June 3 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Communication can vastly differ between neurodivergent and neurotypical people. Without some understanding of these different communication styles, interactions can be confusing and misunderstandings can occur. But, a little knowledge can go a long way.
In this social communication workshop, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Describe how communication can differ between neurodivergent and neurotypical people
- Recognize how communication across neurotypes is a form of cross-cultural communication
- Identify their own authentic communication preferences and needs
- Evaluate the benefits and challenges of using authentic communication in different settings
- Practice expressing or requesting their communication preferences and needs
Wednesday, June 3
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
In-person @ The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
There is no cost to attend
Advance registration is not required, however, if you want to sign up, our team can contact you in the event of any last minute changes or cancellations. Click the button that says “Sinneave Connects” to enroll in the course.
If you have not created a free Sinneave Connects account yet, you will need to do that. Just follow the prompts on the sign-in page.
About this workshop:
Our Social Communication workshops are designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice a variety of social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Participants will be provided with information, tips, and strategies that they can choose to apply in common day-to-day social situations.
About the Presenter:
Cedric Nicholson is a certified professional life coach at The Sinneave Family Foundation. Tith more than 20 years of experience mentoring, coaching, and supporting individuals in the developmental disability field, Cedric is passionate about empowering others to set meaningful goals, create effective plans, and take purposeful steps toward personal growth and self-improvement.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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June 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
As parents, guardians, and caregivers, you play an important role in the successful transition of a young adult into the workforce.
In this strengths-based workshop, we will discuss tools and strategies to help support your young adult to identify their strengths and skills and share ways you can help them create a strengths-based job search plan.
In this session, attendees will:
- Identify your own strengths and skills and reflect on how they can be leveraged to support your young adult through the transition to employment
- Learn how to navigate online career exploration platforms
- Use strengths-based tools and strategies to create a strong starting point for conversations about employment
- Identify resources in the community that supprot caregivers and young adults through this transition.
Please note: caregivers do not need to be parents in order to attend this workshop. Caregivers can be legal guardians, supportive roommates, natural supports, or family members.
Wednesday, June 17
6:00 – 7:00 pm
In-person At The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
Space in this session is limited, and registration is required through Sinneave Connects. If there are no spots available, you will be placed on a waiting list and a member of our team will reach out to you if one opens up.
Click the button that says “Sinneave Connects” and sign in to enroll in the course.
If you have not created a free Sinneave Connects account yet, you will need to do that to access the online link. Click the button that says “Sinneave Connects” and follow the instructions on the sign-in page.
About this workshop:
The Building your Toolkit workshops introduce you to The Sinneave Family Foundation’s Family Work Readiness Toolkit (FWRT), a practical, strengths-based resource designed to help youth explore their interests, skills, values, and preferred work environments. Attendees will learn how to use the toolkit to guide supportive conversations, set goals, and take meaningful action toward employment success. Participants will gain a stronger understanding of how to support your young adult’s transition into the workforce with practical tools, shared insight, and a clear starting point.
About the Presenter:
Stéphanie Chapman is a Bilingual Online Program Facilitator for the EmploymentWorks program. She has 15+ years of professional experience in the fields of education and disability across the lifespan, and personally as a caregiver. Stéphanie is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for families of all shapes and sizes to learn and grow together.
If you have any questions about these sessions, please reach out by email at info@sinneavefoundation.org OR call us at 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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June 15 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Whether you live independently or it is one of your future goals, being able to confidently navigate your way around a kitchen and cook healthy meals are important life skills.
Preparing your own meals helps you to save money, control portion sizes, and make choices that match your nutritional needs. Most importantly, being able to cook for and feed yourself (and others!) builds self-sufficiency, confidence and can even be a creative outlet or social activity.
The menu for this class is Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes with pan-fried zuchini and mushrooms. Join us:
Monday, June 15
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
While cooking dinner together, participants will learn:
- The importance of good hygiene
- Cleanliness in the kitchen and the importance of preventing cross-contamination
- The proper use of utensils
- How to properly measure and prepare food, and
- How to work well with others in a team environment
As there is only light support provided by staff, participants need to be able to follow instructions and be willing to work in a small group to prepare the meal. All supplies will be provided. Participants are expected to help with clean up after the session.
This session is limited to six participants. If there are no spots available, you can sign up to be placed on a waiting list and a member of our team will reach out to you if spots open up.
To register, click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects.” If you don’t have a free Sinneave Connects account yet, you will need to create one. Follow the prompts on the log-in page.
About the Presenter:
Mila Fernandes-Mckenna is a Launch + Skills participant as well as a student who learned how to cook at a young age and has been baking for more than 10 years. Mila really enjoys baking cookies, cakes and cupcakes for birthdays. Lately she has been expanding into baking breads, buns and pastries. She is passionate about cooking and wants to inspire others to learn.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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May 27 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This session explores Autistic masking and communication through the lens of Communication Work, a health communication concept that examines why and how communication can become effortful and exhausting.
Drawing on the presenter’s dissertation research, the workshop highlights findings that conceptualize Autistic masking as a form of communication work enacted in response to stigma, social expectations, and efforts to avoid social isolation and disenfranchisement. The session emphasizes that masking is not simply a set of behaviors used in isolated interactions but an ongoing communicative process that unfolds over time—helping explain why masking can be so exhausting and why its negative impacts often persist even as individuals become more practiced in these behaviors.
The workshop will introduce evidence-based strategies for managing communication work, regaining communicative agency, and navigating interactions with non-Autistic others.
Designed to be interactive and practical, the session offers tools to help reduce the invisible labor of masking and support more sustainable communication practices.
This session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton with support from the Sinneave Family Foundation.
Wednesday, May 27
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page. You can register by clicking the button that says “Register.”
About the Presenter:
Abigail D. Hazlett, PhD, is an Autistic health communication researcher who earned her doctorate in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in March 2026. Her work focuses on how people communicate during stressful, uncertain, or inequitable health experiences, and how those interactions shape well-being, health choices, and access to care. Using interviews, collaborative research with communities, and mixed methods, Hazlett studies how everyday conversations about health are influenced by larger systems such as healthcare institutions, culture, and social norms.
Hazlett is also a co-author of the Integrative Theory of Communication Work, which explains communication as a form of labor shaped by expectations, demands, and available resources. Influenced by her own experience and in collaboration with a community advisory board of late-identified and/or diagnosed Autistic adults, her dissertation applied this framework to understand how late-identified Autistic adults mask their Autistic traits in response to social pressures and exclusion, and how these experiences affect identity, well-being, and healthcare access.
Her research aims to inform practical, equity-focused interventions that help people navigate difficult conversations about health and identity while strengthening systems of care.
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Shifting Perspectives | By Louie Fermor
Calgary-based artist and writer, Louie Fermor, attended our local World Autism Acceptance Day celebrations on April 2, 2026. They captured some reflections at the event that challenge the reader to consider a shift in perspective.
In Calgary, April 2 dawned under a blanket of fresh snow that continued all day. It would have been easy to complain about the unwanted and out-of-sync weather, but, instead, Louie provides a humanizing peek into the sometimes out-of-sync experience of autism and how thinking differently isn’t a bad thing.
Click on the button to view or download the story. (PDF, 201 KB)
April 30 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In this timely and important presentation, caregivers will discover how to communicate with and help their children safely participate in online gaming.
The workshop highlights the social, cultural, and cognitive benefits of online gaming while helping caregivers understand both the benefits and risks of gaming, the online community, and gaming culture.
This learning session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton in partnership with the YMCA.
Thursday, April 30
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page. You can register by clicking the button that says “Register.”
About the YMCA:
At YMCA, we believe in the power of people. Every day, our dedicated employees and volunteers bring energy, positivity, and inclusivity to everything they do. They are the spark that ignites potential in others – helping individuals grow, thrive, and truly belong.
When people feel connected and supported, communities become stronger, more resilient, and full of life. That’s the impact of people-powered change. Together, we create welcoming spaces where everyone is valued, differences are celebrated, and possibilities are endless. Be the spark. Shine bright. Help others shine too.
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June 18 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Get ready to dive into practical solutions and support for caregivers, together with Caregivers Alberta.
This insightful and empowering session focuses on proactive strategies to support employed caregivers in the workplace. It highlights ways to continue the conversation through initiatives like Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), caregiver-focused programs, and peer-support groups.
Together, we will discuss the importance of ongoing support to ensure caregivers feel valued and connected over time.
The goal is to build trust, reduce stress, and connect caregivers with resources while fostering an inclusive and understanding workplace.
This session is presented by Autism Edmonton in partnership with Caregivers Alberta and support from The Sinneave Family Foundation.
Thursday, June 18
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page. You can register by clicking the button that says “Register.”
About the Presenter
Christina Henderson is a highly motivated and professional trainer in workshop facilitation, administration, and program development. As the founder of Peerspective Consulting and Facilitation in Calgary, Alberta, and the Coordinator for Caregivers Alberta Work & Care program, Christina has collaborated with organizations across Canada to integrate positive and supportive programming into staff, client, and partner interactions.
Christina is the mom of twin sons who both have special needs. Her lived experience has given her a deep understanding of the importance of fostering supportive environments and empowering individuals through peer connections.
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June 24 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Are you interested in learning more about all the stages of the employment journey and the steps you can take to lead you on a path to success?
Our Employment Classroom series of workshops cover many topics related to finding a job and keeping a job, including employment preparedness, life skills, and soft skills for the workplace.
In this particular session, participants will learn:
- How to communicate effectively in a workplace setting
- How to give and receive feedback
- All about email etiquette
- How to navigate unwritten rules in the workplace
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn what is expected in professional settings, how to navigate specific questions, and receive and provide feedback, if desired.
Wednesday, June 24
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
This workshop combines classroom instruction and time to practice what you’ve learned with support from the facilitators, if needed. Attendees to these workshops must be able to participate independently.
Please note: These classes are limited to 15 attendees. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. *If the course is full, you will be added to a waitlist. Please do not attend until your registration has been confirmed by our staff.
To Register:
Click the button that says, Sinneave Connects to access registration through our online hub. If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s free and easy. Just follow the instructions on the Log-in page.
About our Facilitators:
Ryan Elkanah is a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult and professional relationship builder who brings curiosity, empathy, and lived experience to every space they enter. Having navigated masking, burnout, loss, and the ongoing work of reclaiming agency, they approach their work with humility, intention, and care. Ryan creates spaces where people can show up fully, where reflection and authenticity meet courage and growth. Grounded in a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approach, they walk alongside others in the lifelong practice of becoming.
Marcela Montes-Lobos is an EmploymentWorks online facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation and is a late-diagnosed Hispanic neurodivergent adult who has embraced her unique diversity as well as her family’s. Having lived experience in language barriers, as well as other barriers that many neurodivergent folks face in life, she decided mid-life to return to school, leaving a career in the airline indjustry and becoming an Addiction and Disability Support Worker. She is passionate about creating safe spaces, always encouraging participants’ autonomy, curiosity and empowering them on their journey.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call our office at (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help!
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June 10 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Are you interested in learning more about all the stages of the employment journey and the steps you can take to lead you on a path to success?
Our Employment Classroom series of workshops cover many topics related to finding and keeping a job, including employment preparedness, life skills, and soft skills for the workplace.
In this particular session, participants will learn:
- How to ensure your resume gets through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Who to include in your Reference List
- How to format your Reference List
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn what is expected in professional settings, how to navigate specific questions, and receive and provide feedback, if desired.
Wednesday, June 10
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
This workshop combines classroom instruction and time to practice what you’ve learned with support from the facilitators, if needed. Attendees to these workshops must be able to participate independently.
Please note: These classes are limited to 15 attendees. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. *If the course is full, you will be added to a waitlist. Please do not attend until your registration has been confirmed by our staff.
To Register:
Click the button that says, Sinneave Connects to access registration through our online hub. If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s free and easy. Just follow the instructions on the Log-in page.
About our Facilitators:
Ryan Elkanah is a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult and professional relationship builder who brings curiosity, empathy, and lived experience to every space they enter. Having navigated masking, burnout, loss, and the ongoing work of reclaiming agency, they approach their work with humility, intention, and care. Ryan creates spaces where people can show up fully, where reflection and authenticity meet courage and growth. Grounded in a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approach, they walk alongside others in the lifelong practice of becoming.
Marcela Montes-Lobos is an EmploymentWorks online facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation and is a late-diagnosed Hispanic neurodivergent adult who has embraced her unique diversity as well as her family’s. Having lived experience in language barriers, as well as other barriers that many neurodivergent folks face in life, she decided mid-life to return to school, leaving a career in the airline indjustry and becoming an Addiction and Disability Support Worker. She is passionate about creating safe spaces, always encouraging participants’ autonomy, curiosity and empowering them on their journey.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call our office at (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help!
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June 2 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Members of our community are invited to drop-in and use our space on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to unwind or recharge—with no pressure to engage in structured activities. We have several rooms available–a quiet lounge, computer desks, hang out sofas–you choose. It’s your time to use your way.
Each week, we offer a “third space”—a place separate from home, work, or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages—to members of our community.
We provide flexible seating, focus tools, and adjustable lighting options in an effort to make our space welcoming and inclusive to those who wish to spend time in it.
Drop-in hours are 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Here are some suggestions of things you may like to do, but this is not an exhaustive list:
- Socializing: Chat with others, make new connections, or catch up with friends
- Using Computers: Access the internet, complete personal tasks, or explore hobbies online. Use our computers and wifi or bring your own device and connect via our network
- Relaxing: Sit quietly, read, listen to music with headphones, or just enjoy the calm space
- Independent Work: Bring personal projects, homework or studying you may need to do, or use the time to focus on tasks
- Unstructured Activities: puzzles, sketching, journaling, or engaging in other personal hobbies
- Exploring Resources: Learn about other programs, events, or services Sinneave offers
- Simply Being: Spend time in the space without any specific activity, just enjoying the presence of others without any expectations to engage
To ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all users, please read over the Rules of the Space before you arrive:
- Check-In is Required: Everyone signs in upon arrival
- No Alcohol or Drugs: This is a substance-free space for everyone’s safety and comfort
- Respectful Content and Behavior: No engagement with explicit content and all interactions should be respectful
- Noise Levels: Keep volume moderate to accommodate diverse activities
- No formal supervision provided: Attend and engage independently