Events

We love being out in the community, meeting people face-to-face AND we love talking about autism and the programs & services we offer to support autistic and neurodivergent youth and adults in Calgary and beyond to THRIVE!

On Wednesday, October 11 we get to do BOTH!

Join us at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Village Square Leisure Centre for a brief presentation all about Sinneave.

Learn about our organization and the programs and services we offer, including:

  • Information & Navigation meetings
  • Launch + Skills, individualized life skills coaching
  • Autism: Building Understanding, Empowering Action
  • EmploymentWorks
  • Skills Groups
  • Autism Campus Prep
  • Sinneave Connects, and
  • Learning & Connection Activities

Attendees will have opportunity to ask questions and engage with our charming Learning & Connection staff in a safe and welcoming environment.

Village Square Leisure Centre, Community Room

2623 56 Street NE in Calgary

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 

There is no registration required, just drop-in! If you know people in the Calgary area who might benefit from learning more about our organization, please spread the word.

If you have questions about this presentation, please email us at info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us at 403 210-5000.

About the Presenters:

Amy Tatterton (she/her) is the Director of Learning and Connection for the Sinneave Family Foundation. She provides leadership to Sinneave’s community education and engagement initiatives with a goal of reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities for autistic youth and adults. Amy holds a Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Calgary with a focus in Educational Research and has specific interest in neurodivergence and co-occurring mental health concerns. Amy was born and raised in Calgary and has personal and professional experience in environments that support neurodivergent individuals–like sport, post-secondary supports, pediatric behaviour intervention, early childhood learning management and now, supporting youth in the transition to adulthood. When she’s not working, Amy loves to spend time outside – golfing, skiing, camping and hiking.

Jay Haukenfrers (she/her) is the Learning and Connection Coordinator for the Sinneave Family Foundation. She oversees Sinneave’s Information & Navigation service, which provides resources to self-advocates, parents and professionals. Jay also supports with Learning and Connection activities, including community engagement, presentations, workshops and digital content. Jay has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in music and psychology. She has had the honour of supporting diverse vulnerable populations in many ways for more than 10 years. She has worked with families and children in crisis, young people with disabilities pursuing post-secondary education, adults with disabilities and co-occurring health challenges, and now, with autistic and neurodivergent youth and adults in the transition to adulthood. Outside of work, Jay enjoys long walks in the forest, baking and crocheting her next blanket!

 

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

Do you find it difficult to communicate when someone disagrees with you?
Join us Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. to 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.

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:

  1. Create a user name
  2. Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
  3. Select “Register”
  4. Choose the Drop-in Workshop: Handling Disagreements course to access the virtual link.

Sinneave Connects

 

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 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!

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

We know that meeting new people and making friends isn’t always easy.
Join us Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. to learn 5 tips you can practice and use when it comes to making friends and maintaining social relationships.

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:

  1. Create a user name
  2. Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
  3. Select “Register”
  4. Choose the Drop-in Workshop: Establishing Social Connections course to access the virtual link.

Sinneave Connects

 

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 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!

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

Technology is rapidly changing and advancing. While we embrace the good things it has to offer, it has also introduced many new challenges.
Join us Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. to discuss the implications of online safety and strategies for navigating electronic communication and maintaining good mental health in the process.

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:

  1. Create a user name
  2. Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
  3. Select “Register”
  4. Choose the Drop-in Workshop: Electronic Communication Strategies course to access the virtual link.

Sinneave Connects

 

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 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!

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

How do you end or leave a conversation when it’s time to go? 
Join us Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. to talk about strategies you can learn and practice to help you leave a conversation or end a conversation in tactful ways.

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:

  1. Create a user name
  2. Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
  3. Select “Register”
  4. Choose the Drop-in Workshop: Strategies for Exiting Conversations course to access the virtual link.

Sinneave Connects

 

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.

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.

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.

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!

Questions? Contact Us!

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:

  1. Create a user name
  2. Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
  3. Select “Register”
  4. Choose the Drop-in Workshop: Non-verbal Communication course to access the virtual link.

Sinneave Connects

 

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!

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

If you thought your task would be a “piece of cake,” but now you’ve “bitten off more than you can chew” and want to “call it a day” we would understand if you were perplexed. 

Phrases of Confusion (also known as idioms) are multi-word expressions that have non-literal meanings, which can often only be figured out by using contextual information.

Idioms can be heard everywhere: in the workplace, at school, at the local bar, and even at home. Each language has its own set of unique idioms, but they don’t often translate well. And, if you aren’t familiar with them, they can leave a person feeling very confused.

Unfortunately, the literal meaning is never the correct meaning of what the speaker is trying to get across.

Good communication is already difficult enough for some autistic individuals, so finding a solution for learning idioms is important.

In this fun and interactive session, participants will learn about and discuss some common idiomatic expressions and be able to understand and identify idioms, learning tips and strategies to predict the meanings of many of them.

Join us Thursday, April 13 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24th Avenue NW)

This session is free.

You don’t need to register in advance.

We love gathering in person, but if getting to the session at the Hub is a barrier for you, there is an option to attend virtually via Sinneave Connects, our online learning platform. If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you haven’t yet opened a FREE account, it’s easy! Click the link below to be directed to the portal.

  1. Pick a user name
  2. Pick a password (Don’t forget to record it somewhere safe for next time!)
  3. Choose the “Phrased & Confused” event to be directed to the livestream.

 

Phrased & Confused: All about idioms and expressions that are confusing – Virtual Link

 

If you have any questions about this Exploration Session, please email info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000.

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

We are delighted to introduce Employment Drop-in Sessions for 2023. Designed specifically for Autistic and Neurodivergent individuals, these sessions aim to provide a space for learning and practicing essential pre-employment skills on an as-needed basis.

Each week, our skilled Employment Program Facilitators will dive into a different aspect of the job-search journey providing attendees a diverse set of strategies and skills to develop, practice and build on.

The sessions consist of a short, informative presentation that provide practical tips, recommendations and advice on the topic of the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to put their newfound knowledge into action by practicing these new skills with the support of the facilitator and other attendees.

The sessions are in-person at The Ability Hub located on the 3rd floor of the Child Development Centre at 3820 24th Avenue NW. The best part is that the sessions are free!

You can choose to attend all six sessions or pick the ones that align with your interest or greatest need, no advance registration is required.

All sessions will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. and a Sinneave Program Facilitator will be available to support participants until 3:00 p.m..

Sessions run weekly, every Wednesday starting February 8 through May 17, 2023. Each topic will be offered at least twice, so if you miss the first date, you can catch the second.

Topics and corresponding dates are below:

Career Exploration
Offered February 8, March 22, May 10

Are you unsure of what job might be a good fit for you? In this session, we will discuss ways that you can think about your skills, strengths and interests and use those to inform what jobs would be interesting to you, might be a good fit for you, and help you develop a strategy to begin your search.

Résumé Building
Offered February 15, March 29, May 17

Do you have a resume? Has it been a while since someone had a chance to review it? Or maybe you have new work experience but you are unsure of the best way to update your resume. In this session we’ll learn how you can make sure that your resume is up to date and application-ready.

Cover Letter Writing
Offered February 22, April 5

What is a cover letter? Do you really need one? What does it include and why is it important for job applications? This session will cover all of that and more so you can learn how to use a cover letter to help you stand out against other applicants.

Interview Preparation
Offered march 1, April 12

Do you find interviews challenging? Do you get nervous and feel unprepared even though you know you are a good fit for the job? In this session we will discuss how to prepare for an interview and how to answer some of the most commonly asked interview questions.

Job Search Strategies
Offered March 8, April 19

Searching for a job can be stressful and take up a lot of time, but it doesn’t have to!  In this session you will learn a variety of strategies to help you plan and manage your job search process effectively.

Disclosure & Workplace Accommodations
Offered March 15, May 3

What is disclosure and why talk about it? This session provides an opportunity for participants to discuss the topic of disclosing their diagnosis/need for a workplace flexibility (accommodation) to their employer.

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Email info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us 403 210-5000

Questions? Contact Us!

Events

We are delighted to introduce Employment Drop-in Sessions for 2023. Designed specifically for Autistic and Neurodivergent individuals, these sessions aim to provide a space for learning and practicing essential pre-employment skills on an as-needed basis.

Each week, our skilled Employment Program Facilitators will dive into a different aspect of the job-search journey providing attendees a diverse set of strategies and skills to develop, practice and build on.

The sessions consist of a short, informative presentation that provide practical tips, recommendations and advice on the topic of the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to put their newfound knowledge into action by practicing these new skills with the support of the facilitator and other attendees.

The sessions are in-person at The Ability Hub located on the 3rd floor of the Child Development Centre at 3820 24th Avenue NW. The best part is that the sessions are free!

You can choose to attend all of them or pick the ones that align with your interest or greatest need, no advance registration is required.

All sessions will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. and a Sinneave Program Facilitator will be available to support participants until 3:00 p.m.

Sessions run weekly, every Wednesday starting February 8 through May 17, 2023. Each topic will be offered at least twice, so if you miss the first date, you can catch the second.

Topics and corresponding dates are below:

Career Exploration
Offered February 8, March 22, May 10

Are you unsure of what job might be a good fit for you? In this session, we will discuss ways that you can think about your skills, strengths and interests and use those to inform what jobs would be interesting to you, might be a good fit for you, and help you develop a strategy to begin your search.

Résumé Building
Offered February 15, March 29, May 17

Do you have a resume? Has it been a while since someone had a chance to review it? Or maybe you have new work experience but you are unsure of the best way to update your resume. In this session we’ll learn how you can make sure that your resume is up to date and application-ready.

Cover Letter Writing
Offered February 22, April 5

What is a cover letter? Do you really need one? What does it include and why is it important for job applications? This session will cover all of that and more so you can learn how to use a cover letter to help you stand out against other applicants.

Interview Preparation
Offered march 1, April 12

Do you find interviews challenging? Do you get nervous and feel unprepared even though you know you are a good fit for the job? In this session we will discuss how to prepare for an interview and how to answer some of the most commonly asked interview questions.

Job Search Strategies
Offered March 8, April 19

Searching for a job can be stressful and take up a lot of time, but it doesn’t have to!  In this session you will learn a variety of strategies to help you plan and manage your job search process effectively.

Disclosure & Workplace Accommodations
Offered March 15, May 3

What is disclosure and why talk about it? This session provides an opportunity for participants to discuss the topic of disclosing their diagnosis/need for a workplace flexibility (accommodation) to their employer.

 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Email info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us 403 210-5000

Questions? Contact Us!

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