BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Square Peg Society - ECPv6.18.3.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Square Peg Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Square Peg Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Vancouver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20150308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20151101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20160313T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20161106T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20170312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20171105T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20180311T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20181104T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20190310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20191103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20200308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20201101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20210314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20211107T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE 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:20191114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191115 DTSTAMP:20211019T042617Z CREATED:20201115T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042617Z UID:1173-1573689600-1573775999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting : November 14\, 2019 DESCRIPTION:Meeting on November 14\, 2019 URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-november-14-2019 CATEGORIES:Mental Health,Post-Sec Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20191114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20191115 DTSTAMP:20211019T042646Z CREATED:20191129T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042646Z UID:1170-1573689600-1573775999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Square Peg Society Accessibility Legislation Report Back Nov 2019-Feedback DESCRIPTION: \nSPSAccessibilityLegislationReportBackNov2019-Feedback URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/square-peg-society-accessibility-legislation-report-back-nov-2019-feedback CATEGORIES:Employment,Housing,Mental Health,Post-Sec Education,SPS Business 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;VALUE=DATE:20181017 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20181018 DTSTAMP:20211019T042849Z CREATED:20181106T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T042849Z UID:1166-1539734400-1539820799@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Autism & Employment Conference DESCRIPTION:SPS Summaries of ASD\, Employment & Mental Health Oct 2018 URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/autism-employment-conference CATEGORIES:Employment,Mental Health END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180621 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180622 DTSTAMP:20211025T000742Z CREATED:20180718T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T000742Z UID:1165-1529539200-1529625599@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Bias in Disability- “How Others See You” DESCRIPTION:  \n  \nMeeting Thursday\, June 21\, 2018 \nBias in Disability- “How Others See You” \nSpeakers: Dr. Grace Iarocci & Nicki Scheerer \n  \n  \n  \nDr. Grace Iarocci and Dr. Nikki Scheerer  presented to us their recent research on bias in disability. They are looking at how unconscious and first impressions fairly or unfairly\, contribute to one’s assessment\, and consequently\, treatment of an individual. While this research is in very early stages\, the intention is to direct their findings to improving autism awareness and understanding in the general population\, and particularly in high schools. The hope is that this will decrease the difficulties that individuals with disabilities have with functioning and interacting with others\, and enable us all to move toward a fully inclusive society.  We really appreciate their willingness to share their studies\, even though findings are not yet conclusive. \nThe Structure of the Research Project \nSeventy-seven high school students\, aged 16-19\, 50 female & 27 male\, were asked to view 40 – 10 second video clips of various adolescents\, with and without autism\, being interviewed\, ostensibly\, as applicants to a reality TV show. The 77 participants also were of mixed ethnicities\, and were screened for previous exposure to ASD individuals. These participants were divided into two groups; one group was given an approximately one hour educational presentation prior to seeing the 40 video clips\, the other group was not. After seeing the videos\, the participants were asked to rate the individuals in the videos in terms of various characteristics – attractiveness\, intelligence\, likability\, trustworthiness\, dominance/submissiveness. They also indicated their willingness to live near the individual\, likelihood of hanging out with the individual in their free time\, their level of comfort sitting next to the individual\, and their likelihood of starting a conversation with the individual. \nThe Findings \nOverall\, ASD individuals in the video clips were perceived more negatively than Typically Developing individuals. Furthermore\, the ratings of the group that had received the pre-video educational presentation did not statistically differ from the ratings of the group who did not receive the educational presentation. \nThe Qualifiers \nThis research is in its early stages\, and the findings need to be replicated\, but seem to support the results of the research of Noah Sasson et al (2017). These\, and other studies indicate that negative bias occurs even in very young individuals – it would be interesting to include in future studies\, participants younger and older –a broader range than the high school students in this study. Perhaps high school students are extremely conscious about “fitting in”\, and are therefore are hyper-sensitive to “differentness”\, and are not receptive to friendships with people whom they perceive as being “different”. One of our parents present suggested that future studies include participants in the Faculty of Education at SFU\, in order to test for bias in our future classroom teachers – a suggestion that Grace acknowledged could be possible.  Further consideration also needs to be given to the educational presentation and why it made so little difference in the ratings of the participants. Was it too dry and factual? Too long\, too short? Not visually interesting? We were not shown this educational presentation at our meeting. Understanding if & how education can influence perceptional bias will be key to creating greater general acceptance of individuals with disabilities. Dr. Iarocci plans to work with Autistics United to develop a more sensitive educational presentation for future studies. \nWhat We Learned \n\n“Thin Slicing” – humans make judgments\, after very short exposure to a person or a situation -“first impressions” that are often (but not always) quite accurate. This is almost a survival instinct – a response to a potential or perceived threat. However\, many of us have also experienced situations where our first impressions are incorrect – where we have been impressed by someone who later lets us down\, or where we have failed initially to see qualities in someone we later come to admire.\n\n(Thin-slicing is a term used in psychology to refer to the human ability to find patterns in events based on very quick inferences about characteristics of an individual). \n\nWomen are better than men at making accurate\, quick judgements than men. Very young people\, as well as older individuals\, also make very quick judgements about others.\nMore socially competent individuals are more able to pick out people who are “different”\, but are also less likely to be empathetic towards those who are different.\nFinally\, one of the most significant findings – the social difficulties that an individual experiences\, occur within an interpersonal and social context. This means that approaches to overcoming these difficulties must be not only be directed at the individuals with the disabilities. This turns conventional treatment on its head\, as traditionally\, treatment has been focused on “fixing” the individual. \n\nWhere We Go From Here \n\nBias exists and “Differentness” is interpreted negatively\, in most instances. But can the behaviours that are the response to bias be modified through education? By removing the fear that often accompanies the perception of differentness? How can we achieve this?\nThe finding that bias exists is evidence that when social difficulties occur they are due both to the behaviour of the individual with the disability\, and the behavior of others in their social sphere. Therefore\, solutions should not be imposed upon the individual with the disability\, to make them fit (Square Pegs in Round Holes!). People with disabilities do not want to be pitied\, or made over – ask them what they need to improve their interface with their world. “Nothing about us without us”.\nPeople with disabilities are affected by the negative biases that others hold of them\, and many perceive\, and are hurt by these biases\, which negatively impact their mental health and their ability to function.\nParents also hold biases – and should be given support and training\, as an integral part of the social support circles around individuals with disabilities.\nThe Role of Education. Maybe education for social acceptance and social change is much more complex that we have previously assumed – that it requires many steps and much time\, and is built on much more than information sharing – perhaps a focus empathy building through art\, film\, theatre\, ie\, Theatre of the Oppressed?\n\nWe can help by helping to model and speak out that people with disabilities want a full and meaningful life\, and to continually create opportunities for them to do so. \nDr. Iarocci is a psychology professor at Simon Fraser University (SFU)\, and the Director of the Autism & Developmental Disorders Lab at SFU. Work in the Lab focuses mainly on two streams of basic research: 1) understanding the development of selective attention in humans and the implications for object and social perception\, and 2) understanding atypical development (e.g. autism spectrum disorder-ASD) where there are documented attentional/perceptual processing atypicalities that interfere with some aspects of perception yet facilitate others. Grace is also interested in social competence and the link to mental health and family well-being. \nAppendix \nTips to help you connect with individuals who have ASD. \n\nTry to connect. Social isolation is a big risk for people with ASD. Avoidance makes that worse.\nKeep an open mind. Just because a person struggles to connect does not mean they do not want to. Some people with autism are very social and desire friendships just like everyone else.\nSet aside fears. Remember that ASD does not automatically make a person aggressive. Meltdowns can happen\, but they’re often about being overwhelmed. If your ASD acquaintance is visibly agitated\, merely give them space and time to calm themselves.\nForget social norms and conventions. Repetitive behaviours\, such as hand flapping or noises\, are coping mechanisms — nothing to be concerned about. Remember that eye contact may be difficult for an ASD person. Many ASD people use their body — not words — to communicate. Try not to stare when they do unusual things.\nLook for creative ways to connect. Ask a caregiver for best practice advice for individuals. Speak at a reasonable pace and volume\, and use short sentences. Some children connect with touch\, music or animals. Think non-verbal\, perhaps pictures or flash-cards. Don’t expect an immediate response; it may take time.\nBe aware of sensitivities. Some people with autism are hypersensitive to sounds\, smells or certain physical sensations. Some are exactly the opposite. Ask a caregiver for advice about making the environment comfortable for the person with ASD.\nLet people practice. Reach out and help ASD people practice social interaction. Every child and young adult needs to practice social interaction.\nFoster awareness. Remember your reaction to a person with ASD becomes part of how they see themselves and how others see them.\nAdvocate for more respect and behavioural training supports. Sound the alarm about the lack of services for people\, especially once they hit age 18. Take an active stand against bullying and abuse.\nBe inclusive. Keep in mind that ASD is complex. Focus on more than just a “cure.” Think acceptance and inclusion. Says Iarocci: “It’s not the kind of thing you can fix. You need to be understanding. People with ASD just do things differently.”\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/bias-in-disability-how-others-see-you CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180414 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180415 DTSTAMP:20211019T043243Z CREATED:20180501T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043243Z UID:1162-1523664000-1523750399@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Annual General Meeting on April 14th \, 2018 DESCRIPTION:Annual General Meeting \nSquare Peg Society \nApril 14\, 2018 \nVanCity Meeting Room\, 5064 Kingsway\, Burnaby BC \n  \n\nCall to order: The meeting was called to order at 1:40pm by moderator\, Fred Michael.\n\n  \n\nApproval of minutes: Fred noted that there are no minutes to approve as this is the first formal AGM.\n\n  \n\nDirector’s Report: Joette Heuft reviewed the purpose and particular focus of the Square Peg Society as a non-profit\, volunteer run organization that supports individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The focus is on building independence for those individuals whose disability may be ‘invisible’ and who struggle post-secondary to establish themselves. Joette reviewed the activities of the society and the activities that she has been engaged with. Some examples are organizing meetings and the cooking club\, responding to calls of enquiry about SPS\, and ASD\, participating in roundtable discussions on Employment and Mental Health (Pacific Autism Family Network\, West Coast Child Development)\, preparing and delivering a presentation to the Fraser Health Board of Directors\, and a meeting with Judy Darcy\, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions. The group acknowledged Joette’s outstanding contribution to the development and success of Square Peg Society to date.\n\n  \n\nTreasurer’s Report: Mahmoud Rezaee presented the financial statements for the fiscal year 2016-17. Total revenue was $2427.25 and total expenses were $1256.79 leaving a surplus balance of $1170.46. Discussion followed. Moved by Louvain Chalmers\, seconded by Debra Merchant to accept 2016-7 financial statements as presented. Carried\n\n  \n\nApproval of 2017-18 Budget: Mahmoud Rezaee reviewed the proposed budget and there was some discussion on bank fees – there was a one time cost of $80.87 for cheques – a significant cost\, but this was the minimum order that we could place\, and cheques were needed for paying volunteers for expenses incurred on our behalf. Moved by Sue McIntyre\, seconded by Louvain Chalmers to approve the budget.\n\n  \n\nElection of Board Members: Fred announced that Catherine Alcee will withdraw as Board Member at Large. Thank you to Catherine for her time over the past year. All other members will remain in the same positions:\n\nExecutive Director: Joette Heuft\nTreasurer: Mahmoud Rezaee\nSecretary: Debra Merchant\nMembers at Large: Fred Michael\, Louvain Chalmers\n\n\n\nCharitable status: Fred provided an update on Square Peg Society’s application for charitable status. The timing of the approval process is uncertain. The application was acknowledged in Jan/2018 and is expected to be reviewed in May with possible approval for the fall.\n\n  \n\nNew Societies Act: Square Peg is a non-profit society in BC at present. There is a new Societies Act which we must comply with and it must be complete by Nov 2018. Dianne Simmons will work with Fred on this project as she has experience in this process.\n\n  \n\nNew Business/Project Updates:\n\nWebsite: Joette explained the importance of the website for Square Peg and believes a number of people follow events through the website. It takes time to continue to provide content for it\, and will take funds to expand and improve it. Square Peg is grateful to Mahmoud for the work he has been done. Sue McIntyre will now assume responsibility to answer email enquiries\, and will set up an email address to do so. There was a discussion about the effectiveness of using technology to reach/develop our community\, website interactivity\, and the need for technical support to achieve this. Louvain has consulted a friend who has expertise creating online communities and this person has agreed to advise on website development at a future meeting. Joette would like to start a Facebook page and perhaps initiate other social media activity.\n\n\n\n  \n\nFilm Club: This project\, called REEL Relationships\, is to be piloted over the summer by Aaron. The format is a monthly film (SFU students only) viewing and discussion that will be moderated by SFU grad students (selected by Dr. Grace Iarocci). For the time being the film club will be exclusive to SFU students as it will receive funds from the SFU Student Society. In future\, we would like to open this up to everyone.\n\n  \n\nCooking club: Joette and Sue have been running the cooking club in space provided by Shaughnessy United Church. As the program develops we hope that parents would decrease\, in order to enhance the participants’ sense of independence. Joette proposes to change the format so that sessions are booked in groups of three (eg. May\, June\, July) around a theme. One goal is to encourage bonding through consistency of attendees\, and familiarity with the event. There would be two baking sessions per year as well (Christmas/April). Funding would be helpful to buy equipment and to compensate the volunteer chefs.\n\n  \n\nSocial group: Joette described some of the ideas for the social club that have been tried and the challenges associated with them. Many of our members feel socially isolated\, but struggle with the effort\, skills\, and motivation needed to engage socially. While we feel that this is an important aspect of personal happiness and well-being\, we are unsure of how to make this a success. We all agreed that parents cannot and should not plan or organize social activities on our members’ behalf; however\, the opportunity is there for a young adult to take up the lead\, and we would support this. In addition\, some feel the need for more social engagement – should this be for parents? For families? In response to this discussion\, Fred & Joette will\, once per month\, propose\, a walk\, coffee\, gathering\, or an activity for people to join in on if they wish\, in order to provide an opportunity for people to meet and chat in an informal setting.\n\n  \n\nFunding: There was a general discussion about the need for funding and the hope that it will be easier to secure when Square Peg has charitable status so that donation receipts can be issued. Charitable status also confers credibility to potential donors. Joette would like to be prepared to submit funding requests in advance of receiving charitable status and a personal friend has offered to help identify potential donors. Estimated funds needed for cooking club ($1000)\, film club ($1000)\, website ($5000) and PEERS Program\, or other life skills training program ($30\,000 for 2 sessions for 3 years). The idea of trying ‘Go Fund Me’ was discussed and will be implemented for the film club project. Dianne also suggested that municipal volunteer boards could be a source of volunteer help.\n\n  \n\nAdvocacy: Joette discussed some of her projects to increase awareness of challenges for ASD young adults such as the presentation to the Fraser Health Board and Judy Darcy\, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions. We need someone to assist with the advocacy.\n\n  \n\nSquare Peg Meetings: Joette announced that meetings will decrease from 10 to 6/yr plus a summer picnic and Christmas event. There was discussion of different meeting formats with general consensus to keep things as is. We need help to organize and/or run the meetings. Please think of ideas for meetings and consider volunteering to run one meeting. This will be discussed further at the next Square Peg meeting on April 19\, 2018.\n\n  \n\nMeeting adjourned: the meeting was adjourned at 3:45pm. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/annual-general-meeting-on-april-14th-2018 CATEGORIES: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;VALUE=DATE:20180215 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180216 DTSTAMP:20211025T001005Z CREATED:20180501T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T001005Z UID:1161-1518652800-1518739199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:A Home of My Own\, Part Two DESCRIPTION: February 15\, 2018 \n‘A Home of My Own’\, Part Two \n  \nSpeakers:  Sue McIntyre & Julie Lebrun\, St. Andrew’s United Church\, Multi-Use Church Property  Re-development \n                      Liz & Doug Cochran\, Finding/Developing Integrated Housing for our Adult Children \n  \n St. Andrew’s United Church: The Re-development of Our Church Property   www.sauc.ca \n  \nThe St. Andrew’s Housing Society was formed as part of the redevelopment of St. Andrew’s United Church in Port Moody\, BC. Sue and Julie presented their planning process to date. In addition to a building permit\, a zoning change is also required for this project to proceed\, and the project is currently under review\, awaiting these approvals. \n Vision\, Mission and Values \nChurch members\, in consultation with their congregation\, developed a visual representation of their mission\, vision\, and values in the form of a tree which they used to identify their key values\, which then guided their decision-making. It was emphasized throughout their presentation how important this vision was in helping them remain true to their values throughout the development process and in searching for partner organizations whose values aligned with theirs. \n Development Process \nThe planning process began in 2014 and the project is projected to be ready for occupancy in 2020. St. Andrew’s advises that the planning and realization of this type of project takes time\, and patience needs to be exercised and lots of time allotted to the planning process. The process was described in 6 steps: \n\nMission/Vision: the idea\nFeasibility Study – The Concept Plan\nDetails: the Business Plan\nPreconstruction Phase\nConstruction\nOccupancy\n\nObjectives \n\nCreate a new\, multifunctional\, welcoming space\nAchieve financial sustainability for the Church\nProvide benefits to the surrounding community\nConstruct a high quality building based on sustainable design\n\nIt is interesting to see how well these objectives have translated into the proposed project. Included are a new church for the congregation and shareable space for the surrounding community\, a Children’s Treatment Centre\, and affordable rental housing for families and individuals. Their studies indicated that what the community needed was not condos\, and not expressly seniors’ housing or housing for people with disabilities\, though it can accommodate both. Their intent for their housing was to provide a ‘great place to live in a kind way’. \n Partners \nFinding and developing good partnerships is key to the success of this type of project. While the congregation had land and a long term goal\, it had neither the money nor expertise to move ahead on the project alone. The Church connected with four partners and the role and importance of each was described. \nThe partner organizations are: \n\nUnited Church of Canada BC Conference\nKinsight (formerly Simon Fraser Society for Community Living)\nSHARE Family & Community Services\nCatalyst Community Developments\n\nSignificant support has been provided by the United Church of Canada BC Council and BC Housing. \nMore details on the partners is available at http://www.thefuture2318.com/ \n Proposed New Building \nA schematic of the proposed new building was shown and described; St Andrews is not yet ready to broadly circulate their drawings until they have received their permits. However\, it was inspiring to see how far the vision and values of the congregation\, have taken them from the existing church afloat in a large parking lot\, to the proposed building. Included are a new Church and Church offices and a Children’s Treatment Centre for people with developmental disabilities (this will be jointly owned and operated by Kinsight and SHARE. St. Andrew’s felt that the Treatment Centre\, a permanent partner\, with compatible values\, was preferable to retail units\, which would tend to have a higher rate of turnover\, and which may or may not be good neighbours. Proposed are 55 rental units\, ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units\, owned and managed jointly by the non-profit housing arms of Catalyst and the Church (the Church will own 30-35% of the units). Resisting the pressure to develop condos instead of rental units demonstrates an understanding of the surrounding community and a commitment to St. Andrew’s development vision. Rental income will be used to pay the mortgage and sustain the Church. Professional property managers will be engaged for the day to day running of the building. \n Project Financing \nVarious partner organizations have contributed financially to the project throughout the developmental process (see 6 steps above). The Church’s primary assets were their land\, and a dedicated community willing to give of their time to work on this project. Careful selection of Partners connected the Church to development expertise and money. St. Andrew’s emphasized that they could not have undertaken this project alone. \n\nMission/Vision: St. Andrew’s Church\nFeasibility Study This cost approximately $20\,000\, provided by the United Church of Canada\, VanCity Credit Union\nBusiness Plan: St. Andrew’s\, UCC\, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)\, Catalyst Community Developments\nPreconstruction Phase: predevelopment loan from BC Housing\nConstruction: Church land transfer\, BC Housing\nOccupancy: take out financing\n\nWho Will Live There \nThe process for applying/selecting occupants for the units has not yet been decided. The rental rates for the 51 units may vary but will average about 15% below market rates. The 4 units reserved for people with developmental disabilities will be rented and managed by Kinsight at the monthly housing allowance rate for PWD. \n Lessons Learned \nJulie and Sue summarized their learning about the re-development process to date\, and advise others as follows: \n\nStay true to the vision\nDevelop guidelines for decision-making\nBuild a communication strategy\nCommunicate constantly; using different media and being inclusive of all stakeholder groups (eg. neighbours)\nDon’t do it alone; each partner brings something that makes it work\n\nHow to Help \nThe congregation of St. Andrew’s United Church is a relatively small group (70 people) and welcomes community support and involvement. One opportunity is to attend the upcoming public hearing at Port Moody City Council. The date of this hearing has not yet been announced. \n  \nFinding/Developing Integrated Housing for our Adult Children \nLiz Cochran is a co-founder of Vancouver Transition Parents\, a parent support group working hard to share information around the support of people with disabilities transitioning to adulthood and their families. Liz and Doug Cochran also represent a small group of Vancouver parents seeking to provide long term housing for their adult children with disabilities. This group evolved from common interest as their sons were part of a ball hockey league\, and the parents began to talk about housing for them a bit further into the future. From a larger initial group\, three families have come together over the past two years to find a solution and are ready to invite other Vancouver families interested in joining them on this project. \nThey identified some of the same issues that Julie and Sue described – the considerable amount of time that is required to define a vision/goals so that one knows what to look for\, and finding compatible partners. They formed a non-profit society as a basis for connecting with potential partners\, one of which\, \nthe Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion (BACI)\, has come aboard with this project. BACI would buy some or all of the proposed building\, manage it\, and perhaps offer some life skills programs\, such as cooking classes. In addition to engaging an architect\, Anthony Bonni\, the group has considered various building designs\, has liaised with VanCity about financial strategies (families would put in money) and has met with Terra Housing to figure out what was possible and what they really wanted. \nThis group is looking for a Vancouver location for their young adults\, as this is where they live\, and where their kids grew up. However\, as you can imagine\, the high cost of housing in Vancouver has made finding a site challenging. Yet\, as this is where they also live\, and want to be close to their kids\, and believe that their children ‘have the right to live in the community where they grew up’. \nImportant aspects of their housing vision: \n\nA mixed community which would include a variety of people of ages\, ethnicity\, and ability\nTo avoid being perceived as a “building where disabled people live”\, they feel that they would like to limit the number of people with developmental disabilities to 50% of the building’s population\, though their view of this has evolved over time\, and is not necessarily fixed.\nThey would like to offer a combination of living arrangements.\nThey will also be developing a mechanism to enable individuals to move out\, as they recognize that circumstances in the lives of everyone\, including the lives of their kids\, may change.\nThe inclusion of communal social area important.\nProximity to transit\, shopping and recreational activities is important.\nSome things\, such as parking space or garden areas are less important\, and may be reduced in area from what would be included in other buildings.\n\nLiz’s group feels that buying an existing building and renovating it\, is their most feasible option\, both in terms of time and money\, and have looked at a number of older apartment buildings. They think that a building of 10-16 units would be appropriate for them\, but so far have not found anything that would meet their needs. They have also noted that without an actual building it is challenging to develop a working relationship with the housing “players” in the city\, such as BC Housing/City of Vancouver\, or to get solid commitments from other parents who also need housing solutions for their adult children. They also have realized that\, when they do find a building\, they will have to contend with existing tenants who will have to be bought out\, or who may not want to leave. \nAn organizational framework that they are considering is the idea of ‘life leases’ where a member of the group would purchase the use of their accommodation in the building. Lessees would pay in and live in the building until they choose to move\, or until their death\, with the next person moving in paying the departing lessee or their estate the use purchase fee. Essentially\, lessees would buy a ‘right’ to inhabit and use part of the building. Any increase in value would be shared by members. \n Advice to other groups wanting to undertake similar projects \n\nRealize housing projects take time\nLook at lots of projects/buildings to get ideas\nFind experts in the not-for-profit organizations\nMake meetings fun\nPartner with a service provider with experience and expertise in housing.\n\nLiz’s presentation left me puzzling over possible solutions to finding a building. I have difficulty seeing the City of Vancouver permitting the development of a multiple unit building in a single family zone\, even if their 10-16 inhabitants were housed in only 5 suites. An existing large single family house\, however\, could be re-designed with four or five bedrooms with bathrooms and a large common area\, with possibly a laneway house for a support worker to live in. This scenario implies that the building would need to appear as a single family building\, and not as a building with multiple front doors. I am also wondering if a relationship with a developer and/or the City of Vancouver could be pursued where families belonging to groups such as Liz’s could be given the option to purchase 3 or 4 adjacent suites in a new condo development at the design phase\, when the plan is still in flux\, which could then be re-worked to meet the needs of the young adults to be housed. This would likely involve the City offering a density bonus\, and/or allowing the reduction in the number of required parking spaces. Another possibility would be to cultivate relationships with the owners/property managers of older apartment buildings\, and ask to be alerted to any vacancies of apartments. The group could then begin to “assemble” units in the building\, providing incentives to tenants in a given suite to move other units in the building\, so that the group can gather units together to renovate them to meet the needs of their members. What would likely make this work would be the offer of the group to provide some building improvement capital\, and possibly to upgrade the suites of those tenants that have agreed to re-locate to another unit in the building. Finally\, what about further expanding upon the laneway house concept\, and instead of thinking about housing our kids together in a single building\, looked at housing them together in a neighbourhood? For example\, if 3 adjacent single family houses could be found either with aging home owners\, or home owners needing a mortgage helper\, laneway houses which could accommodate two individuals in each could be built on each of the 3 lots. If these were developed at the same time\, there could be significant design\, permitting\, and building savings. To make this really work would require that these laneway houses be either strata titled or given something like a long-term lease\, to ensure the security of housing that these individuals would need. Making them zero lot line units would make more efficient use of the land. However\, these might be hard to achieve in terms of permits. This grouped laneway house scenario could also allow the pooling of support worker hours\, if supported individuals were housed close together\, in the same neighbourhood. \nWe wish Liz and Doug and their other members well with this project and look forward to future updates. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/a-home-of-my-own-part-two CATEGORIES:Housing 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;VALUE=DATE:20170420 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170421 DTSTAMP:20211025T001432Z CREATED:20170503T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T001432Z UID:1159-1492646400-1492732799@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Challenges & Successes in College & University DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Dr. Rashmeen Nirmal \nDr. Nirmal is a Registered Psychologist working in the British Columbia Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN) at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics\, Faculty of Medicine\, at UBC. Her clinical focus\, while working in Canada and the United States\, has been on the assessment and treatment of children\, teens\, and young adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities\, with a specialization in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her research interests include postsecondary supports for young adults with ASD\, executive functioning in the workplace for individuals with ASD\, and social supports for teens and young adults with ASD. Dr. Nirmal completed her M.A. and Ph.D. at UBC\, and she is a certified PEERS provider. \nDr. Nirmal’s dissertation on the experiences of ASD adults with post-secondary education is one of very few explorations into this subject. She emphasized the need for more research in this area. Her study was small\, only 12 subjects\, 9 males and 3 females. Most were undergraduate students\, between the ages of 18-20. The study included a follow-up interview for each subject\, to correct\, clarify the information gathered. \nMany ASD students have the intellectual capability of undertaking post-secondary course work\, and surveys of younger ASD students often indicate an interest in attending college or university\, yet actual enrollment is often lower than would be expected. One study of 680 ASD adults found that only 34.7 % attended a post-secondary institution. In addition\, many have several false starts\, or end up not completing a post-secondary program. In short\, many ASD students should do well at university or college\, but don’t. \nWhat the reasons for this? Here are some: \n\nA lack of social interaction & communication skills\, including a poor ability to interpret nonverbal cues.\nDifficulty finding common and shared interests. A predisposition to being obsessive or narrow in choice of interests. This laser-like ability to focus on a particular interest or area of study can also be an advantage\, especially at later stages in a degree program\, but can be seen to be socially rigid.\nRomantic relationships – ASD students may be developmentally delayed in this area\, which may make them feel odd or out of place\, or sometimes may lead to inappropriate relationships or behavior.\nSome students may find the lack of fixed\, rigid structures at University disconcerting.\nVestibulary discomfort; some may find the sounds\, smells\, textures\, over-whelming.\nLevel of Adaptive behavior functioning; there may be a wide gap between their cognitive functioning and adaptive functioning (the ability to independently carry out daily living activities).\nInability to be effective self-advocates.\nPresence of psychiatric co-morbidities\, especially anxiety and depression. These occur in 65% of adults with ASD.\nLevel of executive functioning – many find it difficult to organize and plan their time\, and to shift from one activity to another.\n\n8 Broad Themes emerged in Dr. Nirmal’s study: \n\nManagement of Academic Expectations: How well the student can organize his or her time\, work toward deadlines\, establish priorities\, shift from one task to another.\nThe Experience of Support: Does the student feel supported by professors\, by campus support organizations\, by community or global supports (church\, community centers\, mentors\, i.e.\, Temple Grandin)? Do they feel that they are supported by like-minded peers?\nManagement of ASD and related symptoms: Does the student’s preference for routine help to focus their attention on the task at hand\, or do their restricted interests distract them from course work? Are they able to find ways of coping with sensory dysregulation – for example\, finding places to work which do not overwhelm their senses?\nThe Influence of Past Experiences: Are past elementary or high school academic or social experiences an impediment to current and future experience?\nA Sense of Appreciation: To what extent does the student feel that they are respected by the professors and surrounded by like-minded peers – do they appreciate the more mature college or university environment?\nUnderstanding of ASD – their own understanding of themselves and the degree to which they fee understood by others. Some may feel that others do not understand their disability\, and may see any accommodations that they receive as allowing them to “slack off”\, whereas some may not take advantage of accommodations as they are in denial about having ASD\, or fear that accepting accommodation will separate them from their classmates.\nManagement of the Transition: Has the student been fully prepared for the transition from the structured high school environment to the much less structured college/university environment? Do they know how to function without the presence of a Special Education Assistant? Can they navigate the University system of registration\, websites\, forms and regulations?\nSocial Implications: Is the student understanding of and prepared to enter a new social world? Are they comprehending the threshold between their desire/ambitions for their future with uncertainty about that future? Do they recognize the need to initiate social interactions on their own\, or differently than in the past? Can they find social outlets outside of college or university or online where they might find smaller\, club based or special interest activities or events.\n\nWhat are the implications for practice and practitioners working with ASD individuals who attend or intend to attend college or university? \nIntensive intervention should be available to these individuals in the following areas: \n\nSocial skills training is required to prepare them for collaborative work and relationships in college and beyond.\nAdaptive behavior training and experience\, including through volunteer work and work placements\nExecutive functioning training to help them to organize themselves and to prioritize their work.\nOngoing mental health monitoring and treatment.\nTake it slow – understand that completing college or university will take longer than for a neurotypical student – and that building self-confidence and succeeding slowly is preferable to becoming overwhelmed and failing.\nMake use of accommodations and helpful technologies such as “smart pens” for note taking. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-thursday-april-20-2017 CATEGORIES:Post-Sec Education END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170401 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170402 DTSTAMP:20211025T001708Z CREATED:20170425T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T001708Z UID:1158-1491004800-1491091199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:SPS General Meeting DESCRIPTION:What We Are & What We Do:                                                                                                                   \nSquare Peg Society is a non-profit volunteer group\, (we do not have CRA Charitable status)\, formed by parents in October 2014\, to support ASD adults and their families. \nOur particular niche is the support of people who aspire to become independent\, self-supporting adults. We focus\, therefore\, on issues related to achieving independence – pursuing post-secondary education & employment\, finding housing\, developing life skills\, such as cooking\, cleaning\, & money management\, and building the social skills necessary for forming respectful & enduring personal & professional relationships. \nSquare Peg Society offers our individuals and their families: \n\nInformation pertaining to the above areas of focus\nEmotional support\nAlliances with funded service agencies\, with whom we may partner to host meetings or to provide workshops on issues of common interest (RWA\, Healthy Sexuality Workshop\, Cooking Club\, Peers)\nAdvocacy to promote government policy change.\n\nNotice of Upcoming Meetings:                                                                                                 \nApril 20                                 ASD & Post-Secondary Education: Experiences & Challenges of College & \nUniversity (Rashmeen Nirmal\, UBC Psychiatry) \nMay 18                                 A Best Practice Model to Hang our Hat On (Louvain Chalmers) \nJune 15                                 Social Inclusion: A Round Table Discussion \nJuly 20                                   Parents /ASD Individuals Share Experiences (interest in a parents’ weekend away in the fall?) \nSept 21                                 Advocacy \nPlease send me your suggestions as to future topics. \nVoted in 2 Board Members:                                                                                                        \nThere are 7 position Board positions. Two new members were voted in: Debra Merchant for Secretary\, Nicole Jinn\, Member at Large \nRecap: 1) Joette\, President\, 2) Louvain\, VP\, 3) Mahmoud\, Treasurer\, 4) Debra Merchant\, Secretary  5) Nicole Jinn\, Member at Large Position 1 6) Catherine Alcee\, Member at Large Position  2\, 7) Fred Michael\, Member at Large Position 3. \n                Up for re-election 2018: President\, Treasurer\, Member at Large Position 2 (Catherine) \nUp for re-election 2019: V.President\, Secretary\, Member at Large Position 1 (Nicole)\, Member at Large Position 3 (Fred). \nMoney:                                                Mahmoud\, Treasurer                                                     \nMahmoud:  We have a VanCity business account for non-Profit societies. Currently\, we have $ 1\,284.37 in our account. Mahmoud ‘s recommendation is that we use PayPal for prepayment on any of our events. PayPal charges a service charge 2.9% + a fixed charge of $0.30. Paypal charges\, for example\, for each $13.50 cooking club payment\, a $0.69 fee. \nWould this be less if we were a Registered Charity? What is the record keeping that we would need to do\, if charitable status is received\, and what is involved with having an annual audit\, and who would do this? Fred is to report back on these items. \nWe need additional funds to increase our profile and visibility in the community\, to increase our membership\, and to have more say in programs we work on with partners (as a paying partner)\, and to occasionally run our own programs\, when no program exists that would be a fit for our membership. \nThere was agreement on raising funds for Website/IT assistance. Mahmoud can help with some of our objectives\, but Peter put forward the name of Alan Colquhoun\, as a candidate for website assistance. \n“Alan Colquhoun (arcolq@gmail.com)  is currently employed as a software contractor at SAP. Alan has also had experience working as a self-employed web designer. I described some of the improvements that you were hoping to make on the SPS website like having a donation button and a membership button. Alan asked me to forward his name and email address in case you are interested in using his services at some point.” \nFollowing is my list of technology items that need to be done:  Add Membership & Donate Now button to the website. A bolder\, more flexible version of our logo is needed\, so that it can be scaled up or down to fit into the formats of others when we are co-hosting programs or events with others. Start a Square Peg Facebook page. Help with posters for events.  VanCity has offered us advertising space on their digital board; I have an idea for this\, but it needs to be developed. Mahmoud is to prepare a rough budget as to what these items would cost. \nI would like to use some of the existing funds for the following: honorariums/gifts for speakers ($275 per year)\, honorariums/gifts for cooking club guest chefs ($275 per year)\, and meeting snacks ($120 per year).  We could also consider business cards\, and/or pens\, fridge magnets\, memory sticks with our logo on it? Should we spend money on social activity fees and expenses? I would like to raise $1000.00/year for these items. \nThe idea of a paid position was also raised\, to provide continuity with Board transitions\, and so that there is consistency of service beyond a given Board or board member. My concern is that a paid position might provide a disincentive to others who might otherwise consider volunteering. However\, the job is now too big to be mostly a one-person job. We should\, at least\, define what tasks could be assigned to a paid position\, and how many hours would be allotted to that job. \nRaising funds for particular programs was also discussed – specifically\, PEERS…I will describe this later\, and will include the pricing on the PEERS concept. \nWe need your feedback as to what to spend money on\, be it PEERS or other life skills programs\, so that we can target our fundraising to these projects. \nMoney:                                                Fred\, Fundraising                                                            \nFred is to report back to the membership\, by the week of April 17th\, on the pros & cons of\, and the process of pursuing charitable status. Note previous vote a year ago not to pursue charitable status; members did not want the record-keeping burden and limitations on time spent on advocacy that charitable status would require. Not having charitable status limits our ability to apply for gaming money or other grants\, as funding organizations are not willing to provide funds to groups who have not been “vetted” by the charitable organizations application process.  Also\, not having charitable status renders us not equal players at the table when trying to initiate programs. Can we get someone who has successfully done this to speak to this? \nFred is also to identify 2 potential sources of funds. Who will help with specific grant proposal applications? \nMembership:                                                                                                                                                    \nWithout a bigger documented membership\, and without being better able to demonstrate our value\, we will not be able to make a case for grants and gaming funds\, and without these we will not be seen as a legitimate player at the table for programs\, and information networks. \nWe need each of you to sign up some members; they need not come to all meetings\, they need not be on the Spectrum\, but only understanding and empathetic to our cause.  See attached membership form. We need a Square Peg member to volunteer to be our first point of contact\, who would direct people to the appropriate member. \nSocial Club:                                                                                                                        \nAs a result of discussion at the meeting\, it was agreed that the social events should be Aspie-centric; that is\, excluding parents\, and planned by adults (young & older) on the Spectrum. Invited guests\, not on the Spectrum would also be welcome. For the time being\, the last Saturday of the month will be the targeted time (but other days are possible) for the social event\, and a preference for activities “out in community” was favoured over in-house activities. The thinking is that a variety of activities to capture diverse interests is preferred\, as is a Friday or Saturday evening to give everyone a feeling of a “weekend night out”. \n Natalie & Aaron are going to take the lead on this\, under Peter’s guidance. Aaron is going to present to Peter’s meetup group (when?)\, in the hope of some cross-pollination between groups. The revised social group is to present their activity plan to me two weeks in advance of the social club evening\, in order for me to put together a poster and circulate it. \nIn addition we will plan an all-ages family Christmas and a summer picnic each year. \nPlease provide Aaron & Natalie with your suggestions as to activities for the social events. \n  \nCooking Club:                    Led by Sue & Joette                                                                                       \nConcept: Roughly\, 3rd Sunday of the month. For the present we are trying out Sunday late afternoon\, early evening\, at PAFC in Richmond. The goals for this activity are both social & Life-skills development through preparing and sharing a meal together. Participants will cover the cost of the food (approx. $12.00 per person + PayPal charge). Preference given to the young adults –Older adults will be limited to 2 – parent volunteers plus the guest chef. Participants need to be 17+\, must be able to handle a knife safely\, and able to work in a group for 2-3 hours. \nYour suggestions. Do you know of chefs or hobby chefs or would you\, be prepared to lead the cooking a few times per year? \nAdvocacy:                                           \nAutism Spectrum Adults and the families who support them must be afforded the dignity and respect that every British Columbian deserves\, and given the services that they need to become independent\, contributing adults. We support the position put forward in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities\, which was adopted in December\, 2006\, and will work toward its implementation.   \nhttps://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html \n“The Convention follows decades of work by the United Nations to change attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. It takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as “objects” of charity\, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as “subjects” with rights\, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society. \nThe Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit\, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights and areas where their rights have been violated\, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.” \nWe encourage advocacy for our ASD individuals\, based upon the following points: \nA Call for Adequate & Appropriate Funding & Services for Autism Spectrum Adults in British Columbia \n\nFunding and services are needed for Aspergers and High Functioning Autistic adults in BC.\nMental health services should be available by need\, not determined by diagnosis.\nPrograms for ASD individuals must recognize that roughly half of ASD individuals have average or above average intelligence.\nDiagnosis should be paid for up front by government\, including psycho-educational assessments\, regardless of the age of the individual.\nPrior to becoming adults\, Students in Public Schools in British Columbia must be given life and social skills training throughout their school life by instructors knowledgeable about Autism Spectrum Disorders. Transition to Adulthood training should commence in high school. Special Education Assistants (SEAs) need to be qualified through a certification program\, and paid commensurate with their knowledge and experience.\nASD adults who did not receive early diagnosis and intervention must be given supplemental assistance as they age and in retirement in recognition that the lack of services provided to them has resulted in reduced well-being and earning potential throughout their lives.\n\nPeter has done some excellent research that provides statistical backing to some of the above points. Please his findings attached. ACT has also prepared a video called “The Essentials of Advocacy” – here is the link to the video:  \nhttp://www.actcommunity.ca/education/videos/the-essentials-of-advocacy-a-parents-guide/ \nSquare Peg is also planning a meeting\, September 21\, 2017\, on Advocacy\, in order to push this agenda further. \nAnyone else interested in working on this? \nPEERS:                                  Proposed partnership of several\, including PosAbilities\, PAFN\, ACT \nAll too often we are hearing from families that depression\, anxiety and stress around the ability to “fit in” and difficulties forming social relationships is an impediment in our people’s lives. We are noting that social facility is key to happiness and success in work\, school and life. \nOur ASD adults frequently feel socially isolated. This sense of isolation is caused by several factors\, two of which are 1) a lack of opportunity\, and 2) a lack of social skills. Both of these need to be addressed. The PEERS workshop primarily addresses the lack of social skills\, but also examines ways to increase the number of social opportunities. PEERS is a social skills training – a path to understanding and practicing a wide range of social skills across a wide range of social situations. \nConcept: 16 week evidence -based social skills training\, developed by Elizabeth Laugeson\, UCLA. With 2 facilitators. Projected cost per participant is $200 per person (including coach/support person). This group is based upon 8-10 closely matched 19-30 year olds. The amount to be raised to run this program would be $34\,000\, based upon 2 workshops per year for 3 years. The intention is to follow up with a bi-monthly “Reflection Café” with a facilitator\, for a nominal drop in fee. One session to be east side\, another session to be at PAFC in Richmond. \nThe Program \nPEERS – Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for young adults between the ages of 18-30\, is a 16-week evidence-based social skills intervention for motivated young adults\, who are interested in learning skills to make and keep friends and develop romantic relationships. During each group session\, young adults are taught important social skills and are given the opportunity to practice these skills. \nPEERS was developed at UCLA by Elizabeth Laugeson (See: “The Science of Making Friends: Helping Socially Challenged Teens and Young Adults”. Our training will also be a 16 week training\, using PEERS support material\, and will be led by a PEERS trained facilitator\, with two Square Peg Society assistant facilitators. The group will be limited to 10 individuals between the ages of 18-30\, who are willing to commit to meeting one per week for 16 weeks\, and to engage in some practice of the techniques between sessions. A parent or support person will also be asked to attend a support group each of the 16 weeks\, run in parallel to the participants’ sessions. The support group is intended to offer the participants feedback and practice between sessions. \nSome of the topics to be covered are: \n\nHow to use appropriate conversational skills\nHow to take directives from employers\nHow to present your needs\, expectations to employers\nHow to find common interests by trading information\nHow to appropriately use humor\nHow to enter and exit conversations\nHow to be a good host during get-togethers\nHow to choose appropriate friends\nHow to be a good sport\nHow to handle arguments and disagreements\nHow to develop dating etiquette skills\n\nIs this a workshop that you would participate in? Would you be interested in a similar workshop for 30+ years of age? \nOther Lifeskills Workshp Ideas: \nThese are likely to be run at PAFN. Saturday chores & movie – laundry\, ironing\, sewing on a button\, etc; All things digital – changing clocks\, hooking up dvd/cd players\, etc. Your suggestions? \nOther help needed:                       \nEmployment: Who can act as a liason between employment service agencies and our families? \nEducation: A future project – who can act as a liason between post-secondary institutions and our families? URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/general-meeting-april-1-2017 CATEGORIES:SPS Business END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20170322T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20170322T210000 DTSTAMP:20211025T001812Z CREATED:20211009T015328Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T001812Z UID:1671-1490209200-1490216400@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Looking Beyond Autism: Treating Anxiety\, Depression & OCD in ASD Individuals DESCRIPTION:Guest: Dr. Anthony Bailey\, Phd\, Chair\, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry\, UBC \nFollowing from ACT’s webinar Part 2: Looking Beyond  Autism: Treating Anxiety\, Depression & OCD in children & youth with ASD\, we are continuing to explore the co-existence of these mental health conditions with Autism. As our focus\, at Square Peg\, is on the adult population\, we are interested in which of the treatments discussed are applicable to adults\, and which existing programs might be effective\, accessible and affordable for our ASD individuals. \nWe will view Part 4 of the Webinar\, Dr. Bailey’s segment on Depression & ASD\, and Parts 5 & 6\, with panelists\, Georgina Robinson\, of POPPARD\, and David Batstone\, Phd\, R.Psychologist. We would encourage you to view also\, Part 1\, Deborah Pugh’s introduction\, Part 2\, with Melanie McConnell\, Phd\, R. Psychologist in Neuropsychiatry at BC Children’s Hospital\, speaking on Anxiety & ASD\, and Part 3\, David Worling\, R.Psychologist\, Westcoast Child Development\, speaking on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & ASD. Please see link below: \nThe subject of Depression is particularly relevant — it is pervasive\, 1 in 2 people will experience depression at least once in their lifetime\, and approximately 25% of ASD individuals have experienced Depression. Also\, it tends to emerge in puberty or later\, therefore\, particularly affects our Square Peg population. \nWe will reserve an hour for you to pose questions to Dr. Bailey. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/looking-beyond-autism-treating-anxiety-depression-ocd-in-asd-individuals CATEGORIES:Mental Health END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170322 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170323 DTSTAMP:20211025T002051Z CREATED:20170425T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211025T002051Z UID:1157-1490140800-1490227199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Looking Beyond Autism - Dr. Anthony Bailey DESCRIPTION:Treating Anxiety\, Depression & OCD in ASD Individuals \nGuest:   Dr. Anthony Bailey\, Phd\, Chair\, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry\, UBC                                                                                                         \nThis meeting was our follow-up from ACT’s webinar Part 2: Looking Beyond Autism: Treating Anxiety\, Depression & OCD in children & youth with ASD\, we are continuing to explore the co-existence of these mental health conditions with Autism. \nDr. Bailey’s presentation at our meeting was based on his segment at this above conference\, Part 4\, on Depression & ASD. Part 1 was ACT’s Deborah Pugh’s introduction\, and Part 2\, was Melanie McConnell\, Phd\, R. Psychologist in Neuropsychiatry at BC Children’s Hospital\, speaking on Anxiety & ASD\, and Part 3\, was David Worling\, R.Psychologist\, Westcoast Child Development\, speaking on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & ASD.   Parts 5 & 6\, featured  panelists\, Georgina Robinson\, of POPPARD\, and David Batstone\, Phd\, R.Psychologist. Please see link below: \nhttp://www.actcommunity.ca/education/mentalhealth/treating/ \nOur focus\, at Square Peg\, is on the adult population – we are interested in which of the treatments discussed are applicable to adults\, and which existing programs might be effective\, accessible and affordable for our ASD individuals. \nWhat was presented: \nThe subject of depression is particularly relevant – it is pervasive\, 1 in 2 people will experience depression at least once in their lifetime\, and approximately 25% of ASD individuals have experienced depression. The rate of occurrence of anxiety is even higher – 50 -60% of ASD individuals have also experienced significant anxiety. These conditions tend to emerge in puberty or later. There is a genetic component – ASD individuals have family members with a history of a mental health disorder. While several studies indicate that these mental health disorders occur more frequently at the higher functioning end of the autism spectrum\, others conclude that this finding is due to the inability of the lower functioning population to express their symptoms\, which therefore go undiagnosed\, and untreated. \nThese co-morbid mental health issues interfere with all aspects of a person’s life – with their ASD treatments\, with schooling\, homelife\, and overall quality of life. Often anxiety and depression are missed in ASD individuals\, either because the symptoms do not present in the same way as in the neurotypical population and/or because ASD individuals may not self-report in a typical manner. \nAnxiety \nSome anxiety in life is normal but it is pathological when it is disproportionate to the stimulus\, and prolonged. This occurs for a variety of reasons in different individuals – a lack of social understanding\, uncertainty around or resistance to change\, impaired imagination resulting in an inability to imagine other outcomes\, impaired cognitive coping strategies\, and a biological predisposition to anxiety. The consequences range from fairly moderate to extreme\, and include over-preoccupation with issues or circumstances\, avoidance of situations or issues\, fatigue/irritability\, poor sleep\, impaired executive functioning\, physiological impairments\, low mood\, and even psychosis. \nApproaches to treating anxiety include: \n\nchanging the anxiety producing environment\nstress management\, distraction\ngraduated exposure to the stress-provoking stimuli\ncognitive strategies\, such as breaking down a situation logically & rationally\, particularly\, Cognitive Behavourial Therapy – CBT- an approach with which Dr. Bailey likes for its practicality\, and with which he has had success. While there are many self-help books that employ CBT techniques\, people tend not to use them long enough. Most people seem to need a guide through this process. (However\, it was brought to my attention that the problem with non-specific CBT programs is that the ASD tends not to be understood or addressed. To make these programs more effective would be to have a mental health clinician work with the ASD individual in the program\, and/or to adapt the CBT program to accommodate the needs of the ASD. Also\, using CBT in conjunction with other “therapy” methods (e.g.\, psychodynamic) would be more effective.\nvigorous exercise (in which the heart rate is raised for more than 1/2hr\, for at least 3 times per week)\nMindfulness techniques/programs\nMedication   Bailey does not prescribe benzodiazanpines (habituating)\, but along with others prescribes SSRIs – serotonin reactive uptake inhibitors.\nOne-on-one psychotherapy. Dr. Bailey emphasized that this is not a quick fix undertaking\, but rather\, about 5 years from his 1st meeting with a patient.\n\nDepression \nDepression is usually co-morbid with anxiety. Some of the usual indicators may be absent\, but are likely to include some of the following: social withdrawl\, unhappy or flat facial expression\, prosody\, low mood\, negative cognitions\, irritability\, and decreased activity level. Depression can be genetic and/or caused by environmental factors such as bullying\, social isolation\, academic failure\, perception of arrested development\, an uncertain future. \nApproaches to treating depression include: \n\nChanging the environment\nCBT\nVigorous exercise\nMedication\nECT (Electric Convulsive Treatment – shock therapy)\n\nObsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) \nOCD symptoms are similar to those of the typically developing ASD population\, and therefore\, may be hard to tease out. They are likely to be OCD when the cognitions/behaviours become paralyzing – for example when an individual feels compelled to rewash all of their dishes at 2am. \nApproaches to treating OCD include: \n\nCBT which focuses on the causes of the observed behavior\nMedication – higher doses of SSRIs.\n\nAs to the question of inadequate supports for programs and treatment for ASD individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions – Dr. Bailey placed the onus of this squarely back in our court\, claiming that any advocacy in this area would be perceived by government\, as a vested interest on his part\, and that parents and ASD adults\, en masse\, have the post power to pressure politicians. When asked about research and data gathering to support our case for more support\, he cited …..studies underway…. \nHis focus is research and his clinical practice\, and he did not seem to be engaged with programs outside of this. He noted that professionals are looking for treatable conditions\, while parents are focused on unrealized potential. \nAs to group programs which might be of benefit to ASD individuals\, at a more affordable cost than private therapy\, Dr. Bailey favoured Mindfulness and CBT programs in combination with one-on-one psychological therapy\, but noted that the ASD individual must be able and motivated to participate in a group program. We did not have the time\, and Dr. Bailey did not seem to want to examine existing group programs and their efficacy for ASD individuals\, perhaps\, their success may depend on many factors\, such as the individual facilitators and the participants of a group in a given session. Finally\, Dr. Bailey noted that\, for programs for adults to succeed\, the ASD adults involved must be motivated to participate\, or to make the changes asked of them. This was discussed in relation to social programs for people on the spectrum. \nMany of our members felt re-assured by Dr. Bailey’s gentle reminder that the timeline of our individuals and families is\, by virtue of the ASD diagnosis\, longer – that we cannot examine our progress toward our life goals in light of the developmental stages of neurotypical individuals. However\, he emphasized that growth in self-awareness\, learning\, and progress toward personal goals is entirely possible. He stressed that parents need to be persistent\, and parents\, professionals\, and ASD adults need to be patient. This longer time frame\, he believes\, is offset by all of us today living longer life spans\, and attention should be given to living well & healthily. \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-march-22-2017-looking-beyond-autism-dr-anthony-bailey CATEGORIES:Mental Health END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170119 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170120 DTSTAMP:20211019T043902Z CREATED:20170425T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043902Z UID:1156-1484784000-1484870399@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting: January 19\, 2017 ASD & Mental Health- Canadian Mental Health\, Echo Program DESCRIPTION:We are seeing that people with ASD experience mental health issues such as stress\, anxiety and depression\, at greater rates than the general population. Often these conditions have a greater negative impact on their lives than does autism. We are exploring which programs exist which might be effective\, accessible and affordable for ASD individuals. \nSpeakers:   Kelsey Millar\, Vocational Coordinator\, Canadian Mental Health Association \n                    kelsey.millar@cmha.bc.ca \n                     Brittany Borean\, Program Coordinator\, ECHO program\, CMHA \nThe ECHO Clubhouse philosophy includes recovery\, wellness and personal responsibility. ECHO’s goal is to encourage greater community involvement and connections for young adults\, 19-35 years old\, who are living with\, or recovering from a mental illness. Programs are tailored to an individual’s needs and goals\, which might include employment\, education\, housing\, and/or social connection. Regular activities include a games night\, bowling\, movie nights\, wellness classes\, are\, cooking\, and then sharing a meal together. ECHO is operated as a drop-in program. \nProspective participants are required to attend an orientation session\, followed by a meeting with Kelsey. They are also required to have a community referral (contact ECHO for further info). Participants must be residents of Burnaby. This restriction was frustrating to our membership\, who live throughout the Lower Mainland. Ways to “get around” this restriction were discussed\, but no resolution found. \nKelsey has interest and training in vocational counselling\, and can assist individuals with career planning through a program called “career cruising”. \nThe Clubhouse is run by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Vancouver-Fraser Branch\, and has two sites: \nEdmonds: 604.526.9606\, 109 – 7355 Canada Way \nGilmore: 604.291.8846\, 501-4190 Lougheed Hwy \nOther Resources: \nYouth Mindfulness Group\, YMCA of Greater Vancouver\, Sarah Blackmore\, MA\, RCC \nT: 604-673-6175\nE: sarah.blackmore@gv.ymca.ca \nVideo:  YMCA Youth Mindfulness Group   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADRmuz4qznA&feature=youtu.be \nA mindfulness-based group for youth ages 18-30 who experience anxiety. This is a 7-week support group that meets one evening a week in a safe and friendly environment. This group is both psycho-educational and experiential and is grounded in the principles of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness. Another benefit is that participants receive a complimentary YMCA gym membership. There are 2-3 intakes per year\, with locations in Vancouver & Surrey. Apply now to be put on a wait list. \nEach group can accept 12 participants with two facilitators\, each with Clinical Counselling degrees at a Masters level. This program is fully funded at present\, and therefore\, the program is offered at no cost to participants. Another benefit is that participants will receive a complimentary YMCA gym membership. Following an information session\, prospective participants will be asked to fill out forms and undergo an intake interview. Some applicants may be referred to other services\, if the program facilitators find that his or her needs cannot be best served in this program. \nTo register please email: youthmindfulness@gv.ymca.ca \nBurnaby Mental Health \nMental Health Team\, Burnaby 604.453.1900 ext 531935 Sarah \nPsychiatric\, one to one\, and group counselling are offered to adults 19 and over. A doctor’s referral is required. –  There are two group streams: Rapid Access Anxiety or Rapid Access Depression – Participants are required to attend 4 initial sessions\, which are then followed by eight Cognitive Behavioral Training sessions. Counselling & Psychiatric covered by MSP. There is usually about a 1 week wait between processing referral to intake. \nFraser Health New West 604.777.6800 \nKelty Mental Health Resource Centre  604.875.2084 \nMindshift App \n “Dealing with Depression”    dwd.online.ca             \n Mindcheck.ca   crisis line \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-january-19-2017-asd-mental-health-canadian-mental-health-echo-program CATEGORIES:Mental Health END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20170118 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20170119 DTSTAMP:20211019T043824Z CREATED:20180305T080000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043824Z UID:1160-1484697600-1484783999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:A Home of My Own \, Part One DESCRIPTION:Presentation: A Home of My Own \nSpeaker: Ross Chilton CEO Community Living Society (CLS)\, January 18th 2017\n \nBelow Notes taken by Joette\n \nMany of the calls of concern from families coming to organizations such as CLS are about housing and affordability. This is reflective of the gap between the Disability monthly housing allowance of $375.00 and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment at $1\,600 – $2\,000. \nThe existing crisis\, particularly in the Lower Mainland\, but also in other cities around the Province\, has gained the attention of decision makers regarding the need for affordable housing. The Provincial Government has proposed the creation of 114\, 000 affordable housing units over the next 10 years. The Federal Governments has also taken some responsibility\, after a 30-year hiatus\, for the provision of affordable housing. Some municipalities\, such as Vancouver and New Westminster\, feel that they can be partners in resolving the acute need for affordable housing through the means that that are available to them – for example\, the rezoning of municipally held property\, rezoning to higher density to increase supply\, and demanding that developers provide non-market housing in exchange for density bonuses. \nThose in attendance expressed their agreement with existing research that families want for their supported individuals what everyone wants – safe and affordable homes\, meaningful employment\, and to love and be loved. They want their adult children to be independent\, but not isolated from community either geographically or socially. \nHISTORY OF INSTITUTIONS \nIn the past it was commonly believed that grouping the disabled together was the best way to keep them safe. However\, placing people institutions\, large and small\, from hospitals to half-way houses\, most often does not provide residents with the opportunity to control their day-to-day living\, and therefore\, the dignity of self-determination. Ross shared the quote that smaller institutions are not the solution\, from them we have merely “learned to disappoint people in much smaller numbers”. Residents in this type of housing often find themselves in enclaves for disabled people\, rather than citizens in a broader community. \nRoss cautioned that how an adult child with a developmental disability envisions his or her future may be different from what their parents envision for them. The young adult may not want to share housing with others with developmental disabilities\, or with other families. Current thinking is that opportunity leads to skills; that it might be better to provide the desired housing opportunity first\, and then support individuals in gaining the life skills that they need as they need them. \nThe 2016 IGNITE CONFERENCE examined the following housing models: \n\nGroup homes\nShared living\nSupported or independent living\nLiving with parents\n\nThere are no reliable statistics on the number of people who require affordable housing due to developmental disabilities. Some of them have never been registered for services\, and some have simply merged into the homeless population. \nBC HOUSING AND CLS \nBC Housing and CLS are discussing the housing crisis in general as well as how to address together the problems of those who fall between the cracks and receive no help or the wrong help. CLS could become a housing support agency. \nCurrently\, the main priorities of the provincial Government are mental health and drug addiction. However\, as safe & secure housing is key to achieving success on all other fronts\, addressing these “top priority” needs should therefore\, also be the impetus for affordable housing solutions. \nWHAT WORKS OR COULD WORK? \nModels: \n\nFamilies collaborating to purchase/develop housing and/or supporting each other to share information and advocate for affordable housing. However\, families without deep pockets want help – in the form of access to development advice/expertise\, access to low interest development funds\, parental funding matched by government grants\, the ability to apply Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) to housing.\nChurch or service provider led housing – in our February 2018 meeting we will present a Church led mixed use development soon to be under construction.\nDeveloper/Government/Social Service Provider partnerships. Typically\, this involves the various levels of government providing the land and/or zoning relaxations and density bonuses to allow developers to build more units in exchange for building some affordable housing units for special needs individuals. The service providers contribute the social supports\, and perhaps property management post-construction. The link between transit and affordable housing is increasingly understood – people with lower incomes and people with disabilities often do not drive. Therefore\, there are building cost savings to be gained if developers are allowed to provide fewer parking spaces. The role of government in this example would be to ensure good transit connections. CLS new 6 unit building. Building plans such as BACI’s 12 units of housing that layers those with disabilities on the ground floor for ease of access\, another floor for seniors\, and another for students.\nGovernment programs that offer support through rental subsidies\, that may even be portable – that is\, that are attached to an individual\, rather than a building.\n\nSafety and security post-construction: \nRoss feels that technology can provide solutions to many families concerns for their individual’s safety and well-being through virtual support such as: \n\n“Find my phone app” to track an individual through GPS tracking of their iPhone.\nAutomatic door and light sensors\, auto emergency advisor systems\, digital medication reminders.\nMeal or ingredients delivery services.\n\nAs well\, there are things that we can do as families to help support our young adult to live independently successfully. \n\nEncourage them to develop predictable patterns of behavior – e.g. shopping at same grocery store – to establish community connections.\nHelp them to build a personalized guide book\, based upon their specific interests and preferences\, which can include useful ideas\, recipes\, lists of things to remember etc. URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-january-18th-2017 CATEGORIES:Housing END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161118T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161118T190000 DTSTAMP:20211019T043842Z CREATED:20211009T012654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043842Z UID:1662-1479488400-1479495600@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:SPS Fundraiser DESCRIPTION:To buy tickets in advance to this SPS Fundraiser click on the link below. \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/sps-fundraiser CATEGORIES:SPS Business ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SPS-Fundraiser-Chez-Christophe-2.2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161117T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161117T210000 DTSTAMP:20211019T043923Z CREATED:20211009T012127Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043923Z UID:1659-1479409200-1479416400@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Autism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, November 17\, 2016 \nAutism Spectrum Disorder & Mental Health \nLocation : Vancity South Burnaby\, 5064 Kingsway URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/autism-spectrum-disorder-mental-health CATEGORIES:Mental Health END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20161117 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20161118 DTSTAMP:20211019T043946Z CREATED:20170425T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T043946Z UID:1155-1479340800-1479427199@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting: November 17\, ASD & Mental Health - Polly Guetta\, Mood Disorders Association DESCRIPTION:While families approach Square Peg Society seeking help with adult issues such as employment and housing\, their underlying fear is that their adult offspring will live a life of poverty and isolation\, after they are gone\, or after they are no longer able to care for them. Often it is mental health issues – stress\, anxiety and depression\, not autism – that is impeding their success at work\, post-secondary education\, and independent living. \n Our meeting was the first of several meetings we intend to host on ASD and Mental Health. The next will be in February\, 2017. We want to better understand the prevalence and consequences of these co-occurring mental health conditions\, which programs and treatments are effective for people with autism\, and if they exist\, and are affordable and available to people with autism. \nAs a background to these interests and concerns\, we viewed 3 excerpts from an Autism Community Training  (ACT)  Webinar on Mental Health & Autism (October 2016). They are: \n            Background to ASD and Mental Health                                          Dr. Karen Bopp \n            Why are Psychiatric Co-morbidities Important?                Dr. Anthony Bailey \n            Role of the Certified Behavioral Analyst                                         Dr. Richard Stock \n Dr. Karen Bopp\, (Ministry of Children and Family Development)  \nBackground to ASD and Mental Health  \nAs the incidence of ASD increases (1 in 78 in BC) so does the difficulty of identifying and distinguishing the differences presented by ASD and mental health issues. They can mask each other. They can exacerbate each other. They can be co-morbid. Currently\, experts in Autism are not well versed in mental health concerns. \nComments from discussion: There is no funding for mental health issues for those diagnosed with ASD; autism funding is supposed to go specifically toward those issues that arise directly as a consequence of the autism. As a result\, mental health issues often go undetected and untreated. \nExisting Mental Health services: In BC\, a doctor’s referral is required to see a psychiatrist\, and once referred\, wait lists are long. As well\, not all psychiatrists have experience with individuals with ASD. We perceive a need for the right help at the right time from a specialist with an understanding of autism. \nAppointments to a psychiatrist are covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP). Both the Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC) and the various branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) also have psychiatric clinics. The MDABC offers psychiatric appointments at their Robson Street clinic – these are for mild mood disorders – anxiety\, depression\, and bi-polar disorders. A referral from a family doctor or walk-in clinic physician is required and these appointments are covered under MSP. There is approximately a 2 month wait list from receipt of the referral. Burnaby Mental Health\, a Branch of CMHA offers psychiatric appointments\, again requires a doctor’s referral\, and is covered under MSP. There is about a week’s wait between processing the referral and intake for an appointment. \nThere are many psychiatric counsellors and behavioural therapists in BC who offer counselling appointments at hourly rates ranging from $175 – $250/hour. As well\, both the MDABC and Burnaby Mental health offer counselling services to adults. MDABC has counselling services at their Pender Street location\, on a fee-for-service basis. One-to- one counselling costs $85.00 per session\, family counselling is $95.00/session\, and there is also group counselling in the form of free drop-in social support groups. Burnaby Mental Health offers group counselling to adults 19 and over\, referred by a doctor. They have two group counselling options: Rapid Access Anxiety or Rapid Access Depression. Following their intake participants are required to attend 4 initial sessions in their stream\, which are\, in turn\, followed by eight Cognitive Behavioral Training sessions. There is usually about a 1 week wait between the processing of a referral to intake. These group counselling programs are covered by MSP. \nMood Disorders Association of BC\, 604.873.0103 #1 for psychiatric clinic #2 for counselling services \nBurnaby Mental Health\, Mental Health Team\, Burnaby 604.453.1900 \nFraser Health New West 604.777.6800 \nDr. Anthony Bailey \nWhy are Psychiatric Co-morbidities Important? \nThere has been a shift in intellectual ability. In the past three quarters of the population diagnosed with ASD had below average intelligence. Presently this proportion is reversed. Three quarters of this group has average or above average intelligence. \nBased on a study of 300 school age children in BC the most likely co-morbid conditions with ASD were found to be anxiety\, depression and OCD. (In girls\, eating disorders may be an expression as well).  Less present was the incidence of psychosis. Anxiety and depression tend to increase with adulthood from 25% to 51% and 6% to 32% respectively. The implications of this understanding suggest that because co – morbid conditions are so common they should be suspected by the observer. \nMisdiagnosis may occur with the common co-morbid condition of ADHD\, if accompanying social difficulties are missed. Mental disorders can be missed for various reasons in both children and adults. In a child\, observation can be obscured by another identified condition such as ASD. \nPsychological distress is expressed in different ways by children. In adults\, symptoms can be missed because the individual has limited language skills or cannot identify their own emotional state. This may result in remaining in an anxiety provoking situation\, from which others would remove themselves\, until the point when there is a meltdown. When anxiety is expressed at home the family may presume this is an expected part of ASD behaviour. \nMental disorders can interfere with progress for example through repetitive thoughts. \nPsychosis can be induced by stressful situations at school or work. \nFamily genetics studies focussing on anxiety and depression among relatives suggest that genetics is a risk factor for those with ASD\, and though separate\, is perhaps\, an exacerbating\, condition. \nEnvironment can have a bigger impact on those with ASD than others. \nComments resulting from discussion: There are shut downs as well as melt downs. \nThe norm for those with Autism should not be a state of distress perhaps caused by\, “unfriendly\,” environments. \nRichard Stock is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst \nRole of the Certified Behavioral Analyst     \nHis services include long term planning for clients which can continue from pre-school to employment. A designed program would address the key areas of language\, communication and social as well as repetitive behaviour\, fine and gross motor skills\, academics and functional assessments. Links to both home and school provide unity among a team of professionals. \nSeveral examples were given of correcting problem behaviours that were inappropriate such as spitting or reciting dialogue from entertainment sources. \nComments from discussion: RDI was mentioned as an alternative to ABA as well as other programs that speakers suggested focused on a different relationship approach. \nSpeaker:   Polly Guetta\, Development Co-ordinator\,  Mood Disorders Association of BC \npolly.guetta@mdabc.net \nSee above for existing mental health services offered through MDABC. \nCheck out: “What Helps\, What Hurts?”  for ages 18-30\, to help identify problems & strategies. \nPolly spoke on how to be proactive about mental health\, how to build emotional resiliency and gave a brief overview of several kinds of mental illness.   \nThe Mood Disorders Association of BC is a non-profit organization with these goals: \n* To be proactive \n* To identify the problem \n* To fight against misconceptions about those with mental health problems. \nGood mental health can be defined as a sense of well-being\, an ability to handle life and realize abilities. \nEmotional fitness enables the individual to be stronger\, more confident\, resilient\, and to provide a meaningful contribution. \nPeople with an optimal demonstration of well-being exhibit the following abilities: \n1) Set achievable goals \n2) Know when they need support \n3) Don’t believe everything they think. \n4) Strategize for tough days. \n5) Practice compassion for self and others. \nThese skills can be learned. \nRef: courageworks.com (a free course in compassion) \nThe Wellness Wheel encompasses these areas: \nSpiritual \nEmotional \nIntellectual \nPhysical \nSocial \nEnvironment \nFinancial \nPoor mental health can occur when demands exceed the ability to cope impacting body and mind. Polly suggested talking to trusted friends/family and/ or professionals such as a doctor who can provide referrals. \n  \n  \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-november-17-asd-mental-health-mda-echo-clubhouse CATEGORIES:Mental Health END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161105T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161105T210000 DTSTAMP:20211019T044001Z CREATED:20211009T011850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044001Z UID:1656-1478368800-1478379600@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Jazz Cafe with Karin Plato & Bill Coon DESCRIPTION:Jazz Cafe with Karin Plato & Bill Coon URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/jazz-cafe-with-karin-plato-bill-coon CATEGORIES:Fun ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jazz-Cafe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161030T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161121T210000 DTSTAMP:20211018T235725Z CREATED:20211009T011459Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T235725Z UID:1652-1477850400-1479762000@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Halloween Social Gathering DESCRIPTION:Halloween Social Gathering \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/halloween-social-gathering CATEGORIES:Fun ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/HalloweenSocial.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;VALUE=DATE:20161020 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20161021 DTSTAMP:20211019T044106Z CREATED:20170425T070000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044106Z UID:1154-1476921600-1477007999@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Meeting: October 20\, 2016 Job Readiness DESCRIPTION:Panel Discussion:   Kalena Kavenaugh\, Anjela Godber\, Caroline Gatchalian\, Sarah Blackmore \nEmployment success for people with Asperger’s\, HFA\, or a similar profile\, is dependent on effective preparation and follow up for both employers and employees. Many people with these diagnoses do not qualify for assistance after the age of 19\, yet they are required to compete in a neuro-typical world. Social skills can often trip them up\, particularly if they did not receive treatment or training when they were young. They now need to become prepared to seek and keep employment if they are to fulfill their dreams of acceptance and independence. \nLouvain Chalmers and Joette Heuft organized two speaker panels for this meeting: \nThe first group consisted of people from some of the agencies that run employment programs\, and who are working hard to find solutions to the challenge of job readiness for our family members and other like them: \nKalena Kavenaugh – Manager of PosAbilities Employment Services \nAnjela Godber – Outreach Manager for Ready\, Willing and Able (RWA) \nCaroline Gatchalian – Facilitator for Open Door’s “Jobs in Demand” employment program \nSarah Blackmore – Facilitator for Youth BEAT Employment Program\, run by the YMCA in Vancouver \n  \nThe second group consisted of four of our family members\, willing to speak about their experiences with job readiness\, finding work\, and their aspirations for employment: \nSam Guenther \nAlex Donohue \nAaron Michael \nPeter Wlasenko \n  \nThe First Group:  The Service Providers \n Kalena Kavenaugh\, is a manager at PosAbilities\, an employment agency specializing in working with clients with a disability. Kalena stated that job applicants need to have both the technical skills and soft skills specific to a job. She wanted to know about our family members’ wants and needs in order for PosAbilities to provide good services for job-seekers on the Spectrum. She discussed the job-coaching process as something that is different for each person\, depending on their needs. PosAbilities is a fee for service model. \nAnjela Godber\, of Ready\, Willing\, and Able\, (RWA)\, a federal government pilot project that began in February 2016. This particular RWA program is run under the umbrella of the Pacific Autism Family Network\, and therefore\, its staff has knowledge and experience working with individuals with autism. Anjela outlined their intake process\, which may include completion of their pre-employment program\, Employment Works. EW is a 12 week program\, consisting of 2 ½ hours\, 2 times per week. One session each week is in a classroom\, focused on a particular employment theme. The second session each week is in a workplace. There are six workplace experiences in each 12 week program. Anjela emphasized that employers are unanimous in claiming customer service and flexibility around work hours and job tasks are key assets in employees. Aside from doing good intake\, so that they find the best possible employment “fit” for their clients\, they also work on employee “soft skills” to help to make them “job ready”. As well as working with their clients on the Spectrum\, RWA has a staff member whose full time job is to seek out\, to educate employers about the advantages of hiring ASD individuals\, and to prepare and educate employers about how to support these new employees. \nCaroline Gatchalian\, of Open Door Jobs in Demand\, emphasized that their program focuses on job readiness in particular employment sectors (currently – security\, hospitality\, retail\, construction\, and social services). She talked about the advantages of openness with employers in disclosing the need for accommodation. She explained that this is an opportunity to highlight a job-seeker’s abilities and to explain how accommodations can be made to effectively integrate individuals with disabilities into the workplace. Caroline feels that employers are equally accountable to understand\, and to work with individuals of diverse abilities. \nSarah Blackmore\, of Youth BEAT\, talked about how her program serves people up to 29 years of age. It includes a pre-employment course that includes both hard skills\, and health and wellness components\, including mental wellness. This is a recognition that good mental health is a huge component of “job readiness”\, and that often\, anxiety and depression affect many people on the autism spectrum. The Youth Beat program provides 3rd party support to assist their clients to effectively communicate with employers\, and focuses on equal opportunity and employers. This program is also relatively new\, and\, as such\, is still developing and adjusting to meet the needs of its clients. \n  \nThe Second Group:  SPS Members Experiences in the Workplace \nSam Guenther talked about his experience with the Employment Works Program through Ready\, Willing and Able. He entered the program because he was not satisfied with the work he had been able to find so far. He was surprised by\, and appreciated how “hands-on” the program was. The program included on-the-job-training in a variety of work situations including hotel maintenance\, a recording studio\, and a horse ranch. In the past\, Sam has worked at Garden Works\, Safeway\, and at Stanley Park and Granville Island in security and parking enforcement. He currently works at CanPar\, loading delivery trucks. He has held this job for 2 ½ years. He got his current job through an employment service called Regard Resources. He is now looking for full time work\, a living wage\, and job functions that are less physically demanding. He would also prefer to work day shift rather than nights. He likes working with people. RWA has put some jobs forward to him but the jobs that have been offered to him so far\, have not seemed to him to be an improvement from his current job. \nAlex Donohue is studying part time. He also found his current job through RWA. Currently\, he works a Dietary Aide at Vancouver General Hospital preparing patient meals. His employment status is casual. He would like a regular shift with predictability and permanent status. He prefers not to work early mornings\, because his journey to work by transit early in the day is long\, and requires waking very early. Alex may enter film studies at Capilano University full time\, starting in the spring of 2017. \nAaron Michael participated in employment programs with RWA and BC Win. He is working full time\, in insurance\, and is taking one course at SFU. His previous job was at RGI\, as a travel agent\, booking rewards trips for Avion clients. Aaron has insurance education and credentials\, and he has just been made a permanent full time employee in the insurance department at London Drugs. Aaron likes his work and his manager\, and has settled in well. Initially though\, the job was very demanding\, due to a province-wide effort to implement  a new ICBC computer system\, working under two interim managers\, and staff shortages due to the sudden departure of a co-worker. Nevertheless\, the changes have been managed well by London Drugs\, and learning the new ICBC system together has made Aaron feel part of a team. Aaron also feels that he is learning transferable skills that will benefit him in future jobs. \nPeter Wlasenko discovered 4 years ago\, as a mature adult\, that he has Asperger’s Syndrome. After his diagnosis he participated in the Open Door Program. Peter worked with three specialist employment agencies for two years to find his current job. He discovered that he needed to build a good rapport with the intake worker at the agency; Peter realized that he or she needed to know him very well in order to understand what type of work would best suit him. He found success in VanCity’s Workforce Initiative\, a program designed to find and hire employees with barriers. As part of this program\, Peter’s disability was disclosed at the outset\, in his employment interview. He was therefore\, able to describe the type of work tasks and work environment that will best enable him to feel comfortable and to be successful. For Peter\, the specific work assignment is less important to his success than the workplace colleagues and environment. Peter enjoys feeling part of a team\, working on a common outcome\, and believes that people should feel supported\, stable and not anxious\, in their jobs. Peter’s peers are accepting and inclusive\, and his supervisor is supportive. He sees himself moving forward at VanCity. \nObservations and Questions \n\nThe gift is in identifying what we don’t like\, and turning the negative aspect around to focus on what does work for us. Then go for that.\nManagers who can effectively organize and communicate tasks and how to do them are very helpful.\nManagers can help by identifying a problem as soon as it occurs. It doesn’t help to let a small problem develop into a bigger problem\, especially when the worker does not understand that his or her behavior may be a problem. Being clear and direct is best.\nWhether or not to disclose barriers to supervisor and co-workers is a personal decision. Generally\, those who have disclosed find that this helps\, as they are able to seek the support that they need\, and gain understanding and accommodation.\nThe work team plays an important part in contributing to a worker’s enjoyment of the job and success at work.\nFamilies are important support networks. They know the supported individual’s strengths and weaknesses best\, and are highly motivated to see them succeed. Sometimes the worker doesn’t know\, due to youth or inexperience\, what work they might be able to do\, or are unable to clearly communicate their thoughts and feelings about their job path.\nA good friend can be a mentor. Victor talked about the role his school friend played in helping him to learn communication skills. Now Victor operates the Capability Club\, which offers training in communication skills to children on the Spectrum.\nFinding and keeping relationships is key to being successful in finding and keeping work.\nThere is general concern that agencies will find only entry-level or menial jobs for our family members. Having Asperger’s or HFA does not mean low intellect\, in fact\, ¾ of individuals with ASD have an intellect that is average or above.\nThere is an acknowledged gap in services to job-seekers on the spectrum who have average or above average intelligence. They need work to match their intellectual capacity and technical skills and training.\nSome workers already employed may need some support to be more successful and to keep their current work\, or to advance in their job\, by taking additional training\, or by making it clear that they are willing and able to take on larger roles in their jobs. There is an identified need for support to these people.\n\n  \n  \n  URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/meeting-october-20-2016-job-readiness CATEGORIES:Employment END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161001T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20161001T190000 DTSTAMP:20211018T235627Z CREATED:20211009T010057Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211018T235627Z UID:1644-1475341200-1475348400@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:Pinball with Robert DESCRIPTION:Pinball with Robert Gagno URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/pinball-with-robert CATEGORIES:Fun ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://squarepegsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pinball-scaled.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:20160915T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20160915T210000 DTSTAMP:20211019T044228Z CREATED:20211009T005035Z LAST-MODIFIED:20211019T044228Z UID:1637-1473966000-1473973200@squarepegsociety.ca SUMMARY:On Asperger's & Gender DESCRIPTION:Regular Square Peg Society Meeting : Nicole Jinn to present on Asperger’s & Gender \nLocation : VanCity South Burnaby Branch\,  5064 Kingsway\, Burnaby URL:https://squarepegsociety.ca/event/on-aspergers-gender CATEGORIES:Advocacy END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR