc. President.

Jaden Lake and his father Hon. Mike Lake, PC, MP, Edmonton– Wetaskiwin and advocate for individuals with special abilities/needs &their families 

Kyle Lobb, Opening Doors for Autism guest speaker, Autism Edmonton employee and self-advocate

Following the Live auction, Anita Ferri presented the Opening Doors Award to Isabel Henderson, honouring her for the difference she has made through her leadership as the Senior Operating Officer at the GlenroseRehabilitation Hospital.

One of the highlights of the evening was our guest speaker, Kyle Lobb. He bravely took the stage to share his personal stories of how being diagnosed with autism allowed him to find his hidden talents and pursue his passion for helping others overcome their barriers in spite of the challenges they face. Today Kyle is very engaged with Autism Edmonton and works for its respite program Occasio where he helps youth with autism build a stronger foundation for social interaction and personal confidence. In the past, he has also helped out with the delivery of DiversiFit, a program designed to teach the fundamentals of physical fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits to children with autism aged 10 to 18 and their caregivers and families.

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The night was capped off with the Big Ask presentation, which drew guests’ attention to the service gaps faced by adults with autism. The presentation made the case for support for Autism Edmonton’s programs including the Pantry Program, Subsidy Program and counselling services that provide new opportunities for adults on the spectrum.

Next, a raffle draw was held, and three lucky winners got to receive incredible prizes. However, the winners generously decided to return the prizes to the Society so that they could be re-auctioned to gather extra funds in support of people with autism.

Autism Edmonton’s President, David Jardine, delivered the closing remarks to the evening, but the attendees did not hurry to leave the room and stayed late to network and enjoy the wonderful music of the Don Berner Quartet.

Many people contributed to the success of our Gala. It was a massive undertaking, made possible only through the heartfelt dedication and hard work of an army of volunteers, donors, staff members, board members, and supporters.

Once again, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our donors, patrons, and sponsors, for helping Autism Edmonton grow and sustain the many vital services we provide to families and individuals living with autism.

Finally, a huge thank you to our Gala Committee for their outstanding dedication in making the night of the Gala one to remember!

Thank you to everyone who attended. Mark your calendars as this bi-annual event is not to miss for 2019!

Fundraising aside, our Gala’s goal was to raise awareness, acceptance and understanding of autism. Moreover, we aimed to engage new individuals and organizations who care about people with autism and want to invest in their future.

Gala Committee co-chairs Gino Ferri and Tina Naqvi-Rota 

Live painting performed by artist Julie Witten-Land

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We are sincerely thankful for the contributions of our sponsors. Please consider supporting the community- minded businesses who have been so generous with their support for Autism Edmonton's work and our 2017

"Opening Doors for Autism" Gala.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS! In addition to our incredibly generous sponsors, we are also tremendously indebted to our hardworking Gala Committee and volunteers. 

HONORARY CHAIRPERSONS: Gino Ferri and Tina Naqvi-Rota

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Anita Ferri Carole Anne Patenaude Chelsie Hutchinson Jean Ashmore Jennifer Neal Kate Wallace Iryna Bajraktari Liane Cournoyer Linday Lesmeister Nicole Tersigni Tracee Baird 

THANK YOU TO OUR  GALA VOLUNTEERS:

Adam Li Aliya Rota Amanda Lacombe Angela Jenkins Anna Richardson April Meyer Becki Peterson Breena Antoniuk Camelia Vokey Chad Rechlo Chelsea Drapaka Cherie McKeever Cody Obrigewitch Colby Campbell Don Corey Doug Murray Elaine Garcia Gina Ferri Jason Chadukiewich

Jean Ashmore Jesse Orjasaeter Joanne Boothby Joanne Steblyk Jordan England Karly Lensink Khalid Bacchus Kristine MeyerLaura WalkerLianne White Madi Dombroski Marcus Potvin Marguerite Prefontaine Max Lukenbach Michele Chadukiewich Pam Rhoades Rob McRitchie Sandra Bokovay Sandra Svenurggaard

Shane McRitchie Shawna Bannerman Shayla Tellier Steve Hutchison Steve Steblyk Tammy Gartner Terese-Gayle Ferri Tiffaney Keeping Vance Steblyk Xilin Chen Zak Hale

Congratulations to Gino Ferri on receiving the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers!

Gino Ferri was recognized for his dedication to Autism Edmonton and improving support services for Albertans on the autism spectrum through his work with local and provincial organizations and by influencing legislation.

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NEW AT AUTISM EDMONTON: LAUNCH INTO LIFE!

Although we most often hear about autism in children, it is important to emphasize that autism does not affect just kids. Autism is a lifelong condition which does not go away in adulthood. Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. But very often, as they grow up, they struggle to fit into society, find work and live on their own.

Adults with autism face major hardships in their lives, especially in the absence of supports and services. These challenges have significant implications not only for the individuals themselves but also for their families and society at large. The following are a few examples.

High unemployment – It is estimated that over 80 percent of Canadians with autism are unemployed. Moreover, research shows that young adults on the spectrum are more likely to be unemployed than their peers with other disabilities. Social isolation – Facing a lack of understanding from the society, people living with autism and their families often become isolated and develop mental health problems. Low life expectancy and high suicide rates – For people with autism in Sweden for example, life expectancy is a mere 40 years, and suicide rates are elevated.  Research in the US shows that 66 percent of adults newly diagnosed with Asperger syndrome report to having contemplated suicide. High dependence on families – Most often parents are the primary caretaker, educator, and financial supporter of their children with autism. But what is going to happen to these individuals once their parents are no longer able to care for them?Unfulfilled potential – Given their unique capabilities in sciences and arts, people with autism can provide unique contributions in a number of areas. When left untapped, this unfulfilled potential represents a huge loss to the society.

Autism Edmonton is excited to offer Launch into Life! – a short workshop that focuses on helping parents plan and prepare for their child’s transition to adulthood.  

“Planning for the future can be hard to do not just because it’s hard to find time to do it, but also because thinking about the future can feel scary,” says Dr. Katelyn Lowe, the developer of the Launch Program at the Sinneave Family Foundation in Calgary.  

The Launch Program began by helping families create individualized transition plans one family at a time.  Over time, the program evolved into a group-based workshop format to allow families to come together to share their experiences, connect, and learn from each other.  Often as children get older, some parents can feel isolated from others going through the same transitions (e.g., puberty, high school ending, and turning 18).  In addition to workshops offered at the Ability Hub in Calgary, Launch into Life! has been offered in British Columbia and Ontario in partnership with seven autism organizations.  

“The transition planning process can begin at any age, but we recommend that families begin thinking about creating a plan for adulthood well before their child leaves high school.  Starting early and having a shared vision for the future is key to creating a plan that works for everyone,” adds Dr. Lowe.

Transition planning helps individuals and their families make informed choices around future living arrangements, education and employment, finances, and community and social involvement. Each individual with autism is unique and transitioning may go smoothly or take longer and be more challenging depending on the person. But with support and careful planning, many individuals with autism can successfully prepare for adulthood.

“Shared vision is crucial in transition planning. It is important that you and your child are on the same page and participate in making decisions together, as much as possible,” comments Dr. Katelyn Lowe.

Launch into Life! consists of three workshops that will be offered on the following dates:

Monday, February 26, 2018, 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018, 7-9 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2018, 7-9 p.m.

To register, please contact support@autismedmonton.org. The admission fee for three days is $75, which includes refreshments and program materials. These workshops are open to any parent of a youth who lives with autism.

Subsidized tickets are available for those who require financial assistance.

These challenges and unmet needs are real and deserve the recognition and attention of everyone. How can we work together to help adults with autism have the best possible quality of life? It is critical to ensure that children with autism can successfully transition into adulthood, find a job, get involved in the community, find a place to live, and continue education. 

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: CREATING MEANINGFUL SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES When asked what makes their life meaningful, most people refer to relationships. Here at Autism Edmonton, we strive to create opportunities for our community members to grow such relationships. To achieve this goal, we are excited to launch aseries of outings – Community Connections – which are open to people with or without autism, their family members, friends, or support people.   This initiative is organized around a simple idea: we would like to offer more opportunities for leisure and socialization.

Bringing together people of different ages and interests helps connect those who might not be able to meet through other services or discussion groups we offer. Moreover, people with no relations to autism are welcome to attend Community Connections, which allows us to raise understanding of autism and challenge the misconception that people living with autism are anti-social.

On October 21st, we hosted our first Community Connections of the year. The event was organized at the Prairie Garden & Adventure Farm, north of the city, near Bon Accord. Attended by a hundred members, this family-friendly activity was a chance to enjoy Edmonton's beautiful countryside.

Moreover, with the Haunted Pumpkin Festival going on at the Farm, our participants got to explore over 50 fun Halloween-themed activities including puppet shows, the haunted farm house, scarecrow making and much more.  

We had rented a greenhouse pavilion for the members to warm up after running around the huge 35-acre farm and offered them some treats, beverages, arts, and crafts to keep busy while taking a break. 

If you missed our first gathering, do not worry. We have planned a variety of other recreation and leisure activities to come, including trips to Edmonton attractions, BBQs and many others!

Better yet, our events are free of charge (admission fee to sites visited might apply), and everyone is welcome.

Please stay tuned and follow our calendar updates at www.autismedmonton.org or announcements on Facebook (www.facebook/AutismEdmonton) and Twitter (@AutismEdmonton).

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CELEBRATING A DECADE OF SERVICE It is ten years since Patricia Terrett began working for Autism Edmonton. But she says her work is far from finished.

It all started in 2007 when Patricia went to a birthday party of her friend’s daughter.  

“I had a friend whose little girl was so cute, such a sweetie, and because of the development of her language and the way she was acting I thought she was around 18 months old. And to my surprise, I discovered that she was turning three.”

This developmental delay made Patricia, who has a degree in Applied Psychology, think that the child might have autism. To help the family, she connected them with Autism Edmonton, where one of her former classmates, Deborah Barrett, was involved at that time. Further, Patricia took an active role in helping the family navigate their options for services.

“About the fifth time I called Deborah back to consult on what my friends should do next, she asked if I would like to help outat the office since I was very interested in the field of autism.”

Patricia took on this opportunity eagerly and began assisting with phone counselling.

“I’ve started as a volunteer at four hours a week, and very soon we discovered that, with the number of calls coming in, four hours was not enough time, and so hours were extended and I was hired.”

Patricia describes her job as “giving families hope." Helping people is very important to her, and it is one of the main reasons for why she decided to study psychology and get involved in counselling. She is passionate about helping families to get the support they need. 

“Many people who call us are very distressed, and if I am able to make them feel less frantic, that is a success. I want to be the second last phone call they make. And the reason is that when people are phoning around from agency to agency, they might not find all information in one place, which might be discouraging. I am trying to connect them to the resources they are looking for, so they can get the right answers quickly.”

Because Patricia wanted to develop the idea of providing targeted referrals, she started “Next Steps”, an online guide on autism-related resources. This guide aims to make the process of counselling more efficientfor the agency’s support team and also to share resources and knowledge with the public through the organization’s website.  

My job is to give families hope

Visit our website to find links to educational, medicaland other relevant community supports for:

NEXT Steps

Preschool - Birth to 5 years School aged - 6 to 12 years Teenagers - 13 to 17 years Adult - 18 years + 10

“We try to keep the guide as simple and user-friendly as possible so that people can navigate it easily. We also update its content quarterly to keep the information current. The fact is that when we put the Next Steps online, it was welcomed not just by families but also by professionals. I often meet social workers who say they look at the guide all the time.”

Furthermore, the number of services and supports for people with autism and their families is growing every year. Patricia recounts that when she started working for Autism Edmonton, the situation was very different. She says that just around 20 years ago, autism was not even coming up in general discussions in the community. It was not on people’s radar. During the past decade, awareness about autism has increased dramatically, which is essential to creating a truly inclusive society.

“It is very exciting to see more and more parents of children with autism involved in the autism community. I also feel very happy that now we even have an adult clinic in Edmonton. It used to be very hard to find a way to get adults diagnosed. This is huge progress and a great start to help adults on the spectrum.”

Moving forward, Patricia would like to continue working on supporting families, identifying what their problems are, advocating for services, and being responsive to the needs of all people with autism.

In her spare time Patricia likes spending time with her grandchildren and reading mystery stories.

“It is easy to get stuck in my work, which might make me lose hope and be less helpful. The reason I enjoy mysteriesis that you know in the end everything will be figured out. This is how I cultivate hope for myself.” 

"Autism Edmonton is a place where people can build hope;

where they can get direction in times of perplexity; where we can

actively lead to change in the community.”

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WITH AN AUTISM EDMONTON SUPPORTER

Sweat for Autism, a marathon-style fitness fundraiser, took place on August 27, 2017, and raised $10,000 for the ongoing funding of health and wellness programs to serve the needs of people with autism in our community. This event was made possible only through the generosity of NO MORE EXCUSES INC. fitness studio. Recently we sat down with the studio’s owner, Cheryl Schneider, to learn about her experience organizing the event that benefited Autism Edmonton.

– Tell us a little bit about yourself and give us a brief overview of what you do in your work.

– I have been a health and fitness leader in Edmonton for over twelve years, working in various facilities, schools, and communities. Now I am involved with our newest studio which opened in 2016. Our fitness community has been recognized multiple times by media such as the Edmonton Journal and Vue Weekly Magazine as the top studio in our City.

– Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to doing what you’re doing today?

– I suspect that most people have some stories that led to them to want to help others in meaningful ways. I just want to give back to the community that helped me grow my dream. I want to make sure that others are given the opportunity to live their best lives and spread the vision that “we become stronger by building others up”.

– Why did you decide to fundraise for Autism Edmonton? Did a particular event inspire you?

– When Zita, who is one of our instructors and a deeply ingrained member of our fitness family, approached me with the idea of a fundraiser, we immediately recognized it as an opportunity to give back to the community. NO MORE EXCUSES INC. is like a big family caring for one another, and Zita (and her son, Sam who is on the spectrum) are a part of our family. That is why supporting Autism Edmonton and DiversiFit, a program Zita runs in collaboration with Autism Edmonton, are important for our community.

– Is there any correlation between the vision of NO MORE EXCUSES and Autism Edmonton?

– Like Autism Edmonton, we are committed to building a kinder, more accepting, and more inclusive community for everyone. 

 At NO MORE EXCUSES INC. our vision is to “become stronger by building others up”. It means that we invite all members of our community into our fold - our door is always open. We take great pride in being a fully inclusive facility, with members of all ages, abilities and lifestyles. 

– How did your clients respond to Sweat for Autism?    – The response to the event was overwhelmingly positive. Our members rallied for this cause and participated actively through their donations, volunteer efforts, participation and promotion of the project. They were excited to be involved in something that hit so close to home.  

On the right - Cheryl Schneider, the owner of NO MORE EXCUSES

– Besides fundraising, what goals did Sweat for Autism help achieve?

– Well, having fun and getting sweaty together are always a focus of the work we do. But we also had an opportunity to do some education around Autism, Inclusion, Diversifit, and the importance of fitness access for all people.

– What does your chosen charity mean to you?

– Autism Edmonton is making a difference in the lives of people who matter a great deal to me. I am very grateful for the work they do. 

Q&A

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Physical activity benefits every individual, but it has particular advantages for people on the autism spectrum. Having a business such as NO MORE EXCUSES INC. support Autism Edmonton not only in raising much-needed funding but also general awareness in the community is just wonderful.

We are extremely grateful to the NO MORE EXCUSES Inc. studio, Cheryl Schneider and Zita Dube- Lockhart, the creator and owner of DiversiFit and an active Autism Edmonton member, for raising funds for Autism Edmonton’s programs. 

Money raised through Sweat for Autism will fund DiversiFit Program for different age groups. 

DiversiFit's aim is to offer fitness programming that:

is inclusive of all abilities and fitness levels instills values of body positivity, empowerment and self-efficacy teaches sustainable behaviour-change patterns promotes fitness for the entire family

DiversiFit is a seven-week series of personalized training sessions and learning. Each session is 1.5 hours long and includes a physical/training component as well as a workshop/learning component. Participants get to work directly with trainers to learn the fundamentals needed to safely train on their own. All exercise programming is designed in accordance with CSEP and AFLCA recommendations.

DiversiFit Children and Youth Program

When: January 20 through March 3, 1-2.30 p.m.  Where: NO MORE EXCUSES fitness studio (8111 43 St NW, Edmonton) Cost: $50 (family admission fee - two parents and their children)

DiversiFit Adult Program

When: February 8 through March 22, 1-2.30 p.m. Where: February 8-22 - Autism Edmonton programming space; March 1-22 - NAIT Fitness Centre. Cost: $50 (includes the participation cost of a caregiver or family member if applicable). Subsidized tickets are available for those who require financial assistance.

If you would like to participate in DiversiFit, please email us at support@autismedmonton.org.

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SANTA WELCOMES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES & ABILITIES A trip to the mall to take a photo with Santa is a special event for all families, but the holiday hustle can be overwhelming for children with autism. Loud noises, bright lights, and crowds are typically the things that cause anxiety for a person living with autism.

For the second year, Londonderry Mall teamed up with Autism Edmonton to run the Silent Santa program, which offered an opportunity for children with autism to have an enjoyable Santa visit in a quieter and sensory-friendly environment. The Silent Santa sessions were offered by appointment from 9:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. on November 26, December 3 and 17, and each session was fully booked. Families had to schedule a visit to avoid the lineup because waiting in long queues can be stressful for many children with autism.  

Autism Edmonton was thrilled to be involved in this initiative by offering an “Autism 101” training to Mr. and Mrs. Claus to help them prepare for the activity.

“Silent Santa allows families with children on the autism spectrums to experience a Santa visit in a comforting environment,” says Brooke Pinsky, Autism Edmonton’s Support Services Manager.

To create a more sensory-friendly environment, the music was kept off and the lights were slightly dimmer. The event was held before the opening of Londonderry to ensure there was minimal traffic and noise throughout the mall. 

Moreover, it is exciting that more and more malls are trying to make the Christmas tradition more inclusive - Kingsway Mall and Mill Woods Town Centre were also offering visits with Santa for children with special needs.

Next year, Autism Edmonton is hoping to host a Santa School where Santas working at malls across the city can learn about how to best support children on the autism spectrum.

Autism Edmonton is committed to ensuring that every person on the autism spectrum has the opportunity to succeed and achieve to his or her highest potential. We also believe that provision of more resources about autism would be extremely valuable in achieving this goal.

In 2017, Autism Edmonton partnered with the Adarius4Autism (A4A) to launch a pilot project - #GetToKnow.

The #GetToKnow project is a unique and interactive presentation for grades 4-12 that is intended to promote awareness and acceptance of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The presentation can accommodate up to 150 students per session. It is delivered in an active and engaging format that gets the students out of their desks and moving around, while participating in exercises that allow them to experience some of the challenges that people with autism may face. The presentation begins with a surprise sensory experience, requiring students to compete with the demanding and unexpected sensory environment to complete basic physical exercises.

In the upcoming year, we hope to deliver more #GetToKnow sessions in schools in Edmonton and the area. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in this presentation to be provided to a school you work at, or to one your child attends.

MORE #GETTOKNOW SESSION TO BEDELIVERED IN 2018!

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STRESS-REDUCINGHOLIDAY TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Christmas certainly is not one of the most autism-friendly holidays. Loud music and bright lights, as well as changes in routine and attending family gatherings, can be difficult and stressful for children with autism. We would like to share some tips that can help families lessen the stress of the holiday season and make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone. 

Autism Edmonton wishes you all a safe, happy, relaxing holiday season. It can be full of challenges, but we hope you all find the perfect way to celebrate with your own uniquely wonderful family. 

Set expectations by discussing with your child holiday traditions to make the change easier to adjust to. Use visuals and schedules. Make sure the childknows the plan for each day as soon as you know it. If you are planning to travel, be prepared to bring activities that will keep your child comfortable for long periods of time. Also, make sure you are bringing your kid's favourite games and books. Practice opening gifts, taking turns and waiting for others, and giving gifts.  Prepare for new environments by describing the place you will be visiting and telling about the people and animals that will be there as well as any food that may be served. Decorate in gradual stages to give your child time to get used to the change and also engage your child as much as possible in this process of decorating.  Flashing lights can disturb some children on the spectrum. To see how your child will respond to such decorations, experience these items in a store or a friend's home first. 

On Sunday, June 3, 2018, Autism Edmonton will be holding its ninth annual Cycle for Autism.

Cycle for Autism is a fun and inclusive event held each year to increase acceptance of autism in our community and raise essential funds for Autism Edmonton. Participants can run, roll, walk or cycle… whatever gets them around the route! This is a local event and 100% of the proceeds stay right here in the Edmonton area.

Cycle for Autism is so much more than just a fundraiser. It is meant to bring our families together and connect them with the community and other resources. As such, we have invited some of our awesome community partners to set up information tables in our Resource Fair and host a few fun activities for the kids. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2018 CYCLE FOR AUTISM!

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Develop social connections

Strengthen independence

Try new activities

Gain confidence

OCCASIO HELPS

Winter Programming

Does your son or daughter have autism?

Are you looking for social & recreational opportunities?

Participating families praise Occasio for opportunities it gives program participants

to practice social skills with peers and get more active in the community.  

Learn more at autismedmonton.org/occasio or call 780-453-3971 ext. 228.

Participants register on an activity-by-activity basis through their Occasio account on the Autism Edmonton website. This helps ensure that the users are attending activities that interest them and use respite as the family requires it.

Days offered: Tuesday, Saturday, every second Sunday and some PD Days