The Riff Raff Podcast

I was fortunate to welcome Debbie Irish and Kim Ward to the CASDA podcast and learn more about how the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit got started and the steps in growth its taken to become more diverse and inclusive.

Join Dr. Stephen Gentles, Maddy Dever and Corey Walker as we discuss how the lack of data standardization and linking precludes the necessary complex analyses that could lead to significantly more efficient targeted care, and innovative environmental and policy modifications. As a result, Canada is far from achieving the improvements to quality of life for Autistic individuals and their families, and the benefits to Canada from greater inclusion and realizing individuals’ unique talents and productivity potential, which could be possible with the data that is available.

Most parents plan for the day when their children will grow up and leave the "nest". Their kids will find their own way in the world, get an apartment or house and live independently and successfully. But what if your plan has to include finding a group home situation for your child to age in to? What if your adult child requires support for the rest of their lives in one form or another? And what if the waiting lists for spots in supported living or group homes was 20 years or more? What's the plan then? Join me as Amy Lonsberry discusses the National Autism Strategy with a focus on housing and how making a better plan for all autistic Canadians is what we should be focusing on.

It is my great honor to welcome Deputy Grand Chief Walter Naveau of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to Across the Desk and the CASDA podcast series. Deputy Grand Chief joins us to discuss the growing concern about autism in the First Nations communities. We discuss how families need access to autism services which not only provide existing non-Indigenous learnings but to also incorporate traditional Nishnawbe healing ceremonies and medicines. We also focus on how geography and education create barriers to accessing services and what can be started to fix this problem.

Halton as we know it today is rich in history and modern traditions of many First Nations and the Métis. From the Anishinabe to the Attawandaron, the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis - these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in Indigenous history. ​ ​As we gather today on these treaty lands we have the responsibility to honour and respect the four directions, land, waters, plants, animals, ancestors that walked before us, and all the wonderful elements of creation that exist.

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the ​Credit First Nation for sharing their traditional territory with us.

On April 6th the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity successfully launched its inaugural issue! Bringing together the voices of autistic Canadians from across the country, this journal is being created to amplify the voices of those who have always belonged in the conversation. Learn how you can add your voice to the conversation with the team from CASDA!

MentorAbility is a program which focuses on connecting protégées with mentors in careers. One of the best ways to learn about a career is to talk to someone who is passionate about what they do and will show you the realities of a career choice.

Today we meet Tiffany Drummond who is an entrepreneur from Ottawa. Her business, ProCare Family Center, focuses on providing an engaging and safe daycare environment for the kids of Ottawa's busy working parents. Tiffany will share her experience being a mentor, what she gained from the experience and the feedback she received from her protégée.

This executive function thing - how many ways can having a deficit actually screw up your life? Quite a few apparently. Not the least of which is building and maintaining relationships with folks besides your family. Family are a built in "safe space" for relationships. They already know you and love you so not much effort is needed to make that work. Getting out in to the general public? With all the social rules and subtle cues of relating to others? That can be a bit more tricky. Join us to find out how you can make the relationship road a bit easier to travel.

Are you autistic and looking for work? Finding that a bit tricky during COVID? SpectrumWorks is offering a free virtual job fair which will be happening across Canada on April 8th. Visit SpectrumWorks.ca to find out more and register! Is this just for job seekers? No! We need employers for networking and service providers to introduce themselves and their programs.

Today you'll meet Neil Forester who is one of the co-coordinators for the SpectrumWorks job fair. Jon Lai will also be joining us to update on how the conversation about autism across Canada is moving forward. This involves the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the consultation they are running for the National Autism Strategy.

Want to get involved in the conversation? Visit CASDA.ca for more information!

Meet the editorial team for the new Canadian Journal of Autism Equity. Maddy Dever, Megan Krasnodembski, and Terri Robson are creating an opportunity to bring Autistic Canadian voices together. What will that look like? Listen to find out more and then watch for the official launch on April 6, 2021!

Executive function deficit can present as challenging for alot of folks on and off the spectrum. Ever had a really busy day and your to do list goes out the window? That's an executive function fail. When it happens all the time, it's a considered a deficit. Usually we have those moments in response to periods distraction or overwhelm. But what happens when someone is not only diagnosed with a full executive function deficit but also anxiety? Anxiety can play havoc with our mental state in regards to being able to function day to day and manage our emotional state. Now try to get organized during that vicious cycle of anxiety and trying to live your life and you'll get an idea of what we're discussing today.