Autism Societies in Canada      

Autism Society Canada

http://autismsocietycanada.ca/

The goal of ASC, through collaboration with Canadian governments, is reducing the impact of ASD on individuals and their families, maximizing individual potential, and minimizing cost of ASD's

Autism Society Nova Scotia

http://autismsocietynovascotia.ca/

Support group meetings for the Autism Society Nova Scotia are generally held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Autism Centre Society of the South Shore

http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=1449&sobi2Id=12167&Itemid=139&lang=en

Valley Autism Support Team (Nova Scotia)

http://nsnet.org/vast/index.html

Established to provide support and networking to families and others involved with children with Autism/PDD; education and advocacy. Conducts monthly meetings.

Autism Society of Edmonton Area

http://edmontonautismsociety.org

Dedicated to creating a community where individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders are valued and achieve their full potential.

Autism Society Of Newfoundland And Labrador

http://autism.nf.net/

The purpose of the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is to continue to improve the quality of living for all individuals with autism and their families.

Autism Society Of Ontario: London Chapter

http://geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/4347/autismon.html

Our Mission is to work with families and communities to ensure that persons with autism and pervasive developmental disorders achieve the highest quality of life as productive members of society. Advocacy, support and information.

Autism Society Of Prince Edward Island

http://gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=5217&lang=E

Provides information and support to families and to individuals with autism; promotes public understanding and acceptance of people with autism; advocates for quality, inclusive education and other services within a person's own community.

Autism Society Ontario

http://autismsociety.on.ca/

Members are connected through a volunteer network of 29 Chapters throughout the Province of Ontario.

Autism Treatment Services Of Canada
http://autism.ca                                                                                                   A national affiliation of organizations that provides treatment, educational, management and consultative services to people with autism and related disorders across Canada

Autistic Continuum Connections, Education, And Support Site

http://access.autistics.org/

This site was created by a group of autistic adults who are members of a support group at Vancouver Island Autistic Homes Society. Articles on advocacy, adolescent and adult issues, education, behaviour, assessment and diagnosis.

Canadian Hyperlexia Association

http://home.ican.net/~cha/

Fostering awareness of the syndrome of hyperlexia across Canada.

FEAT Of Alberta

http://members.shaw.ca/feat.ab/FEAT.html

We are working towards securing universal access to the only scientifically validated treatment now available for young autistic children. Our message is: There is hope!

Hawkins Institute

http://anythingispossible.ca/

Hawkins Institute was founded in 1995 by Gail Hawkins to offer a service that helps people with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and more able autism acquire vocational skills and find meaningful work. Our job is to make our client's own mission possible. We currently enjoy a 92% success rate in finding meaningful employment for our clients and are often able to place an individual in about twelve weeks after the initial Foundation Building program. Since it opened, Hawkins Institute has helped hundreds of people with Asperger Syndrome reach their employment potential.

Resources and where to Find Help:

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to people you can trust. A family member, relative, friend or teacher. You’re not alone. Support and resources are available to help.  Download this list in PDF format to print and share!

kidshelpphone.ca Toll-Free 1-800-668-6868                  Kids Help Phone is a free, anonymous and confidential phone and on-line professional counselling service for youth. Big or small concerns. 24/7. 365 days a year.       Tip sheets for parents

antibullying.novascotia.ca                                   Support for parents and guardians looking for information to help their kids through bullying and cyberbullying issues. Find information tailored to four audiences: children and youth, parents and guardians,                                                 educators and schools, and community.                                                          

TeenMentalHealth.org                          This website is dedicated to helping improve the mental health of youth.

 CyberSafeGirl.ca

A prevention and education initiative for online safety for girls, led by the Atlantic Ministers responsible for the Status of Women.

Canadian Mental Health Association - cmha.ca     Support for people with mental illnesses including Communities Addressing Suicide Together Program.

Telephone crisis support and mobile response is offered for work, home, school, and community agencies  Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The Jack Project - www.thejackproject.org/resources  Tip sheets on suicide prevention, bullying and mental health for teens and families, produced in partnership with Kids Help Phone.

Youth Drug Prevention For Parents - drugprevention.gc.ca                                                The National Anti-Drug Strategy website for helping parents talk about substance use with teens.

   

District Health Authorities/ IWK                                  Check with your district health authority to see what services are available for children and youth in your local area.

 PsychosisSucks.ca

This site promotes early detection, educates about psychosis and provides direction for seeking help.

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention - www.suicideprevention.ca

Information about preventing suicide, with links to regional support.

Avalon Sexual Assault Center - avaloncentre.ca

The Avalon Centre provides services for those affected by sexual violence, with support, education, counselling and leadership/advocacy services for women. 

 LaingHouse.org

Laing House is a peer support organization for youth living with mental illness.

NeedHelpNow.ca  If you, a friend, peer or sibling have been involved in a self/peer (otherwise known as "sexting") exploitation incident NeedHelpNow.ca is                                                      here.   

 ns.211.ca

211 is here to help you find the right community and social services.    

 811.novascotia.ca                                                          Just three numbers - 8-1-1, and you will have access to non-emergency health information and services.  

 911  911.novascotia.ca                                                        CALL 911 when someone’s health, safety or property is threatened and help is needed right away. 

                                                                              

Autism in the News:

Temple Grandin - The Autistic Brain | The Sunday Edition with ... Temple Grandin was born in 1947. Had she been born a decade earlier, we might never have heard of the world's most famous person with autism. ... www.cbc.ca/.../2013/06/09/feature-2/ - 47k - 2013-07-03 The Dark End of the Spectrum - Parts One and Two | And The ...   The answer is autism, it is just the beginning of the questions. ... we present IDEAS award-winning program on autism. ... www.cbc.ca/.../the-dark-end-of-the-spectrum/ - 45k - 2013-07-03 The Dark End of the Spectrum Part Two - And The Winner Is ... we present part two of the IDEAS award-winning program on autism. ...  www.cbc.ca/.../ID/2379676761/ - 41k - 2013-06-20 The new definition of autism - Health - CBC News A rewrite of psychiatry's diagnostic guide expected later this month will include a revised definition of autism. ... The new definition of autism. ... www.cbc.ca/.../2013/05/01/f-autism.html Full Interview: Rhonda McEwen on Tablets and Students with ...  Full Interview: Rhonda McEwen on Tablets and Students with Autism. Friday, January 20, 2012 | Categories: Blog, Full Interviews www.cbc.ca/.../ - 48k - 2013-05-03 Climbing to learn - The National - CBC Player This Canadian school is using a unique therapy to help students with autism -- rock climbing. ... www.cbc.ca/.../Canada/ID/2388406838/ - 40k - 2013-06-20 Music as therapy - The National - CBC Player There's growing evidence that music can help people struggling with disorders of the mind, like autism, dementia, and Parkinsons. ... www.cbc.ca/.../Kim+Brunhuber/ID/2321457469/ - 41k - 2013-06-20 [ More results from www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV+Shows ] May 07, 2010 | The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti | CBC ... the Fit - As part of our Work In Progress series, we introduce you to a group of university students, all of whom have been diagnosed with autism. www.cbc.ca/.../2010/05/07/may-07-2010/ - 60k - 2013-07-03

Misunderstood Minds

This is a companion site to the PBS Special on Learning Differences and Disabilities. There is great info here!  Try it out here. 

If you never struggled as a student, here is an opportunity to experience, what school is like for too many students. It is vital we have empathy for what struggling learners experience on a daily basis.

PBS.org has created a set of interactive activities which offer the chance to simulate reading disabilities, writing disabilities or attentional issues. Try it out here.  

                     

Free Flash Card Maker  Make math and vocabulary practice as easy as 1,2,3 -- create your own math and vocabulary flash cards with this easy tool! http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/game/tools/flash-card-maker?cid=PNL/e/20130509///Elementary/flashcardmakertool///RET/1478541/&ym_MID=1478541&ym_rid=10748929

Spelling Wizard       Try these 2 fun ways to help your kids memorize spelling words. They really help kids study! http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/game/reading-activities/spelling-wizard

Friendly Greetings From Around the World

Teach your child ways to say "Hello" from every corner of the globe. http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/writing-activities/friendly-greetings-around-world

Check out these fun practice sheets:

        

Reading Printables      Writing Printables    Math Printables                           

Science Printables       More Printables

       
       Five finger rule 

How do you know if a book is too hard for your child?


This video involves showing children how to pick out the "Just 
Right Book" for him/her. This video model uses the "Five 
Finger Rule". Allowing the book to be just right. Not to hard 
nor easy and still offers new words for growth.


Link below to video:
http://www.greatschools.org/Reading/4339-Finding-right-books-for-child-video.gs 

Children whose parents frequently read with them in their first year of school are still showing the benefit when they are 15, says an international study.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15639642

       
    

7 Tips for Improving Reading Fluency

Helping Students with Dyslexia and Language Disabilities Become Better Readers

  1) Model Good Reading                                                                       

  2) Choral Reading: Reading as a Group

  3) Record Before and After Readings

  4) Repeated Readings

  5) Follow Along in the Text

  6) Word Recognition (very helpful) 

  7) Create a Set Reading Tim

  

  Link to this article

  http://specialed.about.com/od/readingliteracy/a/7tipsforreadingfluency.htm

 

More Reading Fluency Resources

• Assessing Reading Fluency
• Score 4 Reading - A Program to Build Reading Fluency
• Reading 101 - Basics of Reading

Related Articles

• Dyslexia - Shared Reading to Improve Reading Fluency and Build Word Recognition.
• Repeated Reading - Fluency and Comprehension Strategy
• Reading Comprehension - Tips for Teaching to Students with Dyslexia
• Fluency Tutor
• What is Reading Fluency - Why Reading Fluency is Important
• A Balanced Literacy Approach to Reading Comprehension
• Teaching Reading Comprehensin to Children with Dyslexia
• Improving Reading Comprehension in Students with Dyslexia
• Repeated Reading - Fluency and Comprehension Strategy
• Dyslexia - Shared Reading to Improve Reading Fluency and Build Word Recogni...
• Improving Reading Comprehension in Students With ADHD
• Reading Comprehension for Students with Dyslexia

     

Social Skills 101: 

These are a few articles I came across while searching new ideas.

Social skills and academic achievement.

What does the research have to say about social skills interventions and programs for children with disabilities? This Evidence for Education reviews the findings of research and includes examples of social skills interventions that can be applied in both classroom and home settings.

http://nichcy.org/research/ee/social-skills

Learning difficulties and social skills: What's the connection?
This article explores the meaning of social competence and how learning difficulties can affect a student's ability to read social cues and respond in ways that promote relationship building. Tips for parents on how to build their child's social skills are included.
http://tinyurl.com/afudzmv

Your child's social and emotional skills.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities offers this rich suite of resources on social skills and young people with learning disabilities.
http://www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/social-emotional-skills

Social skills toolbox.
From Do2Learn, this robust toolkit focuses on improving social skills and behavior, and includes lots of graphic organizers and tools.
http://www.do2learn.com/organizationtools/SocialSkillsToolbox/index.htm

Teaching social skills to those who don't have them (yet).
Lots of useful insights and practical guidance in this article.
http://www.behavioradvisor.com/SocialSkills.html

PBIS World

This website is rich with resources on positive behavioral interventions and supports, with over 200 pages of content and lots of links to worthwhile articles and tools for addressing a wide range of student behavior issues. When you enter the site (via the link below), you'll see the many areas you can explore. "Lack of Social Skills" is one of them. But look at all the others!

http://www.pbisworld.com/

Michelle Garcia has the patent on Social Thinking. Kelly Bleckley's article "20+ Tips and Strategies for Volunteer and Group Leaders: Supporting Individuals with Social Learning Challenges in Your Group" offers practical advice and hands-on strategies any adult can use to make group activities go more smoothly. Kelly Bleckley is a speech-language pathologist who worked at the Social Thinking clinic in San Jose and is currently working in the private and public school setting in Marin County, CA. She is a volunteer in a youth program and is actively working with local organizations to help integrate and support students with social learning challenges. Read the full 10-page mini-guide article on SocialThinking.com and feel free to share it with group leaders in your community!

 Autism Speaks Canada

  All information below is to inform individuals about the resources available on 

    the Autism Speaks Canada Website. Please visit the website for comprehensive

    details.

    

     What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors...  Read on at link below.

 http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/what-is-autism/

     Developmental Milestones

Milestones enable parents and physicians to monitor a baby's learning, behaviour, and development. While each child develops differently, some differences may indicate a slight delay and others may be a cause for greater concern. The following milestones provide important guidelines for tracking healthy development from four months to five years of age...  Read on at link below.

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/early-warning-signs/developmental-milestones/

     Learn About the Symptoms

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social-interaction difficulties, communication challenges and a tendency to engage in repetitive behaviors. However, symptoms and their severity vary widely across these three core areas.    Read on at link below. http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/what-is-autism/learn-about-the-symptoms/

     Associated Medical Conditions

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/what-is-autism/associated-medical-conditions/

   Facts and Stats

Did you know? ... 

    

• Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys (March 2012 statistic)

• The 2012 numbers reflect a 78% increase in reported prevalence in the last 6 years

• Autism prevalence figures are growing

• Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism

• There is no medical detection or cure for autism

  http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/facts-and-stats/

     

     Early Warning Signs

Research now suggests that children as young as one year old can show some early warning signs of autism. The most important thing you can do as a parent or caregiver is to learn the early signs of autism and understand the typical developmental milestones your child should be reaching at different ages. If you have any concerns about your child's development, don't wait. Speak to your doctor about screening your child for autism. While validated screening for autism starts typically only as young as 16 months ...  Read on at link below.

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/early-warning-signs/

     How is Autism Diagnosed

The Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is a list of informative questions about your child. The answers can indicate whether he or she should be further evaluated by a specialist such as a developmental pediatrician, neurologist, psychiatrist or psychologist. Read on at link below

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/how-is-autism-diagnosed/

    Accessing Services

Government Funded Programs and Services vary by province or territory. Find out what is available in your area at the link below.

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/about-autism/accessing-services/

    Autism Speaks Canada blog

http://www.autismspeaks.ca/news/blog1/

Storynory: Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol Audio Files

           

To play click on the link below:

http://storynory.com/category/classic-authors-for-children/dickens/

Charles Dickens’ tale of the miserable old miser, Scrooge, is turned into a 3 part audio Christmas story. You can download or listen online.

    Star Wars Snowflakes

To play click on the link below:

http://anthonyherreradesigns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60:star-wars-snowflakes-2012&catid=34

Star Wars Snowflakes are just the thing to plan this week as you gear up for the holidays! Download the PDF documents, print them out and cut along the lines. They are very intricate and may require a sharp hobby scissors, so these might not be for the wee ones but will engage even the coolest teen.

        The Rain Deer Orchestra

           

   To play click on the link below:

    

  http://dingo.care2.com/cards/new/0422/Do-a-rain-deer.swf

Compose your own music by squashing the reindeer noses. Compose your own tune or let the computer guide you by clicking on the song you wish to play.