April 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Do you know communication can vastly differ between neurodivergent and neurotypical people? Without some understanding of these different communication styles, some 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
Tuesday, April 16
6:00 – 7:30 pm
In-person @ The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
There is no cost to attend
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.
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 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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March 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This presentation is part of the Azrieli Accelerator Engaged Research Discussion Series. During this online discussion we will explore how the language used in research shapes public understanding, policy conversations, and community trust.
Using neurodiversity-affirming language as a case example, we will examine how people with lived experience wish to be represented in scientific literature and the responsibilities researchers hold as their work circulates beyond academic journals.
Participants will reflect on precision, accuracy, and intentional language choices in research communication.
Tuesday, March 17
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Azrieli Accelerator
Registration for this event is via the Azrieli Accelerator. You can register by clicking the button that says, “Register”.
About the Azrieli Accelerator Engaged Research Discussion Series
This series helps researchers build capacity to meaningfully engage people with lived experience as participants and partners in research. Open to researchers and trainees across all disciplines, we introduce core principles of engaged research and explore how inclusive, community-partnered approaches can strengthen research design, practice, and knowledge sharing in neurodevelopment research.
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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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November 5, 2025 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 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.
This is one of several workshops designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice essential social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Each 90-minute workshop covers a different aspect of social communication, providing information, tips and strategies intended to help in day-to-day social situations.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Online via Sinneave Connects
There is no cost to attend these sessions. If you register in advance you’ll be notified of any last minute changes to the schedule, but you can also just drop-in. Attend them all or just the ones that seem interesting to you.
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 – November 5, 2025” course and enroll.
About the Presenter:
Cedric Nicholson is a Life Skills Coach with The Sinneave Family Foundation where he is passionate about empowering others to set meaningful goals, create effective plans, and take purposeful steps toward personal growth and self-improvement. He is a certified professional life coach with over 20 years of experience mentoring, coaching, and supporting individuals in the developmental disability field.
If you have any questions about these workshops or if you need help navigating Sinneave Connects, 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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September 18, 2025 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Do you find it difficult to communicate when someone disagrees with you? In this workshop, we’ll talk about conflict and share tips to help you keep your cool when you’re in the middle of a disagreement, as well as provide strategies to help you work through it.
This is one of several workshops designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice essential social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Each 90-minute workshop covers a different aspect of social communication, providing information, tips and strategies intended to help in day-to-day social situations.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Online via Sinneave Connects
There is no cost to attend these sessions. If you register in advance you’ll be notified of any last minute changes to the schedule, but you can also just drop-in. Attend them all or just the ones that seem interesting to you.
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 – September 18, 2025” course and enroll.
If you have any questions about these workshops or if you need help navigating Sinneave Connects, 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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August 7, 2025 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Do you find it difficult to communicate when someone disagrees with you? In this workshop, we’ll talk about conflict and share tips to help you keep your cool when you’re in the middle of a disagreement, as well as provide strategies to help you work through it.
This is one of several workshops designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice essential social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Each 90-minute workshop covers a different aspect of social communication, providing information, tips and strategies intended to help in day-to-day social situations.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 pm
Online via Sinneave Connects
There is no cost to attend these sessions. If you register in advance you’ll be notified of any last minute changes to the schedule, but you can also just drop-in. Attend them all or just the ones that seem interesting to you.
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 user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
- Select “Register”
- Select the “Social Communication Workshop: Handling Disagreements” course and enroll.
About the Presenter:
Sanique Denton is a Life Skills Coach at The Sinneave Family Foundation and has been working with neurodivergent and Autistic individuals for over 10 years. She has experience teaching and enhancing communication skills for Autistic individuals across their life span. Sanique is passionate about fostering an inclusive community and supporting individuals to thrive and reach their full potential.
If you have any questions about these workshops or if you need help navigating Sinneave Connects, 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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July 29, 2024 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
If you thought your task would be a “piece of cake,” but now you’ve “bitten off more than you can chew” and want to “call it a day” we would understand if you were perplexed.
Phrases of Confusion (also known as idioms) are multi-word expressions that have non-literal meanings, which can often only be figured out by using contextual information.
Idioms can be heard everywhere: in the workplace, at school, at the local bar, and even at home. Each language has its own set of unique idioms, but they don’t often translate well. And, if you aren’t familiar with them, they can leave a person feeling very confused.
Unfortunately, the literal meaning is never the correct meaning of what the speaker is trying to get across.
Good communication is already difficult enough for some Autistic individuals, so finding a solution for learning idioms is important.
In this fun and interactive session, participants will learn about and discuss some common idiomatic expressions and be able to understand and identify idioms, learning tips, and strategies to predict the meanings of many of them.
Monday, July 29, 2024
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24th Avenue NW)
or Online via Sinneave Connects
If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you haven’t yet opened a FREE account, it’s easy! Click on the words that say, “Sinneave Connects” below to be directed to the portal.
- Pick a user name
- Pick a password
- Register
- Select the “Phrased & Confused” event to access the online link
About the Presenter:
Sherry Taylor is a Program Coordinator with the EmploymentWorks program at Sinneave and is passionate about developing fun and engaging curriculum and content for Autistic youth & adults. With more than 15 years experience in the not-for-profit sector, she loves empowering people to reach their full potential by giving them practical tools for navigating daily life.
If you have questions about this event or need technical support navigating Sinneave Connects, please email us at info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000.
Related Events
We know that starting a conversation or joining in a conversation that is already underway can be difficult.
Join us Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. to learn and practice a few strategies to help you enter into conversations more confidently.
This session is one of a series of six drop-in workshops designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals opportunities to learn and practice essential social communication skills. Each 90-minute workshop covers a different aspect of social communication, providing information, tips and strategies to help Autistic and neurodivergent individuals to connect and thrive in social situations.
All workshops are in-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW).
There is no cost to attend these sessions.
Advance registration is not required – you can attend them all (we recommend this!) or just the ones that seem interesting to you.
All sessions begin promptly at 4:00 p.m.
If attending in-person presents a barrier for you, you can also choose to attend virtually via Sinneave Connects, our online learning portal. Sinneave Connects is FREE, but you must create an account to use it.
If you already have a Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s easy! Click the button below that says “Sinneave Connects” to access the portal and follow these steps:
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Drop-in Workshop 2 – Strategies for Entering Conversations course to access the virtual link.
Other Social Communication Workshop topics include:
Non-verbal Communication: Learning how to tell if others want to talk with you
Do you find it challenging to know if people are interested and willing to talk with you? In this session, we’ll talk about non-verbal communication and learn some of the visual cues and strategies you can use to find out.
Strategies for Entering Conversations: Easy ways to start or join social conversations
We know that starting a conversation or joining in a conversation that is already underway can be difficult. In this session, we’ll learn and practice a few strategies to help you enter into conversations more confidently.
Strategies for Exiting Conversations: Easy ways to end or leave a conversation
How do you end or leave a conversation when it’s time to go? In this session, we’ll talk about strategies you can learn and practice to help you leave a conversation or end a conversation in tactful ways.
Electronic Communication: Strategies for managing electronic communication and and maintaining good mental health
Technology is rapidly changing and advancing. While we embrace the good things it has to offer, it has also introduced many new challenges. In this session, we’ll talk about the implications of online safety and discuss strategies for navigating electronic communication and maintaining good mental health in the process.
Establishing Social Connections: 5 Pro-tips for developing social relationships in your community
Meeting new people and making friends isn’t always easy. In this session, we’ll share 5 tips you can practice and use when it comes to making friends and maintaining social relationships.
Handling Disagreements in communication: Tips for keeping your cool
Do you find it difficult to communicate when someone disagrees with you? In this session, we’ll talk about conflict and share tips to help you keep your cool when you’re in the middle of a disagreement, as well as provide strategies to help you work through it.
If you have any questions about these workshops or if you need help navigating the Sinneave Connects online learning portal, please reach out by email at info@sinneavefoundation.org OR call us at 403 210-5000. We’re here for you!