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Summer Program ASEA provides summer programs for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ASEA screens, hires and trains post-secondary students who work with the individuals with autism. The summer program provides safe, supported recreational and social opportunities for children with autism, while simultaneously offering families much-needed respite. This year, due to changes in FSCD funding, ASEA offered half-day programs. Parents may enroll their children in 2 or 3 half-day programs per week for eight weeks. The program ran Tuesday through Saturday each week.
Parent Group for parents of children with Autism Parents of children with autism meet to share information, discuss issues, needs and challenges. Facilitators provide support and work to empower parents to cope and advocate for their children’s needs.
Support group for parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome Parents of children with Asperger’s meet to discuss issues, needs and challenges. Professional facilitators provide support and suggest ways to advocate for children’s needs
Drama Group – Adults Adults with autism have written and acted in their own play designed to educate the public about autism. The Drama Group is currently touring schools and other venues with this educational/ advocacy tool. A new play is currently in its creative phase. All drama groups are involved in producing a drama documentary, funded by a grant from the TELUS Community Fund.
Work Experience Partnership The Autism Society of Edmonton Area is partnering with the McNally Interactions Classroom for students with autism to assemble our information packages. Students will be paid per unit assembled – approximately 100 information packages each month.
Friday night Social Group Social group for children with high-functioning autism, aged 14 – 17. This group has a dual purpose: Trained staff, who understand the behavioural challenges and impairments in social understanding facing young people with autism, provide a supportive environment in which children can practice social skills while participating with a group in community-based recreational activities. Simultaneously, parents and family members have much needed respite.
Saturday Evening Social Group Social group for children with high-functioning autism, aged 8-13. This group has a dual purpose: Trained staff, who understand the behavioural challenges and impairments in social understanding facing young people with autism, provide a supportive environment in which children can practice social skills while participating with a group in community-based recreational activities. Simultaneously, parents and family members have much needed respite.
Christmas Social and Summer Picnic (in partnership with Gateway Association) Get-togethers for families of children with autism. Since autism, in many instances, precludes socializing, these are welcome opportunities for many families.
Parent Information Nights Volunteers organize speakers on topics of interest to parents of children with autism spectrum disorders.
Teacher Information Nights Volunteers organize speakers on topics of interest to teachers and teaching assistants who have students with autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Collaboration Team luncheon meeting Professionals involved with autism in all areas convene to discuss issues and possible ways of addressing concerns regarding services and treatments to people with autism.
Training and recruitment of specialized foster care. ASEA provides training to staff and emergency care foster parents for McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association and the Family Centre. ASEA will also help recruit foster homes for children with ASD.
Staff Awareness – the Family Centre ASEA provides education and training to Family Centre workers as well as referrals and help with placements.
FSCD (Alberta Family Supports for Children with Disabilities) ASEA provides education about autism to Social Service Workers
 
Community Education
Speakers and Community Education Staff and volunteer speakers provide educational talks and workshops to schools, service groups, service providers, etc. Volunteers also staff tables at conferences and community events to provide education about autism.
Autism Society Players ASEA’s Autism Society Players write and perform short plays designed to educate the public about autism spectrum disorders. A question and answer period after each play allows the actors to answer questions from the audience about autism. For bookings, please call 453-3971 and leave a message for Trent. Autism Society Players have also produced a short public awareness video.
Drama Documentary: The Autism Society Players A grant from TELUS allowed ASEA to create a documentary about some of the individual adults with autism who comprise the Autism Society Players. The documentary takes a look at the abilities, the challenges, the creativity, and the role of drama in the lives of these adults with autism. It is an inspiring DVD, and available at a cost of $20 plus $5 for shipping and handling.
Information Packages Volunteers have developed a series of education booklets which are in high demand by the Glenrose, other service providers, parents whose child has a new diagnosis or those who suspect their child may have an autism spectrum disorder. ASEA staff updates this material regularly.
Autism Now (quarterly publication) Autism Now runs between 28-32 pages filled with informative articles, opportunities to become involved with research, upcoming events and items of interest.
Website ASEA’s website has been newly updated and provides a wealth of information, links and events for those affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Library ASEA has updated its library extensively. ASEA lends books, video tapes, audio tapes, CDs & DVDs free of charge to members and for cost of a library card to others.
Parent Information Inquiries ASEA responds to calls from parents regarding a number of matters including services, treatment options, programs, schools, recreational and social opportunities, work experience and employment opportunities.
Professional Inquiries ASEA responds to calls from professionals regarding autism information, resources, treatment options, training, etc.
 
Community Development
Empowering Parents Parents with issues of concern are helped to gain access to appropriate resources for themselves and their children.
Autism Centre of Excellence ASEA continues to lobby for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Autism. A significant first step has been taken with the hiring of Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, a respected researcher, to direct the Autism Research Centre in Edmonton.
Post-secondary Programs for adults with autism spectrum disorders. The Autism Society of Edmonton Area is working together with the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and Norquest College to develop a post-secondary education program for adults with autism. At present, there are no post-secondary institutions that offer ongoing education for persons with developmental disabilities.
Letters and involvement with other agencies The Autism Society of Edmonton Area is involved with Parent Advisory committees, joining with other agencies and writing letters to government to help shape public policy and develop high quality, comprehensive programs and services for people with autism and their families. Three areas ASEA is particularly concerned with are ensuring parents can leave an adequate legacy for their children once parents pass on through supporting the development of a registered disability savings program, ensuring a range of quality post-secondary options for adults with autism, and working to develop supported housing options for adults with autism spectrum disorders.
 
Research
Supporting Local Research The Autism Society of Edmonton Area is working with the Glenrose, the Autism Research Centre, the University of Alberta, and the University of Calgary to promote and encourage research relevant to the causes and the treatment of autism.
Young Lives, Bright Futures ASEA has received funding from the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Board for a research project to look into the quality of life of peoples with developmental disabilities, including autism, once they no longer qualify for FSCD funding.
Summer Student Scholarships ASEA, together with the Autism Research Centre provides two research scholarships to students with relevant projects beginning summer 2008.
Community Service Learning Students ASEA collaborated with the Community Service Learning program at the University of Alberta to do some preliminary, qualitative research in to families’ perceived needs for post-secondary options for adult children with autism spectrum disorders.
Mini Public Awareness Campaign In October 2007, Autism Awareness Month, ASEA launched a mini public awareness campaign informing the public about autism and ASEA.