Autism Society of Edmonton Area |

Run, Roll, Walk or Cycle... Online Pre-Registration is Now Open for the 2014 Cycle for Autism!

On the morning of Sunday, June 1st, ASEA will be hosting its fifth annual Cycle for Autism at its original location in Gold Bar Park! It will be your chance to run, roll, walk or cycle in support of people with autism and their families.

Visit the Cycle for Autism website to sign up and create your team profile, download pledge forms, and share what you're doing through your favorite social media network!

Cycle for Autism is an important fundraising event for the Autism Society of Edmonton Area (ASEA), with this year’s target set at raising $60,000. Funds raised will go toward developing ASEA's Resource Centre, to continue providing much needed support and information about autism to individuals, families and professionals.

To learn more about this fun and inclusive event, please visit the Cycle for Autism website at www.cycleforautismedmonton.com

Coming Up At ASEA

For more information about all the activities below, please call the ASEA office at 780-453-3971 or email autism@autismedmonton.org.

Autism Buds

Event Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Location: 101, 11720 Kingsway
To register: ASEA office, phone (780) 453-3971 or email autism@autismedmonton.org.

If you're a young adult with Asperger's who wonders about unspoken social rules, join this group. You can share with others who have similar questions. More than that, you can meet young people like yourself and make friends while learning and doing fun activities both indoors and outdoors.

This program is for young adults 18 – 24 years of age with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Requirements: Persons new to this program must contact the ASEA office and request an intake interview.

Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children with Autism

Event Time: Thursday, April 24, 2014 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: 101, 11720 Kingsway

We share resources and experiences that this group or parents are uniquely equipped to understand. All adult family members are welcome.

Requirements: All family members are welcome.

Autism Now Winter 2014 Now Online

ASEA members can now download the latest issue of Autism Now, ASEA's quarterly magazine, in full colour, from the Autism Now page! Plus, the Winter 2014 issue is now newly available for reading by non-members. Click here to download them now!

If you're not yet an ASEA member, why not join now for as little as $50 a year? It's easy with our new online membership system!

Or if you're already a member but don't have a web site account, contact the ASEA office and we'll get an account set up for you.

Introducing ASEA's New Executive Director

ASEA is proud to announce and welcome Ms. Hendriatta Wong as its new Executive Director.

Hendriatta’s professional background reflects a strong combination of management and academic experience.

Hendriatta’s non-academic career consists of significant experience in corporate, regional, and executive management positions in the human services, healthcare, and industrial sectors.

She has served most recently as the Chief Operating Officer of Bissell Centre. Previously she has also served in the capacities of Senior Director of Human Resources, Director of Corporate Services, and Divisional Human Resources Manager. During this period, Hendriatta provided strategic leadership in operations, program and enterprise development, and/or human resources management to organizations with up to 1000 employees.

A seasoned educator and trainer, Hendriatta has also facilitated corporate learning programs since 1993 and management education programs since 2001. She has served as Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Professional and Continuing Education at Concordia University College, Associate Professor of Management at King’s University College and as a sessional lecturer at the University of Lethbridge.

Hendriatta obtained her Bachelor of Management degree from University of Lethbridge and Master of Business Administration degree from Dalhousie University. She is currently completing her Doctorate of Business Administration degree at the University of Manchester, UK. Hendriatta also gained her Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation in 2003. She feels privileged to be part of Human Resources Institute of Alberta’s team of National Knowledge Exam Preparation course facilitators and to have the opportunity to mentor up-and-coming HR professionals.

The staff and Board are excited to have Hendriatta join our ASEA family and together we will continue to advance the vision and mission of this great organization.

Autism - An Untapped Resource

Overcoming obstacles to employment for individuals with developmental disabilities is a growing concern in our society. Autism is currently diagnosed in one in every 88 children. This makes autism spectrum disorder the number one neurological disorder diagnosed in North America. With over an 80% unemployment rate for these individuals, strategies that support inclusive working environments for those with ASD are greatly needed.

ASEA Family Support Worker Patricia Terrett and ASEA member Scott Wilson had an opportunity to present to the Downtown Rotary Club on February 10th. This presentation was to explore unique opportunities and unique individuals in our community, and the role that local business might play in transforming this untapped resource.

The ASEA presentation was very well received. ASEA was also invited to highlight funding opportunities available within the Society, which was then distributed to Rotary participants. ASEA would like to sincerely thank the members of the Downtown Rotary Club for allowing ASEA to share this inspirational presentation!

Pictured left to right: Luther Haave (President of Downtown Rotary Club), Patricia Terrett, Ray Marshall (ASEA's Rotary Host), Freda Badry, Scott Wilson