Parent Mentor
Parents who have a child with special needs often feel helpless and alone. Talking with someone who can give them specific guidance can bring a sense of security to parents who wonder what to do when their child does not fit the pattern for the usual growth and development.
Programs
Programs at Waterloo Region Family Network include a variety of workshops and seminars, ongoing support groups and personal guidance to ensure families are aware of and appropriately connected to all available community resources. Our programs also include social and skill development groups.
Resources
Our resources page includes information and links on many topics: Advocacy, Support, Respite, Education, Financial Assistance, Camps, Employment needs, Health, Transportation and much more.
Vulnerable Persons Registry: In the event of an emergency, The Registry provides police access to helpful information such as: emergency contacts, detailed description, ways to communicate.
Community News on ConnectABILITY.ca has expanded to include news and events in Waterloo Region.
Autism in High School is a new web-based guide to help students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families as they navigate the transitions and common challenges of high school.
Upcoming Events
On August 20th families are invited to come out and enjoy Funmazing Play Centre in Guelph!
Autism Ontario will have full, exclusive use including play structure, arcade games, Piñata pit, and a car track!
Registration opens June 30th at 9am.
We are excited to share that we will once again be hosting a Family Conference. Please save the date and plan to join us September 16th from 9-3p.m.
Ann Douglas sparks conversations that matter about parenting and mental health. She is the weekend parenting columnist for CBC Radio and a bestselling parenting author whose most recent book is Parenting Through the Storm (Guilford Press, 2017). A passionate and inspiring speaker, Ann delivers keynote addresses and leads small-group workshops at health, parenting, and education conferences.
The Minister of Children and Youth Services, Michael Coteau, will be hosting a provincial Autism Tele Town Hall on Tuesday, June 27 from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Minister will provide details and updates on the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP) announced June 8 and will take questions from the tele town hall audience.
Parents of children and youth with autism and other stakeholders are invited to join this province-wide town hall that will be conducted live via tele conference.
Participants are required to register in advance and a toll-free number will be provided for the event.
BrainWorx, run in partnership with Laurier’s Department of Psychology is a week-long day camp that takes place at Laurier. Children participate in fun and informational themed activities each day to learn about the brain and body. Children are also invited to participate in a variety of research studies during their week at camp. This year, BrainWorx campers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of experiments, crafts and games related to a specific theme (senses, reflexes/reactions, brain protection, memory and the importance of water) in addition to going rock climbing and swimming.
To register, please visit http://www.childmemorylab.com or contact wluchildmemory@gmail.com
Special Olympics Ontario, as part of our Partners In Play initiative, has partnered with the Guelph Marlins Swim Club to offer a new learn to play program in Guelph.
Guelph Marlins’ Embracing Ability program is designed for participants between the ages of 6 and 15 with an intellectual disability who are interested in learning more about swimming and physical literacy! Athletes will work on improving their strokes and endurance in this 4 week program (July 3 to July 26 – no classes on July 8), which will run twice a week (Mondays, Wednesdays) from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at Centennial.
Online registration is open and can be done online. For further details please contact Mary Gerrard at gmacswimclub@gmail.com.
From The Blog
Camps on TRACKS
Camps on TRACKS is a free online training platform for summer camp staff to make camp a more inclusive place where ALL kids have fun and belong! http://www.campsontracks.com/
CharterAbility Accessible Dock
The CharterAbility accessible dock, used for Creek Cruises, is located off Water Street, Oakville, Ontario, under the Rebecca Street bridge, within the Oakville Harbour. They are located on the west side of Sixteen Mile Creek, to the south of the Oakville Power Boat Club, and opposite the Central Library and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.
In addition to the Boat Cruises, they do arrange occasional fishing trips on the river, and both BBQ’s and Picnics at the dock, or in Busby Park. Last season they completed more than 200 free community boat rides, for individuals and organizations, representing all ages, with various disabilities, including children, seniors, their friends, families and care givers.
Learn more about CharterAbility here: http://www.charterability.com/html/location.html
Waterloo Region FASD CoP Update
Please see the update from the FASD Community of Practice. Find information about upcoming workshops, camp, caregiver consultations and an update on FASD Waterloo Region’s visit to Queen’s Park.