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In this webinar, we will look at how the stress of COVID-19 can spill into a relationship only to increase conflict and stress. What can you do to keep your relationship intact and healthy during an unprecedented time in history? The role of introvert and extrovert in building conflict. Learn to distinguish between facts and problems in maintaining healthy relationships. Learn the basic steps in having healthy conversations.

Presenter: Mark Laing, B.A. Registered Psychotherapist

My work centers on marriages in crisis, the effects of affairs, the hopelessness of mood disorders (depression, anxiety, etc.), the frustration of inappropriate anger and the paralysis caused by low self-acceptance. Equipped with an honors degree in clinical psychology.

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.

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. 

Ce webinaire s’adresse à quiconque souhaite savoir en quoi un(e) psychologue, un(e) associé(e) en psychologie ou un(e) autre professionnel(le) de la santé mentale peut aider les personnes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) et leur famille, particulièrement pendant cette époque de transition post-pandémie vers la « vraie vie ».

Divers sujets seront abordés, notamment : les similitudes et les différences entre la psychologie et l'analyse comportementale appliquée (ABA); diverses approches d'évaluation et d'intervention psychologiques; l'impact de la pandémie de COVID (ou d'autres expériences stressantes) sur la santé mentale des individus et des familles; comment trouver un soutien psychologique quand on en a besoin.

Blogue : Persévérer malgré les effets de la COVID sur la santé mentale

Présentatrice: Dr. Stephanie Price

Stephanie Price est psychologue clinicienne et scolaire chez Mariani and Associates, un cabinet privé situé à Sudbury (Ontario). Elle travaille avec des personnes de tout âge qui ont des troubles de l'humeur et de l'anxiété, des traumatismes, des troubles neurodéveloppementaux, des retards de croissance et de développement, des difficultés d'apprentissage, des problèmes de comportement, des problèmes de compétences interpersonnelles et sociales et des difficultés d'adaptation aux changements de vie. Formée dans ces domaines, Stephanie s’intéresse particulièrement aux cas de double diagnostic et aux personnes ayant des troubles de développement. Elle a fait de nombreuses présentations pour diverses agences et organisations dans le Nord de l'Ontario.

Partie 4 sur 4: Ce webinaire vous expliquera comment déterminer quelles activités contribuent à encourager le développement de la motricité fine et le renforcement des membres supérieurs chez les enfants.

Sessions supplémentaires dans cette série de webinaires:

Partie 1 sur 4: Un atelier de préparation à l’enseignement de l’écriture pour les parents

Partie 2 sur 4: Les lettres minuscules

Partie 3 sur 4: Comprendre les lignes et les espaces

Conférenciers: Taunia Clouthier

Taunia Clouthier est une ergothérapeute œuvrant pendant dix ans avec les Services auxiliaires de santé dans les écoles de l’Ontario, où elle joue un rôle consultatif auprès des enfants, des parents et du personnel en milieu scolaire. Les connaissances et les compétences qu’elle a acquises au cours de ces années l’ont inspirée à créer FUNctional Therapy en 2018. Il s’agit d’une entreprise avec laquelle elle peut partager son savoir et ses passions dans le cadre de services et d’ateliers directs. Taunia est une personne extrêmement passionnée par le partage de connaissances, et elle croit que c’est l’une des clés d’une croissance d’un développement réussis chez les enfants.

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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.

This webinar will review the latest developments and key legal concerns for families related to:  direct funding, finding and contracting with direct support workers, legal obligations to support workers, and key resources for families.

Presenter: Cheryl Wiles-Pooran

Cheryl Wiles Pooran is an experienced human rights, labour and employment lawyer whose practice is dedicated to serving people and social purpose organizations. 

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.

The goal of this webinar is to provide information to autistic people and/or their caregivers to foster safe and meaningful social connections online and within pandemic related restrictions. Learn tips for teaching how to stay safe/be safe online and how technology can open doors for social connection.

Additional sessions in this series:

1. Creating Structure and Stability in the Home with Dawn Marciello & Joan Broto
2. Self Care Skills During COVID-19 with Janice Theodoropoulos
3. Ways to Play: Ideas to create activities for kids with Harley Lang

Presenters:

Carly Eby is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral.  Carly earned her B.Ed. from McGill University, MSc. in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Northeastern University, and Ph.D. in ABA from Columbia University. In 2019, Carly founded The Autism Centre of Toronto (TACT), a non-profit organization that provides early intensive ABA services. Carly has taught graduate courses at Simmons University and Elms College, and has published her research in Behavioral Interventions, Behavioral Development Bulletin, and the Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA) and is Chair of the Professional Practice & Affairs Committee. Carly lives in Toronto with her husband and three children.

My name is Michau van Speyk I’m 25 years old and I live in Toronto, Canada. I have Autism. Since 2016 I have been on the board of directors for the Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC).

Une équipe de recherche de l’Hôpital pour enfants malades de Toronto (Sick Kids Hospital), dirigée par le chercheur Ryan Yuen, a récemment découvert la présence de « rides » dans l’ADN qui pourraient représenter une cause génétique du trouble du spectre de l’autisme. Cette découverte a été qualifiée de « bond en avant » qui pourrait révolutionner à l’avenir le diagnostic non seulement de l’autisme mais aussi d’autres troubles neurodéveloppementaux.

Un panel de chercheurs-généticiens de Sick Kids, formé de Ryan Yuen, Stephen Scherer et de Dre Evdokia Anagnostou du Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, ainsi de la conseillère en génétique Ny Hoang de l’Unité de recherche sur l’autisme de Sick Kids, présenteront les dernières découvertes et répondront aux questions de l’auditoire.

Le panel :

Professeur Stephen Scherer, Hospital for Sick Children et Université de Toronto

Le professeur Scherer est titulaire de la chaire de recherche dotée GlaxoSmithKline-Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada en sciences du génome à l’Hôpital pour enfants malades (Hospital for Sick Children/SickKids) et à l'Université de Toronto, et directeur du McLaughlin Centre de l'Université de Toronto ainsi que du Centre for Applied Génomics de SickKids. Son équipe a contribué à la découverte-phare de la variation du nombre de copies du gène comme forme courante de variation génétique dans l'ADN humain, puis ensuite déterminé que cette variation contribuait à l'étiologie de l'autisme et de nombreux autres troubles. La base de données sur les variantes génomiques qu'il a fondée facilite chaque année l’établissement de centaines de milliers de diagnostics cliniques. Le professeur Scherer a remporté de nombreux honneurs comme le prix Steacie, une bourse d’études du Howard Hughes Medical Institute, le prix Killam et trois degrés honorifiques. Il est fellow de l’Institut canadien de recherches avancées, de l'American Association for the Advancement of Science et de la Société royale du Canada. En 2014, il a été choisi comme lauréat Thomson Reuters Citation en physiologie et médecine pour « la découverte de la variation du nombre de copies à grande échelle et son association avec certaines maladies ».

Dr. Ryan Yuen, PhD

Ryan Yuen est chercheur au programme de génétique et biologie du génome à l’Hôpital pour enfants malades (Hospital for Sick Children), et professeur adjoint au Département de génétique moléculaire de l'Université de Toronto. Ses recherches portent sur l’utilisation des méthodes d'analyse du génome entier pour cerner l'architecture génétique sous-jacente aux troubles neurologiques. Au cours des dix dernières années, il a publié plus d’une cinquantaine d’articles de recherche dans des revues à comité de lecture comme Nature, Science, Cell, le New England Journal of Medicine et Nature Medicine.

Ny Hoang, MS, CCGC

Ny Hoang est conseillère en génétique agréée à l’Hôpital pour enfants malades (Hospital for Sick Children). Elle a obtenu une maîtrise en sciences en génétique humaine du Sarah Lawrence College en 2011 et a reçu en 2012 son agrément de l'American Board of Genetic Counseling. Dans son poste actuel à l'Unité de recherche sur l'autisme, Ny se spécialise dans les contributions génétiques aux troubles neurodéveloppementaux, plus particulièrement pour ce qui touche les troubles du spectre de l’autisme. Elle donne une rétroaction aux participants aux recherches de séquençage génomique et discute de l'importance et de l'incidence des découvertes en génétique. En plus de faire partie du groupe des conseillers en recherche génomique de SickKids, Ny est conférencière, coordonnatrice de cours et superviseure clinique pour le programme de counselling en génétique de niveau M.Sc.à l'Université de Toronto, et membre administrative de l’Association of Genetic Counselors of Ontario.

Dre Evdokia Anagnostou

Dre Evdokia Anagnostou est neuropédiatre, professeure de pédiatrie à l’Université de Toronto et directrice adjointe de l’Institut de recherche de l’hôpital Holland Bloorview. À titre de clinicienne-scientifique principale, elle codirige l'Autism Research Centre (ARC) à Holland Bloorview et à l'Université de Toronto. Elle est titulaire de la chaire de recherche du Canada sur la thérapeutique translationnelle des TSA et de la chaire Dr Stuart D. Sims sur l'autisme de Holland Bloorview. Vivement déterminée à améliorer les résultats et la qualité de vie des enfants autistes et de leur famille, Dre Anagnostou a reçu un important financement international (> 40 M$ depuis dix ans) pour comprendre comment notre connaissance émergente du rôle de la génomique et de la biologie des systèmes dans les TSA et dans les problèmes de développement qui s’y rattachent peut donner naissance à de nouveaux traitements pour les enfants. Elle a publié de nombreux écrits (> 130 publications, deux ouvrages et plusieurs chapitres de livre) et prononce des conférences dans le monde entier sur la recherche en matière d'autisme et l'innovation dans les systèmes de santé. Elle est actuellement responsable principale mondiale de l’International Society  for Autism Research (INSAR), où elle représente l'Amérique du Nord.

Sylvie Grenier vous offre un webinaire conçu pour les parents d’un enfant/adolescent ayant un TSA. Comme parent, vous avez le rôle le plus important dans l’enseignement de la sexualité à votre enfant. Chaque jour, vous êtes les modèles de santé sexuelle, tout en communiquant vos valeurs et croyances. Les adolescents ont besoin d’avoir l’assurance qu’ils ont toujours accès à un adulte de confiance pour appuyer et guider (sans jugement) leur apprentissage envers la sexualité. Le but de ce webinaire est de communiquer les informations nécessaires à la promotion d’une saine sexualité, fondée sur les stratégies en ACA.

A team of researchers at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital, led by Dr. Ryan Yuen, recently discovered “wrinkles” in DNA that may provide a genetic cause for Autism Spectrum Disorder. The discovery has been hailed as a “leap forward” as it could revolutionize not only the future of autism diagnosis but other neurodevelopmental disorders, as well.

A panel of genetic researchers from Sick Kids including Dr. Ryan Yuen, Dr. Stephen Scherer, and Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and Genetic Counsellor Ny Hoang from Sick Kids’ Autism Research Unit, will discuss the latest findings and answer questions from the audience.

The Panel:

Prof. Stephen Scherer, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto

Dr. Scherer holds the GlaxoSmithKline-Canadian Institutes of Health Research Endowed Chair in Genome Sciences at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and University of Toronto (UofT) and he is Director of the UofT McLaughlin Centre, as well as The Centre for Applied Genomics at SickKids.  His team contributed to the landmark discovery of global gene copy number variation (CNV) as a common form of genetic variation in human DNA. His group then identified CNV to contribute to the aetiology of autism and many other disorders, and the Database of Genomic Variants he founded facilitates hundreds of thousands of clinical diagnoses each year.  Dr. Scherer has won numerous honors such as the Steacie Prize, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship, the Killam Prize, and three Honorary degrees. He is a Fellow of CIFAR, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Royal Society of Canada. In 2014, he was selected as a Thomson Reuters Citation Laureate in Physiology and Medicine for “the discovery of large-scale copy number variation and its association with specific diseases”.

Dr. Ryan Yuen, PhD

Dr. Yuen is a Scientist in Genetics & Genome Biology Program at The Hospital for Sick Children, and an Assistant Professor in Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on exploiting whole genome-scanning methodologies to dissect the underlying genetic architecture in neurological disorders. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Yuen has published over 50 peer-reviewed research articles in journals such as Nature, Science, Cell, New England Journal of Medicine and Nature Medicine.

Ny Hoang, MS, CCGC

Ny is a certified genetic counsellor at The Hospital for Sick Children. She received a Master of Science in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College in 2011 and was certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in 2012. In her current role in the Autism Research Unit, Ny specializes in the genetic contributions to neurodevelopmental disorders with a focus on autism spectrum disorder. She provides feedback to research participants involved in genomic sequencing studies and discusses the significance and impact of genetic discoveries. Ny is a member of Genomic Research Genetic Counsellors at SickKids, a lecturer, course coordinator and clinical supervisor for the MSc Genetic Counselling Program at the University of Toronto, and an administrative member of Genetic Counsellors of Ontario.

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, MD

Dr. Anagnostou, is a child neurologist, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto and Assistant Director of Holland Bloorview’s Research Institute. As a Senior Clinician Scientist, she co-leads of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) at Holland Bloorview and University of Toronto. She holds a Canada Research Chair in translational therapeutics in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the Dr. Stuart D. Sims Chair in Autism at Holland Bloorview. With a passion for improving outcomes and quality of life for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families, Dr. Anagnostou has received extensive international funding (>40 million dollars over the last 10 years) to understand how our emerging knowledge of genomic and systems biology findings in ASD and related developmental conditions translate into novel treatments for children. She is well published (>130 publications, 2 books, several book chapters) and speaks around the world on autism research and health systems innovation. She currently serves as the Global Senior Leader for the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), representing North America.

Are you a youth or young adult on the spectrum who is employed or looking for employment? This workshop will provide you with practical strategies:

• How and when to disclose additional needs in the workplace
• How to job search more effectively
• How to manage the social component at work

Presenter: Sarah Southey, MSW

Sarah Southey, MSW, has with over 12 years of experience working with adolescents and adults with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Confidently acknowledging what one is good at is the first step in deciding what kind of work/education may be a good match. In this one hour workshop, individuals will be challenged to think about the talents and abilities they may bring to a future job. Sarah will guide participants in exercises and suggest resources that will help in identifying interests and skills for a potential job.

Other sessions in this series:

• Part 1 of 5 - Resiliency in Job Searching
• Part 3 of 5 - Resume & Cover Letter Development
• Part 4 of 5 - Interview Skills
• Part 5 of 5 - Social Scenarios at Work

Presenter: Sarah Southey, M.S.W

Sarah is a Social Worker (M.S.W.), and is an affiliate of The Redpath Centre. She see’s clients in Mississauga, Toronto and virtually. She has over 12 years of experience working with adolescents and adults with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities and mental health issues. Sarah focuses her counselling and research on helping people with ASD find and keep meaningful employment. Sarah uses solution-focused and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques in her sessions.

It has been difficult for us all to adjust to the many changes in our daily lives and to acquire the skills needed to keep healthy in a today’s world. Join Janice Theodoropoulos M.Ed, BCBA as she provides some suggestions for how we can help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to do what is necessary to keep themselves and their families as safe as possible. Consistent and proper hand washing, touching as few things as possible on necessary trips, coughing and sneezing into our elbows, and keeping the new level of appropriate space have never been more vital to our health and the health of our loved ones. She will provide helpful ways to set up the environment with visuals and other strategies to encourage engagement in these essential safety and self-care skills. 

Additional sessions in this series:

1. Fostering Safe Social Connections During COVID-19 with Carly Eby & Michau van Speyk
2. Creating Structure and Stability in the Home with Dawn Marciello & Joan Broto
3. Ways to Play: Ideas to create activities for kids with Harley Lang

Speaker: Janice Theodoropoulo, BCBA

Janice Theodoropoulos is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Supervisor at Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services. She has worked servicing families and persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for the better part of a decade with a focus on early intervention, caregiver coaching, and community education. She has a passion for working with children, youth, and their families to increase skills and independence. Her clinical focus is using evidence based practices and the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis to provide effective skill acquisition and behaviour reduction programming to clients diagnosed with ASD through direct work with staff as well caregivers and community partners.

Ask any adult and they likely agree with this simple truth: children have an unparalleled ability to play with anything. Perhaps the best part of being an adult is that we have the privilege to rekindle our creativity through our pretend play adventures with our children. But sometimes, our kids look to us for ideas. Sometimes a child’s well of creativity runs dry, and there is a need to find original activities to pass the time. Perhaps the hardest part of being an adult is when two siblings run out of things to do! In this presentation, attendees will learn about the intersections of play, games, and behavioural treatment for children who live with Autism. Attendees will leave this presentation with knowledge about the importance of play in education, and some simple ideas to create play activities and games that encourage engagement and interactions in children.

Additional Session 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. Creating Structure and Stability in the Home with Dawn Marciello & Joan Broto

Speaker: Harley Lang BCBA

Harley Lang is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who lives and practices ABA in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a part-time associate with Semiahmoo Behaviour Analysts Inc., where he designs behaviour interventions and consults with schools. Harley is the lead developer of Teaching Games, a community project that disseminates information about behaviour analysis and game-based learning. This past April, Teaching Games published The Playbook, a free resource for parents and educators that describes how to implement game-based learning.

Êtes-vous un adolescent ou un jeune adulte TSA qui a un emploi ou qui en recherche un? Cet atelier vous apprendra des stratégies pratiques sur les aspects suivants :

• Comment et quand faire part de vos besoins supplémentaires sur le lieu de travail
• Comment chercher un emploi plus efficacement
• Comment gérer le volet social au travail

Animateur : Sarah Southey, MSW

Sarah Southey est une travailleuse sociale (M.S.S. ) qui a à son crédit plus de 12 années d'expérience pratique auprès des adolescents et des adultes ayant un TSA, un TDAH, des troubles d'apprentissage ou des problèmes de santé mentale.

Pour déterminer le type de travail ou d’études qui peut nous convenir, il faut tout d’abord bien connaître nos points forts. Cet atelier d'une heure amènera les participants à réfléchir aux talents et aux capacités qu’ils peuvent mettre à profit dans un futur emploi. Sarah guidera les participants dans des exercices et leur suggérera des ressources pour mieux cerner leurs intérêts et leurs compétences en vue d’un emploi potentiel.

Autres webinaires dans cette série :

• 1/5 - Résilience et prospection d'emploi durant la crise de la COVID-19
• 3/5 - Rédaction de CV et de lettre de présentation
• 4/5 - Techniques d'entrevue
• 5/5 - Socialisation au travail

Animateur : Sarah Southey, M.S.S.

Travailleuse sociale (M.S.S.) affiliée au Redpath Centre, Sarah voit des clients à Mississauga, à Toronto et en consultation virtuelle. Elle a plus de douze années d'expérience pratique auprès avec des adolescents et des adultes ayant un TSA, un TDAH, des troubles d'apprentissage ou des problèmes de santé mentale. Dans ses activités de counselling et de recherche, elle souhaite tout d’abord aider les personnes autistes à trouver et à conserver un emploi intéressant. Ses séances de consultation font appel à des techniques de thérapie cognitivo-comportementale et sont axées sur les solutions.

Join Jonathan Leef for a discussion about the current research on gender identity and sexuality in ASD. This webinar will focus on issues of capacity and consent, gender identity, and sexuality. Our hope is that this webinar will de-stigmatize these issues for parents and clinicians. 

Jonathan Leef, M.A. (Ph.D. Candidate)

Jonathan Leef M.A. (Ph.D. Candidate) is completing his final year of training to be a clinical psychologist, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program (SCCP) at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). He has been working with children and youth with ASD and their families since 2002, through the Hospital for Sick Children’s Autism Research Unit, the Child, Youth and Family Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and through Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where he is also a senior research coordinator in the Autism Research Centre. Jonathan recently defended his doctoral dissertation, which explored the relationships between gender dysphoria and ASD in children.

In this webinar, we will review the health, social and behavioural benefits of physical activity for people with autism, and also highlight the importance of activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the webinar, we will provide tips and tangible ideas for individuals on the spectrum as well as parents, caregivers, and community partners on how to enhance physical activity participation.

Presenters: Patrick Jachyra, PhD & Bri Redquest, PhD

Patrick Jachyra, PhD, is a post-doctoral fellow at the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. His research examines how physical activity impacts the health of individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan. In the community, Patrick is the founder and former director of the Extraordinary Youth Council Program, a community recreation program for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities. Patrick’s work in the community has been recognized by numerous awards including the prestigious University of Toronto Awards of Excellence.

Bri Redquest, PhD, is a post-doctoral fellow for the Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She has a strong interest in participatory research in the area of physical and mental health promotion for people with developmental disabilities, as well as their family members.