Julia Healey and Grace Liu, Occupational Therapists, each with over 20 years of experience in youth mental health, are excited to offer a 16-week PEERS Social Skills Group starting in February 2026. Our group starts Feb 1st, 2026, and ends on May 17th, 2026, and will be on Sundays from 3 to 4:30 pm. The group will be located at “This World’s Ours Centre” (191 East 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC). PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is a neuroaffirming, evidence-based social skills program for youth (ages 13-18) who experience social challenges and are motivated to learn how to make and keep friends. This program was originally designed to support youth with Autism, but has shown benefits for youth with other social challenges as well (e.g. social anxiety, ADHD, mental health). The PEERS® Program is designed to help teens enhance their social skills and confidence through interactive learning. Some of the topics covered include: Conversational skills; Choosing appropriate friends; Appropriate use of humour; Handling conflict; Handling rumours and gossip; Handling rejection, teasing, and bullying; Using electronic communication; and Sportpersonship skills. Cost: $1,900 (includes an intake meeting and 16 weeks of intervention). Autism Funding is accepted.

My creative, sixteen year old, artistic son, Matthew, has designed some digital art scenes in his Digital Art Class. These original digital art prints are perfect for cards, picture frames or wall posters. His art cards will be displayed at the Riverside Cavalry Chapel Church Christmas Craft Fair this Saturday, November 29, from 10:00 – 4:00.

Matthew
Designer, Artist
I am Matthew, I am a teen, and I love making art…pencil drawings, maps, comics, paintings, digital art, etc. I am autistic, and I have a visual-spatial gift. I especially like making pet art.

We provide information and mentoring to individuals with disabilities and their trusted others, supporting them to take greater control of their lives. We do this by exploring ideas and options that can lead to customized, inclusive, and creative supports and services. This includes walking people through the process of forming a Microboard™ and accessing funds through Individualized Funding and Person Centred Society contracts.

The VSO School of Music is thrilled to invite you to our Relaxed Experiences Series – a series of events that go beyond a concert. These events are a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone, especially for those who may benefit from a more flexible concert setting. Open to audiences of all ages, including neurodiverse individuals, people with sensory sensitivities, and families with young children, we invite you to experience music in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere.

By removing barriers and reducing performance formalities, Relaxed Experiences celebrate music as a shared joy, ensuring that everyone feels welcome to connect, listen, and participate in their own way.

Each Relaxed Experience includes:

-A Sensory Exploration Room where participants can engage in hands-on activities before or during the concert
-A Relaxed Concert featuring live music performed by small ensembles of 2 to 5 musicians in Pyatt Hall. Audience members are welcome to move around, make noise, or step in and out as needed, creating a comfortable and flexible concert experience.
-A Quiet Room set up with low lighting and minimal stimulation, providing a calm space for anyone who needs a break

Event Schedule:
10:00 AM – Sensory Room (Willms Salon): Interactive space with mats and instruments
10:00 AM – Quiet Room (Dressing Room): A calm, low-light area for relaxation and reduced stimulation
10:45 AM – Pyatt Hall doors open
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Performance in Pyatt Hall

Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday November 26, 2025
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Frida,y May 8, 2026
Wednesda,y June 17, 2026
Wednesd,ay June 24, 2026

Faye’s Room by Alex K. Masse and presented by Glitch Theatre is the story of Faye Murphy, an autistic lesbian who works at a queer cafe… and happens to have the power to summon and hide in a magical sensory room at will. When she becomes trapped in this room with her least favourite co-worker, son of the founder and token heterosexual Chase McLure, an unlikely bond forms, and the two find themselves with a bit more in common than they’d thought. Faye’s Room is a moving exploration of neurodivergent solidarity, intergenerational bonds, and internalized ableism.

Neurodiversity Wellness Collective is a POC-led counselling practice founded and directed by Yuka Oshimi, a neurodivergent Registered Clinical Counsellor with lived experience. We provide neurodivergent-affirming, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed counselling and psychotherapy for neurodivergent and neurotypical adults across Canada. Our practice offers an inclusive space where you feel heard, understood, and supported at every stage of your journey, whether you have received a formal diagnosis, suspect you may be neurodivergent, or are currently navigating a diagnosis.

We are registered with the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Autism Funding Program.

I am pleased to announce the opening of my private practice in Richmond, BC, specializing in comprehensive autism and psychoeducational assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. As a registered psychologist with the CHCPBC and an experienced assessor, my practice offers evidence-based, individualized evaluations designed to answer diagnostic questions, clarify learning and cognitive profiles in a thorough report, and provide tailored recommendations, accommodation suggestions, as well as targeted intervention options, based on the assessment results.

Referrals are welcome from pediatricians, family physicians, school teams, allied health professionals, or self-referrals by clients or families.

I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) specializing in supporting children and adolescents on the autism spectrum. My approach combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with a strong focus on nervous system regulation, emotional coping, and social skill development. I work collaboratively with families to create individualized strategies that fit each child’s unique profile, helping them manage anxiety, frustration, and other emotional challenges in daily life.

I provide short- and long-term counselling sessions that are practical, body-aware, and grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles. My work emphasizes helping youth develop resilience, self-awareness, and skills to navigate social situations, school challenges, and family dynamics. Sessions can be in-person or virtual, depending on family preference.

Entrepreneurs on the Rise offers women in British Columbia the chance to create, develop, and either launch a new business or grow an existing one. We understand the unique challenges faced by women, particularly those with barriers to traditional employment. This FREE program, presented by ETHOS in partnership with Community Futures British Columbia, is designed to support women entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Woman or Non-Binary Individual
Identify as having a disability (no doctor’s note required)
Legally entitled to work in Canada
Resident of British Columbia

Enjoy connecting with other families and playing with LEGO® in this small group, sensory-friendly, distraction-reduced program. Open to children with all abilities and needs, but especially designed for those who thrive with additional support, and their families or caregivers. Light levels will be reduced in the programming room while the rest of the library will function as usual. Sensory Kits with weighted stuffed, fidget toys, ear defenders, sunglasses, and drawing tablets will be available. No diagnosis or referral needed. Grades K – 7.

Space is limited to 6 children; non-Vancouver residents will be waitlisted. Siblings are welcome, but must also be registered. Children must be accompanied by an adult to allow 1-to-1 support. The program will be facilitated by one librarian. Please call the branch for more information. Drop-ins welcome as space allows.

Accessibility Information
VPL is committed to making our programs accessible to all. If you have an access need that we have not addressed here, please email us at [email protected].

• Takes place in a programming room
• Participants are welcome to move, stim, or take breaks as needed.
• The expected noise level in the rest of the library is loud.
• Movement-based activities can be adapted to different abilities.

For more information on physical access, view the Accessibility information on the Kensington Branch page.