July 30 @ 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.
In this hands-on session, attendees will 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.
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.
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July 23 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
This engaging workshop is designed to provide Autistic and other neurodivergent individuals (aged 15+) with opportunities to develop tools to effectively address disagreements.
Our hope is that attendees will experience increased confidence in dealing with future disagreements.
In this session, participants will:
- Think about their confidence in handling disagreements at both the beginning and end of the session
- Learn the difference between disagreement and conflict through realistic, scenario-based examples
- Brainstorm with others how emotions are connected to disagreements and conflict
- Explore practical strategies for resolving disagreements.
Thursday, July 23
6:30 – 7:45 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
This workshop is designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals with 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.
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 the Presenter:
Mara Jaffray is an Autistic self-advocate, currently working as a Program Associate 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.
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August 25 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Are you looking to strengthen your understanding of autism and neurodiversity in a supportive and welcoming learning environment?
Join Autism Edmonton for Autism 201: Through a Womens+ Lens, a session designed to build on foundational autism knowledge while exploring lived experience, practical supports, and strategies for creating more inclusive environments.
This engaging session will explore the following:
• Expanding your understanding of autism and neurodiversity
• Common Autistic characteristics and supportive approaches
• Sensory differences and responding to sensory needs
• Environmental accommodations that support Autistic individuals
• Common co-occurring conditions experienced by Autistic people
• Understanding behaviour as communication
• Recognizing triggers, understanding Autistic meltdowns, and learning de-escalation strategies
This session is ideal for parents, educators, employers, service providers, community members, and anyone seeking to better understand autism and learn practical ways to create inclusive, accommodating environments.
The information and examples shared throughout this session will be presented through a Women’s+ lens and a lived-experience perspective. This learning opportunity is especially valuable for recently diagnosed female-identifying Autistics, those exploring whether they may be Autistic, or people who feel most comfortable in female-focused spaces.
Tuesday, August 25
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Autism Edmonton
When you click on the button that says “Register,” you will be redirected to Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page where you can reserve your spot.
About Autism Edmonton:
Autism Edmonton is the oldest autism organization in Alberta, serving Edmonton and surrounding communities since 1971. Autism Edmonton provides life-enhancing programs and services that ignite the power and potential of Autistic individuals throughout all stages of life and diagnosis.
Programs and supports include adult discussion groups, LGBTQ+ focused supports, parent and partner groups, respite services, recreational opportunities, learning sessions, and community education initiatives that promote acceptance, understanding, and inclusion.
Vision: All Autistic people have a life full of possibilities.
Mission: To enhance the lives of Autistic people through knowledge, services, and inclusive opportunities.
Together, we can continue building communities where Autistic individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered.
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July 21 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Are you looking to strengthen your understanding of autism and neurodiversity in a supportive and welcoming learning environment?
Join Autism Edmonton for Autism 101: Through a Womens+ Lens, an introductory session exploring what autism is and how Autistic individuals may experience, communicate with, and interact with the world around them.
Autism 101 provides a foundational introduction to autism and neurodiversity while offering practical strategies and insights to help create more supportive and inclusive spaces for Autistic individuals across all stages of life.
Participants will gain a basic understanding of:
• What autism is and the common characteristics of autism
• How Autistic individuals may experience and process sensory information
• Why communication and interaction may differ
• How visual supports can help with understanding and communication
• Practical ways to support Autistic individuals in everyday settings
This session is ideal for parents, educators, employers, service providers, community members, and anyone seeking to better understand autism and learn practical ways to create inclusive, accommodating environments.
The information and examples shared throughout this session will be presented through a Women’s+ lens and a lived-experience perspective. This learning opportunity is especially valuable for recently diagnosed female-identifying Autistics, those exploring whether they may be Autistic, or people who feel most comfortable in female-focused spaces.
Tuesday, July 21
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Autism Edmonton
When you click on the button that says “Register,” you will be redirected to Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page where you can reserve your spot.
P.S. If this session looks interesting to you, consider registering for Autism 201: Through a Women’s+ Lens and Lived Experience, which will build on the introductory knowledge provided here.
About Autism Edmonton:
Autism Edmonton is the oldest autism organization in Alberta, serving Edmonton and surrounding communities since 1971. Autism Edmonton provides life-enhancing programs and services that ignite the power and potential of Autistic individuals throughout all stages of life and diagnosis.
Programs and supports include adult discussion groups, LGBTQ+ focused supports, parent and partner groups, respite services, recreational opportunities, learning sessions, and community education initiatives that promote acceptance, understanding, and inclusion.
Vision: All Autistic people have a life full of possibilities.
Mission: To enhance the lives of Autistic people through knowledge, services, and inclusive opportunities.
Together, we can continue building communities where Autistic individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered.
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June 22 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
This workshop is designed for Autistic LGBTQ+ folks (youth, teens, and adults), as well as caregivers and professionals who want to better understand and support them. It focuses on validating different ways of experiencing and expressing emotions for those who may find it difficult or uncomfortable to “just talk about it.”
Participants will be introduced to alternative ways of processing emotions, including creative, sensory, and play-based strategies, and receive practical tools for managing overwhelm.
The workshop is interactive, low-pressure, and affirming, with no expectation for participants to share unless they feel comfortable.
Monday, June 22
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Online via Autism Edmonton
When you click on the button that says “Register,” you will be redirected to Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page where you can reserve your spot.
About the Presenter:
Madison Twa (she/her) is a Registered Provisional Psychologist based in Edmonton, working with children, teens, and adults. She specializes in emotional regulation, creative expression, and play therapy, and takes a neurodiversity-affirming and LGBTQ+ affirming approach in her work. Madison is passionate about creating spaces where people feel safe to explore who they are without pressure to explain themselves “the right way,” especially for those who find it difficult to put their experiences into words.
Her approach integrates creative, experiential, and play-based strategies to support emotional understanding and self-expression. Madison believes that emotions don’t always need to be talked through to be understood, and that meaningful growth can happen through play, creativity, and connection.
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June 16 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Much of our everyday communication involves the use of non-spoken cues and unwritten social rules. These can include things like facial expressions, posture, eye contact, hand gestures, and tone of voice.
These are often used to emphasize a particular point that the communicator is trying to make. They may also be used to change the meaning of the words being spoken. For example, using sarcasm.
Not everyone uses or understand these cues or rules, yet it is often assumed that everyone knows what they are and what they mean. Thankfully, they can be explored, practiced, and adapted in ways that support everyone’s understanding.
In this session, you will have the opportunity to:
- Develop greater understanding of non-spoken cues and how they impact shared communication.
- Discuss strategies for noticing, interpreting, and responding to non-spoken cues.
- Receive tips to support effective non-spoken communication across different social situations.
Tuesday, June 16
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
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.
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 the Presenter:
Cedric Nicholson is a certified professional life coach at The Sinneave Family Foundation. With 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.
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.
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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 support 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.
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.
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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
When you click on the button that says “Register,” you will be redirected to Autism Edmonton’s Eventbrite page where you can reserve your spot.
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.