ACT Events this fall
Live stream: Watch and participate live from anywhere with ACT web streaming.
Gaining Student Cooperation: The First Step to Learning and Inclusion - Friday, October 25th, 2019 POPARD’s Introduction to Navigating BC’s School System – Friday, November 15th, 2019 POPARD’s Introduction to Behavior and Mental Health – Friday, November 29th, 2019
New PBS Learning Series
Watch ACT's new Positive Behavior Support in School, Home and Community series. This learning stream of eleven presentations tackles the serious issue of how to work with children with challenging behaviors.
Including Students with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities in Schoolwide PBS: All Means ALL! PBS – Working Together to Support Children and Families
B.C. Resources
Looking for autism & special needs resources specific to British Columbia? Visit the new B.C. Resources page to find community agencies, recreational activities, service providers, support groups, education & employment, community events, the autism manual, new diagnosis hub, transition to adulthood, and much more!
Mental Health and Autism video series
Latest videos, + 4 more new videos. Part of the Online Mental Health & Autism Project.
Mental Health in Post-Secondary Education: What is It Like for Students with ASD and What Does the Research Say? - Dr. Rashmeen Nirmal Girls and Women with Eating Disorders – Dr. Christopher Gillberg Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Wellness of Teenage Girls and Women with ASD – Dori Zener
Find Autism Information
Find practical autism resources with the AID search. We've made it even easier to find resources and tools for parents and professionals with a new subject listing. Free and relevant world-wide.
You can also find 自閉症社區訓練協會 (ACT in Chinese), ACT in Punjabi, Online Mental Health & Autism Project: Looking Beyond Autism, and Autism Research.
Latest News
ACT’s News Round-Up: September 2019 EditionGet the latest updates in your email. Subscribe to our newsletter for news, resources, and events:
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Women & Girls with Autism
Researchers are increasingly recognizing that autism affects women and girls differently than males. Delays in diagnosis are common, reducing access to services, with implications for long-term mental health and employment prospects.
These presentations feature recent research, with a focus on the experience and perspectives of women and girls with autism.
Watch NowWeb streaming an ACT Event
ACT’s web streaming is LIVE online video broadcasts, in real time, of autism training events. Visit our web streaming page to find our September event with Sarah Ward, and find details on how your school, organization, or group can receive discounted rates.
Web Streaming DetailsSearch the Autism Information Database
Search over 1,400 vetted information resources related to ASD, including online articles, videos, and websites.
Upcoming Events
October 25th, 2019 - Vancouver
November 15th, 2019 - Vancouver
November 22nd, 2019 - Vancouver
November 29th, 2019 - Vancouver
Featured Videos
View all videosSpecial Needs Community Events
ACT lists workshops and conferences in B.C. related to autism and other special needs that are provided by local agencies and organizations.
Symposium: Theatre and Accessibility in a Digital World
Sunday, October 20 - Tuesday, October 22
Vancouver
News from ACT on Facebook
"Six years ago, her Virginia court case opened the way for others with disabilities to fight for their independence. Hatch challenged a guardianship request by her parents that would have allowed them to keep her in a group home, and away from the friends she wanted to live with and the job she wanted to hold. Her attorneys argued at the time that she didn't need someone to make every decision for her. She simply needed support making decisions. When Hatch won her case, she became an immediate champion for disability rights. She also became a reminder of what is possible when people are judged by what they can do instead of by what they can't."
Disability rights advocate's decision: To help others
Jenny Hatch does not like President Donald Trump. This matters, but not for the reason you might think. This matters because the 35-year-old who has Down syndrome decided on her own that he didn't des...An American mother’s Facebook post about her autistic child using a blue Halloween bucket has recently gone viral, but the blue bucket phenomenon hasn’t really caught on in Canada and some autism organizations oppose it. What are your thoughts? How can a non-verbal child or one who isn’t comfortable talking to strangers have a positive experience of trick-or-treating?
Autism Canada doesn’t endorse 'singling out children' with blue Halloween buckets
While some U.S. parents are giving their kids blue buckets this Halloween to signify autism, a leading Canadian advocacy group says it opposes the trend for “singling out children.”When mine was younger and not talking much I just stood by him at the door basically joined him in saying trick or treat and thank you. I honestly don't see the big deal people just hand out candy they don't ask a bunch of questions. My opinion from my experiance, 10 hallowe'en s
I’m happy to see blue buckets. As a parent of two children with autism, I don’t see blue buckets as a problem, when it helps kids enjoy the day. Autism Canada needs to “Lighten up”. PS: If you show up at my door, you get candy, until the candy is all gone (and I’ve never ran out of candy yet). I don’t care if your dressed or undressed, if you say the magic words or not, if you smile or not, or if you look younger or older, or shorter or taller, or if you grab from the candy bowl instead of “waiting to be served”. Its Halloween and I just want everyone to enjoy themselves as much as they possibly can.
I think it is an excellent idea. I would rather have my child singled out as being autistic than have them berated for appearing impolite for not speaking. I really don't think a kid cares much about the colour of his/her pumpkin but they would care if some misunderstood person chastised them for not saying "thank you" which they couldn't do if they were non-verbal. Pick your battles.
I discussed this with my adult child with autism and he would have liked this. Handing over a card or an explanation at ever house singles a child out more then a different coloured bucket. Kids don’t all carry orange pumpkins and pillow cases any more
I think this is a wonderful idea. I don’t think it does anything other than bring awareness regarding autism. Why hide it, it’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Unfortunately children learn from the adults around them that having a disability is a horrible and embarrassing thing. Over the years I have seen many adults denying children of candy on Halloween because they are either too tall or didn’t say “trick or treat.”
If a child choses a color for his confort,then be it!Anything makes him happy
I wear an Autism awareness shirt- it helps with the 'sorry' when my son tries to push past and go in ppls homes
If or when a teenager comes to my house I just give out candy and sometimes to the adults with the child I don’t care it one day of the year and I watch the kids cues but having a child with autism I see things if they don’t look at me or has other cues I just usually go here’s to Halloween a treat in the bag thank you have a good night I’m sure people have wondered about it
I like this idea. Our daughter IS different and why should that be hidden?! Having to explain why she won't say trick or treat or doesn't wear a costume to every single house takes away from my and my daughters fun experience. Why are Canadians so afraid of being different? We all are different. My child lives with ASD and anxiety so for her to knock on doors is a huge accomplishment! To have to add an explanation on top of that is not fair to her. I don't agree with handing out the card in this instance for the same reason as it starts the whole conversation again. I don't want to educate, I just want to enjoy Halloween with my daughter :)
First, it's not okay to disclose somebody else's diagnosis without their consent, no matter how old or young they are. Second, people should not be jerks. They should not refuse to hand out candy simply because a child doesn't say trick or treat. Maybe the child is shy. Maybe they have another issue that makes them not talk. Why single out autism when there could be many other reasons? Third, I have heard that many parents create small cards that say things like, "I can't say trick or treat, but may I please have some candy? Thank you!" This is polite, it doesn't disclose a diagnosis, and it explains the no-talking without the parent needing to repeat it. Finally, you don't owe anybody your diagnosis or your child's diagnosis. People should stop being the candy police and not demand a reason for a child not to talk./
Being a Mom of a little girl with feeding tube and autism it’s WAY to close to the teal colour pumpkin for kids that can’t eat . I think it’s an alright idea though.
I think it's is quite variable and I believe it's good to have an option. If a child wants to blend in, let them. If they risk being singled out and judged as rude and possibly penalized for it, then go for it (I've seen people give less to the kids that can't/don't speak up!). I recall being humiliated as a tall 11 yo, because I was out with my shorter friend and her two younger sisters. People judged and decided I was too old - cuz of my relative height, and refused to give me candy. I was still in elementary school! So having only something minor, like height, be a source of discomfort I can only try to imagine the child with bigger challenges has to face and experience! My son used to revel in the social and having people to chat with. We had to go separately with him cuz the other kids didn't like being slowed down! Lol
surely it can be an individual family's choice. It doesn't have to be a massive 'everybody do it' thing nor does Autism Can have to endorse it. I see both sides, and I figure it'll depend on the kid & the parents & the community ...
I like it because people just judge and think its rude that the kid doesnt say thank u after getting candy.
No blue bucket. At night, blue would be indistinguishable from the teal used for teal pumpkin project for food allergic children. Plus why put a target on their backs? Someone could exploit them.
My son would have a nervous breakdown if we took him out. I don’t know how other kids with Autism can enjoy it.🤔
Why not let it be a silent reminder? Better than having to explain many times or have the child put into a more anxiety inducing period!
We are most comfortable in an inclusive environment, singling out my child with autism would make him and us uncomfortable. Our aim is to have fun trick or treating, and we make it about that -not a blue bucket. These events are supposed to be fun, and if one of us starts to feel overwhelmed we have lots of options to help us, including having a treat from our bags while we walk, or a fast walk to the next house, or calling it a night while things are still good... so many options to choose from.
How about everyone just does what works best for them and their family 🤷🏼♀️ If you want to use the blue bucket to let people know your situation then use it. If you don’t then don’t. It’s similar to the sunflower lanyard to identify those with hidden disabilities. Personally for our family these type of things are very helpful.
my kids get the same as everyone else. My oldest on spectrum doesn't even really dress up but he still goes.
I’m for it and already have our blue bucket. My 6 year old is non speaking so I definitely like the idea of not having to explain to every person we encounter. This is our first year trying to trick or treat so we’ll see.
I have spoken to verbal kids on the spectrum who don’t want it. They want to blend in. I give out treats to anyone who comes. I take my kiddo to known houses so there isn’t an issue. Halloween is loud for a lot of kids.
No one even is even going to know what the blue bucket means they ring the door bell they get candy thrown in whatever and why single them out?? My son prefers his pillow case anyways:)
Who gives a crap who endorses it or not. If it works for your family...then do it. Thought we were a community of no judgement. Don't allow organizations to make choices for individuals.
I always cringe every Halloween wondering which one of these households is going to try make my nonverbal child sing and then the awkward moment follows where my child just wants to leave and the requestor of the singing is puzzled
A 10-year-old boy in the Victoria area who didn't talk at age three now speaks four languages, is taking Grade 12 calculus, and has a YouTube channel called Making Math Easy.
maybe it can help my 12 yo (who is still verbally and 'academically' delayed) enjoy math, which he struggles with at a basic level
That’s fantastic to hear. My son is similar, in that he was late to talk, but now he talks all the time, and he has a brilliant memory too (and is often found correcting his teachers 😆).
Bethel Lee
U Can’t compare this, cuz Autism is a spectrum disorder, but they constantly fixate on the really super intelligent one so that just becomes a main stream view of what An autistic person “should” “be like“... this in fact perpetuates stereotypes... most the time this won’t happen it’s an anomaly an isolated incident, not the norm... but it’s turned into an expectation because there’s so many stories like this in the media and even turned into main stream TV shows/movies... it really hurts the people who sound /seem like they’re intelligent they still have severe deficits in their executive functioning and organization, so these never get the help They need and are constantly overestimated and never taken seriously... this is the part of the reason why, because stories likes this create expectations , stereotype, and create this certain ideal... For every so-called success story they need other stories of people who couldn’t make it either there’s just as many if not more and don’t point in saying because that pe for every so-called success story , they need other stories of people who didn’t Have this happen... there’s just as many if not more...
By the way I have Autism and experience this kind of discrimination and judgement and assumption constantly ... stop perpetuating it
"Maccarone’s son Sam recently turned 18, which means he’s aged out of many services available to youth on the autism spectrum. Maccarone said he’s lost his pediatrician and navigating school support has been difficult." A member of Quebec's National Assembly who is also the mother of two young adult children on the spectrum is hoping that federal politicians will support a national autism strategy.
Push for autism services a personal battle for this Liberal MNA
A Liberal MNA is pushing for candidates in the federal election to come up with a national strategy to help families dealing with autism.自閉症社區訓練協會 | ACT in Chinese
ACT 自閉症社區訓練協會，
是加拿大卑詩省內針對家有自閉症兒童的家庭提供諮詢及轉介服務的非營利機構。
ACT in Punjabi
ACT has been able to both create and identify valuable resources for the Punjabi-speaking community in British Columbia.
View Punjabi-language Resources