Recherche

Dr. Christie Welch has been researching Burnout, Inertia, Meltdowns, and Shutdown (BIMS) from the perspectives of autistic children, youth, and adults. In this webinar, Dr. Welch will share her research findings including how her autistic co-researchers describe and experience BIMS and what they found helpful. We will also discuss the importance of including the lived autistic experience by using terms that come from the autistic community when refining the definition of BIMS. Finally, we'll explore the BIMS self-management tools that Dr. Welch's research team has under development.

This webinar is appropriate for autistic youth, adults, and their families as well as professionals working with this population. For more information on this topic, please see the additional resources attached below.

Speaker: Dr. Christie Welch

Christie Welch Ph.D., OT Reg. (Ont.) is a registered Occupational Therapist who has been practicing since 2001. She completed a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Toronto and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Bloorview Research Institute. Christie is passionate about building a new understanding of autism that is based on the perspectives of people who identify as autistic. Her research focuses on experiences identified as important by autistic people; specifically, burnout, inertia, meltdown, and shutdown. She is currently an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the University of Toronto. 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Caregiving can be a uniquely rewarding experience, while at the same time mentally and physically exhausting. Without proper support, it can take a toll on your health and your psyche. This series of four short webinars will cover key skills such as self-care, mindfulness, self-compassion and assertive communication that you can use to better support yourself through the day-to-day challenges that arise in caregiving. 

Session 1 - Caregiver Burnout: Where Do We Go From Here 

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and caregivers have been left to cope with a whole host of novel challenges when they have already been stretched thin. This workshop will talk about what burnout is and help caregivers identify what it looks like for them. We will also provide tips on preventing burnout as well as resources for seeking support. 

Additional Sessions:

Session 2 – No Time Like the Present: Being Mindful Amidst the Chaos 

Session 3 - Cultivating Compassion: Nurturing the Inner Caregiver 

Session 4 – Assertive Communication: A Balancing Act 

Speaker: Dr. Sivapalan

A family doctor by profession, Dr. Sivapalan believes in the potential for change to the current diagnostic landscape for children with Autism. After six years of a busy and fruitful family practice, Dr. Sivapalan left his practice to help facilitate this change. With an interest in child development, Dr. Sivapalan has worked collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to design the M-DOC, a unique developmental screening initiative whose goal was to increase access to diagnosis and intervention support for newcomer communities. In addition, Dr. Sivapalan helped develop the CARES initiative, which employed a task-shifting model to provide mental health support for caregivers and siblings of children with autism. As a social doer, Dr. Sivapalan has initiated and managed various social impact projects both at the local and global level. Most recently, Dr. Sivapalan became the chief operating officer for “The Dunya Project”, a Canadian agri-tech start-up that is building a connected, climate-controlled modular hydroponic habitat to alleviate the devastating gap in access to affordable foods irrespective of climate conditions. 

Speaker: Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan

Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan, MA, is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Waterloo. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral residency at Surrey Place. Driven by her passion to improve access to mental health supports in diverse communities, Kiruthiha has consulted on various projects at the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC). Kiruthiha’s primary role at SAAAC is the development and supervision of the CARES initiative, which employs a task-shifting peer-based model to provide mental health support for caregivers of children with autism. Preliminary outcomes of this program were recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Many individuals with autism experience challenges with communication in varying degrees. Many will experience significant challenges with spoken communication at least some of the time. There are other methods of communication which may assist the individual in communicating their wants and needs and participating more fully in the environments around them.

This webinar series will outline the steps needed for choosing, introducing, teaching, evaluating, and encouraging expanded use for an AAC system for an autistic individual who would benefit from increasing their communication skills.

This webinar is appropriate for families and caregivers of autistic children and youth, as well as professionals working with autistic children.

Part 3: Goal Setting

This session will highlight how to choose functional and meaningful vocabulary to teach with the AAC and how to decide on the specific goals for communication.

Additional sessions in this series:

Part 1: Introduction to AAC for Autistic Individuals

Part 2: Choosing an Augmentative of Alternative System: Prerequisite Skills and Assessment

Part 4: Introducing and Teaching the AAC System

Part 5: Problem Solving and Generalization of the AAC

Speaker: Tracie Lindblad, M.Sc., Reg. SLP (CASLPO), M.Ed., BCBA

Tracie is a dually credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 35 years’ experience working within school settings, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, severe problem behaviour, autism, complex communication needs, and dual diagnosis. Tracie blends her skills from speech-language pathology, education, behaviour analysis, research, and business to increase client outcomes and has worked with clients and companies throughout North America, Europe, and the UK. Tracie is actively involved in applied research across the fields of speech-language pathology and behaviour analysis and has been fortunate to be involved in large cross-sector research studies involving individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and aphasia. She also currently serves as a director on several Boards for organizations in Ontario.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many, but recent research suggests that the mental health and overall wellbeing of families of children on the autism spectrum have been disproportionally impacted by multiple waves of lockdowns across Canada. In this panel with researchers Dr. Vivian Lee (Carleton University) and Jonathan Weiss (York University), as well as researcher-parent Dr. Janet McLaughlin (Wilfred Laurier), Matthew Ley (host) will discuss the current research on how autistic children and their families have been impacted by the pandemic but also ways in which families have been able to cope and thrive. Long term implications of the pandemic will be discussed as well as ways we can continue supporting caregivers and families as we move forward past the pandemic.

Panelists

Dr. Vivian Lee, Ph.D.

Vivian Lee is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University. Her research focuses on the emotional and mental health of children and youth with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her work includes the investigation of child-, parent-, and system-level characteristics, and the relationship between these factors, that either support healthy emotional development or exacerbates difficulties in the child and for the family. She is also interested in the impact of these factors on overall parent and family wellbeing. Additionally, she has an interest in implementation science and program evaluations and working alongside community-based autism care providers and advocacy groups, she is investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as participation in psychosocial interventions, on the mental health and wellbeing of autistic youth and their caregivers.

Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Ph.D.

Dr. Weiss is a Professor in the Department of Psychology, and a Clinical Psychologist. He holds a Tier 2 York Research Chair in Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disability Mental Health and is the Director of La Marsh Centre for Child & Youth Research. His research focuses on mental health in autistic people or people with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. He conducts studies into how people with developmental disabilities access mental health care, and is interested in their service needs, use, and experiences. His work is also focused on understanding and supporting family wellness when at least one family member has a developmental disability. He is interested in program development and evaluation, and in particular on the impact of Special Olympics on the psychological well-being of participants, and of psychosocial interventions to promote resilience and improve the mental health of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Dr. Janet McLaughlin, Ph.D.

Janet McLaughlin is an Associate Professor of Community Health and co-founder and co-director of the Laurier Autism Research Consortium (LARC) at Wilfrid Laurier University. After her son was diagnosed with autism in 2012, she developed an interest in the needs and experiences of caregivers, including how service access challenges influence their well-being. She has since led two major province-wide studies investigating these issues, the most recent of which was a partnership between LARC and Autism Ontario. The findings from this study, Families in Flux, explored access to autism services, education, and well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. McLaughlin’s current research focuses on understanding the experiences of underserved communities, particularly Indigenous and newcomer families. She previously served on the Ontario Autism Program Advisory Panel.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions.

Many individuals with autism experience challenges with communication in varying degrees. Many will experience significant challenges with spoken communication at least some of the time. There are other methods of communication which may assist the individual in communicating their wants and needs and participating more fully in the environments around them.

This webinar series will outline the steps needed for choosing, introducing, teaching, evaluating, and encouraging expanded use for an AAC system for an autistic individual who would benefit from increasing their communication skills.

This webinar is appropriate for families and caregivers of autistic children and youth, as well as professionals working with autistic children.

Part 5: Problem Solving and Generalization of the AAC

In this webinar, through a series of case presentations, participants will learn some useful tips to help with problem solving when typical errors or issues occur during AAC use. Expanding AAC use across people, activities, and environments will also be discussed.

Additional sessions in this series:

Part 1: Introduction to AAC for Autistic Individuals

Part 2: Choosing an Augmentative of Alternative System: Prerequisite Skills and Assessment

Part 3: Goal Setting

Part 4: Introducing and Teaching the AAC System

Speaker: Tracie Lindblad, M.Sc., Reg. SLP (CASLPO), M.Ed., BCBA

Tracie is a dually credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 35 years’ experience working within school settings, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, severe problem behaviour, autism, complex communication needs, and dual diagnosis. Tracie blends her skills from speech-language pathology, education, behaviour analysis, research, and business to increase client outcomes and has worked with clients and companies throughout North America, Europe, and the UK. Tracie is actively involved in applied research across the fields of speech-language pathology and behaviour analysis and has been fortunate to be involved in large cross-sector research studies involving individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and aphasia. She also currently serves as a director on several Boards for organizations in Ontario.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Many individuals with autism experience challenges with communication in varying degrees. Many will experience significant challenges with spoken communication at least some of the time. There are other methods of communication which may assist the individual in communicating their wants and needs and participating more fully in the environments around them.

This webinar series will outline the steps needed for choosing, introducing, teaching, evaluating, and encouraging expanded use for an AAC system for an autistic individual who would benefit from increasing their communication skills.

This webinar is appropriate for families and caregivers of autistic children and youth, as well as professionals working with autistic children.

Part 1: Introduction to AAC for Autistic Individuals

This webinar will describe what types of AAC are available currently, who AAC is suitable for, what research says about AAC use for autistic individuals, and funding and services for AAC systems.

Additional sessions in this series:

Part 2: Choosing an Augmentative of Alternative System: Prerequisite Skills and Assessment

Part 3: Goal Setting

Part 4: Introducing and Teaching the AAC System

Part 5: Problem Solving and Generalization of the AAC

Speaker: Tracie Lindblad, M.Sc., Reg. SLP (CASLPO), M.Ed., BCBA

Tracie is a dually credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 35 years’ experience working within school settings, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, severe problem behaviour, autism, complex communication needs, and dual diagnosis. Tracie blends her skills from speech-language pathology, education, behaviour analysis, research, and business to increase client outcomes and has worked with clients and companies throughout North America, Europe, and the UK. Tracie is actively involved in applied research across the fields of speech-language pathology and behaviour analysis and has been fortunate to be involved in large cross-sector research studies involving individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and aphasia. She also currently serves as a director on several Boards for organizations in Ontario.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Caregiving can be a uniquely rewarding experience, while at the same time mentally and physically exhausting. Without proper support, it can take a toll on your health and your psyche. This series of four short webinars will cover key skills such as self-care, mindfulness, self-compassion and assertive communication that you can use to better support yourself through the day-to-day challenges that arise in caregiving. 

Session 4 – Assertive Communication: A Balancing Act 

How can we effectively communicate our needs while still considering those of our family?  Does culture impact how we are assertive?  This workshop will discuss the importance of assertive communication strategies in the context of caregiving.  It will also touch upon how strategies can be modified to be more culturally responsive.  We will also demonstrate how assertive communication can be used through the lens of a caregiver.   

Additional Sessions: 

Session 1 - Caregiver Burnout: Where Do We Go From Here 

Session 2 – No Time Like the Present: Being Mindful Amidst the Chaos 

Session 3 - Cultivating Compassion: Nurturing the Inner Caregiver 

Speaker: Dr. Sivapalan

A family doctor by profession, Dr. Sivapalan believes in the potential for change to the current diagnostic landscape for children with Autism. After six years of a busy and fruitful family practice, Dr. Sivapalan left his practice to help facilitate this change. With an interest in child development, Dr. Sivapalan has worked collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to design the M-DOC, a unique developmental screening initiative whose goal was to increase access to diagnosis and intervention support for newcomer communities. In addition, Dr. Sivapalan helped develop the CARES initiative, which employed a task-shifting model to provide mental health support for caregivers and siblings of children with autism. As a social doer, Dr. Sivapalan has initiated and managed various social impact projects both at the local and global level. Most recently, Dr. Sivapalan became the chief operating officer for “The Dunya Project”, a Canadian agri-tech start-up that is building a connected, climate-controlled modular hydroponic habitat to alleviate the devastating gap in access to affordable foods irrespective of climate conditions. 

Speaker: Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan

Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan, MA, is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Waterloo. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral residency at Surrey Place. Driven by her passion to improve access to mental health supports in diverse communities, Kiruthiha has consulted on various projects at the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC). Kiruthiha’s primary role at SAAAC is the development and supervision of the CARES initiative, which employs a task-shifting peer-based model to provide mental health support for caregivers of children with autism. Preliminary outcomes of this program were recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Many individuals with autism experience challenges with communication in varying degrees. Many will experience significant challenges with spoken communication at least some of the time. There are other methods of communication which may assist the individual in communicating their wants and needs and participating more fully in the environments around them.

This webinar series will outline the steps needed for choosing, introducing, teaching, evaluating, and encouraging expanded use for an AAC system for an autistic individual who would benefit from increasing their communication skills.

This webinar is appropriate for families and caregivers of autistic children and youth, as well as professionals working with autistic children.

Part 4: Introducing and Teaching the AAC System

During this session participants will learn about teaching methods such as prompting, prompt fading, reinforcement, and creating additional opportunities and motivation to increase practice of the AAC system. As well, an overview of data collection to guide progress will be presented.

Additional sessions in this series:

Part 1: Introduction to AAC for Autistic Individuals

Part 2: Choosing an Augmentative of Alternative System: Prerequisite Skills and Assessment

Part 3: Goal Setting

Part 5: Problem Solving and Generalization of the AAC

Speaker: Tracie Lindblad, M.Sc., Reg. SLP (CASLPO), M.Ed., BCBA

Tracie is a dually credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 35 years’ experience working within school settings, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, severe problem behaviour, autism, complex communication needs, and dual diagnosis. Tracie blends her skills from speech-language pathology, education, behaviour analysis, research, and business to increase client outcomes and has worked with clients and companies throughout North America, Europe, and the UK. Tracie is actively involved in applied research across the fields of speech-language pathology and behaviour analysis and has been fortunate to be involved in large cross-sector research studies involving individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and aphasia. She also currently serves as a director on several Boards for organizations in Ontario.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

The work of being a positive advocate when facing intersecting, socially constructed, and systemic barriers to living a fulfilling life can feel heavy and isolating. It is important to find creative ways to collectively advocate and share your message with people in elected positions and positions of power that impact accessibility and opportunities for autistic adults, people with developmental disabilities, and their parents and siblings. In this discussion, our panelists will share their own journeys and perspectives of navigating systemic barriers while engaging in positive advocacy with elected officials and within systems to affect positive change.

Panelists: Sherron Grant

Sherron Grant, M.Ed. is an educator, advocate for persons with special needs and the co-founder of Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support (formerly The Black Parents of Children and Adults with a Disability Support Group). Sherron is a caregiver and supports families, volunteers and advocates for persons living with various disabilities, to be recognized for their valuable contributions to society and emphasizes the benefit we all experience when eliminating barriers for others. Sherron is the 2020 recipient of the Community Living Toronto Jim Turner Award for Outstanding Voluntarism.

Charlene Davidson

Charlene Davidson is a sibling of a person who has a developmental disability. She was born and raised in Ontario and now lives in Ottawa with her husband and two children. Her brother also lives in Ottawa in independent living with supports. Charlene acts as an advocate for her brother and is a participant in the Sibling Collaborative, a group that unites and strengthens siblings by building networks of peer support and sharing experiences with each other, families, social service agencies, organizations and beyond. Charlene holds degrees from the University of Toronto, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. Charlene is also a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and was called to the Bar in 2008.

Courtney Weaver

Courtney Weaver is an individual (also self-advocate) who is very much engaged in the field of autism and accessibility. After obtaining a Masters in Critical Disability Studies at York University in 2017, she has consistently done a variety of work roles in the aforementioned field. A few of her current ones include office assistant to MP Mike Lake, Housing Through an Autism Lens (HAL) Solutions Lab self-advocate advisor and project coordinator for the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance’s (CASDA’s) Work from Home project.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Caregiving can be a uniquely rewarding experience, while at the same time mentally and physically exhausting. Without proper support, it can take a toll on your health and your psyche. This series of four short webinars will cover key skills such as self-care, mindfulness, self-compassion and assertive communication that you can use to better support yourself through the day-to-day challenges that arise in caregiving. 

Session 3 - Cultivating Compassion: Nurturing the Inner Caregiver  

Parents and caregivers are all too used to giving care and compassion to others but may often forget to redirect some of that to themselves. This workshop will talk about what self-compassion is (and what it is not), why it is worth trying to cultivate in your daily life, and then provide some tips for how to actually do that. We will also work through an exercise together that has been shown by research to help people begin to practice self-compassion. 

Additional Sessions: 

Session 1 - Caregiver Burnout: Where Do We Go From Here 

Session 2 – No Time Like the Present: Being Mindful Amidst the Chaos 

Session 4 – Assertive Communication: A Balancing Act 

Speaker: Dr. Sivapalan

A family doctor by profession, Dr. Sivapalan believes in the potential for change to the current diagnostic landscape for children with Autism. After six years of a busy and fruitful family practice, Dr. Sivapalan left his practice to help facilitate this change. With an interest in child development, Dr. Sivapalan has worked collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to design the M-DOC, a unique developmental screening initiative whose goal was to increase access to diagnosis and intervention support for newcomer communities. In addition, Dr. Sivapalan helped develop the CARES initiative, which employed a task-shifting model to provide mental health support for caregivers and siblings of children with autism. As a social doer, Dr. Sivapalan has initiated and managed various social impact projects both at the local and global level. Most recently, Dr. Sivapalan became the chief operating officer for “The Dunya Project”, a Canadian agri-tech start-up that is building a connected, climate-controlled modular hydroponic habitat to alleviate the devastating gap in access to affordable foods irrespective of climate conditions. 

Speaker: Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan

Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan, MA, is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Waterloo. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral residency at Surrey Place. Driven by her passion to improve access to mental health supports in diverse communities, Kiruthiha has consulted on various projects at the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC). Kiruthiha’s primary role at SAAAC is the development and supervision of the CARES initiative, which employs a task-shifting peer-based model to provide mental health support for caregivers of children with autism. Preliminary outcomes of this program were recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Caregiving can be a uniquely rewarding experience, while at the same time mentally and physically exhausting. Without proper support, it can take a toll on your health and your psyche. This series of four short webinars will cover key skills such as self-care, mindfulness, self-compassion and assertive communication that you can use to better support yourself through the day-to-day challenges that arise in caregiving. 

Session 2 – No Time Like The Present: Being Mindful Amidst the Chaos 

The challenges of caregiving bring about feelings of stress, overwhelm, and isolation on a daily basis. Practicing mindfulness can help parents and caregivers remain in the present, manage negative emotions more effectively, and build emotional resilience. This workshop will provide an introduction to mindfulness and its benefits, and guide the audience through some brief mindfulness techniques. 

Additional Sessions: 

Session 1 - Caregiver Burnout: Where Do We Go From Here 

Session 3 - Cultivating Compassion: Nurturing the Inner Caregiver 

Session 4 – Assertive Communication: A Balancing Act 

Speaker: Dr. Sivapalan

A family doctor by profession, Dr. Sivapalan believes in the potential for change to the current diagnostic landscape for children with Autism. After six years of a busy and fruitful family practice, Dr. Sivapalan left his practice to help facilitate this change. With an interest in child development, Dr. Sivapalan has worked collaboratively with multiple stakeholders to design the M-DOC, a unique developmental screening initiative whose goal was to increase access to diagnosis and intervention support for newcomer communities. In addition, Dr. Sivapalan helped develop the CARES initiative, which employed a task-shifting model to provide mental health support for caregivers and siblings of children with autism. As a social doer, Dr. Sivapalan has initiated and managed various social impact projects both at the local and global level. Most recently, Dr. Sivapalan became the chief operating officer for “The Dunya Project”, a Canadian agri-tech start-up that is building a connected, climate-controlled modular hydroponic habitat to alleviate the devastating gap in access to affordable foods irrespective of climate conditions. 

Speaker: Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan

Kiruthiha Vimalakanthan, MA, is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Waterloo. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral residency at Surrey Place. Driven by her passion to improve access to mental health supports in diverse communities, Kiruthiha has consulted on various projects at the South Asian Autism Awareness Centre (SAAAC). Kiruthiha’s primary role at SAAAC is the development and supervision of the CARES initiative, which employs a task-shifting peer-based model to provide mental health support for caregivers of children with autism. Preliminary outcomes of this program were recently published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Many individuals with autism experience challenges with communication in varying degrees. Many will experience significant challenges with spoken communication at least some of the time. There are other methods of communication which may assist the individual in communicating their wants and needs and participating more fully in the environments around them.

This webinar series will outline the steps needed for choosing, introducing, teaching, evaluating, and encouraging expanded use for an AAC system for an autistic individual who would benefit from increasing their communication skills.

This webinar is appropriate for families and caregivers of autistic children and youth, as well as professionals working with autistic children.

Part 2: Choosing an Augmentative or Alternative System: Prerequisite Skills and Assessment

In this session, participants will learn about the required skills necessary for each specific type of AAC system. We will also explore how to assess your child’s skills, preferences, and needs for communication to assist in matching an AAC system to best meet your child’s individualized profile.

Additional sessions in this series:

Part 1: Introduction to AAC for Autistic Individuals

Part 3: Goal Setting

Part 4: Introducing and Teaching the AAC System

Part 5: Problem Solving and Generalization of the AAC

Speaker: Tracie Lindblad, M.Sc., Reg. SLP (CASLPO), M.Ed., BCBA

Tracie is a dually credentialed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 35 years’ experience working within school settings, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, severe problem behaviour, autism, complex communication needs, and dual diagnosis. Tracie blends her skills from speech-language pathology, education, behaviour analysis, research, and business to increase client outcomes and has worked with clients and companies throughout North America, Europe, and the UK. Tracie is actively involved in applied research across the fields of speech-language pathology and behaviour analysis and has been fortunate to be involved in large cross-sector research studies involving individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and aphasia. She also currently serves as a director on several Boards for organizations in Ontario.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions. 

Une série de webinaires portant sur les filles et les adolescentes autistes

Cette série de webinaires en quatre parties est axée sur les conversations liées au développement sain des filles et des adolescentes autistes. Tant les parents que les jeunes autistes tireront profit des sujets liés à l’indépendance, à la vie privée, aux menstruations et aux relations amoureuses et amicales.

Séance no 4 – Filles autistes : Puberté et menstruations

Déni de responsabilité : Les opinions exprimées dans ce webinaire sont celles des conférenciers et des présentateurs et ne reflètent pas nécessairement les points de vue d’Autisme Ontario. Prenez note qu'Autisme Ontario ne donne son appui à aucun produit, thérapie, traitement, stratégie, opinion, service ou individu en particulier. Nous appuyons cependant votre droit à l'information. À nos yeux, il est très important que vous fassiez vos propres recherches afin de prendre vous-même des décisions éclairées.

Séances supplémentaires dans cette série :

Séance no 1 : Parents et aidants de filles de dix ans et moins (en anglais)

Séance no 2 : Parents et aidants de filles de dix ans et plus (en anglais)

Séance no 3 – Filles autistes : Amitiés et relations saines (en anglais)

Conférencier : Stephanie Moeser

Stephanie Moeser est une travailleuse sociale qui vit et travaille à Peterborough, en Ontario. En tant que professeure à temps partiel au Fleming College, elle enseigne dans les programmes de santé mentale et de toxicomanie, de travail social et de services de développement.  Originaire de Toronto, Stephanie a concentré son travail clinique sur le soutien aux personnes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme et à leurs familles. Dans son cabinet privé, Stephanie offre un soutien en matière de santé mentale dans les domaines des relations, du bien-être et des questions liées à la gestion des problèmes de santé mentale, tels que l’anxiété et les troubles de l’humeur. Elle s’est spécialisée dans le soutien aux étudiants autistes qui suivent des études postsecondaires, ainsi qu’aux filles, aux femmes et aux personnes trans et non binaires du spectre. 

Au fil des ans, Stephanie a fait des présentations sur le thème du bien-être et des autosoins à des parents, des aidants, des personnes vivant avec un handicap, des professionnels de la santé mentale et des professionnels paramédicaux. Dans le dernier mois, elle a animé une série de webinaires sur ce sujet pour Autisme Ontario. Stephanie accorde énormément d’importance à la nécessité de parler de ses sentiments et d’intégrer la compassion active dans sa propre vie, en particulier pendant cette période difficile.

Conférencier : Lauren Portengen

Lauren Portengen est intervenante en santé mentale auprès d’un organisme de santé mentale multidisciplinaire situé dans la région de Waterloo. Dans le cadre de ses fonctions actuelles, Lauren fournit un soutien en matière d’accueil et d’orientation aux familles qui participent à des programmes de santé mentale. Lauren adopte une approche centrée sur le participant et tenant compte des traumatismes dans le cadre de son travail, et elle se spécialise en santé mentale des enfants et des jeunes. Ayant elle-même reçu un diagnostic de trouble du spectre de l’autisme, Lauren est une ardente défenseuse au sein de sa communauté, et elle a fait l’expérience des complexités associées à la neurodiversité dans le système de santé mentale. Lauren a étudié à l’Université Trent et au Collège Conestoga, et elle partage sa vie avec son mari neurotypique (discutable), qui est ingénieur. Lauren et son mari adorent partir à l’aventure dans le Nord de l’Ontario et passer du temps avec leur famille. Lauren s’est autoproclamée une « vieille dame »; elle aime également faire de la broderie sur canevas, faire des tapis au crochet, lire un bon livre et déguster une tasse de thé au goût bien prononcé. 

Déni de responsabilité : Les opinions exprimées dans ce webinaire sont celles des conférenciers et des présentateurs et ne reflètent pas nécessairement les points de vue d’Autisme Ontario. Prenez note qu'Autisme Ontario ne donne son appui à aucun produit, thérapie, traitement, stratégie, opinion, service ou individu en particulier. Nous appuyons cependant votre droit à l'information. À nos yeux, il est très important que vous fassiez vos propres recherches afin de prendre vous-même des décisions éclairées.

The goal of this webinar series is to provide families with some clear instructions around getting the most out of their child’s IPRC (Identification, Placement, and Review Committee). There will be a list of resources provided to you to help assist you in the process that Ed will reference throughout his workshop.

Presenter: Ed Mahony

 

Ed Mahony is both a Parent Advocate and Special Education Resource Teacher. He supports parents in learning to provide positive, practical and proven strategies to work successfully with their children's schools to address special education needs. Ed also provides individual consultation to families in person, online and by phone throughout the province.

The global pandemic has impacted every corner of society including how specialized behavioral services and supervision are delivered. Practitioners have had to pivot to delivering services remotely which has required innovation and patience of all involved. This webinar is geared towards practitioners providing behavior analytic services to clients and behavior analytic supervision to trainees. Guidelines for compassionate care during these unprecedented times will be discussed in addition to ideas for continuing to provide high quality supervision to trainees. Learning objectives:

1. Participants will become familiar with an overview of the literature and practice recommendations for delivery ABA services within a compassionate care framework

2. Participants will become familiar with innovative ways to continue to support behavior analytic supervisees during pandemic related restrictions

Additional sessions in this series:

1.  Employment & Human Resources Issues During COVID-19 with Natasha Danson

2. Legal and Professional Issues to Consider when Providing and Receiving Telehealth Services with Richard Steinecke

Presenters:

Kendra Thomson is an Associate Professor in Applied Disability Studies at Brock University, a Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), and a clinician-scientist in the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Ontario. Kendra has almost 20 years of experience in various clinical and research settings supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) across the lifespan. Kendra, her graduate students, and their community partners have published research in: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis: Research & Practice, and Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. She is currently the president of the Ontario Association of Behaviour Analysis, and past-co-chair of the professional regulation committee.

Nancy is the Executive Director and Founder of Breakthrough Autism. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Clinical Psychologist, she completed her Master of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in Behavior Analysis at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is currently working on her PhD in Behavior Analysis through Endicott College. Nancy has published research in the flagship Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) and has presented at both provincial and international conferences. Nancy is currently the president-elect of the Ontario Association of Behaviour Analysis. Based on her extensive expertise and clinical experience, Nancy was appointed to serve on the ASD-Clinical Expert Committee (CEC) for what was formerly known as the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Une série de webinaires portant sur les filles et les adolescentes autistes 

Cette série de webinaires en quatre parties est axée sur les conversations liées au développement sain des filles et des adolescentes autistes. Tant les parents que les jeunes autistes tireront profit des sujets liés à l’indépendance, à la vie privée, aux menstruations et aux relations amoureuses et amicales.  

Séance no 3 – Filles autistes :  Amitiés et relations saines  

Ce webinaire est destiné aux filles autistes. Les sujets présentés porteront sur les amitiés et les relations. L’accent sera mis sur la gestion des émotions dans les amitiés et les relations, les signes d’amitiés et de relations saines et malsaines, et les limites saines.

Séances supplémentaires dans cette série :

Séance no 1 : Parents et aidants de filles de dix ans et moins (en anglais)

Séance no 2 : Parents et aidants de filles de dix ans et plus (en anglais)

Séance no 4 – Filles autistes : Puberté et menstruations (en anglais)

Biographie des conférenciers:

Stephanie Moeser

Stephanie Moeser est une travailleuse sociale qui vit et travaille à Peterborough, en Ontario. En tant que professeure à temps partiel au Fleming College, elle enseigne dans les programmes de santé mentale et de toxicomanie, de travail social et de services de développement.  Originaire de Toronto, Stephanie a concentré son travail clinique sur le soutien aux personnes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme et à leurs familles. Dans son cabinet privé, Stephanie offre un soutien en matière de santé mentale dans les domaines des relations, du bien-être et des questions liées à la gestion des problèmes de santé mentale, tels que l’anxiété et les troubles de l’humeur. Elle s’est spécialisée dans le soutien aux étudiants autistes qui suivent des études postsecondaires, ainsi qu’aux filles, aux femmes et aux personnes trans et non binaires du spectre.  

Au fil des ans, Stephanie a fait des présentations sur le thème du bien-être et des autosoins à des parents, des aidants, des personnes vivant avec un handicap, des professionnels de la santé mentale et des professionnels paramédicaux. Dans le dernier mois, elle a animé une série de webinaires sur ce sujet pour Autisme Ontario. Stephanie accorde énormément d’importance à la nécessité de parler de ses sentiments et d’intégrer la compassion active dans sa propre vie, en particulier pendant cette période difficile.

Lauren Portengen

Lauren Portengen est intervenante en santé mentale auprès d’un organisme de santé mentale multidisciplinaire situé dans la région de Waterloo. Dans le cadre de ses fonctions actuelles, Lauren fournit un soutien en matière d’accueil et d’orientation aux familles qui participent à des programmes de santé mentale. Lauren adopte une approche centrée sur le participant et tenant compte des traumatismes dans le cadre de son travail, et elle se spécialise en santé mentale des enfants et des jeunes. Ayant elle-même reçu un diagnostic de trouble du spectre de l’autisme, Lauren est une ardente défenseuse au sein de sa communauté, et elle a fait l’expérience des complexités associées à la neurodiversité dans le système de santé mentale. Lauren a étudié à l’Université Trent et au Collège Conestoga, et elle partage sa vie avec son mari neurotypique (discutable), qui est ingénieur. Lauren et son mari adorent partir à l’aventure dans le Nord de l’Ontario et passer du temps avec leur famille. Lauren s’est autoproclamée une « vieille dame »; elle aime également faire de la broderie sur canevas, faire des tapis au crochet, lire un bon livre et déguster une tasse de thé au goût bien prononcé. 

Déni de responsabilité : Les opinions exprimées dans ce webinaire sont celles des conférenciers et des présentateurs et ne reflètent pas nécessairement les points de vue d’Autisme Ontario. Prenez note qu'Autisme Ontario ne donne son appui à aucun produit, thérapie, traitement, stratégie, opinion, service ou individu en particulier. Nous appuyons cependant votre droit à l'information. À nos yeux, il est très important que vous fassiez vos propres recherches afin de prendre vous-même des décisions éclairées.

Please note this webinar aired on April 18th, 2024 and is now available On-Demand. 

This webinar explores how many young autistic and neurodiverse people often feel overwhelmed by their environment and surroundings and how, as a result, they might become dysregulated.  

Together, we will aim to understand what might be happening in that moment for them and how, as a parent, a caregiver or a professional, we can adopt a non-judgmental and neuro-affirming approach that fosters autonomy, builds the capacity to advocate for oneself, and supports overall well-being.   

At the heart of our conversation lies the concept of neuro-affirmative care—a compassionate approach that embraces individual differences and nurtures autonomy.  

Learning Objectives: 

1.  Understand sensory overload and recognize signs of feeling overwhelmed.
2.  Explore dysregulation and learn strategies for self-regulation and co-regulation
3.  Gain insights into supporting individuals through neuro-affirmative care practices.

Through insightful discussions on self-regulation and the power of co-regulation, we aim to equip parents, caregivers, and professionals with practical strategies to support neurodiverse youth effectively. 

Whether you're a parent seeking understanding, a caregiver aiming to provide better support, or a professional dedicated to fostering inclusive environments, this webinar offers insights to enhance the well-being of neurodiverse youth. We recognize that there's no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, we'll explore general strategies to support neurodiverse youth effectively. 

Watch On Demand Here: https://bit.ly/3TfrMt6

For more information on this topic, please see the additional resources attached below.

Speaker: Kathleen Patterson  

Working in the mental health and helping profession for over 25 years, Kathleen Patterson has served a diverse clientele through the years including children, adolescents, adults, and families. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from Laval University and a graduate diploma in psychotherapy and spiritual care from Wilfrid Laurier University. As a professional, Kathleen has held various positions as a psychotherapist, as a coordinator and program manager for specialized services serving a 0-18 population, and as a mental health leader for a school board.  

She is currently the clinical team leader for the adult mental health services at the Centre Francophone du grand Toronto, and is also the founder of Neuro Unique, a consultation and therapy service that aims to offer neuro affirmative care for neurodiverse individuals and their families.  Kathleen Patterson is a parent to two children on the autism spectrum. 

Moderated By: Matt Ley

Matt Ley is the current President and co-founder of The Streaming Network. Starting his career in virtual events in 2007, Matt is an industry veteran who is passionate about helping customers stand out in their industry with compelling virtual events that people want to attend. The driving ambition for Matt is that virtual events are not a utility for information distribution but an opportunity for firms to create a competitive advantage. Matt is an accomplished speaker, moderator, and a sought-after thought leader.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions.

This presentation is also being offered in French; see here for more information.

In this webinar, you will learn important skills that a parent advocate needs to develop in order to be successful, as well as how to make the IPRC process work for you. Support material and references will be made available. Mr. Mahony will answer questions about the webinar material however ongoing individualized support is available on a fee for service basis.

Presenter: Ed Mahony

Ed Mahony is both a Parent Advocate and Special Education Resource Teacher. He supports parents in learning to provide positive, practical and proven strategies to work successfully with their children's schools to address special education needs. Ed also provides individual consultation to families in person, online and by phone throughout the province. 

Exploration des sens

Dans cette mini-série de trois webinaires, nous discuterons de la façon dont nous traitons le monde sensoriel. Bethany Brewin (M. Sc., ergothérapie) entretiendra les parents et les aidants de divers sujets, comme le fonctionnement du système sensoriel, les divers types de « profils » sensoriels, les adaptations sensorielles ainsi que les stratégies et outils sensoriels pouvant être intégrés à la routine quotidienne.

Séance 1 de 3 : Introduction au système sensoriel

Ce webinaire brossera un tableau d’ensemble du système sensoriel, y compris la façon dont nous absorbons l’information sensorielle dans l’environnement, dont nous la traitons et dont nous y réagissons. Questions abordées : En quoi consistent les sens? Qu’est-ce que le « traitement sensoriel »? Qu’est-ce que « l’intégration sensorielle »? De plus, on y discutera brièvement de ce qui se passe quand ce processus est problématique : hyper (sur-) réactivité et hypo (sous-) réactivité.

Séances supplémentaires dans cette série :

Séance 2 de 3 : Le détective sensoriel - Comprendre les besoins sensoriels particuliers (en anglais)

Séance 3 de 3 : Stratégies et outils sensoriels pour les enfants (en anglais)

Biographie de l’animatrice :

Bethany Brewin

Bethany est une ergothérapeute chevronnée qui habite le comté de Simcoe. Après avoir a obtenu sa maîtrise en sciences (ergothérapie) à l’Université de Toronto, elle a travaillé auprès d’enfants, d’adolescents et de familles un peu partout au Canada, en plus de fournir des services-conseils à des garderies, des écoles et des organismes communautaires. Au fil des ans, Bethany a présenté des conférences sur divers sujets, allant de la motricité fine à l’alimentation saine; elle a récemment été panéliste à un symposium sur l’impact du temps d’écran sur le développement des jeunes enfants. Elle s’intéresse avec passion à l’importance de s’ancrer dans le monde par la pleine conscience : mobiliser nos sens pour se connecter à notre environnement. Bethany fait partie de l’équipe d’« experts en la matière » d’Autisme Ontario.

Déni de responsabilité : Les opinions exprimées dans ce webinaire sont celles des conférenciers et des présentateurs et ne reflètent pas nécessairement les points de vue d’Autisme Ontario. Prenez note qu'Autisme Ontario ne donne son appui à aucun produit, thérapie, traitement, stratégie, opinion, service ou individu en particulier. Nous appuyons cependant votre droit à l'information. À nos yeux, il est très important que vous fassiez vos propres recherches afin de prendre vous-même des décisions éclairées.

Join us to explore autism as it relates to the distinct needs and experiences of girls and women. Please note this webinar aired on March 7th, 2024 and is now available On-Demand. 

This presentation illuminates the unique challenges faced by autistic females, examining how societal expectations, gender stereotypes, and diagnostic biases impact their journey.  

This webinar will provide valuable insights into the nuanced ways autism presents in females, discussing the potential differences in social communication, sensory sensitivities, and coping mechanisms.  

We will explore the importance of early detection, dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding the gendered presentation of autism.  

Through research findings, real-life stories, and practical strategies, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to support and empower autistic girls. By fostering awareness and embracing a gender-inclusive perspective, we can create a more supportive environment for all autistic individuals. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Understand why autistic girls and women are under-diagnosed  
2. Learn to recognize common masking behaviours 
3. Explore strategies for dealing with common issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, poor self-regulation, sensory sensitivities, obsessive interests, and maintaining friendships 
4. Enhance communication and find opportunities for connection 

This webinar is designed with autistic individuals who identify as women and parents and caregivers of autistic girls in mind. Professionals are welcome to join. 

This presentation contains material that might be difficult to discuss, including sexuality and abuse. These themes will be discussed in a sensitive and educational way, emphasizing prevention. 

Register here: https://bit.ly/42u6nk3 

For more information on this topic, please see the additional resources attached below.

Speaker: Marie Hooper, Ph.D. Candidate

Marie Hooper is the co-owner and founder of Flourish Health Services, a paediatric hub in the heart of the Beaches (Toronto) that provides developmental health services to children, youth, and families.  

Marie is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University and a seasoned professional with extensive experience in assessing and working with autistic children, youth, and adults. Her strengths-based, evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach is complemented by a rich background in addressing a range of challenges, including learning difficulties, developmental delays, and mental health issues.  

Marie's diverse skill set includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Play Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and Emotion-Focused Therapy. With a residency at YRDSB, TDSB, and Etobicoke Psychological Services, along with affiliations at Launch Behavioural Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Marie is deeply involved in paediatric mental health.  

Her brainchild, Flourish, fulfills her long-standing dream of a paediatric hub, driven by personal insights as a parent to a child with complex needs. Currently completing her doctoral research on family stress, Marie offers support to clients and families, working under licensed clinical psychologists during the final stages of her Ph.D. journey. 

 

Moderated By: Matt Ley

Matt Ley is the current President and co-founder of The Streaming Network. Starting his career in virtual events in 2007, Matt is an industry veteran who is passionate about helping customers stand out in their industry with compelling virtual events that people want to attend. The driving ambition for Matt is that virtual events are not a utility for information distribution but an opportunity for firms to create a competitive advantage. Matt is an accomplished speaker, moderator, and a sought-after thought leader.

Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speakers, and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinions, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions.

ONTABA Professional Webinar Series: COVID-19 has changed the workplace in significant ways. This session will review some of the legislative changes that affect the workplace, as well as some common issues that have arisen in the employment context during the pandemic such as: • health and safety • reduction in pay • accommodation • employee engagement The webinar will provide viewers with practical information about the unexpected and new challenges now faced by behavioural employers and employees alike (including families that employ behavioural support).

Additional sessions in this series:

1. Employment & Human Resources Issues During COVID with Kendra Thomson & Nancy Marchese

2. Legal and Professional Issues to Consider when Providing and Receiving Telehealth Services with Richard Steinecke

Speaker: Ntasha Danson

Natasha Danson is a partner at the law firm Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc. She practises in all areas of professional regulation and she advises regulators on employment and human resources matters. Natasha volunteers as amicus counsel at the Divisional Court for Pro Bono Ontario. She sits on the University Health Network’s Research and Ethics Board and is a former executive board member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Health Law Section and a former editorial board member for the publication Health Law in Canada. 

Join Dr. Kathleen Quill, author of the best-seller DO-WATCH-LISTEN-SAY: Social and Communication Intervention for Children with Autism, as she discusses how to build social skills in children with ASD in various environments. Children and adolescents with ASD often learn social and communication skills in one setting and have difficulty using these skills in other settings. Parents often express frustration that there is a mismatch between what their children can do in school and what they can do at home. The purpose of this webinar is twofold: (1) to highlight the importance of assessing and programming for generalization of social and communication skills, and (2) to provide a summary of how various evidence-based teaching methods can be used to teach new skills and foster generalization.

Presenter:

Dr. Kathleen Quill, Ed.D. BCBA-D, Autism Institute, is a respected author, lecturer and consultant. Kathleen has conducted trainings in over 20 countries, given the keynote address for 10 international organizations, and presented at over 100 conferences. She promotes integrating behavioural and developmental educational methods; conducts applied research on social and communication intervention, and participates in national and state program initiatives to bridge the gap between research and practice. In addition, she is the editor of the seminal text teaching children with autism: Strategies to enhance communication and socialization, is on the Editorial board for the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities; the Advisory Board for the Autism Spectrum Quarterly; and on the Board of Directors for Autism Asperger Publishing Company.

Girls On The Spectrum - Exploring Sex And Gender And Their Influence On Recognizing Autistic Characteristics

The autism spectrum has long been perceived as predominantly a male condition. However, many girls and women go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or are diagnosed later in life. Recognizing autism in girls and women may be challenging because some of their behaviours present differently than boys and men. Their health care needs are often unrecognized or go unmet. Many experience mental health, self-identity and gender-related challenges, and inadequate or insufficient health care and social service supports.

In this webinar we will discuss
1) how sex and gender may influence the behavioural characteristics of autism; and,

2) what we have learned from observational studies and from the perspectives of girls and women themselves about how such characteristics might be recognized earlier and how their health care experiences can be improved. 

Research informed by a sex- and gender-lens can provide clues for future research and changes to clinical practices that can optimize supports for autistic individuals across the sex and gender spectra.

Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai and Dr. Yani Hamdani

Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai is Clinician Scientist and O’Brien Scholar in the Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. He is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also honorary Director of Gender Research in Autism at the Autism Research Centre of the University of Cambridge, and Adjunct Attending Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the National Taiwan University. His vision is to bridge and integrate multi-level biological-cognitive-psychological-social research and clinical services. His clinical interests are in the risk and resilience processes across the lifespan in individuals with atypical social, cognitive and affective development (such as the autism spectrum, ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders), and how sex and gender modulate these processes. His current research investigates cognitive and neuro/biological bases of autism and associated neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan. A particular focus is on the complex relationships between autism and sex-related factors in development, impact of gender, and sex/gender differences.

Dr. Yani Hamdani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto, a Clinician-Scientist at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and an Adjunct Scientist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.  She is a qualitative health researcher and Occupational Therapist. Her current research examines the health and social experiences of girls and women on the autism spectrum, including how social assumptions about gender and disability influence these experiences.

What are the Issues and how you can create boundaries?

This webinar will empower parents and caregivers to understand the social media platforms their adolescents are using, how to enhance safety through additional privacy/monitoring features and introduce them to troubleshooting common online issues as well as introducing safety contracts.

Other webinars in this series:

Online Safety Session 2 for Caregivers - Teaching and Upkeep for Your Adolescent About Online Safety

Online Safety Session 3 for Adolescents - Technical Safety Online - Do’s and Don’ts

Online Safety Session 4 for Adolescents -Social Safety and Positive interactions, “Reading the Room”

Speakers:

Sarah Southey, MSW is a social worker providing therapy and employment supports to neurodiverse adolescents and adults. She specializes in anxiety and social skills supports

Nicole Lisi is a Masters of Social Work student at the University of Toronto and currently works as a Child and Youth Worker supporting dual diagnosis youth in developing life skills and emotion management

Katie Sedej is a self-advocate and secondary student who has many insights on online safety issues.

This webinar is geared at helping adolescents with autism understand some of the common social interactions online. Topics covered will include online humour, Instagram vs. reality, cyber-bullying and problem-solving through difficult social situations.

Other webinars in this series:

Online Safety Session 1 for Caregivers - Introduction to Cyber Safety

Online Safety Session 2 for Caregivers - Teaching and Upkeep for Your Adolescent About Online Safety

Online Safety Session 3 for Adolescents - Technical Safety Online - Do’s and Don’ts

Speakers:

Sarah Southey, MSW is a social worker providing therapy and employment supports to neurodiverse adolescents and adults. She specializes in anxiety and social skills supports

Nicole Lisi is a Masters of Social Work student at the University of Toronto and currently works as a Child and Youth Worker supporting dual diagnosis youth in developing life skills and emotion management

Katie Sedej is a self-advocate and secondary student who has many insights on online safety issues.

This webinar is geared at helping adolescents with autism understand potential online safety issues. We will walk through the topics of red flags, privacy, online friends, and buying and selling items online.

Other webinars in this series:

Online Safety Session 1 for Caregivers - Introduction to Cyber Safety

Online Safety Session 2 for Caregivers - Teaching and Upkeep for Your Adolescent About Online Safety

Online Safety Session 4 for Adolescents -Social Safety and Positive interactions, “Reading the Room”

Speakers:

Sarah Southey, MSW is a social worker providing therapy and employment supports to neurodiverse adolescents and adults. She specializes in anxiety and social skills supports

Nicole Lisi is a Masters of Social Work student at the University of Toronto and currently works as a Child and Youth Worker supporting dual diagnosis youth in developing life skills and emotion management

Katie Sedej is a self-advocate and secondary student who has many insights on online safety issues.

We understand during this time many things have changed, including our daily routines. We also know that all individuals benefit from stability. In this 30-minute webinar, we aim to provide some practical strategies for caregivers of children and youth with autism to use at home. We will discuss some ways to build routines, teach independent play, and follow independent activity schedules. As every household is different, the goal is for caregivers to select the best strategy to use with their children and youth.

Additional sessions in this series:

1. Self Care Skills During COVID-19 with Janice Theodoropoulos
2. Fostering Safe Social Connections During COVID-19 with Carly Eby & Michau van Speyk
3. Ways to Play: Ideas to create activities for kids with Harley Lang

Presenters:

Joan Broto is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) who completed her MA and Ph.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University in Teaching as Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education. Joan’s experience includes working with children and youth with autism, learning disabilities, and behaviour disorders since 2000. Joan is currently a Clinical Supervisor at Launch Behavioural Health and provides clinical supervision for ABA programs in the Greater Toronto Area. Joan has taught graduate courses at Brock University and Western University, and provides supervision to graduate students who are pursuing certification in behaviour analysis. Joan currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA), as the secretary and chair of the Education and Advancement Committee, and on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Advancement of a Strategic Science of Teaching (FASST).

Dawn Marciello is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis. Dawn completed her Masters of Applied Behaviour Analysis at St Cloud State University and is also a graduate of the Consecutive Education Urban Diversity Program at York University. During her career, Dawn has taken on a variety of roles including Instructor Therapist, Special Education Teacher, Senior Therapist and Clinical Director. Her work has centred on children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities.  Dawn is currently in the role of Clinical and Educational Director at Exceptional Learning Centre.  Additionally, Dawn is a current board member with the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA), acting as the treasurer elect and chair of the Organizational Development Committee.

ONTABA professional webinar series: Providing services remotely during the pandemic is growing exponentially in popularity. However, it also raises special legal and professional issues that practitioners, and recipients of behavioural services and their families/caregivers should consider. Both new and experienced participants in remote behavioural service sessions will benefit from this systemic yet practical presentation of recurring issues. This session covers such important topics as:

• establishing the therapeutic relationship
• determining the location (and thus rules) of service
• informed consent,
• privacy
• record keeping
• maintaining standards of practice
• fees and billing and more.

Additional sessions in this series:

1.  Employment & Human Resources Issues During COVID-19 with Natasha Danson

2. Employment & Human Resources Issues During COVID with Kendra Thomson & Nancy Marchese

Speaker: Richard Steinecke

Richard Steinecke practises law exclusively in the area of professional regulation. He is the editor of the widely read Grey Areas newsletter commenting on recent developments in professional regulation. Because of its comprehensive nature, courts and tribunals have cited his book “A Complete Guide to the Regulated Health Professions Act” dozens of times, even in cases dealing with non-health professions. The book is updated twice a year. Today he spends most of his professional life teaching, writing, speaking, training and consulting on professional regulation issues. A life-long learner, Richard reads every Canadian common law court decision on professional regulation he can find and has a Certificate in Risk Management from the University of Toronto. In 2015 he received the Regulatory Excellence award from the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) and in 2019 he received the Tom Marshall Award of Excellence for the Public Sector from the Ontario Bar Association. Richard is counsel to Steinecke Maciura LeBlanc.