New Video: ESSENCE with Dr. Christopher Gillberg! New videos released weekly on ACT’s Online Mental Health & Autism Project
As part of ACT’s Online Mental Health and Autism Project, we will be featuring a dozen new online videos this Fall/Winter season at Autism Videos @ ACT.
We are beginning with Professor Christopher Gillberg, a world renowned autism researcher who has developed the concept of ESSENCE, recognizing the overlapping symptoms of ASD, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder/Conduct Disorder (ODD/CD), anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, intellectual developmental disorder, communication disorders, dyslexia, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and others.
In this thought provoking presentation, Dr. Gillberg makes the case that ESSENCE (Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations), are common childhood onset disorders, affecting about 10% of the general population, that can be effectively treated. Early recognition, psychoeducation and other targeted interventions, can improve adaptive outcomes in adult life.
This presentation was recorded in 2017 at ACT’s 13th Annual Focus on Research Conference, held at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia. ACT appreciates Dr. Gillberg’s generosity in allowing us to include it as part of Autism Videos @ ACT.
New videos every week
ACT will be releasing new videos with a mental health focus every week until the end of December, featuring presentations ACT has recorded as part of the Online Mental Health & Autism Project.
Receive updates on new videos by signing up for our email list or use the share buttons on the page to send to a friend or colleague.
October 4
Addressing Mental Health in Autism: Should We Treat the Person with ASD, the Family, or the Community?
Jonathan Weiss, PhD, CPsych
CIHR Chair in ASD Treatment and Care Research; Associate Professor, York University
October 11: International Day of the Girl
Girls and Women with Eating Disorders – Why are ASD and ADHD Missed?
Christopher Gillberg, MD, PhD
Director, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Practical Strategies for Supporting Mental Wellness of Teenage Girls and Women with ASD
Dori Zener, MSW, RSW
September 2018 events and news
Upcoming Events
Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies
Thursday & Friday, September 27 & 28
Vancouver
Judy Reaven, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Colorado
This two-day training is aimed at professionals who have an intermediate/advanced knowledge of CBT and are looking for an evidence-based, manualized program on adapted CBT for children and adolescents with ASD to address the high levels of anxiety in this population. Research has shown that children and teens with ASD and anxiety demonstrate significant reductions in anxiety following participation in modified Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) interventions, allowing many to function better at home, school and in the community.
Facing Your Fears (FYF) is a group CBT intervention for managing anxiety in youth with ASD. Throughout the training, participants will learn about FYF, identify core components of the clinic based FYF program, learn how to modify FYF for teens with ASD and intellectual disabilities, as well as strategies for delivering FYF in school settings. Video examples and interactive small group activities will be provided throughout this training, provided by Dr. Judy Reaven, one of the developers of the FYF approach. Dr. Reaven is an experienced clinician and researcher and is a dynamic presenter.
View Details & Registration
ACT’s Education Resources
Back-to-School Resources
Along with the resources on ACT’s School-Age Children with Autism page, you can find hundreds of resources on our B.C. Community Resources search and the Autism Information Database.
B.C. Community Resources – Education resources
Enter your city or postal code to narrow down service providers, recreational activities, employment and training opportunities, and community organizations near you.
Autism Information Database – Education resources
Find articles, guides, videos, and research on executive functioning skills, anxiety, bullying, and much more.
Special Needs Community Events
To see what is happening around the province, and to submit your organization’s events, visit Special Needs Community Events
September Events:
Social Sprouts 2 (Social Thinking)
September 10, Surrey
Executive Functioning for Preteens
September 11, Surrey
Connect with PEERS(r) for Young Adults (19-30)
September 11, Burnaby
AutismBC Family Support Group
September 12, Prince George Social Sprouts (Social Thinking)
September 15, Surrey
Art and Social for Girls
September 15, Surrey
Incredible Years – Autism Spectrum and Language Delays Parenting Program
September 20 – December 14, North Vancouver
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Relaxed Performance
September 30, Vancouver
Youth & Young Adult Program: Games & Activities
October 2, Nanaimo – Registration deadline: September 21
Ticket Giveaway!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Relaxed Performance – September 30 at 7 PM
Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Vancouver
Enter now for a chance to win 1 set of 2 tickets to see a relaxed performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a Tony Award-winning play adapted from the novel by Mark Hadden, about a teenager with high-functioning autism seeking to solve the murder of a neighbour’s dog.
Visit the Arts Club website for more information on this play.
This relaxed performance is an inclusive, modified theatre experience designed to welcome people who may find it difficult to follow the usual conventions of traditional theatre.
How to win tickets: Email [email protected] with the subject “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Give-Away” before Friday, September 14 at 9:00am.
ACT will randomly select the winning entry to receive a free set of 2 tickets to see the play and will email ticket winners with instructions for pick-up at the theatre box-office.
Click the button below to send your email and be entered into the ticket giveaway.
Autism in the News
Get the latest on ACT’s Facebook page
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has released a new simplified Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) application package. Find out more:
New form at Service Canada | Disability Alliance BC CPP-D Guides
TRACKING EXCLUSION: BCEdAccess’ Exclusion* Incident Report Form – BCEdAccess
Resources for autistic students and students on the spectrum transitioning from high school to college – Stairway to Stem
How the Ontario Disability Support Program makes falling in love a challenging proposition – TVO
Treatment to remove metals from children with autism unproven and risky, but no clear regulations – CBC News
‘I’ll break the barriers’: New ad campaign tries to end stigma plaguing youth with disabilities – CBC News
Autism Ups Risk for Depression in Early Adulthood – MedPage Today
For people with developmental disabilities, a job is more than a paycheque – it says ‘I’m valuable’ – The Globe and Mail
The extra layer of back-to-school anxiety when your child has special needs – The Washington Post
‘Atypical’ Team on Bringing ‘More Voices From the Autism Community’ in Season 2 – Variety
Changemaker: Bellevue man living with autism wants to help others understand it – Q13 FOX News
The relief, and heartbreak, of watching my autistic son becoming more socially aware – The Washington Post
Save $50 when you register for two events
This offer has expired. Please visit our event bursaries page if cost is a barrier to attending an ACT event.
Register for any two ACT Events and receive $50 off. Use coupon code 50off2 to at checkout when you register for any two different events at checkout or contact ACT to register by phone.
Cannot be combined with other discounts or bursaries.
ACT Events, Participate in Research, Community Events, PACE project, and Autism in the News
Upcoming ACT Events
Regular rate ends July 11th! Save $25
Social Stories with Carol Gray
July 19 & 20, 2018
Nanaimo, BC
Carol Gray, Founder and Innovator, Social Stories Satellite Schools and Services, and Carol’s Club
Introduction to ASD – Practical Applications – POPARD
Kenneth Cole, PhD, RPsych
July 30 – August 3, 2018 – Surrey
October 29 – November 2, 2018 – Vancouver
Social Thinking Conference
August 16 & 17, 2018 – Vancouver
Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP
Pamela Crooke, PhD, CCC-SLP
Non-Aversive Strategies to Assist Individuals with Autism and Challenging Behaviours
Friday, August 24
Vancouver, BC, & Web Streaming!
Andrew McDonnell, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies
Thursday & Friday, September 27 & 28
Vancouver, BC
Judy Reaven, PhD
Setting the Stage for Success: Positive Behaviour Support in School, Home and Community
Friday & Saturday, October 19 & 20, 2018
Vancouver, BC, & Web Streaming
Lynn Kern Koegel, CCC-SLP
Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA-D
INVESTing in Girls and Women with ASD
Friday, November 2nd
Vancouver, BC & Web Streaming!
Dori Zener, MSW, RSW
Register for any two events and save $50.
Register for any two ACT Events and receive $50 off. Use coupon code 50off2 to at checkout when you register for any two different events at checkout or contact ACT to register by phone.
Cannot be combined with other discounts or bursaries.
Bursaries
Bursaries for those most in need, including para-professionals, parents who have children with special needs, adults with ASD, and professionals who need to travel outside of their home regions are also available, to the best of our financial ability. Bursaries are also available for webstreaming – internationally and Canada!
For information on how to apply for an ACT bursary, please visit the Bursaries FAQ page
Special Needs Community Events – July & August
Pacific Autism Family Network Summer Camp (ages 6-10)
Monday, July 16 – Friday, July 27, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Richmond
FREE SFU Social Science Camp for children ages 7-12
Saturday, July 21, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Burnaby
Identifying Mental Health and Obesity Related Risk Factors in ASD – FREE Parent Workshop
Saturday, July 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Burnaby
Pacific Autism Family Network Summer Camp (ages 6-10)
Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 10, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Richmond
What? Me Worry?
Monday, August 13 – Friday, August 17, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Surrey
Temple Grandin: Developing Individuals with Different Minds
Friday, August 17, 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm
Vancouver
Participate in Autism Research: Volunteers Needed
Parent Training through Telepractice
Are you a Japanese parent(s) of a child with Autism living within two hours’ drive from Vancouver whose child exhibit problem behaviour at home? Researchers at the University of British Columbia are looking for a Japanese- speaking parent(s) of a 3- to 6-year-old child with autism who is willing to receive parent training via telepractice to improve the child’s behaviour in a home routine.
Telepractice involves the use of telecommunication technology to link a professional with a client who lives at a far distance. The video camera on the computer monitor is employed by users to communicate by sight and sound in real time. The study will last up to nine months. You will receive weekly training from a UBC graduate student researcher to implement a behaviour support plan collaboratively created with you. The effectiveness of procedure in terms of improvement in child behaviour and parent implementation of the plan, as well as acceptability and feasibility of the plan will be examined.
If you are interested in the study, please contact Serina Ando ([email protected]) for more information.
Parent and Child Early (PACE) Coaching Project
PACE is poised to start the implementation phase of this important project in a number of communities across B.C. Researchers will evaluate an evidence-based parent coaching intervention for children aged 15 to 30 months who are at risk of, or diagnosed with ASD. ACT has been involved in the project since 2015 when it accepted the responsibility from the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development to administer funding for this important research initiative.
Visit the Parent and Child Early Coaching Project page to find out more, including a video overview of the project, the latest quarterly PACE newsletter, and contact information.
Autism in the News
The most read stories from the past month.
Get the latest on ACT’s Facebook page
Tackling bullying could help reduce depression in autistic teens – Science Daily
Canada’s first national accessibility law tabled in Ottawa – CBC News
Mom’s Facebook post to man who publicly shamed her son with autism goes viral – CBC News
Parents of kids with autism threaten human rights complaint if their children aren’t assigned the same support workers next school year – The Star
Father of autistic child takes to Facebook to criticise people who judge him in public – NewsHub
Growth spurt in head, skeleton mark autism in boys – Spectrum News
Can you raise an autistic child to be bilingual – and should you try? – The Conversation
Construction starts on Courtenay’s new Autism Centre of Excellence – Comox Valley Record
Sesame Place is world’s first theme park designated as a Certified Autism Center (video) – NBC News
The CRA makes life more difficult for people with disabilities – The Globe and Mail
Five-year-old boy with autism dies after being found in Calgary pond – CTV News
Important new work on autism could change interventions – UC Santa Cruz
Autistic son faced discrimination at after-school program, mom says – Herald News
Students with special needs asked to stay home from school more often: Report – CTV News
Where Autistic Workers Thrive – Fortune
What happened next to the man with autism whose aide was shot by police – The Washington Post
Summer Camps, Community Events, Autism in the News – ACT’s News Round-Up June 2018 Edition
Select a city or region below to start your search for 2018 summer camps!
If your area isn’t listed, search by entering your postal code on our B.C. community resources search
Expand the “Show subject, language,and category filters” option to show more search options.
Greater Vancouver
Victoria
Prince George
Kelowna area
Nanaimo
Interior
All Camps
Have an event to submit? Use our Special Needs Community Events submission form
GET READY … GET SAFE … GO! – Kelowna – June 16
A Symposium for Supporting Safe and Active Recreation for Okanagan Families Living with Autism.
The C.O.D.E. Initiative Coding Workshop for Beginners – Vancouver – June 25-29
A fun and interactive introduction to various beginner coding concepts.
Free Summer Social Science Experience for Children with ASD ages 2 to 6 – Burnaby – July 4-25
The Autism and Developmental Disorders Lab (ADDL) at SFU is hosting a FREE half-day event every Wednesday in July full of crafts, games, and research activities!
Summer Social Sprouts – Surrey – July 9-20
In this fun, interactive class, kids aged 4-6 will follow the Social Thinking curriculum. Through stories, games and crafts kids will learn 5 lessons in part one of Social Explorers.
Summer Social Saplings – Surrey – July 9-20
Social Saplings is about developing social skills and social thinking in children ages 7-10. This is a great program for kids who have trouble socially and have mild anxiety.
FREE SFU Social Science Camp for children ages 7-12 – Burnaby – July 21
The Autism and Developmental Disorders Lab (ADDL) at Simon Fraser University (SFU) is hosting our 7th annual SFU Social Science Camp. The camp offers a mix of social games and an opportunity to participate in research using fun activities.
Identifying Mental Health and Obesity Related Risk Factors in ASD – Burnaby – July 21
A FREE event for BC Children’s research trainees, clinicians, professionals, parents who have a child with ASD, and other family members. The goal is to discuss mental health and obesity related risk factors among families of individuals with ASD.
ACT is seeking a Part-Time Office Assistant
These are busy days at ACT and we need some extra administrative support. We are looking for a Part-time Office Assistant with an excellent telephone manner and competence with Microsoft CRM systems, Excel and Word. Must be organized, highly accurate and enjoy multitasking! Knowledge of autism an asset.
Hours are flexible, up to 20 hours a week; occasional weekend work and vacation coverage. $20/hour – to start as soon as possible. If you are interested in working with a great organization, respected as the leading source of evidence-informed training and information in B.C., in the company of a friendly group of committed people, email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] . This position will be filled as soon as we find a strong candidate. If you have applied to ACT previously, you are welcome to re-submit your application for consideration. View the job posting here.
Autism in the News
Get the latest on ACT’s Facebook page
What shall we call “it”? Autism? Asperger’s? Or what? – Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre | Available through the Autism Information Database
Autism Society says adults living with disorder falling through the cracks – CBC News
5 Must-Read Autism Memoirs – KKLZ
Tulane recognizes father of graduating student with autism – The Times-Picayne
We should reimagine how we think about autism – Ottawa Citizen
Naturopath college outlaws therapy that promises ‘complete elimination’ of autism – CBC News
Reluctant Keepers of a Brother With Autism – New York Times
Action Must Be Taken to Stop Bullying of Students with Disability – Pro Bono Australia
Rise in U.S. autism prevalence stems mainly from ‘mild’ cases – Spectrum News
Almaguin Highlands student Bailee Harvie kicks ‘bad kid’ label and embraces autism advocacy – CBC News
The underdiagnosis of autism in girls is a story of gender inequality – Wired
Students with special needs in B.C. still face seclusion, physical restraint in schools – CBC News
Upcoming ACT Events
Bursaries
Bursaries for those most in need, including para-professionals, parents who have children with special needs, adults with
ASD, and professionals who need to travel outside of their home regions are also available, to the best of our financial
ability. Bursaries are also available for webstreaming – internationally and Canada!
For information on how to apply for an ACT bursary, please visit the
Bursaries FAQ page
Early bird deadline extended to June 13th! Save $50
Social Stories with Carol Gray
July 19 & 20, 2018
Nanaimo, BC
Carol Gray, Founder and Innovator, Social Stories Satellite Schools and Services, and Carol’s Club
Introduction to ASD – Practical Applications – POPARD
July 30 – August 3, 2018 – Surrey
October 29 – November 2, 2018 – Vancouver
Kenneth Cole, PhD, RPsych
Social Thinking Conference
August 16 & 17, 2018 – Vancouver
Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP
Pamela Crooke, PhD, CCC-SLP
Non-Aversive Strategies to Assist Individuals with Autism and Challenging Behaviours
Friday, August 24
Vancouver, BC, & Web Streaming!
Andrew McDonnell, PhD, BCBA-D
Managing the Anxious Symptoms of Children and Adolescents with ASD: Practical Strategies
Thursday & Friday, September 27 & 28
Vancouver, BC
Judy Reaven, PhD
Positive Behavior Support in Schools Conference
Friday & Saturday, October 19 & 20, 2018
Vancouver, BC, &
Web Streaming
Lynn Kern Koegel, CCC-SLP
Ilene Schwartz, Ph.D., BCBA-D
INVESTing in Girls and Women with ASD
Friday, November 2nd
Vancouver, BC &
Web Streaming!
Dori Zener, MSW, RSW
Register for any two events and save $50.
Use coupon code 50off2 at checkout or
contact ACT.
Valid for both in-person and web streaming registration.
Coupon cannot be combined with other discounts or bursaries