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peelautismresource.bsky.social
Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦
@peelautismresource.bsky.social
1.2K followers 81 following 610 posts
With a focus on Peel Region (Ontario, Canada), PAR is an online resource providing information about autism, Special Education, government programs & community supports. Skeets are my own

https://linktr.ee/Peel_Autism_Resource
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peelautismresource.bsky.social
Over 20K have been onboarded into Core Clinical Services (direct funding)

But ALL registered children (including that 60K) HAVE access to free programs in the #OAP

#ONpoli #autism
Image is a screen capture from Community Living Ontario's media statement titled "Kids Not Ready for School, Schools Not Ready for Kids" Text reads "These programs exist for a reason, and there is a real need here. What does it mean that 20,000 kids are accessing the OAP, while 60,000 need access but don’t have it?"
November 7, 2025 at 9:49 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Not the outcome we wanted but it was an amazing ride

Thank you @torontobluejays.bsky.social! ❤️🤗⚾️🇨🇦

#CanadasTeam #TorontoBlueJays
Blue background with a large broken red heart. White text reads "Thank You, Blue Jays. What a ride. This team gave us something special this season. Not just the wins, but the nights gathered around the TV, the snacks, the yelling, the strategy talk, the laughter. Every game felt like a family event. Sure, the series didn't end the way we hoped, but the memories we made along the way? Worth every inning. #WeAreBlueJays #ThankYouJays." Under the text is the Blue Jays logo
November 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
#WANTITALL #CanadasTeam #BlueJays #WorldSeries2025 ⚾🇨🇦

@bluejays.com
Split image: Top shows a border crossing at night with "Canada Closed Tonight" sign. Bottom depicts jubilant Toronto Blue Jays players in a stadium.
November 2, 2025 at 1:27 AM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
The "support training" in the OAP include workshops, 1:1 consultations & groups meant to teach parents about #autism & ways they can support their child

Granted I don't know her son's needs but I do worry when I see parents say they're "not relevant"

tinyurl.com/36vhrkpv

#OAP #ONpoli 1/2
Image is a screen capture from a Toronto Star article titled "Wait for core Ontario autism services tops five years: advocates" Text reads "As well, the Progressive Conservative government has introduced “pillars” families can access on a time-limited basis as they wait for funding for core services, including an entry-to-school program, urgent response services and support training for families. But Ferreira said they were not relevant for her son, and what he really needed was the core services."
November 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Reclaiming Indigenous Understandings of Neurodiversity with Dr. Grant Bruno on Oct 30 at 12-1 pm (virtual)

Register here tinyurl.com/275fp3bh

#autism #neurodiversity @anishinabeknation.bsky.social
Flyer for a virtual talk by Dr. Grant Bruno on "Reclaiming Indigenous Understandings of Neurodiversity" on October 30, 2025. Features his photo and event details.
October 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Inevitably when there's talk of moving away from a compliance-based model, there's pushback

Here are some responses to naysayer fears & reframes them through safety, curiosity, and interoception

Credit: Kelly Mahler

#CuriosityOverCompliance #Interoception #FeltSafety #autism #OT
Light blue background with a lavender centre that says: They Naysay: “If we show attention during moments of distress, we will reinforce their behaviours.” Light blue background with a lavender centre that says: Possible responses: “We all need help regulating sometimes” “Their inner experience is worthy of attention” “Curiosity about the cause helps reduce the behaviour naturally.”
October 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
A reminder for therapists & educators about what neuro-affirming practice looks like

Credit: Therapist Neurodiversity Collective

PDF: tinyurl.com/yj5typjc

#neurodiversity #autism
Infographic comparing Neurodiversity-Affirming and Neurodiversity-Lite therapy approaches, highlighting affirming, rights-based practice versus compliance-based “Autism Intervention.” Created by Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, adapted from ASAN’s “For Whose Benefit.”
October 22, 2025 at 12:39 AM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Going away on a family retreat

See you soon!

#autism #PeelRegion #respite
Image has a pale background and red abstract circle art with text "Taking time off!" and the Peel Autism Resource logo. Text underneath reads "Taking a break with family and will be out-of-town from Oct 15-18, 2025"
October 15, 2025 at 3:47 AM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Oof

Who said they "can't learn"? 🙄

Your ableism is showing

Presume competence always

#OntEd #autism #disability #inclusion #neurodiversity
Image is a screen capture from a Whig Standard article titled "Kingston parent blames underfunding as school services reduced for children with special needs at school" Text reads "Rice said he has spoken with EAs privately and said they are deeply concerned about how the current system of allocation takes away from the kids with disabilities that have a greater potential to learn. Article content 'The EAs have also complained that they aren’t doing the job they were hired to do,' Rice explained. 'They’ve become caretakers for children that, unfortunately, can’t learn.'”
October 14, 2025 at 12:08 AM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Many parents want their autistic children in self-contained classrooms to get the supports they need

This paper found that they don't deliver on their promises

www.inclusiveschooling.com/wp-content/u...

It was done in 2011 but its findings still should be considered

#OntEd #autism #inclusion
Image is a screen capture of an excerpt from a 2011 paper titled "Does Self-Contained Special Education Deliver on Its Promises? A Critical Inquiry Into Research and Practice".
October 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
The Alliance's mission is to INFORM policy & practice at a national level

It's the provinces who are responsible for creating & delivering #autism services

A group that doesn't understand the constitutional division of legislative authority in Canada shouldn't speak for the entire community 1/2
Image is a screen capture of a Facebook post Text reads "Hi Folks, Well, the Autism Alliance of Canada's 2024 annual report is now available online. I did a word search for 'treatment', 'therapy', 'ABA', 'Applied Behaviour Analysis', and 'Medicare'. None of those words show up in the report. I guess they are not priority issues for the 'Alliance'".
October 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
From @selfreg.bsky.social

"Self-Reg can help us understand and respond positively to the roots of many behaviour, emotion and social challenges that affect children and families."

Blog: self-reg.ca/practices-of...

#SelfReg #parenting #ChildDevelopment #autism #stress
On a green background, white text reads "There are five practices in The Shankar Method: 1. Reframe the behaviour 2. Recognize the stressors across the five domains 3. Reduce the stress 4. Reflect and enhance stress awareness 5 Restore energy"
October 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
From SENDwise Hub

Why accommodations can't replace intentional, inclusive design

ndwisehub.substack.com/p/accessibil...

#OntEd #EduSky #autism #inclusion #accessibility #disability #neurodiversity
Square image with orange background and white text Text reads "Accessibility: A Right, Not a Request. Why accommodations can't replace intentional, inclusive design. A while back I wrote a short post about why accommodations are not enough on my social media. It was more of an overview on their inadequacies and why we should rethink and reframe...."
October 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Read more here www.facebook.com/kellymahler/...

#autism #interoception #sensory #OT #MentalHealth

Credit: Kelly Mahler
Image description: Orange tile with lighter orange stripes. Text reads: Why Compliance Hurts Mental Health. When you’re forced to mask, ignore, and override your body’s signals, you lose self-trust. Interoception can help undo compliance and reconnect
October 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Is more funding needed? Yes. But it's not enough. We need the entire system needs to be overhauled

As the article says, there needs to be a shift in ATTITUDES to make inclusion possible

Schools need to STOP using a compliance-based model. It's OUTDATED

#OntEd #ONpoli #autism #inclusion
Image is a screen capture from an article put out by The Conversation titled "Many autistic students are denied a full education — here’s what we need for inclusive schools" Text reads "The assumption that simply integrating autistic students into mainstream settings guarantees inclusion is not only misleading, but harmful. As many advocates warn, true inclusion demands a fundamental shift in attitudes, environments and policies."
October 7, 2025 at 11:55 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Credit: @spectrumsloth.bsky.social

#autism #AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
Text on a blue background reads: "We are autistic. We are human beings. We are not ‘less than’ anyone else. We deserve to live our lives as our true selves." A rainbow infinity symbol and colourful paper are at the bottom.
October 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Unfortunately, schools tend to focus more on just stopping "challenging" behaviours (sometimes with exclusion, seclusion & restraint) rather than trying to figure out what's actually causing them in the first place

#autism #OntEd
A cartoon picture of a faucet, with text coming out of it that reads, "When we focus on eliminating unwanted behaviors, it's like mopping up the sink instead of turning off the water. Behavior have causes unique to each child, and we find answers when we compassionately address the causes." The quote is by Dr. Mona Delahooke, Ph.D. and the image was made by Synergy: gentle parenting resources. End description.
October 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Understanding & accommodating sensory differences can ease discomfort and increase opportunities for autistic people to learn, socialize, communicate and participate in the community

Credit Lil Penguin Studios

#autism #sensory #neurodiversity
Colourful illustration created by Lil Penguin Studios has cute characters showcasing autistic accommodations like plushies, fidget toys, chewing gum, headphones, hoodies, and communication cards. Positive tone emphasizes understanding and acceptance. Text reads "Autistic accommodations can look like simple things"
October 4, 2025 at 10:28 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Autistic / ND students work very hard all day at school to meet neurotypical expectations

They fall apart at home because it's their safe space

Schools have to stop forcing autistic / ND kids to mask

Image credit: Bermed

#OntEd #autism #neurodiversity
Two-panel illustration of a boy. Left: smiling at a desk, mask icon, text reads "I hold it together all day..." Right: upset at home, text reads "and then I fall apart." Credit Bermed
October 4, 2025 at 10:27 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Neurotypical demands are often placed on neurodivergent children which forces them to mask. They keep it all in until they get home

#autism #neurodiversity #OntEd #EduSky
Image description: A female child and adult female are lying on their stomachs on the floor beside each other with their legs up bent at their knees. The child has their head down on their hands. Black text is a quote from Jeanette Loftus Alt text: When your child has a great day at school and then they come home with you and that's when you notice they have meltdowns, it's because they love and trust you. They hold it inside all day until they are safe with you to be themselves. You are their safe place. It is not your parenting. ~ Jeanette Loftus
October 3, 2025 at 9:54 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Awareness is easy. Acceptance requires actual work

And there's a lot of work that needs to be done

Let's listen to autistic voices, learn about & understand #autism, accommodate & accept differences, and overcome prejudices & stereotypes

#AutismAcceptance #neurodiversity
Image text reads "October is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in Canada". There is a rainbow infinity sign representing neurodiversity. Underneath it black text reads "Different not less". Branded Peel Autism Resource is in the bottom left corner
October 1, 2025 at 5:38 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
Attention Canadian peeps!

From @inclusioncanada.bsky.social:

Free, 1:1 support from Inclusion Canada’s Navigators to apply for the #CDB, #DTC, #RDSP, Dental Care Plan, file taxes, and more

Contact a Navigator today: www.inclusioncanada.ca/page/barrier...

#BarrierFreeBenefits #disability #CdnPWD
Infographic titled 'Barrier-Free Benefits: Inclusion Canada’s Navigator Program.' Details program support for disability benefits applications, listing Disability Tax Credit, Canada Disability Benefit, and more. Specifies eligibility for people with disabilities, family, advocates, and community workers. Includes a contact link and a smiling person with a laptop. Tone is supportive and informative.
September 28, 2025 at 7:03 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
"..problematic aspects of the physical school environment could have a stronger impact on autistic youths’ participation than youth characteristics or family factors"

Research: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

#autism #OntEd #inclusion #accessibility

Image credit: Dr Joanne Riordan on FB
Image has a orange, pink and purple gradient background. White text reads "Research tells us that the strongest predictor of autistic young people's school engagement, is the number of difficulties with the school's physical environment. Family factors had no effect on engagement (Li et al., 2024)"
September 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
This group says #autism isn't a disease that needs a "cure"

But their mission statement says it needs "treatment"? 🤔

#autism
Screen capture of a press release from the Ontario Autism Coalition in response to the US administration's announcement regarding autism and Tylenol Screen capture from the Ontario Autism Coalition's website outlining their mission statement Black text reads "Our mission: The OAC’s mission is to secure life-long, permanent, scientifically supported, government-funded therapy, treatment, and services for individuals with autism and their families."
September 25, 2025 at 11:27 PM
peelautismresource.bsky.social
From Inclusive Action in Ontario:

"For kids, back to school is usually an exciting time of year. But for some students, caregivers and parents, it is filled with anxiety, school placement decisions, and the dread of the 'Individual Education Plan'"

shorturl.at/xNBPm

#OntEd #EduSky #IEP #inclusion
Child with a blue backpack faces away on a city street. Text above reads "New Blog Post: Back to School Brings Excitement, Angst and IEP Season. Read More"
September 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM