Our community has entrusted Autism Ontario to be financially accountable to the many autistic children, adults, and families we so proudly serve. Autism Ontario maintains accountability to our community and follows best practices for transparency by providing access to our Annual Reports and Audited Financial Statements.

Autism Ontario is grateful for the dedication of our loyal volunteers, generous donors, and for our many local, provincial, and national partners. Together, we will achieve our vision of 'Best Life, Better World, Making Autism Matter!'

Guided by Lucia Laford (Waawaaskone Qwe), artists of all ages and abilities are invited to learn how to draw in a Woodland Arts style.

Ancestor Feasts honour those who came before us, taking time to memorialize the spirits of our ancestors. In this workshop, we will prepare drawings of ceremonial feast plates to offer to our ancestors.

During this information session, an Autism Ontario Service Navigator will lead you through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) reconciliation process.    

This session will cover the following topics:

• Tips and tricks on managing your funds 
• Eligible expense headings and subcategories 
• How to fill out the online expense form 

Join us for our upcoming webinar with Katy Albert on navigating life's joys and challenges using self-compassion, acceptance, and value-driven action to promote healthy coping and improve caregiver well-being.

Through the frameworks of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and self-compassion, caregivers will learn tools to navigate the inherent ups and downs of supporting and advocating for their autistic loved ones. 

Come cross something off your ‘to do’ list! This workshop will provide an overview of Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD), a funding program that families may be able to access here in Ontario to reduce financial strain. A facilitator from Autism Ontario will provide tips and resources, as well as answer questions families may have.

This workshop is suitable for parents and caregivers of autistic children and youth (under 18), as well as professionals working with this population

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

Check out our website to see more events from Autism Ontario in your region!

Autism Ontario has recently launched a new series of Continuing Education Modules to support the learning of OAP Provider List members with FREE Continuing Education Units.

This series will include discipline-specific modules presented by subject matter experts and collaborative discussions from an interprofessional lens.

Note: Providers must be listed on the OAP Provider List in order to access the modules.

Please click the button below to learn more about the application and qualification requirements.

Do you have questions about setting meaningful goals to increase your non-speaking child’s participation in school?

If your child is non-speaking, this panel will talk about how to use the IEP (Individual Education Plan) to increase your child's participation at school.

This discussion between a Speech and Language Pathologist, Special Education Resource Teacher (SERT) and parent of an autistic student will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help parents ensure that every student has the support they need to succeed.

Are you a parent or caregiver seeking guidance on navigating the realm of special education within the school system? Autism Ontario offers a recorded video of our panel discussion, where experts delve into the crucial aspects of communication, relationship building, and understanding your child’s education rights.

In this video, our panelists provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you effectively navigate special education. Whether your child is just entering school or has recently been diagnosed, this session is designed to empower parents and caregivers by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for their child’s educational needs.

Join us each month to meet with other dads, male caregivers, and transgender/non-binary folks. This casual setting allows you to socialize, share your experiences, or simply sit back and listen.

Autism Ontario staff will facilitate group activities.

Join us each month to meet with other moms, female caregivers, and transgender/non-binary folks. This casual setting allows you to socialize, share your experiences, or simply sit back and listen.

Autism Ontario staff will facilitate group activities.

Registration opens November 7 at 12:00 pm

This webinar aims to introduce autism and neurodiversity. We will discuss autism and neurodiversity, the features of autism, and provide information on how autistic people may perceive and interact with their environment. We will also discuss how you can be an autistic ally, offering practical tips and strategies on how to create an inclusive environment and support autistic people in your home, school, or community. 

This webinar can be helpful for anyone who interacts with autistic people, including caregivers, community partners, educators, and other professionals.

At Autism Ontario, we recognize that receiving an autism diagnosis for your child may be both a meaningful and challenging experience.

We invite you to join our staff to discuss how to navigate services and supports that may be helpful for your family.

This workshop will provide information on:

• Learning more about autism
• Creating a support network
• Accessing services and supports
• Considering other social and recreational options
• Accessing financial supports, including the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

This workshop is appropriate for parents and caregivers of autistic children over 5 years old, as well as professionals working with this population.

At Autism Ontario, we recognize that receiving an autism diagnosis for your child may be both a meaningful and challenging experience. 

We invite you to join our staff to discuss how to navigate services and supports that may be helpful for your family. 

This workshop will provide information on:

• Learning more about autism
• Creating a support network
• Accessing services and supports
• Considering other social and recreational options
• Accessing financial supports, including the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)

This workshop is appropriate for parents and caregivers of autistic children under 5 years old, as well as professionals working with this population. 

Registration opens November 1 at 9:00 am

Friendly Connections is an interactive social service for individuals of all ages with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities run by ConnectABILITY.

Friendly Connections is focused on helping their community overcome isolation. It aims to help improve the well-being of individuals through socializing and providing entertaining resources.   

Friendly Connections strives to connect with individuals across Canada through phone calls, video calls, emailing, messenger chats, and good old fashion mail. The organization mails letters, postcards, colouring sheets, activity sheets, stickers, and other fun goodies!

Come out and meet some new friends or reconnect with old ones!

Autistic adults (18+) are invited to join us for an Italian-themed cooking class. This program will allow autistic adults to participate in a hands-on cooking lesson, socially interact with others, and build their confidence while learning to cook a meal they can prepare all on their own. We will make homemade pizza (dough and sauce from scratch), Caesar salad, and tiramisu!

The cooking class will consist of an introduction, cooking, and eating the meal we prepared together.

If you are autistic or otherwise neurodivergent, whether diagnosed or self-identified, and work, volunteer in, or have children in the Educational sector, then NINE is for you!  

The Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators (NINE) is committed to creating and fostering safe and accepting spaces for neurodivergent staff, students, and community members, and amplifying the diverse authentic perspectives of autistic and neurodivergent individuals. With this in mind, NINE advocates beyond walls and borders to foster human right based, Neuroaffirmative practices in Education and beyond: 

• We create and share authentically developed FREE resources based on Neuroaffirming principles.
• We organize professional learning and community events, such as the Intersectional Infinity Summit.
• We host monthly meetings for neurodivergent educators and provide educational consults.
• We engage in ongoing transformative research and cultivate international partnerships.
• Additionally, some of our members offer coaching and public speaking related services.

It can be difficult to begin thinking about financial planning, but if you have a disability or support someone with a disability, there is an easy way to get started. One of the first steps in financial planning for a person with a disability is applying for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

The DTC helps reduce the amount of tax an individual or their caregiver will have to pay and opens the door to other valuable credits and programs, including the Canada Disability Benefit.

Join DSO for our annual Housing Forum. This year, we focus on Creating Opportunity Through Community Collaboration.

Toronto Pearson has partnered with Autism Ontario and Magnusmode to provide these resources to assist autistic and neurodiverse individuals and their caregivers.

Their interactive tool for autistic and neurodiverse people and their caregivers includes a checklist for each step while travelling through the airport.

My Toronto Pearson Activity Book

The activity book assists autistic and neurodiverse children and their caregivers in preparing for their upcoming trip, from arriving at the airport to boarding a plane.

Lanyards are available for passengers with invisible disabilities to help identify that they may need extra help or additional time while travelling.

Toronto Pearson is the first airport in Canada to offer the Sunflower Program for passengers with invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities refer to a wider umbrella of spectrum of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, including sensory and medical disabilities.

First introduced by Gatwick airport in 2016, the Sunflower Lanyard Program provides a discreet way to signal that a passenger may need additional help or some extra time to complete a task while travelling through the airport.

Working at Autism Ontario means being part of a unique work culture that revolves around something we all believe in: ensuring autistic individuals are provided with the means to achieve a quality of life as respected members of society. 

Autism Ontario is an equal-opportunity employer committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and actively encourages autistic individuals and those from all equity-seeking groups to apply.