PLEASE NOTE: This event has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the same time.
Events
Do you find it challenging to know if people are interested and willing to talk with you?
Join us Tuesday, September 5, 2023 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. to learn about non-verbal communication and some of the visual cues and strategies you can use to enhance communication in social settings.
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 register for 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: Non-verbal Communication 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!
Events
Skills Groups are skill development workshops that are facilitated by two Sinneave staff members (one is an autistic self-advocate). In each 90-minute workshop, participants learn a variety of strategies that are foundational to success in various aspects of daily life. They are then given opportunities to practice the strategies with the support of the facilitators and other group members.
Skills Group sessions happen once a week for six consecutive weeks. The next Executive Functioning group begins Wednesday, September 6 and runs through October 11, 2023.
Do you:
- Struggle with unexpected changes?
- Have trouble getting started, or maybe have trouble stopping things you like to do when it’s time to do something you don’t like to do?
- Have you ever avoided an experience or a person because of your anxiety?
- How about when you have a great idea, but have trouble creating and acting on a plan to get it done.
If so, learning more about Executive Functioning (EF) may be for you. Research has shown us that the skills underlying Executive Functioning can be taught, practiced and improved on. When EF Skills are working, we tend to be happier and more productive. We are excited to invite self-advocates and individuals who identify as autistic to attend this six part workshop on Executive Functioning (EF). We will discuss and practice skills including: Cognitive Flexibility, Getting Started, Staying Present, Bringing your Anxiety along for the Ride, and Organization/Planning.
Participants will learn about the importance of EF and how to improve EF skills through specific practice within a safe and supportive environment.
Please note: Skills Groups are closed groups with a limited number of participants to allow for the greatest participation.
To learn more about Skills Groups, visit our website, by clicking HERE.
Events
Skills Groups are skill development workshops that are facilitated by two Sinneave staff members (one is an autistic self-advocate). In each 90-minute workshop, participants learn a variety of strategies that are foundational to success in various aspects of daily life. They are then given opportunities to practice the strategies with the support of the facilitators and other group members.
Skills Group sessions happen once a week for six consecutive weeks. The next Executive Functioning group begins Wednesday, September 6 and runs through October 11, 2023.
Do you:
- Struggle with unexpected changes?
- Have trouble getting started, or maybe have trouble stopping things you like to do when it’s time to do something you don’t like to do?
- Have you ever avoided an experience or a person because of your anxiety?
- How about when you have a great idea, but have trouble creating and acting on a plan to get it done.
If so, learning more about Executive Functioning (EF) may be for you. Research has shown us that the skills underlying Executive Functioning can be taught, practiced and improved on. When EF Skills are working, we tend to be happier and more productive. We are excited to invite self-advocates and individuals who identify as autistic to attend this six part workshop on Executive Functioning (EF). We will discuss and practice skills including: Cognitive Flexibility, Getting Started, Staying Present, Bringing your Anxiety along for the Ride, and Organization/Planning.
Participants will learn about the importance of EF and how to improve EF skills through specific practice within a safe and supportive environment.
Please note: Skills Groups are closed groups with a limited number of participants to allow for the greatest participation.
To learn more about Skills Groups, visit our website, by clicking HERE.
Events
Skills Groups are skill development workshops that are facilitated by two Sinneave staff members (one is an autistic self-advocate). In each 90-minute workshop, participants learn a variety of strategies that are foundational to success in various aspects of daily life. They are then given opportunities to practice the strategies with the support of the facilitators and other group members.
Skills Group sessions happen once a week for six consecutive weeks. The next Executive Functioning group begins Wednesday, September 6 and runs through October 11, 2023.
Do you:
- Struggle with unexpected changes?
- Have trouble getting started, or maybe have trouble stopping things you like to do when it’s time to do something you don’t like to do?
- Have you ever avoided an experience or a person because of your anxiety?
- How about when you have a great idea, but have trouble creating and acting on a plan to get it done.
If so, learning more about Executive Functioning (EF) may be for you. Research has shown us that the skills underlying Executive Functioning can be taught, practiced and improved on. When EF Skills are working, we tend to be happier and more productive. We are excited to invite self-advocates and individuals who identify as autistic to attend this six part workshop on Executive Functioning (EF). We will discuss and practice skills including: Cognitive Flexibility, Getting Started, Staying Present, Bringing your Anxiety along for the Ride, and Organization/Planning.
Participants will learn about the importance of EF and how to improve EF skills through specific practice within a safe and supportive environment.
Please note: Skills Groups are closed groups with a limited number of participants to allow for the greatest participation.
To learn more about Skills Groups, visit our website, by clicking HERE.
Events
Skills Groups are skill development workshops that are facilitated by two Sinneave staff members (one is an autistic self-advocate). In each 90-minute workshop, participants learn a variety of strategies that are foundational to success in various aspects of daily life. They are then given opportunities to practice the strategies with the support of the facilitators and other group members.
Skills Group sessions happen once a week for six consecutive weeks. The next Executive Functioning group begins Wednesday, September 6 and runs through October 11, 2023.
Do you:
- Struggle with unexpected changes?
- Have trouble getting started, or maybe have trouble stopping things you like to do when it’s time to do something you don’t like to do?
- Have you ever avoided an experience or a person because of your anxiety?
- How about when you have a great idea, but have trouble creating and acting on a plan to get it done.
If so, learning more about Executive Functioning (EF) may be for you. Research has shown us that the skills underlying Executive Functioning can be taught, practiced and improved on. When EF Skills are working, we tend to be happier and more productive. We are excited to invite self-advocates and individuals who identify as autistic to attend this six part workshop on Executive Functioning (EF). We will discuss and practice skills including: Cognitive Flexibility, Getting Started, Staying Present, Bringing your Anxiety along for the Ride, and Organization/Planning.
Participants will learn about the importance of EF and how to improve EF skills through specific practice within a safe and supportive environment.
Please note: Skills Groups are closed groups with a limited number of participants to allow for the greatest participation.
To learn more about Skills Groups, visit our website, by clicking HERE.
Events
Skills Groups are skill development workshops that are facilitated by two Sinneave staff members (one is an autistic self-advocate). In each 90-minute workshop, participants learn a variety of strategies that are foundational to success in various aspects of daily life. They are then given opportunities to practice the strategies with the support of the facilitators and other group members.
Skills Group sessions happen once a week for six consecutive weeks. The next Executive Functioning group begins Wednesday, September 6 and runs through October 11, 2023.
Do you:
- Struggle with unexpected changes?
- Have trouble getting started, or maybe have trouble stopping things you like to do when it’s time to do something you don’t like to do?
- Have you ever avoided an experience or a person because of your anxiety?
- How about when you have a great idea, but have trouble creating and acting on a plan to get it done.
If so, learning more about Executive Functioning (EF) may be for you. Research has shown us that the skills underlying Executive Functioning can be taught, practiced and improved on. When EF Skills are working, we tend to be happier and more productive. We are excited to invite self-advocates and individuals who identify as autistic to attend this six part workshop on Executive Functioning (EF). We will discuss and practice skills including: Cognitive Flexibility, Getting Started, Staying Present, Bringing your Anxiety along for the Ride, and Organization/Planning.
Participants will learn about the importance of EF and how to improve EF skills through specific practice within a safe and supportive environment.
Please note: Skills Groups are closed groups with a limited number of participants to allow for the greatest participation.
To learn more about Skills Groups, visit our website, by clicking HERE.
Events
Did you know that up to 90% of communication is non-verbal? For people who find it challenging to read social cues, this can be a daunting statistic. How can you communicate with others if you have a hard time understanding and interpreting body language?
For many autistics, understanding subtle social cues doesn’t come naturally. But that doesn’t mean you have to be left out of social situations, there are many clever ways to learn these skills.
In this fun and engaging session, attendees will explore some of the most important non-verbal cues and learn to identify and interpret basic body language that will help with social and communication skills. Strategies and techniques used will provide a foundation on which they can build and practice reading and interpreting what others are saying through their body language.
It will also help them to be more aware of their own body language, and how others are responding to the non verbal messages they are sending.
Join us Thursday, August 31 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
This session is FREE and offered In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW) *Attending events in person is a great way to connect with peers and provides the opportunity to put your learning into practice. If attending in-person isn’t possible, you can choose to attend online via Sinneave Connects, our online learning portal.
If you already have a free Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not yet created yours, you will need to register. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Pick a user name
- Pick a password (Don’t forget to record it somewhere safe for next time!)
- Select: “Actions Speak Louder than Words: learning to interpret body language and read social cues″ and enroll.
To access the event and virtual link via Sinneave Connects, click the button below that says, “Actions Speak Louder than Words: learning to interpret body language and social cues.″
Actions Speak Louder than Words: learning to interpret body language and social cues
If you have any questions about this session or need help navigating Sinneave Connects, please email info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help!
P.S. The quick access button to Sinneave Connects is on the upper right corner of our Homepage.
About the presenter: Sherry Taylor has more than 15 years experience in the not for profit industry. She is a Program Facilitator with the EmploymentWorks program and is passionate about developing curriculum and content that makes lifelong learning fun for autistic youth, adults, persons with disabilities and professionals interested in expanding their knowledge and creating environments that are welcoming and inclusive.
Events
It’s essential to have basic computer skills in order to find success in both education and employment. Here at Sinneave, we are passionate about providing practical, hands-on opportunities for skill-building so autistic & neurodivergent youth and adults can thrive in their everyday lives. Whether you’re heading back to school at the end of the summer or will be starting a new job, we’ve got you covered!
In this session, attendees will learn the basic computer skills every person needs to find success in education, employment and life.
Learn about the Microsoft Office suite of tools–primarily Word, Excel and PowerPoint–ask questions, and practice using the software, learning the basics of each tool and in what scenarios you might need to use each one.
*Because this is a hands-on session and participants require a computer with the necessary software, attendance is limited to in-person only.
Join us Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24th Avenue NW) *Please note the updated time
This one-hour Exploration Session is free but you do need to register, as we are limited in the number of computers we can provide participants. If you have your own laptop or tablet loaded with a version of Microsoft Office 2013 or later, you are welcome to bring your own! (Don’t forget to update your software and bring your charger!)
Registration for this session will take place on Sinneave Connects, our online Learning Hub. If this is the first time you’ve used Sinneave Connects, you will need to create a free account. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.
- Pick a user name
- Pick a password (Don’t forget to record it somewhere safe for next time!)
- Register! Choose the “Digital Literacy for Education & Employment Success” event dated July 27
IMPORTANT INFO: When you log in to the event, you’ll see a tab on the side that says, “Select Session” (see the screen shot below) Click on that box.
When you click on Select Session, you will see a drop down menu.
Select: “I need a Device” if you need to use one of our computers.
Select: “I’m bringing my own Device” if you will be bringing your own laptop or tablet loaded with Microsoft Office 2013 or newer
Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today! Click the button below that says “Setting Yourself up for Success: Computer Basics” (When you click this button, you will be directed to the Sinneave Connects log-in page. When you log in, the Digital Literacy session should be on your screen.
Setting Yourself up for Success: Computer Basics
If you have any questions about this session, or need technical support for navigating the Sinneave Connects Learning Hub, please contact info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us at 403 210-5000.
Events
Every day we communicate with our family, friends, colleagues and even strangers, but only a small percentage of what we communicate during each of these conversations is verbal.
Research shows that the vast majority of what we convey through our interactions with others is in the form of nonverbal communication. Behaviours like body movements and posture, facial expressions, eye contact, hand gestures and tone of voice all contribute to how we communicate and understand each other.
Most of us are unaware of our participation in interpersonal, nonverbal communication because these actions are ingrained into how we interact in our daily lives, but most experts agree that 70 to 90 per cent of all communication is non-verbal.
This can be quite a daunting statistic for anyone who struggles to to read and interpret social cues. The good news is there are many great ways to learn to interpret basic body language and social cues.
In this Exploration Session, we’ll explore some of the most important non-verbal behaviours and learn tricks for reading and interpreting what they mean. Attendees will come away with:
- enhanced understanding of the ways we communicate without words,
- a greater awareness of other people’s reactions in the moment, and
- an awareness of their own body language and the non-verbal messages they may send during interactions.
Our goal is to have attendees walk away with knowledge and practice that will ultimately help them in real time social interactions, job interviews, workplace situations and daily life.
Join us Thursday, June 8
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW) or online via Sinneave Connects, our online learning portal.
If you already have a free Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not yet created yours, you will need to register. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Pick a user name
- Pick a password (Don’t forget to record it somewhere safe for next time!)
- Choose the “When Actions Speak: Strategies for interpreting non-verbal communication″ and enroll.
To access the event and virtual link via Sinneave Connects, click the button below that says, “When Actions Speak: Strategies for interpreting non-verbal communication″
When Actions Speak: Strategies for interpreting non-verbal communication
If you have any questions or need support navigating Sinneave Connects, please email info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help!
