Autism Society of Edmonton Area
The Autism Society of Edmonton Area (ASEA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1971 by a concerned group of parents and professionals. ASEA helps families and communities embrace and support people on the autism spectrum throughout their lives.
Whether you are new to the world of autism or have a lengthy and intimate connection with it, we are hoping our website has something that will interest you. Please take a look around!
2010 Graduate Student Pilot Grants - Accepting Applications Until March 15
The 2010 Graduate Student Pilot Grants (minimum of two in a 12 month period) will support individuals conducting graduate research in any field related to Autism Spectrum Disorders to begin May 2010. These Scholarships are jointly funded by the Autism Society of Edmonton Area, and the Autism Research Centre at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (affiliated with Alberta Health Services and the University of Alberta). Each pilot grant (maximum $5,000.00) is to be applied towards a graduate research project for the successful applicants. Applications will be judged on the quality and originality of the proposed project, and on the potential of the research to contribute to the well-being of persons with ASD and their families. Each applicant will provide a written progress report at 6 months and a final report and presentation of study findings (see below) at the conclusion of the project.
Deadline to apply: March 15th, 2010. Funding for May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011.
Assistive Technology Resources and Workshops
The I CAN Centre for Assistive Technology has a great newsletter, TechTalk, which is full of useful info about technology that can improve life for people with ASDs and their families!
The latest issue of TechTalk, which can be downloaded here, features useful assistive technology resources and web links, as well as a list of assistive technology workshops offered by I CAN. For complete info and registration details, download the newsletter. Workshops for March and April include:
Read moreNew Issue of Autism Now Available Online for ASEA Members
Current ASEA members can now download the latest (Winter 2010) issue of Autism Now, ASEA's quarterly magazine! Subscribers will still have to wait several weeks to receive their printed copy, but you if you are an ASEA member you can read it now, online and in full colour!
- If you're an ASEA member and have already signed up for an ASEA web site account, click here to log in, then visit the Resources page and click on Autism Now to get started.
- If you're an ASEA member but haven't signed up for the web site yet, click here to register now!
- If you're not yet an ASEA member or your membership has expired, why not become a member today? Access to members-only web content is just one advantage of being a member!
Do Families Feel "Entitled"? MLAs Seem to Think So
Families have recently become aware that many members of the government (MLAs) may think that families and individuals with developmental disabilities consider themselves to be "entitled". The Autism Society of Edmonton Area (ASEA) and Families Forward have taken this to mean that members of the government do not understand the very real day-to-day struggles that families of children and adult children with autism and other developmental disabilities experience. We feel that MLAs and other political candidates need to be educated about families’ concerns.
To this end, ASEA and Families Forward are looking for families from each constituency who are willing to help build relationships with MLAs to help them understand the challenges families face and the very real contributions families and their children make.
If you are interested in participating in building an ongoing relationship with your MLA, and would like to participate in a network of families who will be doing so, please let us know. We will be bringing interested families in the Edmonton area together in late February for discussion and planning.
Read moreASEA Parent Advocacy Group
Jan 28 2010 7:00 pm
Date: Thursday January 28th, 2010
Location: AACL, 11724 Kingsway Avenue, Main Floor Boardroom
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Karen Phillips, Social Worker, Program Director of the Autism Society and parent of a 20 year old son with ASD, will be offering an advocacy group for parents of children with ASD.
The purpose of the group will be twofold:
- The development of skills in advocacy
- Learning from one another as parents
You may find this group helpful if you:
- Feel that your concerns are not being heard
- Think that your child is not getting the help he or she needs
- Feel that you are being judged as a demanding parent
- Think that the expectations placed on your child are unreasonable
- Feel that you are fighting a battle alone
- Want to learn from other parents who have similar experience
Cost: By donation, the evening of the event
Please register by emailing or calling Linda at LindaDowell@autismedmonton.org or (780)453-3971.
