Recherche

Proximity
Camp Session
Afficher 271 - 300 de 319
Afficher 1 - 319 de 319

Statement by Autism Ontario: Guilty Verdict in Toronto Van Attack Trial has Lasting Implications for Autism Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, March 3, 2021 Statement by Autism Ontario: Guilty Verdict in Toronto Van Attack Trial has Lasting Implications for Autism Community Statement by Autism Ontario: Guilty Verdict in Toronto Van Attack Trial has Lasting Implications for Autism Community Download the PDF. FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE – Toronto, Ontario – March 3, 2021 - With today's verdict, there are no winners, but a measure of justice has been served for the families of those murdered: Beutis Renuka Amarasinghe, Andrea Knafelc Bradden, Geraldine Brady, So He Chung, Anne Marie D'Amico, Mary
Ken Robertson

Welcome to the Blog!
~ 2 minute read Greetings! Welcome to our new Autism Ontario Blog! I am Ken Robertson, elected and volunteer Board Member and Treasurer for the past three years. I am Indigenous from Secwepemc Nation of the South Thompson Band of Neskonlith peoples, which is Interior Salish. My clan is the Cinnamon Bear, and my spirit name is “Skylux,” meaning Bear Cubs (a name that suits me well because I have an identical twin). I am proud to be able to give a voice to Indigenous people across Ontario. We on Autism Ontario’s Board want to make ourselves more available to you, to be more transparent, and to

Signature Series Webinar- Building Self-Advocacy Skills for Autistic Women and Girls with Stephanie Moeser

This webinar aired on March 6th, 2025 and is now available On-Demand, register to watch now and view the resources to accompany the content of this presentation.

Join us for Autism Ontario’s next Signature Series webinar, designed for parents, caregivers, and family members of autistic people.  

In celebration of International Women's Day 2025, Stephanie Moeser will join Matt Ley to discuss how parents can help build self-advocacy skills in their daughters to make informed decisions. We will also have the opportunity to hear stories of success, challenges, and advice from two autistic women. 

This presentation will highlight building self-advocacy skills in girls and women; however, the messaging and strategies are applicable to all genders. 

Learning objectives: 

  1. What self-advocacy is, and why it is an important skill to teach to our children.  
  2. What parents need to think about when teaching self-advocacy skills to autistic people.  
  3. The importance of context when building self-advocacy skills, with examples.  
  4. Strategies for how parents and family members can support advocacy skills with their autistic loved one

This webinar will offer valuable insights and practical advice for supporting autistic individuals with complex needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts and gain insights for your loved ones! 

Register here to watch this discussion On-Demand.

This webinar will offer valuable insights and practical advice for autistic individuals and their families. Professionals working with this population are welcome to attend. 

Ready to Dive Deeper? In Focus, the aftershow now available. Click here for details!

Stephanie Moeser

Stephanie Moeser, (she/her), MSW, RSW 

Stephanie has a small private practice which primarily focuses on supporting autistic folks through a neurodivergent affirming lens. She specializes in supporting autistic students attending post-secondary education and autistic girls, women, trans and non-binary people providing mental health supports addressing areas of relationships, wellness, and issues related to managing mental health challenges such as anxiety and mood disorders.  

Over the years Stephanie has presented on the topic of wellness and self-care to parents/caregivers, people living with disabilities, mental health professionals and allied health professionals. She is passionate about the need to talk about feelings and to integrate active compassion into one life. 

Headshot of Matt Ley, moderator.

Meet Our Moderator: Matt Ley  

 Matt Ley is the current President and co-founder of The Streaming Network. Starting his career in virtual events in 2007, Matt is an industry veteran who is passionate about helping customers stand out in their industry with compelling virtual events that people want to attend. The driving ambition for Matt is that virtual events are not a utility for information distribution but an opportunity for firms to create a competitive advantage. Matt is an accomplished moderator, dedicated to creating engaging, accessible virtual experiences that resonate with audiences and provide meaningful value.  

 

#IWD2025   #AccelerateAction #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #WomensDay 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions.  

York Region Golf Tournament

Dear Friend of Autism Ontario Kids (AOK) Camp, We hope you are enjoying the summer and that you and your family are staying safe during these challenging times. Since Ontario started to move through various ‘stages of opening’ in late spring, we have been in conversations regarding the viability of running our annual Charity Golf Classic. We ultimately decided the safety of our guests is more important than fundraising in this current environment. We are happy to report that the revenue generated through your generous support from last year’s tournament helped to fund a summer Camp@Home

Webinar – Moving Past the Pandemic- Considerations for Autistic Children & Caregivers in Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many, but recent research suggests that the mental health and overall wellbeing of families of children on the autism spectrum have been disproportionally impacted by multiple waves of lockdowns across Canada. In this panel with researchers Dr. Vivian Lee (Carleton University) and Jonathan Weiss (York University), as well as researcher-parent Dr. Janet McLaughlin (Wilfred Laurier), Matthew Ley (host) will discuss the current research on how autistic children and their families have been impacted by the pandemic but also ways in which families have been able to cope and thrive. Long term implications of the pandemic will be discussed as well as ways we can continue supporting caregivers and families as we move forward past the pandemic.

Panelists

VL

Dr. Vivian Lee, Ph.D.

Vivian Lee is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University. Her research focuses on the emotional and mental health of children and youth with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her work includes the investigation of child-, parent-, and system-level characteristics, and the relationship between these factors, that either support healthy emotional development or exacerbates difficulties in the child and for the family. She is also interested in the impact of these factors on overall parent and family wellbeing. Additionally, she has an interest in implementation science and program evaluations and working alongside community-based autism care providers and advocacy groups, she is investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as participation in psychosocial interventions, on the mental health and wellbeing of autistic youth and their caregivers.

JW

Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Ph.D.

Dr. Weiss is a Professor in the Department of Psychology, and a Clinical Psychologist. He holds a Tier 2 York Research Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disability Mental Health and is the Director of La Marsh Centre for Child & Youth Research. His research focuses on mental health in autistic people or people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. He conducts studies into how people with developmental disabilities access mental health care, and is interested in their service needs, use, and experiences. His work is also focused on understanding and supporting family wellness when at least one family member has a developmental disability. He is interested in program development and evaluation, and in particular on the impact of Special Olympics on the psychological well-being of participants, and of psychosocial interventions to promote resilience and improve the mental health of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

JM

Dr. Janet McLaughlin, Ph.D.

Janet McLaughlin is an Associate Professor of Community Health and co-founder and co-director of the Laurier Autism Research Consortium (LARC) at Wilfrid Laurier University. After her son was diagnosed with autism in 2012, she developed an interest in the needs and experiences of caregivers, including how service access challenges influence their well-being. She has since led two major province-wide studies investigating these issues, the most recent of which was a partnership between LARC and Autism Ontario. The findings from this study, Families in Flux, explored access to autism services, education, and well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. McLaughlin’s current research focuses on understanding the experiences of underserved communities, particularly Indigenous and newcomer families. She previously served on the Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions.

Virtual Secret Agent Society: Operation Regulation

Webinar - Supporting Queer and Gender Diverse Autistic Youth with Stephanie Moeser and anya gwynne

In this interactive webinar, anya, and Stephanie will discuss gender identity and autism, and talk about ways to support your queer and gender-diverse autistic children.

Stephanie is a cis-gender social worker who has years of experience working with autistic youth, teens and adults, and their families.

anya is a non-binary person, consultant, and educator who has years of experience supporting queer and gender-diverse youth, adults, and families in the 2-SLGBTQIA+ community. anya brings a genuine and authentic voice to this discussion to further support families along their journey to understand and affirm their children.

Together, anya and Stephanie will provide you with the language and skills to help you build strategies for supporting, your children to live their authentic selves.  

This webinar is appropriate for parents and caregivers of autistic youth as well as professionals working with autistic youth.

Co-speaker: Stephanie Moeser, R.S.W, M.S.W 

Stephanie Moeser

Stephanie Moeser is a social worker living and working in Peterborough, ON. As a part time faculty at Fleming College, she teaches in the Mental Health and Addictions, Social Service Worker and Developmental Service Worker programs.  Originally from Toronto, a focus of Stephanie’s clinical work has been in supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. In her private practice Stephanie provides mental health supports addressing areas of relationships, wellness, and issues related to managing mental health challenges such as anxiety and mood disorders. She has a specialization in supporting autistic students attending post-secondary education, and girls, women and trans and non-binary people on the spectrum.  

Over the years Stephanie has presented on the topic of wellness and selfcare to parents/caregivers, people living with disabilities, mental health professionals and allied health professionals. This past month she has provided a series of webinars on this topic for Autism Ontario. She is passionate about the need to talk about feelings and to integrate active compassion into one own’s life, especially during this difficult time. 

ag

Co-Speaker: anya gwynne

A second-generation settler living in Nogojiwanong, anya gwynne is a queer and non-binary, writer, parent and facilitator. Over the last 15 years, they have engaged service providers, educators, and the community to build welcoming spaces and improve services for 2S/LGBTQIA+ people, creating authentic opportunities for learning and connection.  anya has developed trauma-informed programming and facilitated diverse groups.  They are grateful for the opportunity to have worked across Turtle Island with youth and intergenerational communities, witnessing stories of resistance and change. 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Our Team

Provincial Office Autism Ontario’s Provincial Office is located in Toronto and is comprised of both full-time and part-time employees, who support the entire organization. Our Senior Leadership Team Farrukh Abbas - Chief Finance and Information Officer Amanda Dimilta - Chief Advocacy, Policy and Community Engagement Officer Indu Radhakrishnan - Chief Human Resources Officer Christa Sawyer - Chief Operations Officer - Family Support Jane Silva - Chief of Strategic Initiatives Officer Margaret Spoelstra - Chief Executive Officer Province Wide Staff Outside of our office in Toronto, Autism
Autism Ontario

Autistic Children Create, Connect, and Learn Through 3D Technology
One Saturday afternoon in October, twelve autistic children sat around a long table in a storefront location in Eastern Toronto. In front of their computer terminals, they watched intently as instructor Paul Tom showed them how to make bobbleheads using 3D printing technology. The event, held at Little Robot Friends, was enjoyed by both children and their parents and caregivers who had brought them. Some of the more experienced children used computer software to draw designs on the screen of the monitors in front of them. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves,” observes Elizabeth Rudyk

Autism Ontario Responds to Needs-Based Autism Program Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, February 4, 2021 Autism Ontario Responds to Needs-Based Autism Program Announcement Autism Ontario Responds to Needs-Based Autism Program Announcement Download the PDF. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Toronto, Ontario - February 4, 2021 -- Yesterday’s announcement from the Province of Ontario that it will begin core clinical services for approximately 600 children in the new needs-based Ontario Autism Program (OAP) this March is long-awaited news by families of children and youth on the autism spectrum. The announcement reflects key recommendations of the
Monica Richardson, Fund Development Manager, Autism Ontario, 2 minute read

The Ritchie Family Fund – leaving a lasting gift to Autism Ontario

Eleanor and Jim Ritchie were long-time supporters of Autism Ontario, back as early as the 1970s, when Autism Ontario, founded in 1973, was called the Ontario Society for Autistic Children. They had four children – Elizabeth, Charlie, David and Paul, who was autistic. Years before Autism Ontario was offering the broad set of family events, services and supports as they do today, the grassroots organization was for many families a source of companionship, socializing and being with others who ‘understood what it was like for a family.’ That need for belonging and community still exists today
Monica Richardson, Fund Development Manager, Autism Ontario

Safe and inclusive family time – you help make this gift a reality!
2 minute read - For many of us, being with family and doing everyday activities like shopping, going on trips, and walking through festive holiday markets is simple and does not require a lot of pre-planning. That’s not the case for many families with autistic children. For example, you may need to plan your outing well in advance for a time that’s not busy or distracting. You may also have to bring along a support worker, which can mean additional planning and expenses. Over the years, Autism Ontario’s staff and volunteers have established some amazing partnerships which have enabled us to
by Michael Cnudde (from the Winter 2020 issue of Autism Matters), 3 minute read

Jordan’s Principle: Why it Matters for Aboriginal Children with Autism and their Families

Jordan River Anderson, from Norway House Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, was born with complex medical needs. Due to his diagnosis, he spent most of his life in a Winnipeg hospital. Once he was cleared to return home to receive home care, it became unclear who was responsible for providing it: the federal government due to his Indigenous Status, or the provincial government, which was mandated by the BNA Act to provide health care for all citizens. The federal and provincial government could not come to an agreement over who was responsible for his in-home medical expenses, and Jordan never
Autism Ontario

Autism Ontario Brings Robotics to Life for Scarborough Youth
The library was full of robots. The robot whirred and clicked as it rolled across the library carpet. Akira Kaushal watched intently as the robot he built and programmed paused, pivoted sharply, and began to roll back towards him, stopping at his feet. Akira smiled gently as he picked up the robot and carefully held it in both hands. “It’s fun,” he announced. Akira was attending the First Robot Challenge held in the school library at Norman Bethune Secondary School, in Scarborough Ontario, held in conjunction with the school’s robotics team and Autism Ontario. “He’s always had an interest in

Ontario Government Announces Inter-ministerial Approach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, April 2, 2019 Ontario Government Announces Inter-ministerial Approach to Supporting Children and Youth with Autism and Their Families Today’s announcement means families, Autistic self-advocates, clinicians and other professionals will have many different opportunities to play a larger role in shaping the Ontario Autism Program This announcement made by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education represents many important steps towards acceptance and opportunities for
Autism Ontario

Offering Sympathy and Solidarity in Supporting Families Affected by Recent Events at Beating the Odds
Offering Sympathy and Solidarity in Supporting Families Affected by Recent Events at Beating the Odds [Toronto, Ontario] Our hearts go out to the families affected by the recent events at Beating the Odds IBI & Child Development Services in Essa Township. Autism Ontario understands that this situation has caused distress and concern among parents, especially those who trusted the facility to provide the care and support their children deserve. The safety and well-being of children are of paramount importance, and we acknowledge the emotions families may be experiencing during this difficult
Jennifer Cantello Daw and Suzanne Murphy

Sensory Strategies for Teens and Adults
~ 3 minute read This article was originally published in 2015. People of all ages can require strategies that help regulate (stimulate or calm) their nervous systems. “Sensory-seeking individuals often continue to crave input as they get older…sensory-seeking can impact an individual’s work, leisure and self-care. Remember the need for intense input does not automatically disappear just because a person is older”.1 What are fidget items? A fidget item is a small object used to provide input into any of the senses and “may help improve concentration and attention to task”.2 Unless specific

Autism Ontario Responds to Announcement Regarding Implementation of the Needs-Based Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Toronto, Ontario, December 19, 2019 Autism Ontario Responds to Announcement Regarding Implementation of the Needs-Based Program Autism Ontario Responds to Announcement Regarding Implementation of the Needs-Based Program Download the PDF Link On December 17, MCCSS Minister Todd Smith, together with MPP Jeremy Roberts, announced the Government of Ontario’s endorsement of key recommendations in the OAP Advisory Panel Report that was released on October 30, 2019. The announcement identified signs of positive movement forward while also including some disappointing news that
Taunia Clouthier BSc, MSc (OT), OT Reg. (ON)

Top Ten Things You Should Know About Learning to Print
~ 5 minute read 1. Pre-printing strokes l − ○ + / □ \ × Δ Prior to printing letters, children should know how to draw these shapes. Typically, around two years of age, children will develop the vertical line. By six years of age, most children are able to draw all of the shapes. Usually, it is not until a child can consistently copy a triangle that they will have success with learning to print all of their letters. Practice these strokes with your child to develop a stronger foundation for letter formations! 2. Trunk strength and shoulder stability In order to develop the finer movements our
Taunia Clouthier

How Can I Help My Child to Print?
~5 minute read Although printing may be like second nature to you, it is actually a very complex task. In order to become a successful printer, it is important to first develop the ‘building blocks’ of printing. These skills help develop the core foundations to which printing is built upon. Children who are taught printing before they are truly ready to master the skill may become discouraged and develop poor writing habits. I have highlighted 5 key building blocks below to help get your child started on a path towards printing success! Check how your child performs in these areas and try some

About Autism

What is Autism? The clinical model defines autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people and the world around them. It can affect body language and posture, social interactions and relationships, how you engage with your interests, and sensory processing capacities. Autism exists in all cultures, ethnicities, races, and gender identities. While the Public Health Agency of Canada references the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in classifying autism as a disorder, many
J. Dale Munro, MSW, RSW, FAAIDD

Donner du pouvoir aux familles : le « modèle d’approche par étapes » pour des revendications efficaces

Les familles d’enfants, d’adolescents et d’adultes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA), ou autres troubles connexes, ne disposent pas toujours des habiletés et de la confiance nécessaires pour soulever leurs préoccupations avec aisance et de manière constructive auprès des systèmes de services sociaux. Néanmoins, les familles ont parfois plus de poids politique qu’elles n’en sont conscientes lorsque vient le temps d’apporter des changements dans les systèmes d’éducation, de développement, de santé et de services sociaux (Schields, 1987). Quand elles soulèvent des inquiétudes, les

Addressing Mental Health Issues

This article summarizes some of the information contained in the report entitled: “Diversity in Ontario’s Youth and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Complex Needs in Unprepared Systems”.


Mental health disorders in youth and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) pose a significant clinical problem and often have a marked effect on their quality of life. Anxiety disorders and mood disorders occur at a higher rate in individuals with ASD compared to the general population. However, the dearth of services for youth and adults on the spectrum means that mental health issues may not be adequately addressed. “The implications of not proactively addressing the co-morbid mental health issues in ASDs concern clinicians in the field of autism, as well as the individuals themselves, and their families” (Stoddart, Burke & King, 2013, p, 84). This lack of recognition is exemplified when an individual on the autism spectrum is not diagnosed or treated as having ASD in the mental health system—or alternatively, when a person receives services relating only to the features of autism, and cannot access generic mental health services due to reluctance to treat somebody

Finding and Keeping Employment

This article summarizes some of the information contained in the recent report entitled Diversity in Ontario’s Youth and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Complex Needs in Unprepared Systems.


Finding and keeping meaningful employment is often a challenge for youth and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Underemployment is also a concern, as many individuals are employed in positions that require performance significantly below their skills, knowledge, or training. Being employed and self-sufficient financially contributes to improved self-esteem, increased independence and reduces reliance on income support programs.

Webinar - Employment Readiness 4/5 Interview Skills with Sarah Southey

We know that individuals with ASD often struggle with social-communication skills making interviewing challenging for many. In this workshop, Sarah Southey, MSW,RSW will take participants through some interview preparation and common questions and answers so job seekers can be best prepared.

Other sessions in this series:

Presenter: Sarah Southey, M.S.W.

Sarah Southey

Sarah is a Social Worker (M.S.W.), and is an affiliate of The Redpath Centre. She see’s clients in Mississauga, Toronto and virtually. She has over 12 years of experience working with adolescents and adults with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Sarah focuses her counselling and research on helping people with ASD find and keep meaningful employment. Sarah uses solution-focused and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques in her sessions.

Hire Autism Website

Webinar - Employment Readiness 5/5 - Social Scenarios at Work with Sarah Southey

In this workshop, Sarah will use her “Three C’s” approach to understanding and managing being social at work and apply it to a number of different scenarios. Through Context, Communication and Checking-in we will explore how most situations can be more easily resolved with less anxiety.

Other sessions in this series:

Presenter: Sarah Southey, M.S.W.

Sarah Southey

Sarah is a Social Worker (M.S.W.), and is an affiliate of The Redpath Centre. She see’s clients in Mississauga, Toronto and virtually. She has over 12 years of experience working with adolescents and adults with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Sarah focuses her counselling and research on helping people with ASD find and keep meaningful employment. Sarah uses solution-focused and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques in her sessions.

UDEMY - Online Learning