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Direct Services |
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| Family Support | ASEA responds to requests for information, support and advocacy from families and individuals affected by ASD. We can serve your needs by telephone, through e-mail, or in person! |
| Professional Inquiries | ASEA responds to calls from professionals regarding autism information, resources, treatment options, training, etc. |
| Discussion Group for Parents of Newly-Diagnosed Children with ASD | Parents of children with ASD meet to discuss issues, needs and challenges. Facilitator provides support and suggests ways of coping with or advocating for children's needs. Parents with expertise in specific topic areas are often asked to make presentations. |
| Discussion Group for Parents of Children with Asperger's Syndrome | Parents of children with Asperger's meet to discuss issues, needs and challenges. Family Support Worker involves parents in discussion and in sharing resources. |
| Support Group for Parents of Adults with Asperger's Syndrome | Parents of adults with Asperger's meet to discuss issues, needs and challenges. A parent volunteer facilitates discussion about needs of adults. |
| Drama Group - Adults | Adults with autism write and act in their own plays. Some are designed to educate the public about autism, while others emerge from the creative impulses of the group. |
| Club Quirk | Social group for adults with Asperger's Syndrome |
| Adults with Asperger's Syndrome support group | Support group for adults with Asperger's Syndrome, 25 years of age and older. |
| ABCs of Understanding Neurotypicals (For young adults with Asperger's Syndrome aged 18 to 24) | A social and skill development group for young adults with Asperger Syndrome which focuses on relationship development. |
| Girls Social Group | Social and arts focused group for girls aged 9 to 13 offering them the opportunity to make friends and to find acceptance and understanding with a group of peers. |
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Community Awareness and Development |
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| Transitioning to Adulthood Workshop Series (in partnership with Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital) | A series of workshops designed to help parents of teens with autism envision the future and learn about issues such as sexuality, behavioural issues, life planning, self-care, dealing with conflict, and fostering independence. |
| Autism Information Nights | These sessions are designed to be of interest to Parents, Educators and others who support individuals having Autism Spectrum Disorders. All three presenters are extremely knowledgeable and experienced consultants, and all have worked directly with children of all ages as well as families and school staffs across Alberta. They will address the main challenges faced by people who have Autism. |
| Opening Doors Gala | Gala dinner and live and silent auction is a fundraiser and a community awareness opportunity. The next Gala will be held on October 28, 2011. |
| Speakers and Community Education | Staff and volunteer speakers offer presentations and workshops to schools, service groups, service providers, etc. Volunteers also staff tables at conferences and community events to provide education about autism. |
| Information Packages | ASEA offers a series of education booklets on topics of interest to parents of individuals with ASD. |
| Autism Now (quarterly publication) | Autism Now runs between 24 and 36 pages filled with informative articles, opportunities to become involved with research, upcoming events and items of interest. |
| Autism Weekly (e-mail newsletter) | A weekly e-mail newsletter for Autism Society members, featuring upcoming events, workshops and classes from ASEA and other organizations, plus other community resources and helpful web links. |
| Website | ASEA's website has been newly updated and provides a wealth of information, links and events for those affected by autism spectrum disorders and their families. |
| Library | ASEA lends books and offers DVDs to members for viewing at the ASEA office, free of charge. |
| Social Work Student Placements | ASEA hosts social work student placements from MacEwan and the University of Calgary. |
| Applied Psychology Student Placements | ASEA hosts applied psychology student placements from Concordia College. |
| Advocacy | |
| Autism Collaboration Team for Children | Professionals involved with autism in all areas convene to discuss issues and possible ways of addressing concerns regarding services and treatments for children with autism. |
| Alberta Family Network | As part of a growing provincial network, families of individuals with ASD educate the community about their experiences and challenges. |
| Employees and Volunteers with Autism | ASEA values people with autism and sees their gifts. Not only do we encourage community employers to hire people with autism, we lead by example. We employ people with autism and welcome them as board members and volunteers. |
| 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 applied research which will improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD and their families. |
| Summer Student Research Scholarships | ASEA, together with the Autism Research Centre provides two research scholarships to post-secondary students with relevant projects. |
