Pacific Autism Family Network
3688 Cessna Dr. Richmond, BC, Canada

What a truly magical experience last night watching Santa, with his Elf Emily, sprinkle some holiday cheer. Click on the link to watch the fun! We do have a few spots that have opened up for tonight and a couple for next week. Please email elf Stephanie directly at [email protected] to book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esb1lw6uD5c&feature=youtu.be

A wonderful opportunity to be a part of this amazing project, courtesy of our friends at Cocchia Productions !

Only 11 days until GIVING TUESDAY!! You can change the world by joining the 5 for $5 Project. Sign up today www.pacificautismfamily.com/givingtuesday

We had some family fun with GINGERBREAD. We would love to see your seasonal creations. Post some of your photos here! Decorations, Decorated Cookies, Gingerbread Men or Houses or Trains or Villages......... Drawings, Paintings, anything you have done that you wish to share.

Voices of Autism has a survey for you ....

So many great things happening with our friends in the autism community. Check out this great workshops from POPARD ...

This looks amazing! Pacific Autism Family Network Group- Prince George Spoke, can anyone attend??

Love this Kim! Hey Prince George, British Columbia, want to decorate this house with Kim??

Lots of invites today!

Neil Squire Society is hosting a Digital Literacy skills program. Please check out the link. Thank you Neil Squire Society! https://www.neilsquire.ca/individual-pr/digital-jumpstart/

We are grateful for the music you bring the world and the teaching your bring to our community. We often hear how music has opened up worlds for people with ASD and we're so glad you do what you do!

Also this FREE workshop!

PEERS Info Session Monday, December 7th RSVP to [email protected]

Check out the amazing items on the AUCTION SITE - all for a great cause! DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 27th. Thank you so much to the great people in the Fraser Valley who come out in support of people with autism! Also, thanks to team Saccomaniacs for all the hard work you put into these events! Steve, Antoinette, Dawn and team, Stephanie and volunteers - GREAT JOB!

Omg. Steve Saccomano and all rock’

Employment Works is VIRTUAL in 2021. If you know a young adult (16+) with an autism diagnosis who is looking for work, check out this program:

Nous sommes fiers d’annoncer le lancement de notre tout nouveau site internet dédié à l’information sur la COVID-19 à destination des personnes autistes et/ou v...ivant avec un handicap intellectuel et de leur famille. https://covid19.aidecanada.ca/fr/ La maladie à coronavirus 2019 est source d’inquiétude et d’incertitude pour tous. Les personnes autistes et/ou vivant avec un handicap intellectuel sont particulièrement sensibles au stress, à l’incertitude et aux perturbations. Les enfants et jeunes adultes autistes et/ou vivant avec un handicap intellectuel sont mises en difficulté face aux situations inconnues, aux fermetures d’écoles, aux changements soudains de routine, à la perte de connexion avec leurs proches et à la peur de contracter le virus. C’est pour cela que nous avons consacré une section spécifique à la COVID-19 au sein du site internet général AIDE Canada.

Proud of the great people who make up SUPA Society! Dennis Nerpio

Our world is certainly a changing place with many unknowns and challenging situations. While many of us have questions about what employment now looks like, the Employment Works program may help participants think about strategies and solutions for what might come next. Our next 12-week cohort will begin on May 5th and 6th, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10-12:30, but we will be offering it through an online format. Through online participation, Employment Works participa...nts can be part of discussions, scenarios and strategies to help build employment-related soft skills. These skills include communication, stress reduction, team-building, organization and time-management. All of these skills are essential to not only help someone find employment during these difficult times, but to also maintain employment. If you are not quite ready for employment, due to health and safety concerns around Covid-19, this program can help to identify goals and create employment plans for when you are ready to find work. For any questions regarding the Employment Works program, how to register, and what the online format will look like, please email the Program Coordinator, Anjela Godber at [email protected]

Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, makes an announcement regarding temporary COVID-19 supports and supplements for people receiving income and disability assistance in BC.

Please visit AIDE Canada for important information for our community.

https://www.communitylivingbc.ca//information-about-the-n/ Excellent resources from CLBC.

Staying home (whether you’re self-quarantining or just avoiding public spaces) can be incredibly isolating - and boring! But it doesn’t have to befrom virtual museum tours to podcasts, there are a number of ways to get a culture and learning fix from the comfort and safety of home.

When stress is heightened which it is for all of us right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic children become aware of it and they try to locate the source of the stress. It is important to both acknowledge their concerns and be open to discussing them. Helping children to make sense of the consequences of COVID-19 and helping them to organize their thoughts and feelings is the best approach.

With the provincial government announcing that kindergarten to Grade 12 classes in the province are suspended indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic, you might be looking for some fun ideas to fill the time. This list from Forbes has over 101! https://www.forbes.com//101-ideas-to-keep-your-kids-busy/

If you’re practicing social distancing and self-isolating and in search for some entertainment, take a look at the Vancouver Aquarium’s live camera feeds! You can watch African penguins, jellyfish, and sea otters from the comfort and safety of your home. #Autism

"The change in the routine due to COVID-19 may upset or throw off your child. It’s a transition and transitions can be difficult and frightening for many kids on the spectrum and you may be facing resistance from your child. So, how do you, as a parent, help your child with this upcoming change in routine and more time at home?" We could all use a bit of support right now, but especially children. We love this article from The Mighty with three ways you can support your child with #Autism.

For children with #autism, it can be helpful to use visuals to both explain what is happening and what we can do about it. Check out this Social Story from Amanda McGuinness!