Autism Society of Edmonton Area |

ASEA Features Local Hero at AGM

It’s not often low-verbal adults with autism hit the spotlight locally, nationally, and internationally, but ASEA’s Anthony Barrett has done just that. A video, made by Anthony’s assistant, Mikey Hamm, and uploaded to YouTube last week, has taken the Internet by storm. With nearly 100,000 views in just a week, Anthony’s new business, Anthony at Your Service, has been featured in the Edmonton newspapers, on radio and on local and national Television. Anthony at Your Service has also received attention from an online TV show, Right This Minute, out of Arizona, and is being talked about on Reddit and the Daily What.

As parents of children with autism, or persons with autism ourselves, ASEA members know the struggle adults have to find gainful employment that suits them.

Anthony Barrett, Mikey Hamm, and Anthony’s mom, Deborah Barrett, will be at the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday September 18, 7:00 p.m. to talk about Anthony at Your Service, how it’s working for the young man with autism and other ideas for adults with autism.

Join us!

Tuesday, September 18, 7:00 pm

Location: Chateau Louis, 11727 Kingsway Avenue

RSVP by 4:30 PM on September 14, 2012 to 780-453-3971 or autism@autismedmonton.org

ASEA's Awards Night Recognizes Excellence in Our Community

The atmosphere was warm and friendly as sunshine broke through the clouds on Monday evening. It seemed a fitting metaphor for the ASEA Awards Night taking place at the Unitarian Church. Just as the sun breaks through clouds to light up the earth, the community members being honoured are people who have lit up the lives of children, adults, and families touched by autism.

The educators, administrators, key workers and workplaces celebrated by ASEA were nominated because they have dedicated themselves to providing quality instruction, support, or employment for people on the autism spectrum. They are leaders in the Edmonton area who are breaking barriers and opening doors so that children and adults with autism can have meaningful and respectful experiences at all stages of life. These are people who have gone that extra mile to improve the lives of people with autism and their families and to the recognize and harness the full potential of people with autism in our community.

The audience met kids and adults with autism, and heard family members talk firsthand about how their lives have been touched by these remarkable nominees. They heard about educators and keyworkers who help kids excel in their classrooms, and employers who have created supportive, inclusive work experiences for adults with autism - work that is meaningful and has a future for adults on the autism spectrum. All in all, it was an inspirational evening. Thank you to our nominators, our nominees, the Awards Night committee members, and to everyone who attended!

Read on to learn about our remarkable nominees:

Read more

7 Important Tax Credits for Families

When you’re raising children, the expenses can seem endless. There’s day care, after-school programs, music lessons, sports teams – the list goes on.

So at tax time, it’s important to make sure you’re claiming all the child-related credits you can – no matter how small each one may seem – in order to make the most of your tax return.

Read the rest of the story on the CBC web site

Understanding the Disability Tax Credit

The Disability Tax Credit is a tax credit provided by the federal government to people with disabilities (including ASDs) and their families. It can be claimed by a person with a disability, their spouse or partner, or their parent or guardian. The Disability Tax Credit allows you to deduct as much as $10,000 per year from your income tax, resulting in an annual refund of up to $3,000. Even for children who do not yet have any income, it can still be worthwhile to claim the Credit.

Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families are eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. However, applying for the Credit involves filling in a complicated form and receiving certification from a health professional. That's why Colleen Eggertson, former Program Director for the Autism Calgary Association, has written an excellent, extremely comprehensive step-by-step guide to applying for the Disability Tax Credit. To view the guide, just visit http://www.autismedmonton.org/files/DisabilityTaxCredit.pdf. You can also download Colleen's separate set of more detailed notes on the Disability Tax Credit in three parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).

Not an Autism Society Member? Here's What You're Missing!

Did you know that ASEA's web site only includes a small part of the news and events that we share with our members? To get all of the latest news and events from the Autism Society and our community partners, become a member now! You'll be subscribed to Autism Weekly, our weekly e-mail newsletter that brings together all of the latest news and events that matter to you. We bring you workshops, recreational programs, informational talks and much more from ASEA and our community partners. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now!