AUTISM CALGARY ASSOCIATION
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Mission Statement
Autism Calgary Association serves as the unity of families, caregivers, and supportive professionals collectively striving for a supportive, accepting and understanding community for individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are a grassroots, community association made up of individuals and families living with ASD.
About This Cause
As a grassroots organization of families helping families we treasure the individual stories of our members. Below is a story to help you understand the impact an Autism diagnosis can have in the lives of an individual and their entire family: MISSION: To bring hope and help meet the needs of families and individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Speak: Be the voice of families and individuals living with ASD. Educate: Increase awareness and understanding of ASD. Advocate: Secure and defend the best quality of life for those with ASD throughout their lifespan and their families. Promote: Encourage the advancement of meaningful research and the development of effective treatment options. To accomplish our mission we have several program streams and initiatives including Family Support, Support Groups, Peer-2-Peer Networking, our Autism Library and our exciting employment initiatives for adults with ASD. 1. FAMILY SUPPORT: Autism Calgary works one-on-one with families and individuals living with ASD to support them and advocate for them in a variety of ways. Our Family Support team are all parents of children and adults with ASD who can help you navigate the school, government or service system and also lend a listening ear. 2. SUPPORT GROUPS: We run many support groups such as Keeping It Together (Mothers of Children with ASD), Carers (Caregivers of adults with ASD), Asperger’s Network Support Groups (adults with Asperger’s Syndrome), Father’s Autism Network Support Group and the Biomedical Support Group (discussing and sharing alternative treatment options for ASD. 3. PUBLIC & COMMUNITY EDUCATION: Autism Calgary also hosts regular, complimentary workshops on a variety of topics for individuals and families and has the largest Autism-specific resource library in Western Canada with free access for all members. 4. PEER-2-PEER NETWORKING: With a variety of social opportunities and groups Autism Calgary strives to foster peer-to-peer networks for youth and adults with ASD. The Go-Group is for youth aged 18-35 with Asperger’s Syndrome who meet weekly to participate, as a group, in the community at large. The Pokemon club is a popular group for youth and adults which meets twice monthly to play Pokemon cards and socialize in a safe environment. 5. EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES: Recently Autism Calgary has also become a leader in the Autism employment scene starting two successful initiatives to employ adults with ASD. Meticulon Consulting, started by ACA, is now its own social enterprise employing 10 consultants with ASD. Spectrum Advantage is a one-of-a-kind program to provide life skills and employment readiness training as well as paid internships to young adults with ASD with the ultimate goal of finding participants ongoing employment. This program just completed a successful pilot helping to find employment for 35 young adults (83% of participants) with ASD in Calgary. Autism Calgary only exists because of the generous support it receives from the community. Every single dollar we receive goes directly towards supporting families and individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Calgary and area. Our organization also depends heavily on volunteers and we would love it if you want to volunteer at an event, help out around the office, or even just swing by to say hello and see what we are all about! If you would like to sign up for free membership to Autism Calgary and receive free information and have access to our library visit: http://www.autismcalgary.com/about/membership/ Welcome to the Autism Calgary family!