We are pleased to welcome 17 speakers to present at this year's event, spanning 12 sessions over the course of two days.
Our goal is to provide an inclusive, inviting, informative environment, for both self-advocates and experts in the field, to provide their insight into the best ways to support and enrich the lives of Autistic people.
Attend any of our thought-provoking, insightful breakout sessions and gain a better understanding of what "Autistic Wellness" really means from Autistic people themselves, and from those who work with, and support, Autistic people.
All breakout sessions marked with an asterisk (*) provide CEUs.
Aaron Bouma, Autistic Self-Advocate, Advisor on the Autism Mental Health Literacy Guide
Many of us on the autism spectrum have special interests in one particular item or another, or multiple items. I have been interested in focusing on military and military history most of my life. I’m going to talk to you about autism and special interests, and how we create and develop skills which can be used for jobs and businesses.
I started building military models from scratch at the age of 13. I have been building for many, many years. My business, Bouma Woodworks, is where I build military models from scratch, such as tanks, aircraft warships, rifles and vehicles. It’s not just a special interest; I turned it into a business. Special interests grow and evolve. With my passion for military and military history, I’m building a military museum. Why is it important to follow your passion? You need to be happy in life and feel fulfilled. In this session, I will explain how I have been able to do that.
Three Takeaways:Dr. Caroline Jose, Ph.D.
Although it is still widely accepted that autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder, an increasing body of literature suggests that it is a whole-body disorder, affecting potentially all organ systems, explaining the various and frequent mental and physical health problems associated with ASDs (comorbidities) in autistics. However, little is known about the etiology or psychopathology of the comorbidities associated with ASD, nor if or how they cluster together.
The CONNECT project attempted to stratify the autistic adult population by differential comorbidity assemblages. This study included 164 respondents from the CONNECT project cohort who completed a needs assessment survey. We calculated comorbidities prevalence, by age and by gender. We then modeled comorbidity assemblages with a person-centered analytical approach and stratified the sample into comorbidity profiles. The study found 6 distinct clinical subgroups, among which 3 had very complex health profiles. The most discriminating comorbidities were depression, intellectual disability, gastrointestinal disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) associated with musculoskeletal disorders, and ADHD associated with other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Perceived barriers related to healthcare access were different between the profiles and several sociodemographic factors, such as gender, employment status or level of autonomy were associated with specific profiles. Results have the potential to guide future clinical practice and health services delivery.
Stratifying heterogenous populations in clinically homogenous subgroups is the first and the most critical step in the development of precision medicine and precision public health. Indeed, groupings like this can prevent diagnostic overshadowing by promoting screening and leading to correct and timely diagnoses of conditions co-occurring with ASD.
Three Takeaways:
Christine Jenkins, B. Journalism
The goal of this breakout is to help adults live authentically and fully. Jenkins deals with wellness of adults, especially 50 and over, most of whom like her survived un- or misdiagnosed for decades. Topics to include late-in-life identification, relationships, autistic communication, finances, suicidality, long-term care, fulfillment, and need for further research.
What studies exist on the aging population? What are the prime concerns of seniors? Effect of un-(der)diagnosis, leading to failure to thrive and early death (Sarah Cassidy, Anne Kirby among researchers). Knowing what we don't know.
How do we manage to access healthcare (recent reports suggest we live shorter lives partly through suicide and partly due to finding the process of access so stressful); how do we prepare for retirement, for example, how do we plan if we’ve only worked part-time if at all; what about care for the elderly - anecdotally, many autistic people are preparing ways to take their own lives at the prospect of LTC homes and the need to put the mask back on). Suggested strategies that might help, concluding with demands to make of services to accommodate the ageing population of autistic people.
Ashlee Rae
Autistic wellbeing through the lens of employment and work is important for many reasons. Individuals on the autism spectrum are much less likely than their neurotypical peers to find and maintain meaningful employment; approximately 33% of Autistic adults are employed in comparison to approximately 80% of their neurotypical peers. (Source: Embracing neurodiversity at work: How Canadians with autism can help employers close the talent gap. (2020, May 6). Deloitte Canada.)
This presentation will explore the connection between meaningful employment and quality of life/wellbeing for Autistics. The ways in which employers can create truly inclusive workplaces will also be discussed.
Three Takeaways:Dr. Jonathan A. Weiss, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator on the Autism Mental Health Literacy Guide
Panel participants:
In this panel discussion, five advisors to the Autism Mental Health Literacy Project will share their perspectives on their collaborative experience with the production of the Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism. All five advisors are from the Atlantic Provinces (4 self-advocates and one parent advocate) and will answer questions on the themes of what autism wellness means to them while highlighting parts of the Mental Health Literacy Guide for Autism that are meaningful to their lived experience. The panelists will also share their thoughts on the participatory nature of this project.
Three Takeaways:Dr. Sharon Gainforth, Ph.D.
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often struggle with social and emotional learning(SEL) skills, which can lead to difficulties in relationships and daily functioning. Empowering individuals with ASD to develop these skills is crucial for their success and wellbeing. This presentation will discuss strategies and tools for promoting SEL skills in individuals with ASD.
The presentation will begin by providing an overview of SEL skills, including the five core competencies of self-awareness, self- management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. We will then explore how these skills relate to individuals with ASD and their unique challenges. Next, the presentation will outline evidence-based strategies for promoting SEL skills in individuals with ASD. Additionally, the presentation highlights the importance of incorporating individualized and culturally responsive approaches to teaching SEL skills, as well as the need for ongoing support and evaluation to ensure long-term success. Finally, the presentation will address the importance of collaboration between families, educators, and other professionals in promoting SEL skills in individuals with ASD. Participants will leave with practical strategies and tools that can be implemented immediately to support individuals with ASD in developing SEL skills.
In conclusion, this presentation will provide valuable insights into empowering SEL skills for individuals with ASD. The strategies and tools will help promote the success and wellbeing of individuals with ASD.
Christine Jenkins, B. Journalism & Dr. Miranda J. Brady, Ph.D.
While research on autistic experiences of menopause is still emerging, early studies in the UK and the Netherlands indicate that the menopausal transition can be extremely difficult for autistic people. This session will discuss findings from the first two phases of the Bridging the Silos: Autistic Menopause Study, a SSHRC-funded collaboration between autistic Community Research Associates and academics in Canada and the UK about autistic experiences of menopause.
While the first phase involved focus groups and interviews with autistic participants from both nations (n= 24), the second phase invited multimodal creative submissions (n= 6). Employing qualitative thematic analysis (Phase 1) and polytextual creative analysis (Phase 2), our findings indicate that participants in both countries experienced overwhelming, intense, and complex menopausal symptoms, converging with other forms of adversity at midlife and barriers to healthcare and support. At the same time, they emphasized the importance of knowledge, communication, and connection, and several found solace in new social identities and creative expression. We will share themes, subthemes, and anecdotes from Phase 1 and multimodal creative submissions from Phase 2, as well as the creative, reflexive reactions to the submissions from our own team members.
This is the first study of its kind, co-led by autistic and non-autistic academics and autistic Community Research Associates and focused on the experiences of participants from Canada and the UK. It illustrates both challenges and opportunities to help autistic people know what to expect in menopause.
Three Takeaways:Maureen Jickling, B.Soc.Sci., LL.B., CIC.C
The duty to accommodate disability is a human right that applies to individuals with autism interacting with organizations such as employment and education entities in Canada. The duty to accommodate process encourages cooperation and collaboration between the individual with autism, their medical professionals, and the entity with the onus being on the entity to develop a reasonable accommodation plan. This presentation will discuss the roles of the individual, medical professional, and the entity in the accommodation process, and the legal differences between medical restrictions and recommendations.
Three Takeaways:Dave Lawrence
Dave Lawrence is a well-known radio personality, stand-up comedian, author, and proud father of three boys, including his youngest, Noah, on the autism spectrum.
During his presentation, Dave will captivate participants with humour and passionate storytelling, sharing insightful anecdotes and experiences about his journey as a parent of a child on the spectrum. Through his engaging delivery, he will provide unique glimpses into the mind of a child on the autism spectrum, offering attendees a better understanding of how autistic people perceive and interact with the world around them.
Dave's presentation will highlight the profound impact that professionals working with individuals on the autism spectrum can have on their lives and families. Drawing from his own experiences with Noah, Dave will emphasize the importance of the work carried out by these professionals. By sharing personal stories and real-life examples, he will demonstrate the difference they can make in fostering growth, supporting development, and enhancing the overall well-being of autistic individuals and their families.
Throughout his presentation, Dave will inspire conference participants to channel their passion and dedication into their roles as professionals in the autism community. By highlighting the transformative power of their work and the positive impact it can have on the lives of autistic people and their families, Dave aims to reinforce the importance of their contribution. He will highlight the value of empathy, compassion, and understanding in creating a supportive environment that promotes the growth and flourishing of individuals on the autism spectrum.
Three Takeaways:Dr. Michael Palmer, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Nicole Robinson, BCBA
Laura Walsh-Martino, BCBA
The mission of the Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis (APABA) is to be a source of leadership and support in the sharing and practice of the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) across the Atlantic Provinces, through the provision of professional development, networking and advocacy. To those ends, APABA has published several statements and resources to help guide the region in improving the provision of ABA services, including a statement on the professional practice of ABA, a statement on the use of procedures that increase risk and harm, and several infographics. This presentation will review the growth of ABA in the region, the statements and resources that APABA has published along with the motivation for releasing these documents, and how these documents can be used by practitioners and the public.
Three Takeaways:CEUs: 1
Megan Babiski, B.Arts Sc., Grad. Cert.
Autistic individuals disproportionately experience adverse outcomes for their sexual wellbeing. Furthermore, social functioning can have a major influence on opportunities and quality of relationships that autistic individuals may desire or value. Depending on an individual’s social environment, an autistic person may be afforded limited privacy to explore their sexuality unless they have the resources to deliberately advocate for that autonomy (Hartman, 2013). Autistic people are at an increased risk of sexual coercion and abuse, or of suffering the repercussions of unintentionally exhibiting inappropriate behavior (Gotby et al, 2018; Hartman, 2013).
This session seeks to draw connections between the environmental impact of stigma, disparities in sexual or interpersonal education accessible to autistic people, and the prevalence of challenges that autistic individuals face. Identifying factors that relate to these challenges illuminate potential courses of action for ameliorating sexual health and relationship prospects within the autistic community (Hartman, 2013). It is possible that with this understanding, promotion of autistic awareness and acceptance, along with a push for accessible and adequate educational resources for autistic people, could reduce risks and positively affect their sexual and romantic lives.
Three Takeaways:
