November 5 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Genetics can feel complicated, overwhelming, or uncomfortable, but it can also help Autistic people, families, clinicians, and communities better understand autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.
You’re invited to join the conversation–no judgement, no jargon!
Presented by Precision Medicine in Autism (Prisma), Autism Edmonton, CASA Mental Health, and the University of Alberta, this welcoming and accessible session will explore common questions, real-world healthcare experiences, what genetic testing can and cannot tell us, and what to consider when making decisions about testing.
All are welcome! No science background needed. This session is for anyone who wants to learn, ask questions, and take part in an open conversation. Understanding grows through conversation.
About the Facilitators
Daniel Moreno De Luca, MD, MSc
Dr. Daniel Moreno De Luca is the CASA Mental Health Research Chair, an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta, and Director and Principal Investigator of the PRISMA group. He is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist specializing in autism, neurodevelopmental conditions, genetics, and precision medicine.
Dener Cardoso Melo, PhD
Dr. Dener Cardoso Melo is an Autistic scientist and speech-language pathologist with research training in psychiatric genomics. He works as a Research Associate with the PRISMA group, where he leads PRISMA’s research program.
Precision Medicine in Autism (PRISMA)
The Precision Medicine in Autism (PRISMA) group is a multidisciplinary initiative at the University of Alberta integrating research, clinical care, education, and community engagement to advance precision medicine in autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. PRISMA’s work brings together genetics and the lived experiences of Autistic and neurodivergent people to better understand individual differences and support more personalized healthcare approaches.
Related Events
November 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
We are excited to host a presentation for prospective students to the University of Calgary.
Join us to learn about UCalgary’s undergraduate programs, admission pathways, and student support services. Highlighting alternative pathways to UCalgary, holistic admissions, and Accessibility Services, this presentation will provide valuable information for students who are exploring their post-secondary options.
This presentation is perfect for high school students who may be considering post-secondary as an option post-graduation (and their parents and support network), mature students who are thinking about attending university, and educators and guidance counselors who would like to provide informed options to their students.
You may register to attend this presentation. If you register, our staff will be able to contact you in the event of any unanticipated schedule changes. Participants are also welcome to drop-in.
About the Presenter
Karah Schmidtler is a Student Recruitment Specialist and Student Engagement Liaison at UCalgary.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
December 2 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Our Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence workshops are for Autistic and other neurodivergent individuals who want to build practical skills to understand, respond to, and help prevent bullying.
Together, we will explore why bullying happens, how to recognize it in different settings (including online and in the workplace), and how it uniquely affects neurodivergent people. These interactive sessions offer hands-on activities to practice strategies in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Please note: This is a skill-building series and not a bullying support group, or a substitute for professional mental health or crisis support. If you need immediate assistance, please visit Alberta.ca for resources.
Attendance at all the workshops is not mandatory, but we strongly encourage you to attend all 3 to most benefit from the content.
This session will focus on putting into practice the skills that have been shared in the previous 2 workshops. This includes noticing bullying behaviour in yourself, what to do if you witness bullying, ways to prevent future bullying, and additional anti-bullying supports and resources.
Mark your calendar. Other Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence workshops include:
Session 1: Understanding Bullying – Wednesday, November 18
Participants will learn about bullying, including why it happens, and the different types and places bullying takes place. We will learn the difference between bullying and conflict, harassment and discrimination. We will also look at how bullying specifically affects Autistic people.
Session 2: Building Your Skills – Wednesday, November 25
Participants will learn about the things that contribute to and prevent bullying. We will also discuss what to do if you’re being bullied, including how to cope, and how to deal with the bully.
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. For the past 7.5 years, he has been proudly employed 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.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 25 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Our Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence workshops are for Autistic and other neurodivergent individuals who want to build practical skills to understand, respond to, and help prevent bullying.
Together, we will explore why bullying happens, how to recognize it in different settings (including online and in the workplace), and how it uniquely affects neurodivergent people. These interactive sessions offer hands-on activities to practice strategies in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Please note: This is a skill-building series and not a bullying support group, or a substitute for professional mental health or crisis support. If you need immediate assistance, please visit Alberta.ca for resources.
Attendance at all the workshops is not mandatory, but we strongly encourage you to attend all 3 to most benefit from the content.
In Session 2, we will focus on building skills to deal with bullying when it happens. This includes recognizing it and discussing practical strategies that participants can use, supports that can help, and supports and strategies to help others deal with bullying.
Mark your calendar. Other Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence workshops include:
Session 1: Understanding Bullying – Wednesday, November 18
Participants will learn about bullying, including why it happens, and the different types and places bullying takes place. We will learn the difference between bullying and conflict, harassment and discrimination. We will also look at how bullying specifically affects Autistic people.
Session 3: Putting It Into Practice – Wednesday, December 2
Participants will take the things they have learned and look inward, noticing bullying behaviours you may have. We will also discuss what to do if you witness bullying, how to help someone who is being bullied, and ways to prevent future bullying.
About the Presenter:
Mara Jaffray is an Autistic Self-advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 18 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Our Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence workshops are for Autistic and other neurodivergent individuals who want to build practical skills to understand, respond to, and help prevent bullying.
Together, we will explore why bullying happens, how to recognize it in different settings (including online and in the workplace), and how it uniquely affects neurodivergent people. These interactive sessions offer hands-on activities to practice strategies in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Please note: This is a skill-building series and not a bullying support group, or a substitute for professional mental health or crisis support. If you need immediate assistance, please visit Alberta.ca for resources.
Attendance at all the workshops is not mandatory, but we strongly encourage you to attend all 3 to most benefit from the content.
In the first session, we will discuss bullying to help participants understand what it is, why it happens, and explore the differences between bullying and conflict.
Mark your calendar. Other Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence workshops include:
Session 2: Building Your Skills – Wednesday, November 25
Participants will learn about the things that contribute to and prevent bullying. We will also discuss what to do if you’re being bullied, including how to cope, and how to deal with the bully.
Session 3: Putting It Into Practice – Wednesday, December 2
Participants will take the things they have learned and look inward, noticing bullying behaviours you may have. We will also discuss what to do if you witness bullying, how to help someone who is being bullied, and ways to prevent future bullying.
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. For the past 7.5 years, he has been proudly employed 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.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 18 @ 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Our Women’s Group is designed specifically for Autistic and other neurodivergent adults (18+) who identify as women or who connect with experiences of womanhood.*
This session is all about celebrating Autistic and neurodivergent joy!
Some topics may include:
- Recognizing and embracing our passionate interests
- Learning how to feel empowered to move through sensory and emotional barriers
- Learning to embrace joy and excitement
- Celebrating diversity, Autistic and other neurodivergent traits
- and more!
Participants are welcome to share lived experiences and discuss strategies that have been helpful for them as they relate to our discussion topics.
*Please note, this is not a therapy group, but rather, a supportive, non-clinical space to discuss and share ideas, lived experiences, and connect meaningfully with others. The content and resources shared in this group are informed by both lived Autistic experience and research as they intersect with gendered experiences in society.
*This group is intended for Autistic and neurodivergent folks who identify as women or who connect with experiences of womanhood, inclusive of non-binary and other 2SLGBTQ+ identities and expressions. This boundary ensures that participants can share openly without explanation, justification or judgement.
About the Presenter:
Alexandra (Ali) Skeet is a Learning and Connection Associate at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She delivers the Information and Navigation service where they have the pleasure to meet with Autistic and neurodivergent individuals one-on-one to provide consistent, person-centred information and navigation to Sinneave programs and services, and/or community-based resources. Ali has both professional and lived experience navigating identity, and the intersectional impact of societal expectations/beliefs on neurodivergent individuals. They bring over a decade of experience in the field of mental health, and a passion for person-centered care and intersectional inclusivity.
*During this session, Sinneave staff, guest presenters, and attendees may share information about community resources. Some information provided may not be accurate, up-to-date, or reliable for everyone. Attendees are also encouraged to be critical consumers of information available on the internet. Providing information about a community resource is not endorsement, and Sinneave does not assume any risk for the outcome of using the information shared during this session.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Join us as we learn how to travel confidently and safely on Calgary Transit!
In this interactive session with Calgary Transit Access Travel Trainers and Peace Officers, you’ll learn what Travel Training is and how it helps riders navigate buses and CTrains with independence and ease.
Through demonstrations, practical tips, and real-world safety advice, this interactive session will cover how to plan your trip, understand routes and schedules, use fare systems, and feel secure while travelling on public transit.
Whether you’re new to Calgary Transit or looking to build your confidence, this session is designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge you need to travel the city safely.
By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Understand what Travel Training is and how it supports safe, independent use of Calgary Transit
- Identify key transit safety practices, including how to stay safe on buses, CTrains, and at transit stops
- Learn basic transit skills, such as boarding a bus, recognizing priority seating, and understanding transit signage
- Build confidence in navigating Calgary Transit, including planning routes and knowing what to do in unexpected situations
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
October 28 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
You are invited to attend a virtual panel discussion exploring what is needed to understand newcomers impacted by neurodivergence.
What is it like to be a newcomer who is navigating disability?
How can I provide better support?
This 1-hour Lunch and Learn is perfect for Case Managers, Program Managers, Team Leads and others who work in disability and settlement.
The panelists for this presentation are:
Kim Mayer (Edmonton Newcomer Centre), Mezaun Evin (Lived Experience), Manjiah Ockey (Galena Wellness)
This presentation is brought to you by:
The Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA)
The Newcomer Centre
Galena Wellness Clinic
University of Calgary
Related Events
October 29 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
What do the recent changes to AISH and ADAP mean for the people you support?
Join the Alberta Ability Network for an informative Lunch and Learn, presented by the Workers’ Resource Centre.
With the introduction of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and changes affecting the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), organizations and service providers may have questions about how the new rules impact the people they serve.
This session is designed to help you better understand the changes and what they may mean in practice, including:
- AISH and ADAP eligibility and program differences
- Changes to benefits and employment income exemptions
- Transitioning between AISH and ADAP
- Applications, reassessments and appeals
- What organizations should know when supporting individuals through the changes
- Where to find information, resources and additional support.
This virtual presentation is free. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from the Alberta Ability Network with information about joining the Zoom meeting.
About the Alberta Ability Network (AAN)
The AAN is an initiative of Cerebral Palsy Alberta (CPAA) and is a collaboration of organizations and community advocates located in the province of Alberta, working to address systemic barriers facing people with disabilities.
AAN members work collaboratively to:
- Identify issues and priorities that affect individuals with disabilities
- Bridge gaps between the disability community and reduce duplication
- Build and strengthen collective advocacy capacity through education, and networking
- Create and promote vast cross sector knowledge and resources
- Strengthen existing relationships and broaden engagement with new stakeholders
- Organize and mobilize members to implement action for priority issues
Visit their website to learn more about the organization.
Related Events
November 10 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
In this newly-developed interactive workshop, participants will learn practical executive functioning skills to better manage and estimate their time. They will learn a variety of strategies for scheduling, prioritizing, and delegation, in a welcoming, neuroaffirming setting.
Attendees will:
- Learn basic time management strategies
- Have the opportunity to practice and apply the techniques in the session
- Learn about other resources that are available to enhance time management skills
- Understand how being productive can look different for everyone
- Build the confidence to make your own schedule
- and more!
While it may push you a little outside your comfort zone, our in-person workshops are a great way to connect and meet new people. You get to decide your level of participation and enagement. Our office space offers neuro-friendly lighting, a variety of seating options, and focus tools, if desired. Whether you are visiting for the first time, or just curious, we invite you to tour our space virtually by clicking the button that says, “Tour Our Space”.
Space is limited and registration is required.
About the Presenter
Mara Jaffray is an Autistic Self-advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.