• Create a personal portfolio: A tool to help your child introduce themselves, especially for children with minimal verbal speech. It can include a list of favourite movies, photographs, artwork, etc.
• Plan a school preview: Learn about school before the first day through tours, meeting teachers, viewing the website, and listening to experiences from other students and parents.

Every child has the right to an appropriate education where they can prosper. Check out these tips to effectively voice your concerns and successfully advocate for your child:

• Determine indicators of success and long-term goals.
• Focus on issues and identify preferred solutions. Be ready to negotiate!
• Don't place blame, but be persistent and listen carefully.
• Keep records of everything in writing.
• Develop a communication plan with school.
• Create a file on your child including assessments, speech and OT reports, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), past report cards, and medical consultations.
  

A child going to school for the first time is a milestone for every family. Here are some questions to consider when preparing for kindergarten:

• How does your child adjust to change?
• Would they benefit from a gradual transition to school?
• How will therapy services fit with school?
• What are your before and after school needs?
• What are your transportation needs?
• Can the school board provide transportation if you choose a modified school schedule?

Back-to-school often comes with many complex emotions for parents of autistic kids. Maria Garito shares her thoughts in a previous publication of Autism Matters magazine in an article titled "A Mother's Reflection on the Days I Feel Like I'm Not Doing Enough".

This toolkit from AIDE Canada offers ideas and tips that may be useful for youth in high school. It addresses topics such as: making the most of high school, independence and organization, friendships, as well as other issues for teens such as smoking, vaping, drugs, alcohol, and making good decisions.

Tips on managing sensory overload:

• Find a quiet place
• Use sensory tools
• Plan ahead for the bell and fire drills
• Find alternative places to eat

"When I was creating a transition plan, I focused on four areas to keep myself from becoming overwhelmed and unfocused. The four areas were:

• Further education
• Work opportunities
• Leisure/recreation
• Free time

I kept in mind that all four of these areas could help build skills toward independent living, create a sense of well-being, and add to enjoyment of life."

This excerpt is from a previous publication of Autism Matters magazine: a mother's guide on transitioning to adulthood with her two autistic children. The future is bright!

Anxiety is the most common type of mental health concern in autistic teens. As parents and caregivers, your role is to provide support, encouragement, and your presence. This resource provides some strategies that can help.

Stimming (sometimes called self-stimulatory behaviour or stereotypy) is when someone engages in non-injurious, repetitive body movements, vocalizations, or manipulations of an item because it feels good to them. This resource provides insight into why autistic people stim, when it is necessary to intervene, and who can help.

Congratulations to the recipients of this year's Autism Ontario education scholarships! Best of luck to all students entering their first year of a post-secondary program this September!

• Reweena Debebe
• Sophie Kozachanko
• Ethan Jean-Baptiste
• Evan Stadler
• Olivia Cann
• Sarah Wight
• Samantha Moore
• Kaleigh Swain
• Daanish Khan
• Joshua Dargie
• Grace Sweetman
• Ethan Prendergast
• Dolly Zou
• Alissa Castano
  

Read what some of our recipients had to say below.

Are you autistic and want to tell your story? The Canadian Journal of Autism Equity is seeking submissions for its 2023 issue. The deadline is September 15th and the theme is the role and inclusion of autistic individuals in decision and policy-making.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an intervention that teaches participants how to manage difficult feelings and life events by learning how to connect with themselves mindfully and respectfully.

Join Siblings Canada on September 20, 2022, from
7:00 to 8:30 pm EDT for an information session about their upcoming ACT training workshop designed specifically for adult siblings of people with an intellectual disability or autism. Siblings Canada, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Kids Brain Health Network will be offering a six-week workshop later in the fall, beginning October 25th.

AIDE Canada is now in the Beta testing phase of their Peer Mentorship program. The goal of this initiative is to match peers on the spectrum to help each other achieve personal goals, as well as matching the parents of people on the spectrum to help create support networks.

If you'd like to participate in the pilot program, or would like to learn more about it, please contact rdagnilli@aidecanada.ca.

Autism Ontario is excited to introduce a brand new French Facebook page for our Francophone community! The content on this page will be published entirely in French and will include both our regular programming and event updates as well as other French Language Service news and highlights.

Follow us on Facebook at Autisme Ontario Provincial using the link below!

If you have any questions, please reach out to our French Language Specialist at melanie@autismontario.com.

Autistic adults across Ontario are invited to join our eight-week cooking program led by Chef Anthony Go, a graduate of George Brown Chef School and an autistic adult.

Cooking is a critical life skill that we hope you can learn through this program. Learning to cook allows for more independence, confidence, and can help you save money too!

For safety reasons, caregiver supervision is required during the sessions.

Join caregivers of adults with a neurodevelopmental disability from across Canada in a six-week virtual program to learn about and practice mindfulness. The program will be led by Sue Hutton, a mindfulness teacher with 30 years of experience. The program runs every Friday, from September 23rd to October 28th, from 1:00 to 2:30pm EDT.

Autistic adults (age 18+) are invited to join us for “PAMA’s Studio Sessions”, a six-week virtual art program led by the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA). PAMA will present an arts-based experience that prioritizes the social aspects of galleries and gathering by offering opportunities for conversation, shared experiences, and artmaking all from the comfort of your own home! Each session will begin with a look at a few interesting artworks from PAMA followed by a hands-on virtual activity session with step-by-step instruction. 

Ausome Moms is a new virtual support group for mothers, caregivers who identify as female, and non-binary folks looking for support and connection with other mothers with autistic children. It’s a great opportunity to come together, talk about life’s challenges and victories, and share resources in an informal setting.

Dads, caregivers who identify as male, and non-binary folks are invited to join this casual session and socialize with others. Autism Ontario staff will facilitate group activities.

In this webinar, parents and caregivers will get a better understanding of what autism is and how Autism Ontario can support their child and family. It will provide information on the various services and supports that Autism Ontario can offer and how to get help. At the end of the webinar, families will have an opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussion with a member of the Autism Ontario team.

Learn about our Introduction to Autism and Autism Ontario for Professionals webinar on September 22nd.

There are a variety of services and programs available for young autistic children that specifically target the development of foundation skills. Some of these programs are offered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) under the categories of Caregiver-Mediated Early Years programs and Core Services (e.g., SLP services, ABA services).

This webinar will highlight the most common programs/treatments and will provide a description of the intervention, the current research support, the intended outcomes, and the availability of these programs for families across Ontario.

Join Autism Ontario and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for an informational workshop on financial matters as it pertains to persons with disabilities. Some topics include:

• Disability Tax Credit
• Canada Caregiver Credit
• Medical Expense Tax Credit
• And more!

Recognizing the early signs of autism is an important step along the pathway to diagnosis to ensure children have access to supports and services and that parents' and caregivers' concerns and questions are addressed. 

In this webinar, we will discuss strategies supporting more timely access to diagnostic assessment through training and collaboration with community physicians and other professionals. Finally, we will share ideas about how families can be supported through this process, including the involvement of experienced caregivers in navigation and other important roles. 

Autism Ontario webinars are an interactive, easy-to-understand resource for autistic people, parents, professionals, and educators.

If you are a recipient of OAP funding and want to find a local Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, or Clinical Supervisor of Applied Behaviour Analysis with demonstrated experience working with autistic children and youth, check out the OAP Provider List!

The OAP Provider List is an online listing that Ontario families can use to search for, select, and confirm the qualifications of those providing services funded by the Ontario Autism Program.

During these information sessions, an Autism Ontario Care Coordinator will lead you through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) reconciliation process. 

We are working with local businesses and shops to provide take home kits – from ceramic painting to birdhouse making, there are lots of choices!

Autism Ontario has established a volunteer panel that will include adult self-advocates from the Central West and Central East regions who can contribute to program development and learning opportunities.