Update on ACT’s Resources & Panel Discussion on Advocacy

9:00 - 10:45 An Update on ACT’s Resources
The day will begin with updates from ACT staff on recent enhancements to ACT’s resources for parents of children with autism and the professionals who support them. Many of these resources are appropriate for all children with special needs and across the lifespan. ACT is looking forward to receive feedback from families and professionals on how we should set our priorities for the next decade. The presentation will include brief demonstrations our many online resources:

• New Diagnosis Hub - Next Steps Guide
• Autism Information Database (AID)
• Autism in Chinese
• Autism Videos @ ACT (AVA)
• Enhanced RASP Search

11:00 - 2:30 - Advocacy Panel and Discussion

Increasingly it is evident, despite access to individualized funding over the past decade, a significant number of children and their families require intensive support that autism funding does not address. Adults are calling ACT in increasing numbers, some in severe crisis.

While ACT is not funded to provide individual advocacy to parents, or to adults, we guide callers to resources, and coach them to advocate for appropriate services for themselves or their children.

There are a number of autism organizations across B.C., some of which did not exist a decade ago, which have a primary role in advocacy. To open this discussion, a panel of speakers from a range of organizations will present their views on how B.C.’s autism community can collaborate to better support families and individuals with a range of special needs. In particular, we will focus on how to support marginalized families and individuals to have their needs met, including those affected by poverty, mental illness, those living on reserve and in isolated communities and those who struggle in English.

Questions and suggestions from the audience will be encouraged.