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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210319T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210319T150000
DTSTAMP:20211016T192134Z
CREATED:20211008T012602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T192134Z
UID:1557-1616160600-1616166000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Financial Literacy
DESCRIPTION:Key to independent living is an understanding of day-to-day budgeting & financial transactions. \nOur speaker\, Vicki Kwong\, is an “Each One Teach One” trainer\, and a Senior Member\nService Representative with VanCity Credit Union. The “Each One\, Teach One” program is a VanCity Credit Union initiative aimed at increasing the financial literacy of Canadians.\nIn this meeting Vicki will covered: \nBasic Banking\n• Basic Banking concepts such as: What is\, a Financial Institution\, and how to choose one to meet your needs\, the types of banking transactions and accounts\, the benefits and risks of debit cards\, fees\, and how interest is calculated.\nBasic Budgeting\n• Basic Budgeting concepts\, such as: What is and why create a budget\, one’s needs vs wants\, steps in building and sticking to a budget \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/financial-literacy
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FinancialLiteracy2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210309T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210309T203000
DTSTAMP:20211019T041905Z
CREATED:20211016T214025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T041905Z
UID:1828-1615317300-1615321800@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Games & Gathering: Online Board & Party Games
DESCRIPTION:With Crystal Lee-Clark & Cailey Morgan \nFree event\, but registration required Limited number of participants sign up early for your preferred event!
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-games-gathering-online-board-party-games
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/games1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210220T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210220T213000
DTSTAMP:20211019T011838Z
CREATED:20211016T211024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T011838Z
UID:1817-1613809800-1613856600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Games & Gathering: Online Yoga & Discussion
DESCRIPTION:With Sharon King
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/games-gathering-online-yoga-discussion
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills,Mental Health
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Yoga.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210219T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210219T191500
DTSTAMP:20211019T011948Z
CREATED:20211016T210553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T011948Z
UID:1815-1613762100-1613762100@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Games & Gathering: Movie & Discussion
DESCRIPTION:With Glen Brauer & Dee Stacey \nWatch movie in advance: https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/eddie-theeagle \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/games-gathering-movie-discussion
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/movieNight.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210209T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210209T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012118Z
CREATED:20211016T204717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012118Z
UID:1810-1612898100-1612904400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Online Board & Party Games
DESCRIPTION:With Crystal Lee-Clark Behavioural Analyst & Cailey Morgan
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/online-board-party-games
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/games1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210112T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210112T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012225Z
CREATED:20211008T013239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012225Z
UID:1567-1610478900-1610485200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Games & Gathering in January 2021
DESCRIPTION:Online Board & Party Games \nWith Crystal Lee-Clark & Cailey Morgan \nFree event\, but registration required. Limited number of participants\, sign up early for this event!
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-games-gathering-in-january-2021
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/games1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210105T191500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20210105T191500
DTSTAMP:20211019T012350Z
CREATED:20211016T225455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012350Z
UID:1859-1609874100-1609874100@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Working As An Actor
DESCRIPTION:Week 4: Working As An Actor \nWith Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst This workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development. \nBelow is the video summary  of the Acting Workshop from Dec 8\, 2020 to Jan 5\, 2021:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/week-4-working-as-an-actor
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201222T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201222T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012546Z
CREATED:20211016T202552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012546Z
UID:1800-1608663600-1608670800@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Scene Work
DESCRIPTION:Week 3: Scene Work \nWith Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst This workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-acting-workshop-scene-work
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201215T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201215T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012514Z
CREATED:20211016T202003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012514Z
UID:1797-1608058800-1608066000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Working With Scripts
DESCRIPTION:Week two: Working With Scripts \nWith Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst This workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/working-with-scripts
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201214T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201214T120000
DTSTAMP:20211016T181514Z
CREATED:20211008T013603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211016T181514Z
UID:1572-1607941800-1607947200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Financial Literacy: Credit Card Use & Credit History
DESCRIPTION:Financial Literacy:  Credit Card Use & Credit History\n\nOur speaker was Kylie Pettifer\, an “Each One\, Teach One” trainer\, and a Specialist in Community Partnerships and Engagement\, Community Investment\, with Vancity Credit Union.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/financial-literacy-a-square-peg-society-meeting
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FinancialLiteracy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201208T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20201208T190000
DTSTAMP:20211019T012431Z
CREATED:20211008T013408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T012431Z
UID:1569-1607454000-1607454000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Acting Workshop: Acting Basics & Confidence Building
DESCRIPTION:With Laura Drummond\, Actor & Educator & Crystal Lee Clark\, Behaviour Analyst \nThis workshop is for any adult interested in exploring acting\, either to audition interested in exploring acting\, to audition for acting roles or for personal development. \n  \n\n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-acting-workshop
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ActingWorkShop.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200922T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200922T210000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042031Z
CREATED:20211008T015117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042031Z
UID:1584-1600801200-1600808400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Appeal to Actors
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-appeal-to-actors
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200916T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200916T080000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042057Z
CREATED:20211008T020233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042057Z
UID:1593-1600243200-1600243200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Love in the Time of COVID Sept 2020
DESCRIPTION: \n  \n
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-love-in-the-time-of-covid-sept-2020
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200910T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200910T120000
DTSTAMP:20211010T195944Z
CREATED:20211008T015554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211010T195944Z
UID:1586-1599732000-1599739200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:SPS Confident Conversation poster Sept 2020
DESCRIPTION: 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-confident-conversation-poster-sept-2020
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200418T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200418T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042203Z
CREATED:20211008T020854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042203Z
UID:1595-1587196800-1587229200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:ActUp! Building Confidence Through Drama\, Spring 2020
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/actup-building-confidence-through-drama-spring-2020
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200227T184500
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200227T204500
DTSTAMP:20211010T211724Z
CREATED:20211008T021408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211010T211724Z
UID:1602-1582829100-1582836300@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Social Conversation\, Engagement & Interaction: Insights for ASD Adults
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/social-conversation-engagement-interaction-insights-for-asd-adults
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200219T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200219T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T045148Z
CREATED:20211008T021208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T045148Z
UID:1600-1582124400-1582131600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Step-by-Step Income Tax Return Filing for People with Diverse Abilities
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/step-by-step-income-tax-return-filing-for-people-with-diverse-abilities
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200217T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20200217T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042243Z
CREATED:20211008T021022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042243Z
UID:1598-1581948000-1581958800@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Modern Love\, Navigating Meetups & Online Dating
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/modern-love-navigating-meetups-online-dating
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20191126T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20191126T170000
DTSTAMP:20211019T042411Z
CREATED:20211008T021559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042411Z
UID:1604-1574780400-1574787600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:A Square Peg Society Yoga Invitation
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/a-square-peg-society-yoga-invitation
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills,Mental Health
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20181129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181130
DTSTAMP:20211019T043144Z
CREATED:20181213T080000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043144Z
UID:1167-1543449600-1543535999@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Reflections on Independent ASD and Parent Meeting
DESCRIPTION:Thursday November 29\, 2018\,Reflections on Our Meeting\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\nA small\, but passionate & articulate group of parents gathered to talk about our ASD adult children\, their issues and lives\, and our lives with them\, as we try to guide them to independence.  \n\n\n\n Based upon our 5 key issues:  Post-secondary education\, Employment\, Housing\,Life & Social Skills\, and Mental Health\, I compiled a collection of concerns and examples\, to provide food for thought. We didn’t cover all of the list below\, but we can certainly do this again. (See this list at bottom) \n\n\n\nWe found that\, while everyone could recognize many aspects of the examples provided in their kids’ lives\, ASD is truly a Spectrum. Even within our sector of the ASD population\, the range of personalities and type of issues that they struggle with are huge! Parents are having to meet their kids where they are at\, and are not necessarily able to work on more than one or two issues at a time. Some families are focused on post-secondary education\, realizing that their gifted young adults would never be content working at a “Mac-job”. These families are concerned with the discipline\, organization & healthy living challenges that will be required for success at University. Other families are working through the issues that surround independent housing. For these families\, this might not be the parents’ first choice issue\, but “leaving home” is upper-most in the minds of their young adults\, who are not succeeding in school or employment at the moment. So\,helping them to live safe and healthy lives on their own is still a win on the path to independence. Others feel that\, given that their son or daughter knows and wants a job (for the money\, and a sense of purpose)\, the path to reaching their adult is through employment – and this becomes the families’ focus. The challenge for these families has been in finding customized employment services that will follow the young adult in exploring employment\, leading them to the skills training that they require\, and helping them to integrate into the job\,once employed. Some families have young adults who are quite social with a range of friends\, others have a social group built around a particular niche interest\, and some are painfully lonely\, and feel very isolated from other young adults their age\, leading to dysfunction in other aspects of life\, such as work and school. All families feel that mental health and appropriate employment services that would have helped them have been unavailable or unaffordable or both. \n\n\n\n“Motivation” was a concept that was discussed. Employment and social skills programs require that our adults be“motivated to participate” or “coach-able” or “open-minded”.  The problem for us\, as parents\, is that by the time our adults are in their 20’s (or older)\, they have been criticized\,bullied\, and are often cynical\, at best\, or clinically anxious or depressed. Added to this\, autism inherently implies a certain rigidity and inflexibility of thinking. Furthermore\, being asked to change one’s behavior is hard for anyone.So\, what to do? \n\n\n\nI have seen that our son is motivated by success – tough love is not a concept that works for him. So\, Dr. Bailey’s pearl of wisdom that development\, for our ASD individuals\, is protracted\, means that we need to understand and convey to our young adults that becoming fully independent will take longer than it will for others\, and that this is OK. If we can\, slow things down for them – their entry into full time employment\, the number of post-secondary courses that they take each year\, the number of activities that the take on\, to ensure that they do well\, and are not overcome with anxiety. Can we break goals down into small achievable steps\, so that they can see small gains as wins enroute to a larger goal? Is the first question we ask of post-secondary institution or employer be – can we do this program part-time\, or ease into employment over several months or a year? \n\n\n\nOne family suggested that money maybe the only way to motivate some individuals. If having money in their jeans is a motivator for our kid\, then should we consider paying them to participate in counseling or attending an employment or skills training program\, in the hope that once there\, they will engage and learn the skills being offered? \n\n\n\nFor our really bright kids\, who have a goal that they want to achieve – say\, an engineering\, law degree\, or a particular type of job – say\, medicine or mathematics professor- can we ask for behavioral “proofs”\, tapping into their rationality\, to get them on board? For example\, can we talk to them in a calm moment\, and tell them that for us to be willing to financially support their goal\, they must demonstrate their self-discipline and self-control through certain behaviours\, ie\, by adhering to agreed-upon financial or domestic responsibilities? \n\n\n\nThis week I have been in contact with family friends who have an adult son struggling with addiction. The helplessness that this family feels is not unlike how we feel at times. Here is what the Mom has written to me on the topic of motivation: \n\n\n\n“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about addiction in the past five years it’s that until an addict wants to go clean there is very little others can do…(Our son)… has never stayed with help and support – and he has had access to a lot of it. It’s pretty stunning the number of doctors\, counselors\, support groups etc he as walked away from. We are doing what all addiction counselors tell parents to do – take care of yourselves and don’t let the addiction bring you down…So we go on living and we still find joy and make plans… So many people live with some kind of sorrow in their heart. It’s part of the human experience.” \n\n\n\nI am thinking about building success through working from where our son is at right now\, and to celebrate what he is doing well. We can only work on future goals as long as he feels hopeful about life and is willing to work with us. So\, I am wishing you all insight into yourselves and your kids\, so that you can find some ways to better “motivate”your kids and yourselves in 2019.   \n\n\n\nWishing you and your families all the best over Christmas and in the New Year! \n\n\n\nJoette\, and all of us at Square PegSociety            joetteheuft@gmail.com \n\n\n\nIssues & Stories (Compiled from books and tales told to me) \n\n\n\nFinding My Path After High School: \n\n\n\nBlanca is 23 and single\, living with her parents & brother. She has trouble sleeping – her alarm rings at 7am\,but often she is awake as early as 5am\, even though she goes to sleep at midnight. She has morning classes at University\, where she is studying Marine Biology. As she has a 45 min transit ride to school\, she has to get up\, but feels tired\, anxious and consequently\, often forgets things that she needs for her day. As she packs her bag she has trouble finding things in her very messy room. \n\n\n\nArnold is an 18 year old college freshman\, living in a dorm. He dreads the evenings because his roommates invite their friends in and are noisy. For the most part\, his roommates and their friends ignore him. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around post-secondary education: \n\n\n\n\nI have trouble managing my time.\nI can’t fall asleep at night\, so stay up late\, then have difficulty getting up in the morning.\nI am always worried about doing well– getting the grades I want\, and getting my assignments done.\nSometimes I feel really overwhelmed\,but would rather fail than get help at the Centre for Students with Disabilities.\nI can’t concentrate at the University because it is too noisy\, the lighting is awful\, it is too hot/cold/smells bad.\nMy profs seem annoyed by the questions that I ask\, and I always seem to end up having conflicts with them.\nI can’t get to know other students –they always seem too busy\, or are already in their own groups.\n\n\n\n\nHenry is 29\,has a BA in English\, but has been unemployed for 6 years. He has been looking for work through online ads. He lives with his father\, who is critical toward him for not having found work. Henry feels pressured about work\, but doesn’t get much done at home alone while his father is at work; they often argue when his Dad gets home. \n\n\n\nMargaret is an endocrinologist and works in a practice with several other physicians. At lunchtime she would prefer to eat alone\, but due to a shortage of office space\,she is forced to use the staff lunch room. She tries to be polite to others also eating there\, but has never felt comfortable making small talk. She is not quite sure what to say and doesn’t enjoy the topics that come up in conversation. She has received feedback from the office manager that she is not well liked by the staff. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around employment: \n\n\n\n\nI can’t find a job and don’t know where to begin to look.\nI get so overwhelmed with the job search that I avoid looking.\nI get so nervous at job interviews\,that I never get called back.\nSometimes I think the interview went well\, but then don’t hear back from the employer. I don’t understand what went wrong.\nI can only find low-level jobs where I can’t use my talents.\nI can’t concentrate at my workplace because it is too noisy\, the lighting is awful\, it is too hot/cold/smells bad.\nI can’t seem to organize myself/work to be able to get everything done.\nI am anxious about not doing well at my work\, displeasing my supervisor\, or not fitting in with others.\nI am reluctant to ask for help because my supervisor always seems busy\, and/or my supervisor gets annoyed when I ask a lot of questions.\nI get irritated with coworkers\,supervisors\, and/or customers.\n\n\n\n\nLiving Alone & Together \n\n\n\nJake is single\,20\, and living with his parents. He recently dropped out of community college after only two semesters and now works part-time in the dairy department of a grocery store. Recently\, he got his driver’s license\, but is not comfortable driving\, and taking transit to work is complex and time-consuming. His stress over getting to work is at times so great that he calls in sick. He does not want to admit this to his parents\, but his anxiety over driving and transit contributed to his decision to quit college. \n\n\n\nNoel\, 37\, lives in his own apartment and works as a computer programmer. Evenings and weekends are very lonely. \n\n\n\nDan is an information technologist at a hospital. Dan is overweight\, has a family history of heart disease\, and has been told by his doctor that he needs to lose 40 lbs.He has had a girlfriend for about 3 years who also makes occasional comments on his weight. Dan knows that he has poor eating habits but is overwhelmed with the idea of changing his routine. He is not even sure what his first step should be toward organizing a weight-loss plan\, and continues to eat the same poor quality foods\, feeling guilty while doing so. \n\n\n\nIssues that arise around Living with others: \n\n\n\n\nI don’t keep up with laundry\,cleaning\, personal hygiene.\nI don’t get enough alone time\,privacy.\nMy family/roommates have too many guests – I feel uncomfortable having to socialize all the time.\nI argue a lot with my parents/siblings/roommates.\nMy family/roommates get annoyed with my behaviours and habits (eating\, sleeping times\, excessive tidiness\,messiness\, etc).\nI get annoyed with others’ behaviours and habits.\n\n\n\n\nIssues that arise around Living Alone: \n\n\n\n\nIt takes a long time for me to plan& prepare a meal\, so I resort to ordering in or eating out a lot\, which is both expensive and not very healthy.\nI don’t keep up with laundry\,cleaning\, personal hygiene.\nI can’t find the time to exercise/I get obsessed about my diet/exercise routine.\nI am very lonely\, and often don’t talk to anyone other than at work.\nI seem to misplace a lot of things(wallet\, keys\, purse\, etc).\nMy family worries that I will leave the stove on\, or forget to turn off the faucet in the bathroom.\nI have not always lived within my budget; my parents have on several occasions made good on my credit card debt.\n\n\n\n\nFinding Happiness – Relationships \n\n\n\nFred\, 31\, lives alone and works full time at a bank. Friday nights he gets together at a sports bar with a friend that he has had since high school. However\, they often argue– Fred has different opinions about sports from his friend and has been told that he is too aggressive in expressing his views. Sometimes his friend has brought others to join them\, but these people often get frustrated with Fred’s yelling. Even his friend has been threatening to quit their Friday night get-togethers. \n\n\n\nArnold wants to make friends\, but is very shy. He has always tried to “disappear” when around kids his own age\, a habit that protected him from bullies in high school. Now\,as an adult\, he wants to be more sociable\, but doesn’t know how to start conversations\, and even when he thinks of something to say\, he is too scared to try. \n\n\n\nNoel would like to get married and have children\, but has had no success with dating. He is frustrated because he feels that he is doing something wrong in terms of relationships\, but doesn’t know what it is. \n\n\n\nRobert would like to be able to run his own errands\, and to have his own activities\, such as going to the bank\, shopping or joining a gym. However\, in the past he has relied on others to speak for him\, and so doing these things on his own makes him highly anxious. But now he is motivated to become more independent because he does not enjoy hanging out by himself at home most of the time. \n\n\n\nCarla is 34 and married. She enjoys sexual activity\, but finds that being held tight outside of sex\, for long periods of time\, makes her feel claustrophobic. Her husband is affectionate\, and feels hurt when she rejects his hugs\, resulting in arguments between them. She finds herself avoiding contact with him. \n\n\n\nIssues that Arise Around Relationships \n\n\n\n\nI don’t know where to look to find friends.\nI feel my interests won’t interest others my age\, but I don’t want to pretend to be somebody else in order to make friends.\nI don’t know how to join in when it looks like everyone knows each other.\nI don’t know how to turn acquaintances into friends who will want to do something with me on the weekends.\nI have sometimes been told that I sound “nerdy” or like a “know it all”.\nI’m not sure that I can distinguish between a true friends and someone who is using me.\nI feel depressed that I will never have friends or a relationship.\nI don’t know where to meet potential dates\, and don’t feel comfortable in crowed places\, like parties or bars.\nI am too afraid of being rejected to ask someone for a date.\nI am intimidated by social networking sites\, and have tried online dating services\, but never got a date.\nI have begun a few Internet relationships\, but they have all fallen apart after meeting.\nI am embarrassed about being a virgin at my age.\nI doubt that I could trust that another person can accept me as I am; this inhibits me from becoming intimate with anyone.\nI get so upset when my partner is annoyed with me that I freeze and don’t know what to do or say.\nMy partner tells me that I am insensitive.\nMy partner blames all of our problems on ASD\, and it makes me feel guilty.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/reflections-on-independent-asd-and-parent-meeting
CATEGORIES:Employment,Housing,Life & Social Skills,Mental Health,Post-Sec Education,SPS Business
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20180402T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20180402T000000
DTSTAMP:20211025T000907Z
CREATED:20180502T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T000907Z
UID:1164-1522627200-1522627200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:What Am I Eligible For (PWD)
DESCRIPTION:Click here to see the meeting minutes in PDF
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/366
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20170722T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20170722T133000
DTSTAMP:20211019T043629Z
CREATED:20211009T020831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043629Z
UID:1679-1500723000-1500730200@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Cooking Club
DESCRIPTION:LIFE SKILLS KITCHEN COOKING CLUB \nFor payment by PayPal  Click Here
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/cooking-club-3
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CookingClubJuly22-2017.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161024T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161024T190000
DTSTAMP:20211019T044020Z
CREATED:20211009T010710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044020Z
UID:1648-1477328400-1477335600@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Cooking Club
DESCRIPTION:Cooking Club with Kurt & Tilman
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/cooking-club-2
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cookingClub2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161022T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161022T200000
DTSTAMP:20211019T044042Z
CREATED:20211009T013209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044042Z
UID:1667-1477159200-1477166400@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Square Peg Society Cooking Club
DESCRIPTION:Square Peg Society Cooking Club
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/square-peg-society-cooking-club
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/A-SPS-Cooking-Club-Invitation-March-19-2017.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160919T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160919T180000
DTSTAMP:20211019T044122Z
CREATED:20211009T004601Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044122Z
UID:1635-1474300800-1474308000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Cooking Club
DESCRIPTION: 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/cooking-club
CATEGORIES:Fun,Life & Social Skills
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_1718.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160519T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160519T000000
DTSTAMP:20211019T044401Z
CREATED:20160525T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044401Z
UID:1149-1463616000-1463616000@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:May 19\, 2016 Meeting: Finances 101
DESCRIPTION:Our speakers\, from VanCity\, Monina Selga and Edi Soehardi\, of VanCity\, spoke to our group about monthly management of our finances and about how to improve our financial well-being  over the long term.This meeting was intended primarily for our young people\, and covered the basics of spending within our income\, making wise choices with our money\, credit card management\, and record keeping methods. The more our youth learn now about managing their financial affairs\, the more capable they will be to do so when they are fully on their own! \nFinancial Planning Budgeting Tips \nPoints to Remember: \n\nPay yourself first\nKeep receipts and check them against your bank statement\nUse funds for their intended purpose\nPay off your credit card balance monthly (interest rates can range from 19.5-30%)\nBeware of scammers & fraud\nBe cautious of buy now\, pay later promotions\n\n Review your budget after the first month: \n\nMake sure that all income and expenses are listed\nDetermine whether you have a Surplus or Deficit\n\nSurplus – extra money that can be saved or invested \nDeficit – money that needs to be made up by cutting expenses \n\nContinue tracking income & expenses to ensure a Balanced Budget\n\nThree Month Budget Review: \n\nLook for trends\n\nSurplus continues – put extra money toward long term goals\, ie\, savings\, retirement\, education\, vacation \nDeficit continues – look for other sources of income\, overtime\, second job – or reduce expenses \n\nExamine your results against your long term goals\n\nAre you progressing toward your goals? \nHow are your needs being met – the things you must have? \nDon’t Give Up: \n\nImproving your financial situation does not happen overnight\nContinue listing your detailed income & expenses\nReview your bills and statements regularly\nAdjust your budget to reflect changes in income and changes in goals\nThis is your plan; you can always update it\, but keep focused on your long term goals & dreams\n\n Tips to Successful Budgeting: \n\nKnow why you are budgeting\nHave a specific long term goal in mind\nKeep a written budget\nKnow how much you actually make\nMake sure your budget data is complete and accurate\nUse bank accounts with budgeting tools\nEnlist the support of at least one person you trust\nSet a few short term goals\, in addition to your long term goals\n\n Resources: \n\nCanadian Bankers Association – http//www.cba.ca/en/consumer-information\nMoneysense magazine and website\nFinancial Consumer Agency of Canada budget calculator – http//itools-ioutils fcac-acfc.gc.ca/BC-CB/NetInc-RevNet-eng aspx\nYour financial association.\n\n  \nMonthly Budget Template \n\n\n\n\nJanuary\nFebruary\nMarch\nApril\nMay\nJune\nJuly\nAugust\nSeptember\nOctober\nNovember\nDecember\nTotal\n\n\nIncome\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nOther income\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nExpenses\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSavings\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nRent\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nUtilities\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nInternet\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nFood\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nCar/Transit\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nClothes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nCell phone\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nEntertainment\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nEating out\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\nMiscellaneous\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n0.00\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTotal\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n0.00\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSurplus\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDeficit\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBeginning Balance\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEnding Balance\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSocial Well being points
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/may-19-2016-meeting-finances-101
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160416
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160417
DTSTAMP:20211018T233659Z
CREATED:20160506T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233659Z
UID:1147-1460764800-1460851199@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:Meeting: April 21\, 2016 Community Living BC Funding Eligibility Criteria
DESCRIPTION:Our speaker was Douglas Lee\, a clinical behavioral psychologist\, the Clinical Director at Behavioural Solutions Inc.\, who as part of his practice\, also conducts eligibility assessments for Community Living BC (CLBC). \nDr. Lee played a crucial role in developing the eligibility criteria for Community Living BC (CLBC) programs; he was on committees which established the current eligibility requirements that now apply to Developmental Disability\, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD)\, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)\, which includes Asperger’s.  Since the inception of the current PSI criteria by CLBC in 2010\, Dr. Lee has been assessing applicants for eligibility for Community Living BC (CLBC) funding and services. He has performed more than 300 of these eligibility assessments. \nSquare Peg Society requested the following: \n\nA clear definition of the eligibility criteria for CLBC funding and the documentation required to receive that funding.\n\n\nHow “level of Adaptive Functioning”\, is defined\, as PSI funding hinges on this term\, and who in our community of high functioning adults is likely to be included or excluded by this definition.\n\n\nIs there any intent to review and/or revise the current CLBC eligibility criteria? If so\, what changes are most likely to be considered?\n\n\nThe number of adults diagnosed with Aspergers\, particularly females\, is increasing. These individuals struggle to find and keep jobs\, and social relationships. Without these key aspects of life in place\, individuals cannot function as typical adults\, yet CLBC funding criteria does not recognize this gap\, or consequently\, the impact of the lack of funds and services for this group. How is CLBC and our provincial government proposing to assist these high functioning individuals in achieving their full potential?\n\nTo receive CLBC funding an individual must meet the criteria for a Developmental Disability\, which includes a variety of conditions\, and an IQ of less than 70. The other route to CLBC funding is through the Personal Supports Initiative (PSI) program.  For this funding\, a diagnosis of either Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and “significant limitations in adaptive functioning are required. These conditions must have occurred prior to birth\, during birth\, or in early childhood. For PSI\, in addition to a diagnosis of PDD or FASD\, the individual must have an IQ of greater than 70\, but a Level of Adaptive Functioning of 55 or less. Individuals with an IQ of greater than 70 will frequently have a level of Adaptive Functioning that is greater than 55 (more than 3 standard deviations below the mean of “normally functioning “ individuals)\, and this criteria will almost always eliminate individuals with Asperger’s. Dr. Lee told us that\, when the current PSI criteria was developed\, it was intended to include individuals with an IQ of greater than 70\, and a Level of Adaptive Functioning less than 70. However\, in the midst of the economic climate of 2008\, the Level of Adaptive Functioning was required to be lower than 55 to reduce the numbers of individuals who would be eligible for funding. This was entirely an economic decision\, not a decision having anything to do with need for services. This criteria disproportionately discriminates against high functioning ASD individuals\, who are experiencing difficulty in performing effectively in life and work due a lack of natural ability in interpersonal social skills and communication. Douglas Lee does not believe that the exclusion of ASD or FASD individuals is inherent in PSI structure\, but rather that the bar has been set too low to ensure services for those in need. He does not believe that there is any appetite to change these terms; that change can only come through advocacy from the community. \nTo become advocates for change to this criteria and subsequently\, CLBC funding\, we would need to form a committee and assign tasks: \n\nTo gather the facts\nTo form alliances with other groups\, particularly Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD)\, and service agencies whose clients are also affected by these\nTo gain the ear of media\, CBC’s “Go Public”\, for example.\nTo find a few key supporters in the Provincial Government. (Anyone know of a MLA who has a family who is affected by this issue?) Also\, to determine how to frame our “ask”\, in order to get a positive response.\n\nThe Facts: \nWe need to uncover the original PSI criteria.  Next we would attempt to determine the number of individuals in BC who received Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) funding prior to PSI funding\, and who continued to do so after the institution of PSI\, until they aged out at 19\, say\,  between 2008-2013. We would then compare that number with the number of individuals receiving PSI funding between 2010 -2015. These figures would represent those individuals who were receiving funding until the age of 19\, but who were deemed ineligible for PSI funding as adults. The difference between these two numbers would reveal the number of people dropped from funding after the adoption of PSI funding. These people were not suddenly “cured” – simply\, the criteria was too restrictive to ensure their continued coverage. \nAlliances: \nAs FASD individuals are also “left out in the cold”\, an alliance with this group might increase our visibility. Some of the service agencies are frustrated with the limited provincial funding\, and with repeatedly being contacted by people who they are unable to help; they might be willing to partner with us in this advocacy campaign. However\, Douglas Lee told us that CLBC employees are expressly told that they are not allowed to lobby government. \nThe Ask: \nThe obvious demand would be to raise the Level of Adaptive Functioning bar – to the original less than 70\, rather than less than 55\, in order to capture more high functioning ASD individuals. Perhaps also we should be asking for assessments other than “level of adaptive functioning” to be included in the assessments. Including assessments that evaluate executive functioning would better represent ASD individuals with lower social and verbal communication skills\, and the impact that these deficiencies have on their lives. Asking for inclusion in services already in existence through other agencies\, and tailoring some of these to our needs – for example\, mental health services – might be attainable. Regular workshops on strategies for coping with anxiety and depression\, and on life and social skills would go a long way toward helping our members succeed in work and life.
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-april-21-2016-community-living-bc-funding-eligibility-criteria
CATEGORIES:Advocacy,Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20160316
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20160317
DTSTAMP:20211018T233501Z
CREATED:20160327T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T233501Z
UID:1145-1458086400-1458172799@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:March 17\, 2016 Meeting: Legal & Financial Planning
DESCRIPTION:Halldor K Bjarnason – Access Law Group Barrister and Solicitor Specializing in Disability Trust Planning\, halldor@accesslaw.ca  604.697.0231 \nTina Cheung – Vancity Wealth Planner\nSonesh Chikhlia – Vancity Wealth Planner \n  \nRegistered Disability Savings Plan \nTina Cheung spoke briefly on the federal Registered Disability Savings Plans. RDSPs can be established for your individual with a disability at several Canadian banks\, including VanCity. To be eligible the supported individual: \n\nmust be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit\nmust have a valid Social Insurance Number\nmust be a Canadian resident when the RDSP is opened\nmust be under age 60\n\nAn RDSP augments the contributions made by the person setting up the plan for a person with a disability with government grants. These Canada Disability Savings Grants (CDSG) may be as much as $3500 per year with a lifetime limit of $70\,000\, based on the Beneficiary’s family income. For Beneficiaries over the age of 19\, the Beneficiary’s family income is considered to be the individual’s income together with that of their spouse\, if there is one. Total contributions of up to $200\,000 are allowed and can be made until the Beneficiary turns 59. As well\, the Canada Disability Savings Bond (CDSB) is available to low income beneficiaries\, in amounts up to $1000/year\, with a maximum lifetime limit of $20\,000\, up to the time when the Beneficiary turns 49. The amount paid is based on family income alone (not dependent on contributions). New Beneficiaries\, including an adult who has been diagnosed later in life (assuming that they can provide a doctor’s certificate of their existing condition) can back-date their Plan to 2008 when RDSPs became available. Payment of the RDSP must begin at age 60; however\, withdrawal of contributions are permitted by the Beneficiary at any time\, but will result in the loss of a portion of the grant & bond amounts paid into the RDSP over the previous 10 years. The portion to be repaid is 3 to 1 – that is $3.00 of accumulated grant/bond money for every $1.00 of contribution withdrawn. \nThe topic of eligibility for Community Living BC (CLBC) or Person With Disability (PWD) support was raised but deferred. Douglas Lee\, a psychologist who determines eligibility for CLBC funds and services will speak at our April meeting. However\, Tina mentioned that Vancity works with Equal Futures\, who can assist with obtaining a Disability Tax Credit Certificate for a potential RDSP beneficiary. See Additional Resources below. \n  \nEstate Planning and Disability Trusts \nHalldor Bjarnason has extensive experience in the area of disability inheritance law and has set up many trusts for families with members with disabilities. \nHalldor began his presentation by emphasizing the importance of having a Will. It gives you control over your estate\, in that it permits you to appoint an Executor to manage your affairs\, to appoint a guardian for any minor children\, to distribute your estate in the amounts and to whom you wish\, and to establish Trusts to protect vulnerable Beneficiaries. Without a Will that appoints a guardian for minor children\, custody is given to the Ministry of Children & Families\, and custody of their estate is given to the Public Trustee. \nHalldor provided us with the following definition of a Trust: A relationship where one person (the Settlor) gives assets to a second person (the Trustee) to hold and use for the benefit of a third person (the Beneficiary). A trust within our Will for a family member with a disability makes our wishes clear in a way that is less likely to be legally contested. A discretionary trust is not regarded as an asset\, and therefore\, will not result in a reduction of our Beneficiary’s disability assistance payments\, whereas an inheritance would.  As well\, it allows us to specify a person or persons who will be responsible for ensuring that the inheritance is allocated in the best interests of our family member. For example\, Trust funds can be used to provide the Beneficiary with medical aids\, caregiving or home support costs\, education or training costs\, maintenance or renovations to the Beneficiary’s principal residence\, and rent costs above the allowance for housing in the disability allowance\, without resulting in claw backs of the Beneficiary’s disability assistance benefits. The role of the Trustee(s) is to determine the Beneficiary’s needs\, to responsibly invest the Trust’s assets\, to keep records and to pay taxes. As such\, more than one Trustee\, each with different skill sets\, (3 is good) may be preferred. Aside from selecting the type of Trust\, the number and choice of trustees (including professional trustees)\, what the trust can be spent on\, and how its assets are to be invested\, we also need to consider if there are conflicts of interest for the Trustees (are they personally affected by the disbursement of funds to the Beneficiary?)\, to ensure an ultimate beneficiary (the person to whom the remainder of the trust is paid after the death of the beneficiary)\, and a continuity of Trustees. Halldor noted that Trust agreements are a specialized area of law\, which requires a lawyer who is has experience preparing disability trusts\, and who is able to answer the question\, “How does my family member’s disability status affect my estate planning?” \nAfter the meeting\, we wondered how applicable this is to our Square Peg families\, many of whom do not receive disability funding\, and whose supported person is often capable\, in large measure\, of managing their own affairs. Halldor’s view is that the estate planning should be customized to our circumstances\, and those of our supported individual. For families with a fully mentally competent Beneficiary\, it may be a case of weighing\, or balancing between different options.  For example\, if an estate is small\, a Trust can be set up where the Beneficiary can be their own Trustee – but the Trust is deemed “non-discretionary” and must be $200\,000 or less\, for individuals who are recipients of disability benefits. Over this amount\, it would be considered an asset\, and render the individual ineligible for BC Disability assistance.  Another option is to roll the person’s share of our estate into an RDSP\, also with a $200\,000 contribution limit. However\, if the Beneficiary is younger (under 50)\, a large contribution made at once would mean that the individual would lose access to the grants and bonds. On the other hand\, this approach would not incur the taxes that an inheritance would\, if is rolled over from the parent’s/grandparent’s RRSP/RIF.  To overcome the shortcomings of a large single contribution to an RDSP\, Halldor recommends using a Trust to make annual contributions to the RDSP – which provides the leverage necessary to maximize access to grants/bonds.   For larger estates\, Halldor often recommends both a discretionary trust with an independent trustee (unlimited) and a non-discretionary trust with the beneficiary as trustee ($200K limit) – with the caveat that one needs to  ensure  that the two are not intermingled. \n  \nAs you can see\, care needs to be taken to ensure that the interests of our supported individual are served after our death\, and this is a specialized area of law\, which requires input from an advisor with experience with disability estate planning. \n  \nAdditional Financial Resources  \nIn acknowledgement that CLBC funding is independent of claiming a Disability Tax Credit\, and therefore\, applying for an RDSP: \nThe Equal Futures RDSP program is provided by Ability Tax & Trust Advisors\, supported by VanCity. “It is a social purpose program that provides an easy \, efficient and free service to eligible individuals to learn about\, qualify for\, and open an Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). As a prerequisite to opening an RDSP\, Equal Futures will assist in determining and applying for a Disability Tax Credit. \nwww.equalfutures.ca   1-855 773-7377  info@equalfutures.ca \n For tax assistance: \nThe Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a collaboration between community organizations and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Community organizations host tax preparation clinics and arrange for volunteers to prepare income tax and benefit returns for eligible individuals who have a modest income and a simple tax situation. \nwww.cra-arc.gc.ca/volunteer/ \n The Disability Alliance of BC’s new Tax Aid program\, see below for details and video: \nwww.disabilityalliancebc.org/ourwork_new.htm \n For those with a more complex tax situation: \nDavid Chiu\, BBA\, CGA\, CFP\, is an accountant and financial planner who specialist in assisting familities with a member with a disability with their taxes and financial planning. \ndavid@davidchiucga.com           604.731-0611 \n 
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/march-17-2016-meeting-legal-estate-planning
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150730
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150731
DTSTAMP:20211025T002849Z
CREATED:20150730T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T002849Z
UID:1138-1438214400-1438300799@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:July 30\, 2015 Meeting: Landmark Forum
DESCRIPTION:Collette Millar\, Western Canada Registration Manager for the Landmark Forum\, presented “ A Special Introduction to the Landmark Forum” to The Square Peg Society young adult members and their families. \nIt was a fun-filled evening that provided an opportunity to make a difference in each and everyone’s life. \nThe Introduction to the Landmark Forum was a 3 hour working session.  During the first half of the evening\, Square Peg Society members were offered the opportunity to create a possibility in an area of life that was not working for them\, or not working as well as they would like it to.  The last half of the evening was about what happens at each 3 day and 1 evening Landmark Forum\, and the opportunity to register and reserve a seat at the Landmark Forum\, which is held monthly. \nLandmark offers the following (copyright – Landmark Worldwide\, 2012-2014): \n“Live an extraordinary life \nOpen doors that yield benefits both practical and profound in the quality of your relationships\, your personal productivity\, and in the difference you’re out to make. \nRedefine what’s possible \nGain the power to be effective in the areas that matter most to you\, and a freedom to be at ease in any circumstance. \nCreate a future of your own design \nBring about positive and permanent shifts in the quality of your life.  Experience breakthroughs – not as random\, inexplicable accidents\, but as deliberate\, achievable results.” \nColette Millar led the “Introduction to the Landmark Forum” and brought her adult daughter\, Deb\, with her to the meeting.  Deb has a cognitive disability\, and is high-functioning.  As well\, Deb is a graduate of the Landmark Forum and other Landmark courses.  What the Landmark Forum did for Deb\, was to remove the filters of how she saw herself\, and of how she thought other people saw her.  Before the Landmark Forum\, Deb was extremely shy\, and communicated very little.  Today\, Deb is a highly communicative\, and is becoming a more independent young woman.  Deb now assists at Landmark in the office\, and with the set-up of the rooms for the many programs that Landmark offers to its guests.  Deb is a valued member of the Landmark community and a delight to be around. As for Colette\, she feels that taking the Landmark Forum took away her filters of her daughter as being unable to be anything but dependent upon her and her family forever.  Through the Landmark Forum\, Colette was able to let go of her filters and fears\, to allow Deb to become the wonderful\, active\, outgoing person that she is today. \nJanet Alcee\, an Adult Family Member of the Square Peg Society and high functioning autistic\, is registered to take the Landmark Forum at the end of October 2015.  Janet is excited about taking this program.  It is said that once you register for this program\, the program begins for you.  This has already been seen in Janet.  Janet is exercising and watching what she eats.  She is actively looking for work\, with the assistance of PosAbilities Employment Services.  Janet has also joined Toastmasters through PosAbilities\, and is an active member\, attending bi-weekly meetings.  Today Janet is not afraid to speak up\, is clear on her rights\, and is actively living her life. \nThe effect of the “Introduction to the Landmark Forum” on Catherine Alcee – mother to Janet\, was to make Catherine realize that she has filters when it comes to Janet.  Catherine realized that if her goal is to help Janet to become a totally independent young woman – which Janet wants\, then Catherine must stop over-protecting Janet and allow her the freedom to live her life\, to make her own choices\, and to learn from both her mistakes and her successes. This realization\, and letting go was scary for Catherine.  However\, since the “Introduction to the Landmark Forum”\, led by Colette\, Catherine has been stepping back and not jumping in to help Janet as she had done in the past.  Also\, Catherine is allowing Janet to make her own decisions\, especially in her job search. \nThe event was a success\, and an introduction to new tools that may help some or all of Square Peg Society members and their adult high-functioning family members. \nFor more information: www.landmarkworldwide.ca
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/july-30-2015-meeting-landmark-forum
CATEGORIES:Life & Social Skills
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20150415
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20150416
DTSTAMP:20211025T003542Z
CREATED:20150430T070000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T003542Z
UID:1135-1429056000-1429142399@squarepegsociety.ca
SUMMARY:April 30\, 2015 Meeting:  PosAbilities & PEERS
DESCRIPTION:Employment is key to independence and purposefulness for every adult. Yet our young people often falter in job hunting\, or\, if employed\, in the execution of their tasks due to a lack of “soft skills”. For example\, they may not priorize tasks as an employer might wish\, communicate what they don’t understand\, or generally understand how to “fit in”. Consequently\, they may be let go from their jobs\, or sidelined\, or passed over for promotions. \nIn pairing a PEERS presentation with a PosAbilities presentation\, SPS was hoping to find a way that the life skills training offered by PEERS could compliment the job placements offered by PosAbilities. \nPosAbilities provides a broad range of services to persons with developmental disabilities\, employment counselling being one of them. Other areas of service are community inclusion\, home living support\, and behavior consultation. Foye Hatton\, from the Employment arm of PosAbilities presented on their work assisting clients in finding & keeping work. We learned that PosAbilities has a growing roster of companies receptive to employing persons with disabilities; seeking employment at businesses where disclosure of a disability is not an issue\, is obviously\, preferable. The employer will then be more likely to modify either the tasks or the work environment to accommodate the employee and will likely also welcome the job coaching assistance offered by PosAbilities. In the end\, though\, the decision to disclose lies with the individual being served. However\, repairing the relationship with the employer after a problem has occurred\, is more difficult without disclosure at the onset. PosAbilities takes a personal interest in their clients and works to find “a good fit” in their placements. Many of the jobs\, though\, are entry level\, rather than career jobs. This is typical of jobs for young people without much post-secondary education; more work is needed in developing a long-term employment picture for their clients. We also learned that PosAbilities had a “jobs club” to facilitate social interaction & mutual support between their job seekers. This club did not really get off the ground\, though it may be revived at some point in the future. PosAbilities has also initiated a chartered Toastmasters group for their clients to better prepare them to present their ideas and to exchange ideas with others. \nPEERS (Program for the Education & Enrichment of Relational Skills) was developed at UCLA by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson and Dr. Fred Frankel in 200. PEERS is a manualized\, social skills training intervention. It has a strong evidence base for use with teens & young adults with autism spectrum disorders\, and is also appropriate for people with ADHD\, anxiety & depression. PEERS for Young Adults is a 16 week program for 18-30 year-olds\, who are interested in learning ways to help them make & keep friends\, and to develop romantic relationships. Some of the topics covered are appropriate conversation skills\, how to find common interests and exchange information\, how to use humor\, how to enter & exit conversations\, how to handle rejection\, teasing\, and bullying\, how to be a good host\, how to choose appropriate friends\, how to be a good sport\, how to handle arguments & disagreements\, and dating & etiquette skills. Our two PEERS presenters\, Laurie Campbell and Natalie Haggarty\, are registered PEERS providers\, and both use PEERS principles in their jobs as Special Education teachers in the Lower Mainland. For PEERS to be effective\, the participants have to be motivated to engage in the practice and discussion of concepts raised each session\, and 8-10 participants would be required to run a program for young adults. As no programs are being run on a regular basis\, it would appear that finding the quota of motivated young adults has not been easy. Another drawback is the cost – $1500.00 for each participant; for parents with young mostly unemployed adults\, who might also need additional post-secondary education/training and possibly other support services\, many of whom do not receive disability funding – this may seem like a prohibitive amount. Another concern is follow up – is there any support or reinforcement for the participants after the 16 week program is completed? Finally\, I think that some parents found the PEERS program structure too rigid\, and not responsive to individual differences\, and maybe too focused on making the participants “fit in”\, rather than creating an atmosphere of acceptance. \nIn the end\, while each presentation was interesting\, and the premise that the lack of life & social skills may make or break a job for our young adults is valid\, there seemed to be no will to collaborate by pairing the life skills training of PEERS with the job counselling & job placement work done by PosAbilities. I learned later that the PEERS is offered by the Behavioural Intervention arm of PosAbilities\, though it doesn’t seem to be offered regularly\, or thought of as supporting clients in their relationships at work. \n  \nPosAbilities: www.posabilities.ca             604.291.1902   307 – 3680 Hastings Street\, Vancouver \nPEERS:   Laurie Campbell\, lcampbell@sd40.bc.ca                Natalie Hagarty\, nhararty@gmail.com
URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/april-30-2015-meeting-posabilities-peers
LOCATION:PosAbilities\, 307 – 3680 Hastings Street\, Vancouver\, British Columbia\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Employment,Life & Social Skills
ORGANIZER;CN="Laurie Campbell":MAILTO:lcampbell@sd40.bc.ca
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