Autism Edmonton
11720 Kingsway Ave NW # 101 T5G 0X5 Edmonton, AB, Canada

We are grateful to our Autism community! Here are some memories and milestones we accomplished together this year! https://youtu.be/b0iC1MAKDwY

It's not too late to have your charitable donations count for this tax year. With COVID-19 restrictions, in addition to many other challenges, your Autism Society needs you more than ever. Donate today and ensure our mission lives on. You can also donate in the name of someone special or honour the memory of a loved one. - > https://www.canadahelps.org//autism-society-of-edmonton-a/

Please note that the Autism Edmonton office will be closed from Dec 23, 2020 to Jan 3, 2021. Services will resume on Jan 4, 2021. We wish you a wonderful holiday season!

Are you an Autistic adult who would like to meet new people? Perhaps learn something new? Come join the League! Please visit autismedmonton.org for details!

Wine Survivor is a game of elimination with the potential to win LOTS of wine! How to play: Play as a team of 5, or as an individual... Tickets are only $20 plus a bottle of wine, min $15 value or $35 and we do the shopping for you Tickets must be bought by November 29 Elimination draws will start on December 1 with the final draw for the winners on December 16 Sign up: www.aewinesurvivor.org

Attention Occasio Families! Due to the new COVID restrictions, we have decided to cancel group-oriented community events at this time. We are following the advice of Alberta Health Services and going back to the safer format of our events that we followed throughout the summer. This includes smaller cohorts, private Occasio activities, and increased sanitation in a more controlled environment. That said, we truly do apologize for the disappointment during this time. We are currently adjusting event postings - please visit our calendar for details. If you have signed up for events that will be changed, you will be notified.

Are you an individual in need of food? Our Food Pantry Program is here to help! You must call 780-453-3971 ext. 1 ahead and book a visit. Please be on time for your appointment to minimize office traffic where possible and not compromise on the timely service provided to our other members. You will not be let in without an appointment. Please note, we are taking appointments Monday through Thursday from 9.30 AM to 3.00 PM.... When you come in, you will be asked to follow our COVID safety protocols, including only one person from a household per visit. Sorry, we are currently not allowing individuals under 18 into the office during business hours. Stay well and safe everyone!

ONLY ONE MORE WEEK The Government of Alberta is looking for community input as to how to allocation the 2021 budget. We are encouraging everyone to participate in the consultation process to help prioritize the spending. In speaking with our members, we know it is important to ensure our government Protects Alberta’s most vulnerable... Protects the integrity of Alberta's Needs-Based system/approach Focus on long term objectives (addressing the needs of disabled Albertans when support is needed for the greatest independence.) 3 ways to have your opinion heard Attending the town halls (First is Nov. 30 at 6:30pm) Complete the survey (closes Dec. 4th) Prepare an open submission (closes Dec. 4th) You can get more information by going to the Government of Alberta website at: In speaking with our members, we know it is important to ensure our government Protects Alberta’s most vulnerable Protects the integrity of Alberta's Needs-Based system/approach Focus on long term objectives (addressing the needs of disabled Albertans when support is needed for the greatest independence.) 3 ways to have your opinion heard Attending the town halls (First date is Nov 30th at 6:30pm) Complete the survey (closes December 4th) Prepare an open submission (closes December 4th)

The last Silent Santa session of the season is this Sunday at Londonderry Mall between 10 AM and 11 AM. To book your spot, please call Guest Services during regular mall hours at 780-476-1441.

Are you an individual in need of food? Our Food Pantry Program is here to help! Please note, hampers will only be available for pick-up Thursdays from 10 AM to 3 PM by pre-arranged appointments. Please call 780-453-3971 ext. 1 to schedule a time.

Very timely study on the needs of #Autistic adults in video calling: https://bit.ly/35KHnYS

Here is your chance to help inform the #NationalAutismStrategy. Please consider volunteering your time to share your experiences and ideas: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com//Open-Call-for-Representati

Supporting students with disabilities and in outreach programs: All students with disabilities who require support and services in any grade and students in outreach programs can continue to receive supports and services in-person at school, regardless of the shifts to at-home learning before and after the winter break. This exemption for in-person learning was based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.... In consultation with parents, schools are expected to continue to provide students with disabilities with services and support they need. Parents should work with their teacher and school principal on appropriate arrangements. For more information, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/k-to-12-school-re-entry-2020-21-scho

Lest we forget. Today we remember and pay honour and respect to those who have given so much so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today.

"As we collectively review our approach to managing the first wave of #COVID-19 in Canada, and prepare ourselves across each province and territory for subsequent waves, there is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate leadership and commitment to supporting disabled Canadians and meaningfully engage this population on the issues that impact them the most."

In light of the new voluntary public health measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Autism Edmonton is now offering Curbside FOOD PANTRY Pickup. Distribution hours are Monday through Thursday, 9.30 am to 4. 30 pm. Please give us a call at 780-453-3971 ext. 1 to learn more. Members can still pick up a hamper in person - make sure you book an appointment before coming in (call 780-453-3971 ext. 1). You will be asked to follow our COVID safety protocols, including only one person from a household per visit.

Time is running out! Sign up by November 29 for our COVID-safe #fundraising Wine Survivor for a chance to win a copious amount of wine. Please help us continue supporting the vulnerable and underserved #Autism community in #YEG. -> aewinesurvivor.org

The deadline to apply for the disability tax credit (and in turn the one-time COVID relief payment) has been extended to December 31:

The Autism Edmonton office will be closed Monday, October 12, 2020 for Thanksgiving Day. Regular office hours will resume October 13, 2020. We hope everyone has a relaxing long weekend! Stay safe!

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at 7 PM, we will be having our 1st LGBTQ+ Autistic Adult Support Group. This will be a province-wide initiative hosted in partnership with Autism Calgary, Autism Society Alberta and Autism Edmonton. If you are an Autistic adult who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, come and check it out. Please register in advance here (it's free to attend!): https://us02web.zoom.us//tZYudOqspj8oE9dL0y37_iQ3aNT8HX7Nn

The number of families struggling to put adequate food on the table remains at an all-time high. If you require a food hamper, please book an appointment by calling us at 780-453-3971 ext. 1. Our Pantry Food Program is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. When you come in, you will need to follow our COVID protocols, including maintain a physical distancing of 2 metres and wear PPE (provided for you inside). Please note, only one visitor is allowed inside at a time, and all visitors must be over 18.

Are you an #Autistic adult who would like to meet new people? Perhaps learn something new? Come join the League Program - here is what the League is up to this month: Wed, Oct 14 - Overklocked Sat, Oct 24 - Movie Night Sat, Oct 31 - Halloween party... For more information, please contact us at 780-453-3971 ext. 1.

Join in the fun and stock up your wine rack for the holiday season. Participate in the Autism Edmonton's Wine Survivor! Learn more & sign up: www.aewinesurvivor.org #WIneSurvivor #Autism #yeglocal #YEG

The Government of Canada has just announced that approximately 1.6 million persons with disabilities will start receiving the one-time payment of up to $600 on ...October 30, 2020. We have created at FAQ sheet to help answer some of your most frequently asked questions about this payment and the DTC: https://planinstitute.ca/one-time-600-disability-payment-f/

Here is what Occasio is up to this month! This social-recreational respite is offered for two age groups - Junior (7-12 yrs) and Senior (13 and up). Learn more: https://www.autismedmonton.org/occasio

Here is our October Newsletter

Are you interested in working with a small but mighty team? Are you driven by a passion to make the world a better place for others? Do you enjoy helping others to navigate systems to help them find the right resources? If this sounds like you, then we have the job you are looking for. Autism Edmonton is seeking a Family Support Coordinator for our Programs and Supports department. This person is often the first point of contact for families who suspect a diagnosis of autism... or are newly diagnosed. You will need to have great listening skills, think innovatively, be a good researcher and be a calming force for someone during a chaotic time. Ideally, you will have post secondary education in a related field and at least 2 years of experience working with families or vulnerable and marginalized groups. A good working knowledge of the Autism spectrum and lived experience is preferable. What we offer is a great work environment, a commitment to helping you keep a work/life balance, health benefits and health maintenance hours, and a competitive salary. If you think this might be the job for you, please email your cover letter and resume. We will start meeting with people the week of October 19th and the posting will stay open until a suitable candidate is found. Thank you for your interest but only those considered for an interview will be contacted. How to Apply Please send your resume and cover letter to: Leslie Allen, Executive Director [email protected] Autism Edmonton 101, 11720 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, AB 780-453-3971

Today is #InternationalPodcastDay! What's your favourite podcast about #Autism?

Did you know that last year our Occasio programs offered over 4570 hours of respite services? Learn more about Autism Edmonton's impact in numbers from our year in review report: https://bit.ly/2S8Rh07

The Parents of Adults on the #Autism #Spectrum group is a place to learn more about what other families have experienced, find empathetic support, and share ideas and information with each other. The group's next meeting is on October 1. Please visit the event calendar on the Autism Edmonton website to sign up.

Autistic and non-autistic youth get different healthcare as they age, a new study shows.

Struggling to put food on the table? Join our Pantry Program! The #pandemic has led to more people turning to food banks, and we are here to help the #Autism community. Need help getting started? Call us at 780-453-3971 ext. 1.