ACT News
Back to School Resources
The transition back to school can be exciting, scary, and full of change for everyone. ACT has developed free resources especially for the B.C context to help parents and school aged children with autism manage the transition:
- Create a student profile to help introduce your child to his or her school team – ACT has developed examples and templates.
- Chapters on the B.C. school system and how to advocate for your child from ACT’s Autism Manual for B.C.
- ACT’s free online video Education, Integration, Inclusion by Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen reviews important sections of the B.C. School Act and documents issued by B.C.’s Ministry of Education.
ACT’s Autism Information Database has links to great local and international resources:
- Special Needs School District contacts for B.C.’s public education system
- Strategies for Surviving Middle School with an Included Child with Autism
- Transitioning back to school – 5 tips for teachers
- Everyone Belongs in Our Schools
- Preparing for College
Contact ACT at 604-205-5467, 1-866-939-5188 or info@actcommunity.ca to speak to an information officer
Share your Family, Fun and Work Photos with the Autism Community
ACT is collecting new photos of kids or young adults with their peers or families, engaging in work, community or family activities to include in ACT print and online materials. We are especially keen to feature adults with autism in the workplace as we are preparing an employment guide!
Please consider sharing your photos with the autism community. Send your photos*, using this online folder or the online submission form. Our designer is eagerly awaiting your submissions!
* When you submit your photos to ACT, please note:
- You are giving us permission to use them in our information and promotional material both in print and online.
- ACT is a not-for-profit; we will not use these photos commercially.
- ACT will not name any of the individuals in the photos.
- ACT cannot use every photo submitted but we do appreciate every one sent to us.
Thank you in advance. You can send photos using this online folder or the online submission form.
ACT’s Fall Events in Kamloops and Vancouver
September 17 & 18, 2015 − Vancouver – regular rate ends Sept 9th
Social Thinking and Mental Health Frameworks – Blending Strategies to Reach Our Students Presented by Nancy Clements, MA, CCC-SLP & Nancy Cotton, PhD
October 2nd, 2015 − Kamloops – regular rate ends Sept 23rd
Advocacy Tools for Parents of Children with Special Needs Presented by Deborah Pugh
October 3, 2015 − Kamloops – regular rate ends Sept 23rd
Positive Behavior Support: What Parents Need to Know! Presented by Brenda Fossett, Ph.D., BCBA-D
October 23rd, 2015 − Vancouver – early bird rate ends Sept 14th
Thriving in Youth with ASD – What Does it Take? Presented by Jonathan Weiss, PhD
November 7th, 2015 − Vancouver – early bird rate ends Sept 30th
Positive Behavior Support: What Parents Need to Know! Presented by Brenda Fossett, Ph.D., BCBA-D
November 20th, 2015 − Vancouver
Advocacy Tools for Parents of Children with Special Needs Presented by Deborah Pugh
November 21st, 2015 − Vancouver
Taking Control of the Future – Planning for Families with Special Needs Presented by Blair Dwyer & Layli Antinuk, Dwyer Tax Law, Victoria
December 5th, 2015 − Vancouver
Faster than a Speeding Bullet: iPads in Autism Intervention Presented by Brenda Fossett, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Free Online Videos
Access all 16 of ACT’s videos online at www.actcommunity.ca/videos. These free videos can be viewed on your computer or mobile device. Each video is edited into smaller chunks, so you can watch a few segments at a time on a range of topics including:
- Best Practices in Early Intervention: An Update on the Research and Helping Families Build the “Team” – an update of current best practice treatment approaches for children and youth with ASD.Presented by Dr. Karen D. Bopp, RSLP.Recorded June 2015
- Navigating Puberty, Adolescence and Beyond: Supporting Individuals with Neuro-Developmental Challenges – Joy Becker, RN, uses humour and insight to provide a foundation for teaching individuals with ASD and/or other special needs about sexuality and their bodies.Recorded July 2015
MCFD New Parent’s Handbook 2015
A Parent’s Handbook: Your Guide to Autism Programs has just been released by MCFD. It describes Autism Programs, including the Autism Funding process and other useful information for both parents and service providers.
The handbook is available through the MCFD website or can be mailed to you by MCFD. Call the Autism Funding Branch toll-free at 1-877-777-3530 to request a copy.
Facing Your Fears: Free Anxiety Treatment Group for Pre-Teens
The Neuropsychiatry Clinic at B.C. Children’s Hospital invites applications for the “Facing Your Fears” therapy group specifically designed for the needs of 8-12 year olds with autism and clinically significant anxiety. Children, aged 8-12, must have average or above average verbal skills and a caregiver who can participate in the group. For full information, and to apply, call Julia Eng at 604-875-2345 ext. 2719. Questions? Call Dr. Melanie McConnell at 604-875-2345, ext. 5576.
Employment Matters – a documentary
Employment Matters, a documentary about employment of people with intellectual disabilities aired on CBC last Saturday – watch the full documentary online. Employment Matters Too will air Saturday, August 29th at 7pm on CBC or online. For more information, or to purchase DVDs, contact Brandy at employmentmatterstoo.com.
Community Notes
Employment Roundtable – Surrey, Sept 17th
Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) is hosting a day of self-advocate stories. The focus is on self-advocates’ experience of being supported to seek employment and their experiences of being employed. The speakers will provide tips to job coaches and their personal reflections regarding employment. The Roundtable is open to all, including family members and self-advocates. Register online.
Fundraising Gala for Canucks Autism Network – Vancouver, Sept 24th
Join the Canucks Autism Network on Thursday, September 24 at Rogers Arena for their one-of-a-kind, inaugural Reveal Gala in support of families living with autism in British Columbia. The Reveal Gala promises key representation from the Vancouver Canucks, participation from individuals with autism, and exciting surprises throughout the night. To reserve your seats now, visit www.canucksautism.ca/reveal or email events@canucksautism.ca.
Walk Now for Autism Speaks – Burnaby, Sept 27th
Autism Speaks Canada’s ‘Walk Now’ at Swangard Stadium, Central Park Burnaby, Sunday, Sept 27. More food, More Kids Zone, More entertainment – more fun!! Register, volunteer or donate
Help Translink be More Accessible – Application deadline Sept 30th
The Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee assists Translink in implementing the Access Transit Strategy by focusing on the universal accessibility of public transportation in Metro Vancouver. They are accepting applications for the 2016 calendar year. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2015. For details, eligibility requirements and application, see their website.
Autism in the Media
- Rewriting Autism History (The Atlantic)
- $3.4 million grant to train dentists to care for patients with autism (Autism Speaks)
- A Michigan School District Has Developed A Sex Ed Program For Special Education Students (Bustle.com)
- We have autism all wrong: The radical new approach we need to understand and treat it (Salon.com)
