February 18 @ 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm
Learn how to create meaningful and realistic goals and then take action to achieve them – one at a time.
In this fun and interactive session, participants will learn about the importance of values and how they inform our life goals. We will also learn about SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals and how to determine what yours might be.
Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a values and a goal-setting exercise to practice these skills. There is no cost to attend this session.
Wednesday, February 18
6:15 pm – 7:45 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
P.S. Consider attending the Visioning workshop on February 25, as this workshop is a great way to follow up, helping you take practical and realistic steps towards making your vision for your life a reality.
About the Presenter:
Cedric Nicholson is a certified professional life coach with over 20+ years of experience mentoring, coaching, and supporting individuals in the developmental disability field. He is a dedicated Life Coach with The Sinneave Family Foundation. 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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February 17 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Many individuals can benefit from what is often referred to as a “third space”—a place separate from home or work or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages. So we’re opening our doors to members of our community.
We invite you to drop in and use our space to help you unwind or recharge—with no pressure to engage in structured activities. We have several rooms and spaces available–a quiet lounge, computer desks, hang out sofas–you choose. It’s your time to use your way.
Our space provides flexible seating options, focus tools, and adjustable lighting options as we strive to make our space more welcoming and inclusive to those who wish to spend time in it.
On Tuesday, February 17, we’re hosting a special activity during the Your Time, Your Way time. Participants can drop-in between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to engage in a, “Valentine’s Day Movie Trivia Night” where you will have the opportunity to share your love and passion for movies!
Participants can join the fun as we engage in a Kahoot game to test your knowledge about movies. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 5:00 p.m. so you can be placed in a team to play the game. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m, we will be playing the Trivia Game, followed by popcorn and Valentine’s Day treats along with other activities such as board games, origami, and coloring.
Please note if you will be participating in the Movie Trivia game, please bring a mobile device or tablet with you and download the Kahoot app, so you will be ready to join the fun promptly at 5:00 p.m.
Here are some suggestions of things you may like to do, if you will not be participating in the Valentine’s Day Movie Trivia Night, please note 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 space 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
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Related Events
February 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
As young adults are transitioning into employment, caregivers are transitioning from the role of Manager to one of Consultant for their young adults. This transition can be challenging for all parties, and can create tension and feelings of stress and anxiety.
In this strengths-based workshop, we will discuss strategies and tools that can help make space for shared learning and growth within the family and natural support network during this transition.
Please note: caregivers do not need to be parents in order to attend this workshop. Caregivers can be supportive roommates, natural supports, or family members.
Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to:
- Define the transition to independence for their young adult, and the transition from manager to consultant for themselves
- Reflect on their own needs and expectations for the process so that they may better support themselves and their young adult
- Use strengths-based tools and strategies to create a strong starting point for conversations about employment
- Identify resources in the community that support caregivers and young adults through this transition
Wednesday, February 11
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
This workshop compliments The Sinneave Family Foundation’s Family Work Readiness Toolkit (FWRT), a practical, strengths-based resource designed to support caregivers in helping youth explore their interests, skills, values, and preferred work environments. In this workshop, we will be focusing on the Embrace Independence module of the toolkit.
** Space in this session is limited, and advance registration is required through Sinneave Connects. 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.**
There is no cost to attend. Sinneave Connects is free, but you need to register for an account to use it.
If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s easy! Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” to access the hub and follow these steps:
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy!)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Building Your Toolbox for Caregivers: Beginning the Transition from Manager to Consultant – February 11, 2026 session.
- Click on the, “Choose session” button, and then press Confirm.
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 questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403-210-5000. We’re here to help.
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February 25 @ 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm
In this fun and interactive session, we’ll discuss the importance of visualization and how it helps to create a positive self-image. Participants will learn about the power of thought and imagination and how increased confidence can help you take reasonable action steps towards making the vision and goals for your life a reality.
Attendees will have the opportunity to create their own vision boards to take home. There is no cost to attend this session and all supplies will be provided.
Wednesday, February 25
6:15 pm – 7:45 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
Vision boards are tactile and visual tools to help you visualize and set goals around your education, career, family, relationships, and more. The images you choose can help you better envision what you’d like your life to look like.
Creating a vision board can help you figure out what’s important to you, which can help to inform your future steps. Displaying your vision board in a place where you regularly see it can be a great reminder of those things in your daily life.
About the Presenter:
Cedric Nicholson is a certified professional life coach with over 20+ years of experience mentoring, coaching, and supporting individuals in the developmental disability field. He is a dedicated Life Coach with The Sinneave Family Foundation. 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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February 24 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Do you know communication can vastly differ between neurodivergent and neurotypical people?
In this session, 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
Tuesday, February 24
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Online via Sinneave Connects
There is no cost to attend
This workshop is designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice essential social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Participants will be provided with information, tips, and strategies intended to help in day-to-day social situations.
If you register in advance you’ll be notified of any last minute changes to the schedule.
This workshop is virtual, via Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub. If you already have a Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s free and easy! Click the button that says “Sinneave Connects” to access the hub and follow the instructions on the log-in screen.
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
- Create a user name
- Select “Register”
- Select the “Social Communication Workshop: Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Communication – February 24, 2026” course and enroll.
About the Presenter:
Yonatan Tesfagiorgis is a Life Skills Coach at The Sinneave Family Foundation and has been working with neurodivergent and Autistic individuals for over 8 years. He strives to offer skill building strategies using a neuro affirming framework and provides an inclusive space for all individuals.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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February 17 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Do you find it difficult to communicate when someone disagrees with you? In this workshop, we will talk about conflict and share tips to help you keep your cool when you are in the middle of a disagreement, as well as provide strategies to help you work through it.
In this session, you will have the opportunity to:
- Discuss the impact that disagreements can have on communication
- Discuss how arguments may affect how others perceive you (e.g., your reputation)
- Identify strategies to assist in resolving disagreements
- Practice what you have learned through roleplay
Tuesday, February 17
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Online via Sinneave Connects
There is no cost to attend
This workshop is designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice essential social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Participants will be provided with information, tips, and strategies intended to help in day-to-day social situations.
If you register in advance you’ll be notified of any last minute changes to the schedule.
This workshop is virtual, via Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub. If you already have a Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s free and easy! Click the button that says “Sinneave Connects” to access the hub and follow the instructions on the log-in screen.
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
- Create a user name
- Select “Register”
- Select the “Social Communication Workshop: Handling Disagreements – February 17, 2026” course and enroll.
About the Presenter:
Yonatan Tesfagiorgis is a Life Skills Coach at The Sinneave Family Foundation and has been working with neurodivergent and Autistic individuals for over 8 years. He strives to offer skill building strategies using a neuro affirming framework and provides an inclusive space for all individuals.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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February 27 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join Kyle Lobb for a unique exploration of Autistic Journeys, offering diverse voices and perspectives. This learning session is part of Autism Edmonton’s “Autistic Journeys: Voices and Perspectives” series, where Kyle will share his experiences and insights as a neurodivergent individual navigating life, independence, and community involvement.
This session is well suited for educators, parents, professionals, and anyone interested in hearing authentic Autistic voices and learning about neurodiversity, self-advocacy, and inclusive practices.
This session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton and The Sinneave Family Foundation.
Friday, February 27
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s website. You can register by clicking the button that says, “Register”.
About the Presenter:
Kyle Lobb is a 37-year-old neurodivergent individual diagnosed with Autism, Tourette’s syndrome, OCD, ADHD, and Bipolar disorder. Growing up, Kyle often felt different from others and faced challenges navigating school, friendships, employment, and neurotypical society. Despite these obstacles, he has developed strategies to manage daily life and recently moved into his first independent home with support from his community.
Kyle is also a personal trainer and an active member of Toastmasters, which has helped him build confidence and strengthen his communication skills. He credits much of his personal growth to the support of his loving family and Edmonton’s Autistic community, inspiring him to give back through active involvement in initiatives that empower neurodivergent individuals.
Kyle currently serves as Vice-President of the Alberta Independent Living Association (AiLA), using his lived experience and expertise to advance independence, advocacy, and inclusion for people with disabilities.
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February 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join Terri Pasieckza for a deep dive into the unique connections between Ehlers-Danlos and Autism – a powerful journey awaits! This session is part of the “Strong Yet Flexible: Ehlers-Danlos and Autism” learning series, brought to you by Autism Edmonton and The Sinneave Family Foundation. A series focusing on Autistic women who also have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Explore the critical intersection of Autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and why understanding it matters. Many Autistic individuals also live with hEDS, which can affect everything from sensory experiences to daily functioning and mental health. This session will highlight how overlapping challenges—like chronic pain, fatigue, and heightened sensory sensitivity—impact quality of life, self-advocacy, and access to appropriate care.
Join us to learn why recognizing this overlap is essential for families, educators, healthcare providers, and anyone supporting neurodivergent and disabled communities. Gain insights into practical strategies, advocacy tips, and ways to create inclusive spaces that truly meet diverse needs.
Wednesday, February 11
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s website. You can register by clicking the button that says, “Register”.
About the Facilatator:
Terri Pasieckza is a dedicated and resilient homeschooling mother of two teenagers, all navigating life with neurodivergence and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). After a 15-year teaching career was cut short due to her health, she has devoted herself to supporting her family while advocating for understanding and accessibility in both medical and societal spaces.
Having lived with the symptoms of EDS and its comorbidities for her entire life, she brings firsthand experience and deep knowledge of navigating complex medical systems. She is skilled at researching, asking critical questions, and advocating for herself and her loved ones, ensuring that their needs are met with dignity and respect.
Passionate about education, health advocacy, and challenging societal and medical misconceptions, she strives to raise awareness about the realities of living with hEDS and neurodivergence. Her work emphasizes empowerment, self-advocacy, and creating space for voices often overlooked in mainstream conversations.
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January 28 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us for an open discussion on navigating grief and loss as a caregiver, sharing stories, and finding support. Caregivers often experience ongoing grief and loss—not just through death, but through life-altering changes that reshape their expectations and roles.
We have discovered that with the aging adults in the Autism Edmonton community, many are caretakers for a loved one in their lives. This shouldn’t be a surprise as approx. 42% of people in Canada are caretakers. Over half of women (52%) provide care for children or adults, paid or unpaid, significantly more than men.
This session will explore how one navigates grief’s emotional terrain while discovering tools and insights to move forward with resilience and care.
This session is brought to you by Caregivers Alberta, The Sinneave Family Foundation, and Autism Edmonton.
Monday, January 26
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s website. You can register by clicking the button that says, “Register”.
About the Facilatator:
Karen Cuthbertson is the Manager, Support Services for Caregivers Alberta, based in Calgary. Her role is to support people in navigating the challenging role of being a caregiver for a family member or friend. Karen is a “sandwich generation” caregiver herself, caring for both young adults and aging parents. She has extensive experience working in youth mental health, dementia, and cancer care. She has a Master of Science in Psychology and 20+ years of experience working in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
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January 26 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Get ready to embrace the next chapter of life with tips and tricks at Transitioning to 60+ as an Autistic! Aging presents challenges for everyone, but for Autistic individuals, this stage of life can bring additional and often overlooked complexities.
This presentation is designed to equip families, caregivers, and service providers with practical guidance to help older Autistic adults navigate aging with dignity, autonomy, and confidence. You will learn about the unique experiences and challenges faced by older adults, as well as strategies to better support their health, well-being, and quality of life.
This session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton, Autism Society Alberta, and The Sinneave Family Foundation.
Monday, January 26, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Online via Autism Edmonton
Registration for this event is via Autism Edmonton’s website. You can register by clicking the button that says, “Register”.
About the Facilatator:
Kitty Parlby is the mother of an Autistic adult son and has spent decades supporting families of individuals with disabilities. She worked for years as a one-on-one special needs Educational Assistant and, in her spare time, wrote numerous articles on autism. Kitty later founded her own business, Autism Inspirations, through which she delivered workshops across the province and provided consultation in schools.
A long-time volunteer board member with Autism Society Alberta (ASA), she stepped down from the board in June 2020 to join the organization as an employee. She now serves as ASA’s Communications & Community Strategist.