September 8 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
You’re invited to attend a panel discussion hosted by the Autism Society of Alberta’s Post-secondary Community of Practice.
This panel explores the unique role colleges and polytechnics play in supporting Autistic students to learn, belong, and succeed.
Through lived and professional experiences, panelists will discuss the post-secondary journey, from accessing programs and supports to completing a diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, or trade pathway.
What can colleges and polytechnics offer that helps Autistic students thrive, and how can these institutions build meaningful pathways to future education, employment, and community participation?
About Autism Alberta’s Post Secondary Community of Practice
The primary objective of Autism Alberta’s Post-secondary Community of Practice is to create a supportive and collaborative envieonment where people from the post-secondary educational system (e.g., students, instructors, researchers, administrators, and policymakers) can come together to:
- Share knowledge and experiences, including successes and challenges, related to supporting Autistic individuals, including students, faculty members and staff
- Share current evidence-informed practices to foster inclusive and effective educational practices
- Co-design and evaluate innovative approaches and interventions to support Autistic students
- Document the process and make recommendations.
Related Events
September 16 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Starting a conversation with someone new or joining in a conversation that is already underway can be challenging. In this workshop, we will learn and practice a few strategies to help you enter into and participate in conversations more confidently.
In this workshop, you will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Feel more comfortable and confident in your communication skills
- Explain what is required for good conversation
- Identify ways to find a good conversation partner and show you’re interested in talking
- Practice strategies for starting and continuing conversations
- Prepare a list of future conversation topics
- Practice troubleshooting communication experiences
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 common day-to-day social situations.
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
October 22 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month!
The Your Time, Your Way connection event for October is Popcorn and Chat! We’ll provide freshly popped popcorn and attendees are invited to bring their favourite toppings to create your own unique snack!
Throughout the evening, participants will have the opportunity to:
- Share and trade popcorn toppings with others.
- Connect and chat with fellow participants about popcorn, gaming, hobbies, or any topic that interests you (there will be conversation starters in popcorn containers)
- Exchange favourite popcorn recipes and discover new flavour ideas.
- Collect fun, seasonal popcorn recipes to take home, with the opportunity to help create or increase your recipe catalogue.
Whether you enjoy classic butter or like to experiment with sweet, savoury, or spicy flavours, this is a great opportunity to socialize, try something new, and celebrate one of everyone’s favourite snacks!
Members of our community are invited to drop-in and use our space every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. Consider this your “third space”–a place separate from home, work, or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages.
To make our space more welcoming and inclusive, we provide flexible seating in different rooms, focus tools, and adjustable lighting. It’s your time to use your way:
- Socializing – bring friends and enjoy a board game (bring your own or play one of ours)
- Access the internet, complete personal tasks, explore hobbies online on our computers, or bring your own device and connect via our network
- Sit quietly and read – take a book from our Little Free Library
- Bring a personal project or craft to work on, do homework, or study
- Engage in unstructured activities like doing a puzzle, sketching, or journalling
- Learn about Sinneave’s programs, services, and resources
- And more…
To ensure a welcoming and safe environment 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
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
September 8 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The application window for the next Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) Skills Group opens on Tuesday, September 8.
The group will run for 8 weeks, starting Monday, October 19 through Monday, December 7.
Skills Groups are workshops that focus on teaching strategies for success in various aspects of daily life. Participants have the opportunity to practice these strategies with the support of facilitators and fellow group members. These groups are designed for Autistic youth and adults who are able to attend sessions without needing a support person or aide present.
To learn more about Skills Groups and ACT, in particular, please read the description that follows or visit the Skills Group page on our website.
Look for the Expression of Interest link on this page on September 8.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)?
Have you ever felt like you were acting on “autopilot,” lost in your thoughts and not noticing the world around you?
Have you ever felt like your difficult thoughts and feelings (such as sadness and anxiety) were in control of you, and getting in your way?
Have you found that the things that matter to you in your life don’t get done as much as you’d like?
Do you struggle with motivation?
The skills we teach in Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) can help.
ACT is an evidence-based approach that increases your capacity to be in the present moment, your ability to be able to accept and work with difficult thoughts and feelings, and helps you get in touch with what matters to you. ACT teaches you to reduce the struggle with unwanted experiences. When our thoughts and emotions are all over the place, ACT teaches us to anchor so that we can weather the storm.
This all comes together to help you lead a more rich and fulfilling life, where you are in touch with the present, and work on the things that matter to you.
This is accomplished through six core skills:
- Contact With the Present Moment: being present, and aware of your current internal and external world; flexible attention
- Acceptance/Willingness: making room for unwanted/unpleasant feelings, thoughts etc., without trying to change them
- Unhooking (defusion): stepping back from and observing thoughts and feelings, without being caught up in them; noticing thoughts and feelings and deciding if you should pay attention to them, or just let them be
- The Observing Self: contact with part of you that is always there; is an observer of thoughts, feelings, memories
- Values: clarifying what matters to you, the person you want to be, the things you want to do
- Committed Action: Life is in the doing; committing to yourself to ACT in the direction of value-driven goals
ACT is an attention-training program where you will learn to strength your attention ‘muscles’ and how to flexibly direct your attention where you want it to go.
Research has proven ACT can be effective with a diverse range of people (including autistic people, teachers, caregivers and support workers) and conditions (including ADHD, trauma, substance abuse and psychosis).
Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) is eight sessions, once per week on the same day and time. Each session is approximately 90 minutes long.
You will have the opportunity to learn and share in a safe and supportive environment.
Related Events
September 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
As young adults are transitioning towards independence and into employment, caregivers are transitioning from the role of Manager to that of Consultant for their young adult.
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 tools and strategies that can help make space for shared learning and growth within the family and natural support network during this transition.
In addition to connecting with other caregivers and natural supports who may be having similar experiences, attendees will learn about available community resources for caregivers and Autistic and other neurodivergent folks.
In this session, caregivers will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- In this session, caregivers will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Identify workplace support needs and recognize strategies, tools, and supports that are available to help meet these needs
- Understand the process to determine when, why, and how to disclose or request accommodations during the transition to employment
- Use strengths-based tools and strategies to help their young adult create a Needs Communication Plan
- 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, September 9
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
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 this session, 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.
Related Events
September 17 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Join us for our September theme night: Minecraft Bingo!
Participants are invited to bring their own device and join a team for a fun and interactive Minecraft challenge.
Each team will receive a series of Minecraft Bingo cards featuring different in-game tasks and achievements to complete. Teams will work together to complete as many bingo squares as possible.
Participants can enjoy some friendly competition while collaborating, problem-solving, and exploring the Minecraft world together. Wi-Fi and power outlets will be available throughout the event to help keep everyone connected and playing.
Please note: Participants must bring their own device and have an active Minecraft account or subscription in order to participate.
Thursday, September 17
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
Our doors are open to members of our community every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. Your Time, Your Way hours provide a safe, sensory-friendly space where participants can spend time without the obligation of spending money on food or beverages. It is a time and space where participants may express themselves without judgement and choose to connect with others (if desired).
To ensure a welcoming and safe environment 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
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
September 1 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Are you interested in the programs and services The Sinneave Family Foundation (Sinneave) has to offer?
Are you or your child Autistic or neurodivergent and age 15 or older?
This presentation is for you! Join us for a 60-minute virtual information session and Q & A and get to know all about us!
In our hour together, we share who Sinneave is and how we can support Autistic and neurodivergent youth and adults with the major life transitions they are facing. Things like:
- Graduating high school and attending post-secondary
- Getting a job
- Moving out and living independently
- And more!
Tuesday, September 1
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Online via Sinneave Connects
This presentation is ideal for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, their support networks, such as parents, caregivers and guardians, as well as local service providers and professionals who may be seeking more information about our programs and services in the Calgary area and beyond.
This webinar takes place on Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub. If you already have an account, just log-in as usual. If you need an account, it’s free and easy to set up. Click the button that says Sinneave Connects and follow the instructions 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 other neurodivergent individuals one-on-one to provide consistent, person-centred information, and navigate individuals to Sinneave programs and services and/or community-based resources. Ali has more than a decade of experience in the field of mental health, and has a passion for person-centered care and intersectional inclusivity.
If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to 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
September 23 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Our Employment Classroom workshops cover many topics related to finding a job, keeping a job, and thriving in the workplace. This includes employment preparedness, life skills, and soft skills for the workplace.
In this workshop, participants will discuss and learn:
- The difference between a job and a career
- Choosing a career that is practical
- Why you need a career-planning outline
- Things you can do to advance your career
Some additional time will be spent discussing the job market and specific challenges a person might encounter during a job search.
Wednesday, September 23
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
This workshop combines classroom instruction and time to practice what you’ve learned with support from the facilitators, if needed. Attendees to these workshops must be able to participate independently.
Please note: These classes are limited to 15 attendees. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. *If the course is full, you will be added to a waitlist. Please do not attend until your registration has been confirmed by our staff.
To Register:
Click the button that says, Sinneave Connects to register. 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 our Facilitators:
Ryan Elkanah is a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult and professional relationship builder who brings curiosity, empathy, and lived experience to every space they enter. Having navigated masking, burnout, loss, and the ongoing work of reclaiming agency, they approach their work with humility, intention, and care. Ryan creates spaces where people can show up fully, where reflection and authenticity meet courage and growth. Grounded in a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approach, they walk alongside others in the lifelong practice of becoming.
Marcela Montes-Lobos is an EmploymentWorks online facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation and is a late-diagnosed Hispanic neurodivergent adult who has embraced her unique diversity as well as her family’s. Having lived experience in language barriers, as well as other barriers that many neurodivergent folks face in life, she decided mid-life to return to school, leaving a career in the airline industry and becoming an Addiction and Disability Support Worker. She is passionate about creating safe spaces, always encouraging participants’ autonomy, curiosity and empowering them on their journey.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call our office 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.
Related Events
Related Events
September 1 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Members of our community are invited to drop-in and use our space on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to unwind or recharge—with no pressure to engage in structured activities. We have several rooms available–a quiet lounge, computer desks, hang out sofas–you choose. It’s your time to use your way.
Each week, we offer a “third space”—a place separate from home, work, or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages—to members of our community.
We provide flexible seating, focus tools, and adjustable lighting options in an effort to make our space welcoming and inclusive to those who wish to spend time in it.
Drop-in hours are 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
Here are some suggestions of things you may like to do, but 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 environment 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
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
September 9 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Our Employment Classroom workshops cover many topics related to finding a job, keeping a job, and thriving in the workplace. This includes employment preparedness, life skills, and soft skills for the workplace.
Having the ability to understand and control your personal income, expenses, and budget are some of the most important tools people need in their financial toolkit. In this particular session, participants will learn how to read a pay stub, how to make a basic budget, and how to avoid job scams.
With this in mind, participants will:
- Learn why it is important to distinguish between needs and wants when it comes to personal finances
- Identify gross income from all sources and learn about paycheque deductions
- Adjust a personal budget to allow you to achieve a simple goal.
Wednesday, September 9
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
This workshop combines classroom instruction and time to practice what you’ve learned with support from the facilitators, if needed. Attendees to these workshops must be able to participate independently.
Please note: These classes are limited to 15 attendees. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. *If the course is full, you will be added to a waitlist. Please do not attend until your registration has been confirmed by our staff.
To Register:
Click the button that says, Sinneave Connects to register. 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 our Facilitators:
Ryan Elkanah is a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult and professional relationship builder who brings curiosity, empathy, and lived experience to every space they enter. Having navigated masking, burnout, loss, and the ongoing work of reclaiming agency, they approach their work with humility, intention, and care. Ryan creates spaces where people can show up fully, where reflection and authenticity meet courage and growth. Grounded in a neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approach, they walk alongside others in the lifelong practice of becoming.
Marcela Montes-Lobos is an EmploymentWorks online facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation and is a late-diagnosed Hispanic neurodivergent adult who has embraced her unique diversity as well as her family’s. Having lived experience in language barriers, as well as other barriers that many neurodivergent folks face in life, she decided mid-life to return to school, leaving a career in the airline indjustry and becoming an Addiction and Disability Support Worker. She is passionate about creating safe spaces, always encouraging participants’ autonomy, curiosity and empowering them on their journey.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call our office 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.