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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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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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 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Navigating the healthcare system can often feel overwhelming–from knowing which provider to see, to preparing for appointments, asking the right questions, and managing follow-up care.
To support individuals in these everyday situations, this 60-minute facilitated session will introduce participants to four micro-eLearning modules, which are available on Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub:
- Figure Out Who to See,
- Plan for Your Next Health Appointment,
- Communicate Effectively During Appointments, and
- Take Charge of Follow-Up Care.
Learn how these resources can support you in different stages of the healthcare journey, and how to access them for ongoing use.
Wednesday, June 24
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Sinneave Connects
This virtual session is hosted on Sinneave Connects, our online learning 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 to set up. Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” and follow the prompts on the log-in screen.
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 she has the pleasure to meet with Autistic and neurodivergent individuals one-on-one to provide consistent, person-centred information, and navigate individuals to Sinneave programs and services and community-based resources. Ali has more than a decade of experience in the mental health field and has a passion for person-centred care and intersectional inclusivity.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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May 26 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Navigating the healthcare system can often feel overwhelming–from knowing which provider to see, to preparing for appointments, asking the right questions, and managing follow-up care.
To support individuals in these everyday situations, this 60-minute facilitated session will introduce participants to four micro-eLearning modules, which are available on Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub:
- Figure Out Who to See,
- Plan for Your Next Health Appointment,
- Communicate Effectively During Appointments, and
- Take Charge of Follow-Up Care.
Learn how these resources can support you in different stages of the healthcare journey, and how to access them for ongoing use.
Tuesday, May 26
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Online via Sinneave Connects
This virtual session is hosted on Sinneave Connects, our online learning 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 to set up. Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” and follow the prompts on the log-in screen.
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 she has the pleasure to meet with Autistic and neurodivergent individuals one-on-one to provide consistent, person-centred information, and navigate individuals to Sinneave programs and services and community-based resources. Ali has more than a decade of experience in the mental health field and has a passion for person-centred care and intersectional inclusivity.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
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May 26 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This presentation will include an overview of research on the impacts of trauma and stigma on Autistic people. Together, we will explore how autism-related stigma in society, research, and interpersonal interactions translates into a greater risk of experiencing trauma, including exclusion and discrimination, for many Autistic people.
The presenter will discuss Autistic peoples’ experiences with stigmatization and trauma in a variety of contexts (including interpersonal relationships, school, work, clinical, and community spaces), and address the self-reported coping methods Autistic people use.
They will also explore intersectional, neurodiversity-affirming, and trauma-informed approaches to supporting Autistic people in their day-to-day lives.
This session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton with support from the Sinneave Family Foundation.
Tuesday, May 26
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:
Tamara Garfield is a doctoral student at Drexel University in the Community Health and Prevention program of the Dornsife School of Public Health in Philadelphia, PA. Tamara identifies as Autistic and uses she/her and they/them pronouns. Their work includes a focus on meaningfully including Autistic people in research to improve quality of life and health-related outcomes for Autistic people. Tamara discovered a passion for this work as a peer mentor in high school and pursued a BA in psychology and a MA in community counseling with a focus on neurodivergence, stigma, and trauma.
In her current work, Tamara is studying how contextual factors, including stigma and trauma, shape Autistic peoples’ experiences in employment and education and, in turn, how these experiences impact their health and wellbeing. In their free time, Tamara loves spending time with her cats, gardening, cooking, listening to podcasts, and watching movies or TV shows.
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May 28 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
In this session, attendees will learn how to identify their values and what’s important to them and how they can use that knowledge to live more authentically. Living authentically means valuing yourself and learning to live according to your values instead to the expectations of others.
While this session is for everyone, its focus will particularly benefit women and aging adults.
This session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton and YMCA with support from the Sinneave Family Foundation.
Thursday, May 28
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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May 19 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
As caregivers, feeling disconnected and lonely can impact physical wellness. In this session, learn how these things impact you, while gaining important strategies to help you enjoy the world outside the house.
This session is intended for everyone, however, its focus will particularly benefit women and aging adults.
This session is brought to you by Autism Edmonton and YMCA with support from The Sinneave Family Foundation.
Tuesday, May 19
3:30 – 5:00 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 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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May 14 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join us for an engaging workshop where, together with Caregivers Alberta, we’ll navigate the art of meaningful conversations and connections.
This session focuses on how to initiate and lead meaningful, compassionate conversations with employed caregivers. It covers the importance of clear communication, appropriate tone, and body language, and creating a safe, private setting for discussion.
Attendees will learn practical steps to apply to conversations, such as explaining the purpose of the meeting, practicing active listening, expressing empathy, and using supportive language.
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, May 14
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.