Support the Autism Community - Support ACT
This 'Giving Tuesday', ACT is asking for professionals and family members to consider making a donation to ACT. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, ACT has continued to support those with autism and associated neuro-diverse conditions, providing 7 free live web-streams in April and May to address the immediate needs triggered by the pandemic; updates on the policies of the BC Government affecting families and autistic adults; and our current series of free parent-focused web streamed practical presentations by terrific presenters.
Thanks to the generosity of our funders and our presenters during last year's campaign, ACT has been able to accomplish a great deal in 2020. ACT is a registered charity so we can provide you with a tax receipt.
COVID-19 Resources
ACT is gathering information to support families during the COVID-19 crisis, including resources specific to those who are neuro-diverse and useful general resources. Our COVID-19 Resources page will be updated as new resources come in.
- Watch Practical Tips for Helping Families Reduce Stress
- Resources for Families Waiting for Assessment
- View upcoming live web streams and presentations you can watch any time
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!
Guides to Videos & Resources
Download the ACT Videos & Resources Guide for the latest updates on ACT’s videos, events, and resources. We have specialized guides for:
Special Needs Resources Guide for Schools Guide to Mental Health Resources
ACT Videos & Resources Guide for Parents and Professionals Find Autism Information
Find practical autism resources in the Autism Information Database (AID). 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.
Free Web Stream Series
ACT has developed a free Fall/Spring series of presentations by speakers who will inspire and inform via web streaming. These free live web streamed events provide information for family and caregivers. They promote safety and meaningful community inclusion, with workshops on toilet training, Positive Behaviour Support and Individual Education Plans. The focus is on fostering independence and improving the quality of life of individuals with ASD and their families.
New event added: Toilet Training For Everyone - Revised and Expanded
Latest News
RCY Report: 'Left Out: Children and youth with special needs in the pandemic'Get the latest updates in your email. Subscribe to our newsletter for news, resources, and events:
ACT is committed to respecting your privacy. We do not share information with any other organization or individual. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read ACT’s Privacy Policy for more details.
Autism, Anxiety and COVID-19
To mark World Autism Day with a practical initiative, ACT invited three respected mental health clinicians, who have presented for ACT on autism and mental health, to answer questions on ‘Anxiety and COVID-19’.
Watch hereSearch the Autism Information Database
Search over 1,400 vetted information resources related to ASD, including online articles, videos, and websites.
Special 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.
Behaviour Interventionist Basic Training Workshop (Live Online)
Saturday, December 5 - Sunday, December 6
Canucks Autism Network: Stanley Park Bright Nights Train (Family Experience)
Tuesday, December 8
Vancouver
SHARE Zoom Group: Sexual Health and Relationships (Ages 15-25)
Tuesday, December 15 - Wednesday, December 16
News from ACT on Facebook
“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of our support systems for children and youth, exacerbating long-standing problems and layering on new ones. For the tens of thousands of B.C. families who rely on supports and services for children and youth with special needs, the pandemic illuminated a crisis decades in the making.”
This is the opening statement in the latest report by the Representative of Children and Youth [RCY], ‘Left Out: Children and youth with special needs in the pandemic’, a searing analysis of a shameful reality created by successive BC Governments.
RCY Report: 'Left Out: Children and youth with special needs in the pandemic'
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“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of our support systems for children and youth, exacerbating long-standing problems and layering on new ones. For the tens of thousands of B.C. famil...Read the report PDF directly here: rcybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CYSN_Report.pdf
There needs to be some sweeping BIG changes on all levels
"What constitutes effective training is difficult to establish. There is scant research on how well various kinds of training programs work, and poor trainings can do more harm than good, experts say. Some research suggests that training makes officers more confident that they understand autism, but no less likely to use force."
This article looks at the question of police training about autism in the United States and various issues, including the unfortunate tendency some people have to call the police when they see an autistic person behaving in ways they don't understand. Have you encountered situations where the police were called in unnecessarily because of autism?
Why autism training for police isn’t enough | Spectrum | Autism Research News
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Inconsistent and underfunded training programs may hurt more than they help, experts say.You can’t adequately train by teaching a one way look at autism, autism is a spectrum, many behaviours, no two are the same
"Unlike previous work in this area, both studies tracked children over time and included participants of different genders and abilities — vital factors in autism research, the authors and other researchers say. They are the first longitudinal imaging studies to include autistic children with intellectual disability." This new research from the University of California at Davis points to a distinct subtype of autism.
Big brain may mark subtype of autism | Spectrum | Autism Research News
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Autistic boys with large brains in early childhood still have large brains in adolescence, challenging the long-standing idea that brain enlargement in autism is temporary.Not might, for sure.
A free webinar offered by the Baby Navigator program at Florida State University tomorrow, Thursday December 3rd at 1 PM Eastern time (10 AM Pacific). Click to register if you are interested!
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Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: What does it take to learn to talk? Supporting Your Baby’s Learning in Everyday Activities. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about...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