Autism Society of Edmonton Area

The Autism Society of Edmonton Area (ASEA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1971 by a concerned group of parents and professionals.  ASEA helps families and communities embrace and support people on the autism spectrum throughout their lives.

Whether you are new to the world of autism or have a lengthy and intimate connection with it, we are hoping our website has something that will interest you.  Please take a look around!

New Issue of Autism Now Available Online for ASEA Members

Current ASEA members can now download the latest (Winter 2010) issue of Autism Now, ASEA's quarterly magazine!  Subscribers will still have to wait several weeks to receive their printed copy, but you if you are an ASEA member you can read it now, online and in full colour!

  • If you're an ASEA member and have already signed up for an ASEA web site account, click here to log in, then visit the Resources page and click on Autism Now to get started.
  • If you're an ASEA member but haven't signed up for the web site yet, click here to register now!
  • If you're not yet an ASEA member or your membership has expired, why not become a member today?  Access to members-only web content is just one advantage of being a member!

Do Families Feel "Entitled"? MLAs Seem to Think So

Families have recently become aware that many members of the government (MLAs) may think that families and individuals with developmental disabilities consider themselves to be "entitled". The Autism Society of Edmonton Area (ASEA) and Families Forward have taken this to mean that members of the government do not understand the very real day-to-day struggles that families of children and adult children with autism and other developmental disabilities experience. We feel that MLAs and other political candidates need to be educated about families’ concerns.

To this end, ASEA and Families Forward are looking for families from each constituency who are willing to help build relationships with MLAs to help them understand the challenges families face and the very real contributions families and their children make.

If you are interested in participating in building an ongoing relationship with your MLA, and would like to participate in a network of families who will be doing so, please let us know. We will be bringing interested families in the Edmonton area together in late February for discussion and planning.

Read more

ASEA Parent Advocacy Group

Jan 28 2010 7:00 pm

Date: Thursday January 28th, 2010
Location: AACL, 11724 Kingsway Avenue, Main Floor Boardroom
Time: 7:00 p.m.
 
Karen Phillips, Social Worker, Program Director of the Autism Society and parent of a 20 year old son with ASD, will be offering an advocacy group for parents of children with ASD.
 
The purpose of the group will be twofold:

  • The development of skills in advocacy
  • Learning from one another as parents

You may find this group helpful if you:

  • Feel that your concerns are not being heard
  • Think that your child is not getting the help he or she needs
  • Feel that you are being judged as a demanding parent
  • Think that the expectations placed on your child are unreasonable
  • Feel that you are fighting a battle alone
  • Want to learn from other parents who have similar experience

Cost: By donation, the evening of the event

Please register by emailing or calling Linda at LindaDowell@autismedmonton.org or (780)453-3971.

Parent Information Night: Caregivers' Association

Jan 26 2010 7:00 pm

A caregiver is a family member or friend who provides care for someone living with challenges due to disability, illness, or age.

On Tuesday, January 26 in the AACL Boardroom at 7:00 PM, Anna Mann and Janice Wehrhahn from the Alberta Caregiver’s Association will be speaking to us about the importance of caregiver self-care, and will offer some practical self-care tips.  You are also encouraged to come prepared with questions for the question-and-answer period.  Anna and Janice will also discuss the programs and courses that ACA offers to other organizations and their members.  This presentation is open to all members and non-members.  There is an admission charge of $5 for members and $15 for non-members.  We will also have memberships available. 

To read the agenda for the evening, please click here.

ASEA Program Brochures

ASEA is proud to introduce a great-looking set of new brochures that can help you learn more about our different programs and services.  These brochures, professionally designed by Backstreet Communications, are filled with useful information for current and potential ASEA members.  We hope you'll check them out!

 

Do you want to contact your local MLA or a provincial cabinet minister?

Visit the Resources section and click the Alberta MLAs, Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants link.