Who is Dr. Wenn Lawson? Why he chose to work in autism? The differences in various countries around the world and what Canadians can learn. Processing information and expectations. How autism research has changed over time. Language and inclusion and why it’s important. The ways autistic people learn and different types of learners. How to motivate and how he learns. Obsession/ Passion. Motivation of connection. Shifting attention and why it’s difficult. Using interests to reach. Metaphoric language vs literal language. GAMMA connectivity. How to reach someone. Eye contact. Respecting autism and difficulties. Processing time. Lanes of traffic. 10 second rule. Avoid paraphrasing. Single-mindedness. Single-minded outcomes and concepts. How attention is processed. How to get GAMMA connectivity. Just because it’s different doesn’t means if out of bounds. Techniques to reach your child.

Who is Executive Director Laurie Mawlam? This history of Autism Canada. The philosophy. National initiatives, programs, and events calendar. Inclusivity. Conferences. Accessibility for ALL areas of Canada. Autism Junction and information it provides. Screening tools. Knowledge is power and why it’s important to know the signs. 350 pages (and counting) of resources in both French in English. Social media accessibility. Their vast Video library and what it entails. Physician handbook. Words matter guide. Why words matter. The importance of national awareness and how they facilitate it. Research information and the importance of keeping current. How to sign up for their conferences and newsletters. How the public can help. How ASD members (Community Members) can participate. Bilingual ASD (Community Members) groups and sites. Chantale’s words. Awards and accreditations! What she loves about her work. Autism in her own words.

Happy 25th Birthday Lucas. Employment changes. His role at PAFN’s Goodlife Fitness Hub. Past groups offered and what he’s learned. Current groups offered and group merging. Philosophy, goals, and age limits. How to join. Scheduling, dates, and cost. Keeping all doors open. Volunteers and how to apply. Success stories. How his life has changed. Other events he’s working on. His successful mother. Open to all diverse needs. Advisory committee. What he’s learned about autism within the year.

Who is SF Walker and Rebecca Farnell. The history and philosophy of the EmploymentWorks Canada Program. Who is the program for, and it’s duration. What takes place during sessions and skills taught. Why it is important for our ASD community, and job statistics. Job sampling. Communication and self-reflection. Skills: who am I, stress, bullying, disclosure, boss vs. co-worker, professionalism, time management, goal setting, resume building, and community interaction. Post program support. Weekly employment group. Teacher student ratio. Program schedule. Cost. What they love about their work. What they want the world to know about autism.

Talie’s background. What her experience has taught her. Disclaimer. A parent’s job. What truly matters. Assumptions. Always place your own child as a priority. How to decide on a school. Research. Make a list, create questions, and appointment. Day of interview. Take notes. Once you’ve made your choice. Before the first day of school. Your 1st IEP meeting. Throughout the school year. Dealing with an issue. Being a strong parent. Responsibility and choice. Advocate.

Who is Kathryn Theroux. The history and philosophy of Soar Inclusive Preschool. The difference between their preschool and others. ABA explained and benefits for all students. Programs offered. Schedule. Why play is so important. Student/teacher ratio. Working with other companies located at PAFN’s Goodlife Fitness Hub and other feeder schools. Qualifications of staff and volunteers. Training the future educators. Funding and cost. The application process. Strengths of the preschool. What Kathryn loves about her work and some of her success stories. What she wants the world to know about autism.

(Continued from July 15th, 2017) Sensory integration explained. To light, to bright, to loud… PTSD. Misreading the “distress” signals. Treatment. The China study. His ease of accurately assessing and working with his clientele because of his 25 years experience. The invaluable information learned from his assessments. Processing integration disorder. Sensory processing differences. Handwriting without tears explained. SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory). Ideas on helping your child eat. Parental involvement. Home vs location. Working with educational establishments. Various groups and camps offered. Ages. Funding and costs. Success stories. What Keith loves about his work. Autism in his own words.

Who is Mr. Keith Landherr? The history and philosophy of Little Buddies Pediatric Therapy. Services offered. Assessments purpose and what’s included. The importance of play. Types of treatments offered. The importance of voice, communication styles, perceptions, and conflict resolution techniques. Evidence based DIR Floortime explained. Compliance vs engagement. Repetitive behaviors. Why relationships are so important. Choosing appropriate language to motivate. Co-ordination disorder. Keith’s beautiful ability to build self-confidence and respect in his clients. Occupational therapy explained. The importance of learning readiness. Canary in the coal mine.

Who is Principal Megan Mackay and what is Bounding Higher Autism Treatment Services and Training Centre. Services offered. Autism theories used. IEP’s. Qualifications and role of Behaviour Consultant, Behaviour Interventionist, Speech and Language Therapist, and Occupational Therapist. Assessments. Family input. The importance of data. Schedule of a client. Facilities. Parent involvement. Working with other schools. Supervision. Training professionals. Funding and cost. What she loves about her work. What she wants the world to know about autism.

Who is Laurie Guerra and Wes? The story of Wes’s childhood and his diagnosis. Signs of autism. Knowing about his autism diagnosis. Setting high expectations. How autism affected him. Speaking about feeling different. The importance of starting his educational journey in a great school. What he would like others to be aware of. What school (K-12) was like for him. Insight into the rigorous autism schedule. What he would like others to know. Losing the autism diagnosis. Their hopes for the future. Advocacy and the love of a parent. The real financial cost of therapy. What he loves about engineering. His genius, organisational skills, and dependability. Why he loves University. His advice for employers. Wes’s inspiration. His final thoughts and what he’d like you to know about autism.