We invite you to come “Celebrate the Spectrum” with us at the Art Gallery of Ontario!

Check in with our staff in the Education Commons area, where there will also be Art activities for everyone!
Please enter through the Group Entrance Lobby (located at Beverly and Dundas corner. We will be located next to the elevator and Evan Penny Stairwell.

Art educators will be available to provide 30 min tours of the AGO at 11:30, 12:30, and 1:30 for those interested.

Note: Limited space available per tour.

At 1pm we will gather at Walkers Court in the AGO for a special Celebrate the Spectrum proclamation.

Registrants will be added to a waitlist as the event is full!

Are you ready to make a positive impact by encouraging your local school to support a great cause? Help by telling the principals, students, and teachers in your life about the Celebrate the Spectrum School Giving Challenge! 

This challenge is not just about raising funds, it's about celebrating inclusion and acceptance. It's about spreading awareness and understanding of autism, and how we can support the entire autism community. 

They’ll have a blast while doing it, and one lucky student can win an iPad! The challenge kicks off on World Autism Day (April 2) and runs the whole month of April, so spread the word today and help us build a more supportive and inclusive Ontario for autism! 

Students can get creative and showcase school spirit through various fundraising activities. Whether it’s a bake sale, a talent show, or a donation drive, the possibilities are endless! 

You can find a social media square here if you’d like to post online — we'd be grateful if you did! Encourage the scholars in your life to enlist their friends, form a school team, and sign up for the Celebrate the Spectrum School Giving Challenge today!

Let's show the world what we can do when we come together to make a difference.

Join us on June 1, 2023, for the 20th anniversary of the Kids' Golf Classic for Autism. Help raise funds and awareness for Autism Ontario’s mission to create a supportive and inclusive Ontario.

Young adults on the spectrum (age 18+) are invited to join The Central East & Toronto Region for an 8-week virtual Dungeons & Dragons program led by Occupational Therapist Naomi Hazlett. Skills worked on in this group include perspective-taking, problem-solving, collaboration, and teamwork!

There will be a FREE D&D orientation session on April 3rd from 6:30–8:00 pm for new participants. This is optional for returning participants. Click here to register for the orientation night.

Priority will be given to new participants in the Central East and Toronto Regions who have not participated.

Registration cost: $40.00. 

Once registered and paid, refunds will not be issued.  

Online: Through Zoom, the link will be sent after registration

Day and time: Mondays from 6:30–8:00 pm

Dates: April 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 29, June 5, 12, 2023

** Registration opens April 4th, 2023 @ 12pm**

Autism Ontario is partnering with The Cube School to offer teens on the spectrum (Gr 7+) a 10-week virtual introduction to programming language: JavaScript.

JavaScript is a scripting or programming language that allows students to implement complex features on web pages. This programming language can be used to create web apps and easily be integrated into HTML and CSS (the coding language used to create web pages). 

REQUIRED SETUP:

 • A computer or laptop 

• A second monitor or large screen 

• A microphone and headphones/earbuds 

• A mouse (wired or wireless with left and right click buttons – not a track pad!) 

• A reliable internet connection 

• A functional webcam or built-in camera (optional, but recommended) 

REQUIRED SOFTWARE: We will be using a free web application. 

Online: Through Zoom, link will be sent after registration

Time: Thursdays from 6:00–7:00pm

** Registration opens March 31st, 2023 @ 12pm**

Autism Ontario partners with The Cube School of Technology to offer children on the spectrum in Grades 3-7 an 8-week virtual Minecraft Masterclass.

Children in Grades 3-7 will dive into different class activities during our 8 week workshop, working in the Cube School’s private server using Minecraft Java edition. Activities include building together, and students will practice teamwork, social skills, hand-eye coordination, and communication, among other soft skills. Class is guided and moderated by a Cube School instructor. A Minecraft java edition license is required for students to participate.

The Java edition of Minecraft is not compatible with Chrome/Chromebooks and cannot be played on an iPad. 

Families are responsible for purchasing Minecraft: Java Edition for the program for $40. If this is not possible for your family, please contact joy.alma@autismontario.com

Tuesday Session, 4:00- 5:15 pm

Starting April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13

Enroll for Tuesday

Thursday Session, 4:00 to 5:15 PM

Starting April 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15

Enroll for Thursday

** Registration opens March 31st, 2023 @12pm**

Autism Ontario partners with Beaches Sandbox to bring families together for a fun morning of arts and crafts.

Local autism-mom and art teacher, Mai-Liis, will be taking us through a fun afternoon of arts & crafts so come dressed to get mucky!

Date and time: 10-11:30am, Sunday April 30 2023

Program Location: In-Person,  Beaches Sandbox: 2181 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1E5

Registration costs $3 per child. If this is prohibitive for your family, please contact joy.alma@autismontario.com

**Registration opens March 31st, 2023 @12pm**

Autism Ontario partners with emerging Toronto artist, Eddie Li, to offer you the opportunity to learn the art of acrylic pouring.

Eddie has autism and finds communication through abstract expressionist art more effective than expressive language.

Date and time: 2:30–3:30pm, April 16th 2023

Program Location: In-Person,  Beaches Sandbox: 2181 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1E5

Registration cost: $10 (includes materials and canvases for 2 paintings). If this is prohibitive for you please contact joy.alma@autismontario.com

** Registration opens March 31st, 2023 @ 12pm**

Join Autism Ontario at Pawsitively Pets in Leaside for a hands on event where we’ll learn about the wonderful world of animals and responsible pet ownership.

Program Location: Pawsitively Pets: 

94 Laird Dr Unit 200, Toronto, ON M4G 3V2

Registration cost: $5 per person. Tickets must be purchased for every family member in attendance. If this is prohibitive for you, please email joy.alma@autismontario.com

** Registration opens April 21, 2023 @ 12pm**

What is the CARES Caregiver Support Program?
The CARES Caregiver Support Program is an innovative, multi-week, group-based program focusing on the social, emotional and psychological challenges that can arise among caregivers of children with autism. 

The CARES program provides a safe space for caregivers to share their experiences and develop a sense of shared identity. This program is focused specifically on the caregivers, not on their child’s behaviour or unique journeys, and has been developed by our partners at SAAAC (South Asian Autism Awareness Centre)

This program offers 8 weeks of connection with other caregivers where you will discuss the following topics:

• Let’s Talk About Stress
• Helpful Thinking
• Rewriting Our Story
• Problem Solving
• Self-Compassion

The program will be online through Zoom. 

More than 50% of autistic teens meet the criteria for a co-occurring mental health condition, most notably anxiety and depression (Matson & Williams, 2013). We invite you to join Danielle Nolan (MSW RSW) and Bethany Brewin (MSc OT) in a 2-part series to talk about your autistic teen’s mental health and well-being. You will be provided with opportunities to connect with other families and will be given information and general strategies for supporting teen mental health. This workshop is appropriate for families and caregivers of autistic children 13 and over, as well as professionals working with this population.

Part 1: April 5, 2023, 7:00-8:00 PM
The focus of week 1 will be background information on co-occurring conditions, self-regulation, and stress. Parents will be taught parenting strategies for engaging and collaborating with their teens.

Part 2: April 19, 2023, 7:00-8:00 PM
The focus of week 2 will be general strategies for supporting your teen. Parents/caregivers will be shown concrete tools that can be used for promoting positive mental health and improving coping skills in the home and community.