Vancouver and Halifax, Canada – On Tuesday, March 22th, 2022, Autism Nova Scotia (Autism NS) and Canucks Autism Network (CAN) launched a free online training for employers, HR professionals, or anyone looking to improve mental health supports for Autistic employees and job seekers in the workplace.
The free training, funded by Ready, Willing, and Able, is self-paced and covers the following topics:
Explanation of autism and the mental health concerns that Autistic individuals often encounter in the workplace
Practical low-cost or no-cost strategies that are critical to the well-being of Autistic employees, yet benefit all employees
Strategies on how to identify and respond to a mental health crisis from an autism-aware lens
How to direct employees to external mental health resources
How to select inclusive employee benefits
A group of advisors based in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia came together to advise on the development of the training. The group was made up of Autistic advocates, employers who recruit or hire inclusively, and clinicians who support the mental health of Autistic youth and adults. Managers in Workplace Mental Health with the Mental Health Commission of Canada also provided constructive feedback on the training.
Kevin A., an Autistic advocate and professional, was among the group of advisors.
“Minimizing noise can be simple and beneficial in many workplaces”, stated A. “But it’s also important that everyone in the workplace knows what autism is, so that Autistic people’s behaviour isn’t misinterpreted as ‘inappropriate’, or so that they can get direct, clear feedback rather than being left to ‘read between the lines’.”
Tammy Morris, Neurodiversity Centres of Excellence Leader for EY Canada, was also a part of the advisory group.
“It is great to see a disability resource that brings together healthcare insurance benefits, EFAP, and public supports, offering a full picture for employers, employees and job seekers who have had to navigate silos,” said Morris. “The training is a good balance of informational content, definitions, videos, case scenarios and take away tips.”
CAN and Autism NS see the training as a step towards addressing the gap in mental health supports for Autistic youth and adults in Canada.
“We know there are critical service gaps in mental health supports for Autistic youth and adults across Canada. This online training was created in direct response to that growing need and is a crucial step towards addressing the issue” said Cynthia Carroll, Executive Director of Autism Nova Scotia.
CAN CEO Britt Andersen further noted, “The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the employment and job search of many individuals on the spectrum who were already facing pre-existing barriers to employment. Our goal with the training is to equip employers with better knowledge and resources to support employees or job applicants on the spectrum.”
About Canucks Autism Network (CAN) Canucks Autism Network provides programs for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, while promoting acceptance and inclusion through community engagement and training initiatives across BC and beyond.
About Autism Nova Scotia (Autism NS) Autism Nova Scotia isa community-based organization that builds understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for Autistics/individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families through leadership, advocacy, education, training and programming across the lifespan.
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For media inquiries: Lindsay Petrie, Director of Marketing & Communications Canucks Autism Network lindsay.petrie@canucksautism.ca 604.788.8565
Mariann Peters, Executive Assistant Autism Nova Scotia mpeters@autismns.ca 902.446.4995, ext.61
We are so proud to have been selected by the Coquitlam Express for their Shaw Brighter Communities initiative. From now until May 31, 2022, fans can make a $10 donation by texting CQTKIDS to 41010. Shaw will match all text-to-donate contributions! Full details at bchl.ca/shaw.
This initiative comes on the heels of the Express’ first-ever Autism Acceptance Game, hosted this past February.
The Coquitlam Express have been a mainstay in the Tri-Cities since 2001. Playing out of Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex, the BCHL team is committed to fostering inclusion and accessibility in their community.
So when Express Vice President and General Manager Tali Campbell heard that our Coquitlam Sharks youth team played out of the same arena, he was immediately motivated to connect with us.
“Going to a hockey game, we often don’t think about the loud horn, the music, the fans cheering — but for someone on the autism spectrum, it becomes a very sensory rich environment,” said Campbell in an interview with Global News. “And sometimes it becomes too much. It’s long overdue that we become an accessible arena for everyone, including those on the autism spectrum.”
Led by Tali’s belief in accessibility, the Express partnered with CAN to host their first-ever Autism Acceptance Game on Sunday, February 27. Over 100 CAN families were invited to watch a marquee match up against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
With CAN’s support, the Express had sensory-friendly kits on-hand and a designated Quiet Room for any fan who might benefit. Both resources can be accessed at any Express home game by visiting the merchandise sales window.
Each kit contains noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys and a game timeline.
Throughout the afternoon, the game showcased a number of key autistic voices, figures and talents within the CAN community. A couple of CAN participants expertly shared the mic, as Ryan Chilton (28 years old) announced the starting lineup and Jayden Weiss (12) sang the national anthem.
Meanwhile, the ceremonial puck drop was performed by Christian Aquilini, the young man who inspired Paolo and Clara to found CAN in 2008.
Canucks Co-Owners Paolo & Clara Aquilini founded CAN with a desire to create more opportunities for individuals on the spectrum like Christian.
And at first intermission, the young members of the CAN Coquitlam Sharks showcased their talents during an intrasquad scrimmage.
The Coquitlam Sharks team also debuted their brand new jerseys at the game!
As the focus shifted back on the BCHL contest, the hundreds of CAN members in attendance were treated to a 3-2 win, as the Express staved off a late push from the visiting Bulldogs. But the festivities didn’t end at the final buzzer.
With the Express players in good spirits from their win, each CAN family was invited onto the ice for a post-game skate with the victors! It was a true joy to see this team of junior athletes bond with our young CAN players.
And for any non-hockey playing members who were looking to steady themselves on the ice, an Express player was never far to lend a helping hand.
We like to think that the Express had some added motivation to connect with our participants that afternoon. It was actually behind the scenes that perhaps one of the most inspiring moments of the day took place.
Sylvain Formo, a young adult on the spectrum, was invited to speak to the entire Express team. He shared about his experience growing up as a goalie, before joining the CAN staff team as a coach.
“I know you’ll be with the CAN kids after the game during the family skate,” said Sylvain. “Just take a second to get to know each kid. Each kid is different and you’ll probably learn something you never knew before.”
Based on the beaming smiles that we saw on both the Express players and the CAN families’ faces, it’s safe to say that they took Sylvain’s words to heart.
“We’re thankful to Canucks Autism Network for working with us on this event,” said Tali. “I’m learning. My staff are learning. And our players are learning.”
CAN CEO Britt Andersen, CAN hockey dad Rob DeGoey, Express VP & GM Tali Campbell and Express Event Director Rick Nelson.
At CAN, our vision is for every individual on the spectrum to be understood, accepted, and supported in all community spaces. Thank you to Tali and the entire Coquitlam Express organization for taking meaningful steps in this direction.
As we continue to celebrate Donor Appreciation Month at Canucks Autism Network (CAN), we want to recognize Vancouver International Airport (YVR) for their ongoing support.
As a longtime community partner, YVR’s work with us has naturally focused on increasing autism accessibility within their walls. But in recent years, they have expanded their commitment to CAN by dedicating vital funding towards our training initiatives province-wide. This is their story.
For years, CAN & YVR’s Autism Accessibility Tour was a highly-anticipated staple in our event calendar. Held annually from 2014-19, the event provided a simulated travel experience for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, while introducing them to vital accessibility resources that remain available year-round at YVR.
These events allowed kids, youth and adults to familiarize themselves with the check-in, security screening and boarding process, launching them into a world of air travel possibilities.
“Ensuring the airport is accessible and a place of welcome for all is a top priority at YVR,” said Richard Beed, Vice President of People and Brand at the Vancouver Airport Authority.
Kerry and her son (pictured in 2019) are among hundreds of families who have benefited from CAN & YVR’s annual Autism Accessibility Tours.
As part of the partnership, YVR staff and partners also received valuable autism training.
“The familiarization tours and training sessions have provided an opportunity to educate our teams and partners, share best practices, and learn ways we can support individuals and families based on their needs and preferences,” added Cathy Nyfors, Manager of Passenger Programs at YVR.
Due to COVID-19, we haven’t been able to deliver the tours since 2019. We are hopeful that we will be able to re-introduce the YVR event in the very near future.
But in the absence of the annual tour, YVR has found new ways to broaden their support of CAN.
In recent years, we have been so thankful to see our local airport authority become a key funder. Those involved with the CAN Virtual Challenge will remember YVR as the fundraiser’s presenting sponsor in both 2020 and 2021.
After leading by example, they now provide funding to ensure our work with them is duplicated far and wide across BC. Knowing the benefits of the training is what inspired YVR to help fund our efforts to increase accessibility across community settings.
With YVR’s help, CAN provided training to over 40 different organizations in 2021.
Among those who received training in 2021 are North Shore fire fighters, police officers and search & rescue volunteers.
From sports & rec providers to educators to first responders and employers, those efforts have amounted to over 1,000 individuals are now equipped to include individuals on the spectrum in their community spaces.
We are so grateful to have had YVR’s support for over eight years now. At CAN, we believe that every community should take action to include and support autistic individuals. It is only together that we can make real change.
My whole life, things have just been a little bit harder for me.
Harder to make friends. Harder at school. Harder to feel good about myself. But CAN has been by my side almost my entire life. Every step of the way, they’ve helped me realize just how much I can do.
My name is Nate Keller and I am a 19-year-old on the autism spectrum.
One of my earliest memories with CAN was when I was just six years old. My mom signed me up for their soccer camp at Eric Hamber. I was super nervous because I didn’t know anyone. I only knew me. I felt so scared I could barely look up. My hands felt like they were glued inside the pockets of my favourite black Adidas pants.
But something about the people there made me feel better. I remember feeling comforted by the staff. It felt like they already knew me somehow. They had a special way of making me feel safe. They made me feel like I belonged.
My mom says that I used to start every day by asking if it was a CAN day because then I would know that it would be a good day.
When I was little, CAN programs like soccer and basketball helped me learn to play sports like the other kids my age. Then when I became a teenager, I found myself caring more about social stuff, like making friends.
When the CAN Hockey program started, I knew I wanted to join. I made some of my best friends on the team.
We got to go to tournaments and stay in hotels, like other kids who played hockey. I loved being with the guys and talking to them on the bus and blasting trap music in the locker room. We had so much in common and we just understood each other, because they were like me and I was like them. Even the CAN staff made it easy for me to talk to them. They were always a good place to go when I needed support.
At school, I don’t always understand the jokes and things that other kids talk about. I had friends at school but it was hard to talk to them sometimes and I didn’t always feel included. I used to be really nervous talking about my autism because I couldn’t tell if people were curious or just making fun of me. CAN made me realize that my autism was not something bad, but something special and unique about me. CAN made me feel good about myself and who I am. I didn’t know I could feel like that.
After so many years with CAN, I decided that I wanted to help younger kids like me by sharing my own experience with autism. I joined CAN’s Youth and Adult Leadership group and it taught me how to be confident. It taught me that my voice matters.
I then started volunteering for CAN so I could thank them for everything they did for me. Now I have this dream of working for CAN because I love the people there.
They understand me and how I think. They give us a safe place and make us feel good about ourselves. I want to do that for other kids. I want them to know that people will love you because of your autism.
I want them to know that having autism is special. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
I was recently asked what life would be like without CAN. The answer is easy. Life without CAN would be very hard.
Everything I have done at CAN has really helped me over the years. CAN allowed me to gain confidence and build a community of people I could talk to. CAN helped me become more happy with myself. I don’t think I could have made friends or joined the swim club or track team at school if I didn’t have CAN. But mostly, I don’t think I would have a good outlook on the world if it weren’t for CAN.
I guess I don’t know for sure where my life would be without CAN. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and donors that make CAN programs possible.
Nate Keller CAN Participant, Volunteer, and Future Staff
I’m picking my son up, all I said is hi (I didn’t even have to ask how he is!) and he’s responding to me with the biggest smile on his face saying, “Mom, I’m really happy today.” I couldn’t believe it.
This moment was really meaningful to me because after all these years, Eric never said anything about his feelings. Never. I even forgot to respond because I was so shocked!
My name is Wei and I am the proud mom of Eric, my 19-year old son who has autism. Canucks Autism Network (CAN) programs have been our safe space for the past 10 years. We first registered Eric for a CAN program when he was 9 and a half, and I would like to share our journey with you.
As a mom of an Autistic child, I live every day with anxiety and it’s very draining – constantly feeling like you have to defend your child, yourself, and your family. When these negative feelings build up, it’s very hard to focus on anything else.
But every time I send Eric to a CAN program, I feel relaxed, at peace, and I trust that he is in a safe space. I get a break from always being on high-awareness. From music to sports to job-readiness programs, I know that Eric is always surrounded by positive support when he is with CAN and he always comes home happier.
This is a photo of the first time Eric ever asked me to take a picture with him. He’s usually very resistant to taking photos but he was so proud of himself for graduating from CAN’s Employment Program that he wanted to share it with me.
This special moment will always remind me of a change in Eric that I never thought I would see. I will remember this for the rest of my life.
Every giftwill help cover the true cost of ~$500/participant in a multi-week youth and young adult program.
Your generosity will help build a bright and happy future for someone like Eric.
Many of the skills that Eric has learned through CAN programs, he has been able to apply in real life. He is now curious about what’s going on, he takes more responsibility and he even does chores like putting things away, setting up the table, and helping to carry things. He is more happy, calm, and soft. He’ll say sorry to me, he’ll ask me if I’m okay, and I can just tell he is more caring. I finally feel loved by my only child and we have become so much closer.
Having CAN as a safe space has helped us to grow confident when we go out in the community too because I can generalize these feelings of trust, safety, and happiness to different areas of my life. When I feel emotionally safe, that’s when I’m able to open up mentally to more positive experiences. It’s been very inspiring to watch Eric live life with so much more joy and laughter, and I really believe that he has a bright future ahead of him.
I believe we are stronger together.
With your support, you will help more families like mine access this safe space too. This will make a meaningful difference, and I thank you so much in advance for your consideration.
For Remi’s 5th birthday this past November, he chose to ask his friends and family for donations to Canucks Autism Network in lieu of gifts.
“In lieu of gifts, we would like to give back to a group that have given us so much. Remi has attended multiple activity programs and is currently learning how to ice skate which he loves going to. As a family, we have gotten to enjoy the Chilliwack Corn Maze which was a blast for us all. As Rio and Reimo get older, they too can attend programs with Remi. Canucks Autism Network provides a safe, inclusive space for children to learn, interact and play together!” – Sarah, CAN Mom
If you would like to host a birthday fundraiser in support of Canucks Autism Network, we’d love to hear about it! Please contact our team at development@canucksautism.ca for ways to support.
First responders join forces to partner with Canucks Autism Network
Vancouver, BC – As of October 2021, the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, City of North Vancouver Fire Department, North Vancouver RCMP and North Shore Rescue have all completed training on how to identify and safely support people on the autism spectrum in emergency situations. Over 200 first responders attended the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) training, with the common goal of improving their understanding of autism to create a more inclusive and supportive North Shore community.
The prevalence of autism continues to increase, with 1 in 37 children being diagnosed in BC. Individuals on the autism spectrum are seven times more likely to interact with first responders in an emergency setting. Regardless of their age, autistic individuals can experience anxiety, sensory sensitivities and communication barriers, particularly in emergency environments. CAN training increases first responders’ basic understanding of autism, and improves the ability for fire, police and search and rescue personnel to respond to the unique needs of community members who are on the autism spectrum.
“We believe that every community should take action to support individuals on the autism spectrum,” said Hallie Mitchell, CAN Director of Children’s Programs and Community Training. “Before this partnership, we had never seen four first responder groups from the same municipality unite to receive our training. It’s a remarkable show of support for the North Shore’s autism community.”
According to Mike Danks, Assistant Fire Chief – North Vancouver City Fire Department (NVCFD), it is our duty as first responders to commit to continuous learning in order to best support the diverse needs of community members.
“First responders are dispatched to a myriad of calls for subjects with all ranges of abilities and backgrounds every day” stated Mike Danks. “It is of utmost importance to NVCFD and the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (DNVFRS) that we are well prepared and able to provide inclusive, comprehensive emergency response for every callout. It is our duty to flex and learn to meet and exceed the ever changing needs and requirements of our community. Our collaboration with CAN and our service partners to learn about autism has been engaging, comprehensive and vital.”
Sgt. Peter DeVries further highlighted how this deeper level of understanding can make all the difference between a positive and negative outcome.
“As police officers, every day, we encounter people from across society, spanning a range of abilities, challenges, and unique characteristics,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP. “As with every aspect of the work we do, having the proper tools and training can make the difference between success and failure, not just for us, but also for the person we encounter. This training gives us another tool we can use, and equips us to meet the diverse needs of those who are on the spectrum.”
CAN’s two-part workshop provided a valuable introduction to autism alongside practical strategies for communication and support. Participating firefighters, officers and search and rescue volunteers are also now armed with CAN resource kits that are housed aboard their vehicles. The kits include sensory toys to reduce anxiety, visual resources to improve communication, and noise-cancelling headphones to ease sensory sensitivities.
CAN is considered a provincial leader in providing autism training to a variety of community-level groups, including over 1,600 first responders across BC and beyond. View CAN’s full suite of autism training and resources at www.canucksautism.ca/training.
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About Canucks Autism Network Canucks Autism Network (CAN) is dedicated to providing programs to individuals on the spectrum and their families, while promoting acceptance and inclusion through community engagement and training initiatives across BC and beyond. For more information, please visit canucksautism.ca.
For media inquiries:
Lindsay Petrie, Director of Marketing
Canucks Autism Network Lindsay.petrie@canucksautism.ca
604.788.8565
We launched registration in April and saw over 110 individuals accept the challenge. Each fundraiser was tasked with completing and posting up to six daily challenges, while asking friends and family to donate.
From May 31 to June 4, they posted themselves playing hockey, stacking LEGO, flying paper airplanes – and yes, attempting something referred to only as “cookie face”.
Thanks to their creativity, commitment and passion for the cause, our fundraisers exceeded our goal, bringing in over $102,000!
Within that virtual community of supporters was Evan Bissoondatt.
At 16 years old, Evan joined the challenge with an important and compelling reason to support the cause.
It was only two years ago that Evan was diagnosed with autism. In the short time since, he’s been inspired by the community he’s found at Canucks Autism Network (CAN).
His goal is to one day work in our programs so that he can return the support he’s received. But until then, he was motivated to give back another way.
Signing up for the CAN Virtual Challenge, Evan raised a remarkable $4,105.
That total earned him the honour of being named our Top Individual Fundraiser! Needless to say, Evan is a remarkable young man who we want the entire CAN community to meet.
We asked both Evan and his mom, Bernadette, a few questions about the community he’s found at CAN and his incredibly successful campaign.
We can’t thank you enough for such an amazing contribution, Evan! Can you tell us first how you first became part of the CAN community?
EVAN: I found out about CAN with the help of my mom. She researched programs where I can meet people who are on the spectrum like me and fit my personality. She is really good at finding programs I am interested in and helps me sign up for them on time.
BERNADETTE: Since Evan was diagnosed in 2019, we are still fairly new to the autism community. But we are blessed to have found CAN! The diversity of programs has truly helped us find a good fit for Evan in terms of his age group and interests.
Our staff and volunteers love seeing you at each program! What are some of your favourites?
EVAN: I really enjoy CAN’s in-person programs, like Explore Volunteering and Park Clean Ups, mainly because of the socializing that takes place. I get to socialize and help the community at the same time.
I also enjoy the Virtual Movie Clubs – how we get to talk about the movies afterwards – and Virtual Fitness. Through these programs, I’ve been able to connect with participants and even make friendships.
BERNADETTE: One of the many remarkable examples of how helpful and amazing the programs are – Evan participated in Explore Employment, where he was given templates for creating a resume.
He used this to build his own resume and recently got accepted for his first part-time job this summer! I love how CAN programs like these help prepare teens for transitioning into adulthood, making them more familiar with what’s to come and ultimately less anxious.
Evan, you’ve clearly got a ton of initiative. But we can’t believe this was your first time doing any kind of fundraising! How did you do so well?
EVAN:I raised the money with the help of my parents and the generosity of family, friends and people who support me at school. I don’t have access to social media so my parents and I emailed my fundraising campaign to people we know.
What were your favourite challenges?
EVAN: My favorite challenges were building and creating, because I got to speed-build Lego. I also enjoyed playing badminton on Day 1 and running on the treadmill for the “Move” challenge.
Looks like you had a great time, Evan! Finally, what motivated you to put in all this work fundraising?
EVAN:Growing up, I thought I was just a normal person like the rest, but I do have social challenges at school. I struggle with friendships and recognizing social cues. Oftentimes, I don’t know who to classify as a true friend.
When I was diagnosed with autism in Grade 8, I honestly was confused and didn’t know how to feel. I thought, “Is autism good or bad?”
I questioned myself about many things and what it meant to be autistic. I have later learned that this is something I am born with. I could have unusual traits that make me act or behave differently, but I am still just like any human being, my brain just functions differently than others.
Now that I think of it, God created me with a unique recipe and my own personality – but still a masterpiece He can be proud of!
What motivated me to fundraise is the fact that CAN gives people like me the support they need while feeling connected. The coaches are incredible. They are doing such an amazing job with helping people on the spectrum.
I am interested in being a support worker for CAN one day, so I can help too.
BERNADETTE: CAN programs have done wonders – not just for our son but our entire family. As a parent, it is challenging to navigate through the different programs out there.
We are so proud of Evan for his willingness to share his story and use his voice to fundraise for CAN! This was his first time fundraising and he was the top fundraiser!
We can’t wait to see where Evan’s leadership and his desire to give back take him. Fundraisers like the CAN Virtual Challenge are critical in continuing our work to give opportunity and promote autism acceptance.
But building acceptance, understanding and support isn’t possible without individuals like Evan sharing their story. In this instance, Evan’s voice has raised an incredible amount of money for the cause while demonstrating just how much our amazing participants are capable of.
Thank you, Evan! And thank you to each of our CAN Virtual Challenge fundraisers, sponsors and partners.
Every April, we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month across BC and beyond. Throughout our 13-year history, we have been so fortunate to build a community of over 6,600 children, youth and adults on the autism spectrum who have directly accessed, supported or led our programs.
This year, we wanted to ask them directly. What does Autism Acceptance mean to you? We reached out to nine individuals who are doing incredible things in their community. One by one, they shared what acceptance has meant to them as they participate, work and lead – both at CAN and beyond our walls.
“It’s important to accept, be open to everyone and enjoy everyone’s unique and individual personalities and abilities.”
We shared this idea with one of our most recent partners, EY. With one of their headquarters based in Vancouver, they are one of the largest professional services networks in the world. At the end of our video you saw EY Partner Anthony Rjeily, Executive Sponsor of EY’s Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence, pledge $2 for every like, share, or comment on the video, which has resulted in a $20,000 gift to CAN.
After posting the video on World Autism Day, it was shared a total of1,998 times across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIN. As stated by one of the video participants,
“The best action we can take [to promote autism acceptance] is to share our stories, and listen to others sharing theirs.” – Corey
Those video shares resulted in over 55.3K video views across channels. In addition to encouraging our community to listen to autistic voices, we were heartened to see over 250 comments from individuals sharing what autism acceptance meant to them:
“#autismacceptance means to educate, learn, and be receptive and open to understanding how complex autism is. Each person is unique and capable in their own way, and is deserving of the same opportunities. We are all human.”
“Each and every individual is a gift and brings us a gift by bringing a whole new way to see and view the world!”
“Autism acceptance to me means increasing representation of autistic individuals in the workplace & in sports! When we increase diversity, it brings different skills, ideas & experiences for all.”
With 1,998 shares and 252comments across channels, the campaign raised a total of $4,500 for CAN to continue our work – not just during Autism Acceptance Month, but every day, year-round.
At the beginning of the campaign, EY committed to donating up to $20,000 for 10,000 total comments and shares.
Although the final total came short of that maximum commitment, EY will still honour their original commitment and have finalized a contribution of $20,000 to CAN!
Why has EY so passionately supported Autism Acceptance Month and Canucks Autism Network?
In addition to supporting the video financially, the team at EY has involved their leadership and all members in sharing the video across their networks, internally through news alerts, and last week at a local Vancouver Office Annual Town Hall hosted for 600+ staff in Vancouver.
EY’s Vancouver Office Virtual Annual Town Hall.
The goal was to amplify acceptance and understanding, knowing that many EY staff are touched by autism, personally or among their friends and families. Marshall McAnerney, a CAN parent and supporter also spoke at EY’s Town Hall sharing his own families’ autism journey.
Marshall McAnerney, a CAN parent and supporter, speaks with EY’s Sam Whittaker, BC Diversity and Inclusiveness Leader during the Town Hall.
EY’s Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence was shared as part of the CAN Employment Fair this year, and continues working with our employment services team and Ready, Willing, and Able representative. While not all candidates will be headed for the highly technical work at EY, the firm hopes to identify candidates with technology or business backgrounds for EY’s Vancouver office.
EY’s Neurodiversity Centers of Excellence talent team recognizes that the most convincing candidates during an interview, may not always be the most qualified candidates, and hopes to tap into the talents within our neuro-diverse community to add value to the talent team at EY. Learn about Dilshan finding his path as an Intermediate Staff Accountant.
EY is looking forward to continuing to work with CAN beyond April, knowing that Acceptance for EY means that the firm has seen, heard, and understands the need to support autism in our community throughout the year.
From all of us at Canucks Autism Network, thank you to EY for their generosity and support, and thank you to everyone who liked, shared or commented on our video campaign this April.
Kayla is a CAN support worker and incredibly active self-advocate in our community. She is one of the nine autistic voices featured in our Autism Acceptance Month video released earlier this month.
Kayla ends the video by stating, “Autism acceptance means every child and youth on the spectrum and every autistic adult has every opportunity to be who they want to be.”
As we end Autism Acceptance Month, we want to highlight Kayla’s story. What does she want our community to know about autism? How can we be part of the solution to ensure that her vision may come to fruition in our society?
by Kayla Polege
Growing up with undiagnosed autism was hard at times. We sort of knew when I was little, but the doctor who tested me told my mom that she was just being overprotective. I struggled through school with making and keeping friends.
Nobody would tell me when I did something that bothered them. I didn’t know how others were feeling because I couldn’t read their body language or any other nonverbal signs.
I wish they would have just told me directly how they felt. Mom always did her best to teach me what I might have done differently after each social situation. But it was always hard to understand what I might have done wrong without others being direct with me.
My younger brother has Down Syndrome, so we were led to a lot of family support groups for parents of children with diverse needs. Luckily, this gave my mom people to talk to who could help her figure out how to help me – even without a diagnosis.
My brother even had a speech therapist who recognized my struggles. Amazingly, she gave me communication therapy even though we couldn’t afford it. She also gave me my favorite stim toy that I still use to this day.
I was starting college when I finally got my autism diagnosis.
It led me to do more research, better understand what was going on in my brain, and explain it to others. At the same time, I also met some pretty amazing people who gave me what I needed and communicated their needs directly and verbally.
They would tell me things like “I like your hugs Kayla, but sometimes I don’t feel like being touched, can you ask first?” Or they would let me know when I said things that could be misinterpreted just by the order I put the words in.
They knew I never meant to hurt anyone or make anyone uncomfortable. I just honestly didn’t know until someone verbalized it.
I also got criticized and bullied a lot for stimming (ex. jumping up and down and flapping my arms when I got excited) growing up. And at some point, my brain created this auto-switch so that when I started to stim in front of others I would stop. Then I’d get so uncomfortable, I’d feel like tearing off my skin. But I didn’t know why.
One day, early on in college, this happened in front of one of my classmates. She turned to me and said “Why did you stop?” I asked her what she meant, because at the time I didn’t even realize that this was happening.
She said “That hoppy thing you were doing. It was adorable and it made me so happy. Why did you stop?” I thought about it and I honestly I didn’t know.
I didn’t even realize that masking my stimming had become an auto defense mechanism.
Luckily, I had chosen to go to acting school. A big part of learning to act is exploring different sides of yourself so that you can use them to become someone else. Another part was learning how to step out of character after you’ve created them. That’s something that not every teacher thinks to teach, but thankfully mine did.
Just like some actors can get stuck in character, some autistics can get stuck behind the mask of trying to appear typical. The internal struggles they are going through are hidden until they just shut down. And then everyone is confused.
Once I learned how to step out of character, I also learned how to consciously unmask and show my true self when I knew it was safe to do so. And something amazing happened.
I stopped shutting down as often, I didn’t constantly feel like my skin was too tight or my brain was going to explode. Between that and some fantastic classmates, who taught me that someone other than my family could accept me just the way I am, I was able to let myself stim in front of people again.
Stimming also helped me better focus on conversations and connect with people, because it was one less thing my brain had to constantly concentrate on.
I’ve been so fortunate to have people help me accept myself. Similarly, I have always enjoyed helping others with diverse needs, as well.
Over the years, I’ve done a lot of volunteering for Challenger Baseball, Peewee Special Olympics, and different charities that help diverse individuals.
By 2018, I had been out of college for a while and Canucks Autism Network was hosting a 10th anniversary party at Surrey Civic Plaza. My cousin happens to work for CAN and asked me if I wanted to volunteer.
Kayla volunteering at the CAN Family Festival in Surrey.
I agreed right away. There is nothing I loved more than being around people who “got it” and wanted to help out kids who are like me and my brother. So I went with my cousin and CAN set us up to make sure I had everything I needed, including my sensory needs.
Everyone was super nice and great to work with. Near the end of the day, my cousin said, “You know, we have inclusive hiring, you should apply.”
So I applied. And since then, working for CAN has been amazing. One of my favorite pieces of feedback I ever received was, “We love putting you with anxious kids because they are always less anxious with you.”
Even though those kids don’t know that I’m like them – and that I’m coming from a place of experience – I think that on some level, they know I can understand them in a way a lot of the other workers can’t.
Outside of CAN, I also volunteer with Voices of Autism (VOA), a self-advocate advisory group for Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN). Most recently, we started working on a peer mentorship project.
I was inspired to suggest it after going through a mentorship program where more experienced actors were paired with younger actors trying to get into the business. I got so much out of it and I thought, “You know what? I wish I had this for navigating my differences due to autism.”
So I suggested it to my VOA manager and she took it and rolled with it. We just recently got started and other autistic people have been sending in questions to us. Individuals from the VOA board and membership who feel knowledgeable enough for each issue have been going on camera to film our answers. We’re hoping to have the videos be online with AIDE Canada soon.
For example, one question asked was about accessing post-secondary and finding a good institution that can support different ways of learning and different needs. I chose to answer that one and suggested that most schools will have an open house and that autistic students should go and talk to the teachers and see if they can envision being supported in that space.
I think it’s important that we progress from simply making people aware of autism to really increasing their understanding of autism.
Kayla in her role with the Voices of Autism self-advocacy group.
When people understand more about how another person’s brain works and what they are going through/what they have been through, they have a much easier time accepting that person. Whether that’s a person from a different community or culture, or a person whose brain just works a little differently, everyone is valuable.
This means changing the way that people are viewed and presented to the public. Often times, we look at individuals with differences from a “disability model.” This is where you’re constantly focusing on what people can’t do and attempting to change that about them.
Before I got my diagnosis, I went to an employment support centre, and got some testing to figure out what I would need out of a job, and where I would be be the most successful. But at the end, when I was talking with the lady that I was assigned to, she basically said, here’s a giant list of things that you can’t do. Now let’s find an employer who’s okay with this. It was discouraging. If she had approached me and said, we need to work around some things, but here are all the things you can do let’s find a job that suits that, I would have felt much more encouraged.
What we need in order for people to truly accept individuals on the spectrum and with other differences is a “capabilities model”. This means looking at what society can do to make things easier for those with differences. It means identifying what people are capable of and using that as a starting point for how we make change.
At CAN, every time I run into a barrier as a support worker, it’s not, “okay you can’t do this job then.” It’s, “we know you can do this job, so let’s figure out how we can navigate around it so that you can do what you do.” One arena I was working at had electrical problems one day and the buzzer was constantly going off. I’m sensitive to high pitched noises and I ended up shutting down in the change room after handing my kid off to another worker.
And afterwards, Robbie called me and we talked about what happened and he said, “Okay, in the future – here’s our plan. If that should ever happen again, hopefully it won’t, you are allowed to leave the ice, get your headphones, and wear them on the ice so that doesn’t happen in the future.”
It’s a small concession, but it allowed me to feel like I could do my job. And was really nice and I felt super supported where in another environment, I may possibly have even gotten fired for reacting that way.
Kayla working on a digital art project with a CAN participant at summer day camp.
As an actor, representation in film is important to me. The industry is slowly getting there but having more diverse individuals trained to work in film would it change that much quicker. There just aren’t enough programs willing to train and work with the differences of autistic individuals and others with diversities.
You shouldn’t have to mask who you are to make your dreams come true.
We need to increase opportunities for autism training and understanding in the film industry. If autistic individuals who are aspiring to work in film (whether it’s acting or behind the camera) aren’t understood and can’t get training themselves, it severely limits the opportunities available to them.
Beyond the film industry, there is an ongoing need to increase accessibility in all community spaces. I have also done some work consulting on accessibility with the City of Surrey. Through their partnership with CAN, they’ve done a great job working with capabilities by starting to make all of their buildings accessible – not just for physical differences, but for sensory differences as well.
Similarly, I love that many stores have sensory-friendly times. These are super helpful, as well. One concrete suggestion I would have is to keep the lineup dots on the floor, even after the pandemic. Often times, people don’t realize that many autistic individuals can get uncomfortable when strangers get too close. When lines get crowded and pushy, it can be overwhelming and uncomfortable even if you aren’t autistic. The lineup dots give people the space they need. And if someone isn’t on their dot, it easily gives you the authority to ask them for space.
Whether you’re in line at the grocery store, an aspiring actor, or simply trying to find a way to be comfortable in your own skin, you shouldn’t have to mask who you are.
That’s why I’m so proud to share my story, work for CAN, and be a part of groups like Voices of Autism.
It is only together that every child or youth on the spectrum and every autistic adult can have every opportunity to be who they want to be.
You may recognize Kayla as one of the nine autistic voices featured in our #AutismAcceptance video with EY this April:
For every comment or share of the video until Apr 30, EY will donate $2 to CAN! See the post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIN!
Learn more about the voices featured in the video:
