Autism Edmonton Newsletter: July 2023

Autism Edmonton Newsletter: July 2023

I was so excited to write this article! I am a huge podcast person. I enjoy the fact that it feels like I’m having a conversation with someone else, everywhere I go.

The first podcast I started listening to is called “Oh, that’s just my autism.” The podcast actually follows a timeline of a mother in her 40s, realizing she may be autistic and the process she went through to discover that, and the process of getting diagnosed. The episodes are usually between 15-20 minutes, which worked great for myself as I usually lose interest in a podcast after […]

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Autism Related Podcasts – Some Recommendations!

Autism Related Podcasts – Some Recommendations!

Written by Alarie Guhle, Family Supports Coordinator – Autism Edmonton

I was so excited to write this article! I am a huge podcast person. I enjoy the fact that it feels like I’m having a conversation with someone else, everywhere I go.

The first podcast I started listening to is called “Oh, that’s just my autism.” The podcast actually follows a timeline of a mother in her 40s, realizing she may be autistic and the process she went through to discover that, and the process of getting diagnosed. The episodes are usually between 15-20 minutes, which […]

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Autism Edmonton Newsletter: June 2023

Autism Edmonton Newsletter: June 2023

 

I have been doing this city summer family fun-finding for many years now! I have a very diverse family and have needed to accommodate accessibility, neuro nightmares and sensory seekers. The awesome thing is there is fun to be found for everyone if you know where to go. The other thing we know as families of diverse needs is there is always a plan B or escape plan for ALL events.

– Festivals –

Edmonton is not called the festival city for no reason. You can almost find one every week from June to September. The […]

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Masking – a point of view

Masking – a point of view

“The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you’re uncool.”

I was 21 when I first heard this Lester Bangs quote, spoken by actor Philip Seymour Hoffman in the movie Almost Famous. I loved the movie, and more than anything I absolutely loved this quote.  I didn’t know why at the time, other than I knew I was the uncool guy trying to be cool. It’s stuck with me ever since and here I am almost 23 years later still thinking about it.  I’m now in my early (approaching mid) 40s and I […]

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My Journey as a late diagnosed autistic

My Journey as a late diagnosed autistic

I’m what you would call a late-diagnosed autistic – I’m 43 years old and just found out this year.  It’s been enlightening, scary, frustrating, and sometimes funny all at once. Discovering that I’m autistic has been a remarkable journey (and it’s not done yet by a long shot!). I’ve learned so much about myself and so much about autism and neurodivergence – almost every day I read something new that blows my mind. So many questions have been answered, and so many more questions asked to which the answers remain hidden.  There have been a few stages to the process, […]

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Research: Supporting Autonomy for Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Edmonton

Research: Supporting Autonomy for Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Edmonton

Jackie Ryan (she/her/hers)

Jackie is an Autistic PhD candidate in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Alberta. She holds a master’s degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University, where her research on leadership to promote the self-determination of Autistic individuals won the University Founders’ Award.  Her doctoral research is on understanding self-determination and autonomy from the perspective of Autistic adults with intellectual disabilities using a community-based participatory research approach. Included in her research is the preparation of Research 101 open-access training to build the capacity for Autistic people to collaborate or partner in research. Jackie is part of the Neurodiversity Movement […]

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