Success Stories Archives - Page 4 of 6

Oct 2, 2019

Since our inception in 2008, the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) community has grown from a handful of families in Vancouver to thousands of members province-wide.

But we haven’t achieved this growth on our own. Behind every community impacted, there is an incredible network of compassionate supporters who share in our vision.

That’s why in 2016, the Vancouver Foundation dedicated $138,000 to expand our weekly sports and rec programs in both Nanaimo and Kamloops over three years.

At the time, we were just beginning to offer programs in those regions – with 23 participants in Kamloops and 22 in Nanaimo. But the need among that relatively small group of families was immediately clear.

“So incredible to watch your child move forward”

Within one month of the funding period, CBC caught wind of the impact that the new swim program in Kamloops was having on children with autism.

Riley swimming at Westsyde Pool in Kamloops with the support of a Canucks Autism Network staff. Photo by Jennifer Norwell, CBC.

Melanie Whitaker shared with CBC reporter Jennifer Norwell how previous swim programs were unable to meaningfully engage her son Riley.

With instructors unable to connect with Riley, he struggled to develop his skills in the water. And for children with autism who are 160 times more likely to drown than their peers, water safety skills can be life-saving.

The difference after one swim season with CAN?

“Amazing to watch,” Melanie said. “It’s so incredible to watch your child move forward and know that you don’t have to be frustrated.”

At the same time and over 400 kilometres away, families on Vancouver Island were also experiencing CAN for the first time.

A CAN participant and staff members with in our skate program in Nanaimo.
*(Participant pictured not Jason.)*

“CAN programs have seriously changed his life”

But while Riley was developing his swim skills in Kamloops, another young boy was building confidence on the ice in Nanaimo.

“We had tried putting Jason in skating lessons before,” Carrie shared back in 2016. “But he spent the first lesson in tears, clinging to the boards. He said that he never wanted to skate again.”

After six weekly lessons with CAN Skate, Jason had a newfound passion. Through the individual attention that he received, his skating skills improved. He had so much fun on the ice, he kept asking his parents to keep going to the rink throughout the week. A far cry from his first experience ice skating.

In a more recent follow up with the family, Carrie gave us an incredible update.

“Jason and his sister participated in an after school rec skate program where he was able to skate with his friends like a neurotypical kid! We are so grateful for these programs. They have seriously changed his life and given him so much confidence.”

Thanks to Vancouver Foundation’s commitment to support CAN’s weekly sports and rec programs, we can also give that same confidence to kids in Swim, Skate, Active and Multisport in both Kamloops and Nanaimo.

At the beginning of the granting period in September 2016, we had a total of 55 participants in those regions.

Three years later, our weekly programs have impacted 370 participants in Kamloops and Nanaimo.

With 192 participants in Kamloops and 178 in Nanaimo, that’s a nearly 700% increase in individuals impacted. Since September 2016, those 370 participants have filled 679 weekly program spots.

But it is only because of generous community supporters that these opportunities exist.

It is because of Vancouver Foundation that moms like Melanie can have peace of mind. And that kids like Jason get a second chance at having fun in their community.

On behalf of the hundreds of CAN families in Nanaimo and Kamloops, thank you.

Oct 1, 2019

Offered in partnership with Sarah McLachlan School of Music, our music program impacted over 80 kids, youth and adults with autism last year.

As we tune up for another year of CAN Music, we received a particularly inspiring message from a parent of one of those participants.

Dear Canucks Autism Network,

My son Kai has autism and has benefited from CAN programs for many years. He absolutely loves singing and has participated in the Sarah McLachlan School of Music program twice.

From the time he wakes up to when he’s asleep, he’s singing all day long.

One of his favourite songs is “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake. It is one of the many songs he’s learned through the CAN Music program.

Every week, he’s always so excited to tell me when he tries the drums or goes on stage to try the mic with CAN.

Kai has a lovely singing voice and is quite gifted. So this past September, we wanted to try a “mainstream” choir program closer to home.

I waited outside the classroom for the entire first session, hoping he was doing well.

Towards the end, a staff member came out, visibly frustrated. She pulled me aside and her first question was, “What is up with Kai?”

Kai can often be quite high functioning. When he’s in a good space, he doesn’t need much support. So sometimes I forget how much he struggles with self-regulation when he doesn’t know what to expect or if he’s excited about new experiences.

Kai on stage during a CAN & Sarah McLachlan School of Music performance.

When I reiterated to the staff member that he has autism, she told me that they didn’t have any additional support for those with special needs and that it wasn’t going to work out. At that moment, Kai came bounding out of the room and exclaimed, “Mom, that was so much fun!”

I was devastated.

But while fighting back tears, my first thought as I drove back home with Kai was how grateful I am for his experience at CAN and Sarah McLachlan School of Music.

I am so thankful that he has a place to be himself and do what he loves most in this world.

Kai wears his Sarah McLachlan School of Music shirt all the time. And when he sees Sarah McLachlan’s name anywhere, he gets so excited. And he’ll proudly say, “That’s my music school!”

So thank you for all your hard work and dedication to all children with autism.

It is so important, so needed and so valued.

– Rosaleen Heffernan, CAN parent

It is an absolute privilege to be a part of the lives of families like Rosaleen and Kai’s.

We are so thankful for organizations like Sarah McLachlan School of Music who have joined us in our mission to deliver programs for children like Kai.

But we are also committed to ensuring that inclusive programming extends beyond the walls of CAN programs.

That’s why we continue to expand our training and community engagement initiatives across BC and beyond. By sharing our knowledge about autism, inclusion and accessibility, we are working towards our vision – for every individual with autism to be understood, accepted and supported in all community spaces.

A woman writes on a hand-held whiteboard while presenting in front of a projector. — CAN offers in-person and online training workshops. Learn more at canucksautism.ca/training.

Interested in increasing accessibility and inclusion in your organization’s programs?

Please visit: canucksautism.ca/training

And don’t hesitate to contact us directly at training@canucksautism.ca or 604-685-4049.

Sep 27, 2019

Jeannie Rohr is a longtime proponent of inclusion and accessibility in sport.

In her current role as Director of Community Development with Tennis BC, she oversees a wide range of initiatives to get kids and youth active on the court.

This includes managing Tennis BC’s coaching certification system to increasing overall participation across the province.

Earlier this year, Jeannie first took the Supporting Positive Behaviour eLearning Module. The free training opportunity was launched by Canucks Autism Network (CAN) and Canadian Tire Jumpstart this past January.

Visit coachingallabilities.com, select “Supporting Positive Behaviour” and use code JSCAN-A2B3C4D.

Since then, Jeannie has shared the online training opportunity across her organization. Her efforts have ensured that over 450 tennis coaches province-wide have the opportunity learn about inclusion and accessibility.

She hopes it will soon be featured nation-wide through Tennis Canada as well.

We sat down with her to discuss the importance of including kids of all abilities in tennis – and how Supporting Positive Behaviour is helping her achieve that goal.

What motivated you to take the Supporting Positive Behaviour course online?

My sister is on the spectrum. Growing up, I felt that she was left out of programs or not included quite often.

Then I worked in child and youth mental health and saw many kids who were also not included in programming. It’s hard when you see that.

So when I came to Tennis BC, something really struck me. There’s something missing for coaches.

We’re always provided tools to teach the sport. But not for engaging people of different personalities and different abilities.

As a coach, I was very determined to add pieces into our coaching certification program that could include all kids.

How do you engage a child who’s sitting on the bench and not wanting to participate? What language do you use to engage that child?

Or if you have a child running around, climbing the fence or poking another kid – how do you work to include that child and make them feel like they can participate? Our coaches often don’t have those tools.

So when CAN created the Supporting Positive Behaviour module, I was blown away. It gives our coaches the tools that they need to be able to include and engage with all kids.

How has the training impacted BC Tennis coaches?

First of all, it gives them more awareness. Coaches might have an idea that something is different about a child. But if they don’t have the tools to better understand the child, they might default to think that they’re simply misbehaving.

But with the training, they might have a different approach. They’ll think, “Something about that child’s behavior seems familiar to me. I heard something in a workshop that I just did.”

Tennis BC coaches after in-person training with CAN. To book in-person training, visit canucksautism.ca/training.

It empowers them to dig a little deeper. And now they have these tools that they can revisit, go back into their class and practice applying them.

My nephew just took the course and he’s coaching in Victoria. He told me how much he learned and how he’s been able to apply it in his day-to-day lessons.

And whether your coaching a child with a diagnosis or not – the module applies to everybody.

The Supporting Positive Behaviour course is now eligible for NCCP Professional Development Points. How valuable is that for coaches?

Tennis coaches across Canada have to re-certify every two to four years. Having an online workshop opportunity is really going to increase the number of coaches learning about inclusion.

Not just in tennis, but other sports too.

And for those in rural areas across BC – they can’t come into a physical workshop, but now they can choose an online professional development opportunity. They can choose the Supporting Positive Behaviour module.

A girl prepares to hit a tennis ball with her racket.

How does inclusion in sport benefit our community?

It gives kids the ability to play a sport for life. And for me, playing sports all my life has given me leadership skills, people skills, communication skills.

But it’s not just an impact to the kids – it’s the parents too.

I had a recent experience with a parent. I could tell by the look on her face – she thought it was going to be another failed attempt to include her son in sports.

I told her, “Your child is going to be okay. I’m going to include him in everything.”

And then I allowed her to sit on the side of the court, because that’s what the child needed. I slowly engaged her child, based on some of the strategies from the Supporting Positive Behaviour module.

He started to grow some confidence. And the other kids began playing with him.

Then the parent had that confidence to think – “my child can be in this class.” Slowly, she could leave the class and go have a coffee. She could have a little bit of time for herself, which is really important too.

So I think the Supporting Positive Behaviour modules are just such a great step forward in inclusion.

A child prepares to hit a tennis ball with his racket under the guidance of a coach.

What are the next steps for Tennis BC?

We’re starting to run our after school programs and our coaches have taken this training.

Every day, I want them to practice one aspect of the tools they’ve learned. In every sport, the more practice, the more permanent it becomes.

And it’s the same with coaching. You start building confidence and then as soon as you have a child come onto your court that might have some differences, you’re gonna say, “I got this.”

I can’t wait for the next steps for coaching in Canada. We’ve got 450 tennis coaches in the province of BC. And if all 450 take that course – wow.

Tennis Canada is going to include it on their Tennis Professionals Association website. And if it’s the same across Canada – that’s even better.

It’s exciting!

Take Supporting Positive Behaviour for FREE!

Visit coachingallabilities.com and use code JSCAN-A2B3C4D at checkout.

Eligible for 2 NCCP Professional Development Points.

National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coaches who are required to maintain their certification and who have submitted their NCCP numbers upon registration will be eligible for 2 NCCP PD Points.

Questions? Email: training@canucksautism.ca

Every year, the City of Surrey hosts one of the largest Canada Day celebrations in BC. Presented by Coast Capital Savings, this past month’s Surrey Canada Day featured rides, fireworks and performances by Bif Naked and Our Lady Peace.

Thousands were in attendance, including Julia Langley and her family. For her 9-year-old son with autism, the crowds and noise of the festival environment can be overwhelming.

That’s why the City of Surrey partnered with us to offer CAN Sensory Friendly Spaces at all their major events. Featuring comfortable seating, sensory toys and quiet games, this was the first year that Surrey Canada Day featured the space for guests in need of a break.

“My son was not coping at all. I thought there had to be a sensory zone somewhere,” Julia shared with us after the event. “Sure enough, I see the CAN tent. And inside is a table of noise-cancelling headphones amongst all sorts of fidgets and sensory gear.”

“My son was desperate to go because he knows that CAN is somewhere he can go and feel better. We are so grateful they were there so that we could all enjoy the Our Lady Peace concert!”

After announcing CAN Sensory Friendly Spaces last year, City of Surrey has taken the lead in hosting this resource. It is thanks to them that families like Julia’s can enjoy major community events like Surrey Canada Day.

Visit City of Surrey’s Accessibility webpage to learn more.

Julia’s son with autism was struggling to cope with the noise of the festival environment until they found CAN’s tent with noise-cancelling headphones on loan.

“We are thrilled to provide a sensory friendly space at this year’s Canada Day. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to encourage inclusiveness and increase accessibility for all of our residents,” said City of Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum in a pre-event press release. “We thank the Canucks Autism Network for their partnership in creating this welcome addition to Surrey’s Canada Day.”

There are many reasons to celebrate on Canada Day. At CAN, we have special reason to celebrate our country’s diversity and inclusion.

Noise-cancelling headphones and quiet activities in the Sensory Friendly Space.

With groups like City of Surrey, we can continue to make community spaces more accessible for all individuals and families living with autism.

To learn how you can partner with CAN to make your community organization or space more accessible, please visit canucksautism.ca/training or email training@canucksautism.ca!

More CAN Stories

Goalie with autism finds calling coaching CAN Hockey

Breaking barriers: From CAN to Chilliwack Minor Hockey

May 22, 2019

Terri Neish has been a CAN mother since 2010. In front of a room of 200+ guests, she delivered the following speech at the ICONNBC Shine A Light Gala in support of CAN (River Rock Casino in April 2019).

***

My name is Terri Neish. My husband and I have a son and a daughter, both of whom have multiple diagnoses. My oldest, Ayden, is 13 years old and he has autism.

Our journey has included countless struggles. But because of generous donors who give to Canucks Autism Network (CAN), it has also included incredible triumphs.

We welcomed Ayden as a baby boy in May 2005. He was so perfect and beautiful. Like any new parents, we experienced sleepless nights and feeding struggles. But as time went on, we encountered some really unique challenges.

By 18 months, Ayden had just barely started crawling and spoke just half of a word — “wa-wa”, for water. As he continued to grow, he still couldn’t speak to us and would rather scream in frustration for all his needs. To this day, he still cannot truly tell us what he’s thinking.

After a long process in the public system, we received Ayden’s autism diagnosis just before he turned five.

With the diagnosis came a thick folder of instructions on accessing resources. We had so many dreams and desires for Ayden. Peer interactions. Social and physical development. The joy of sports that every child should have and is entitled to.

But we encountered so many organizations that turned Ayden away. I will never forget the day his pre-school asked him not to come back until they could find more support. He wasn’t violent. Believe me. He just wasn’t attentive.

In addition to autism, Ayden also ended up being diagnosed with Tourettes, sensory processing disorder and severe ADHD. He needed a lot of support in order to participate in the same things that a typical child could. But he deserved to experience the same joy that other children could.

It was overwhelming. I felt scared and completely alone.

Then our government case worker came along. She sat with us and passionately recommended Canucks Autism Network.

Her words exactly: “You HAVE to register Ayden for their programs.”

When the day came for Ayden’s first soccer session, I honestly don’t know who was more nervous. Him or me. I went through all the same fears that I had with other organizations that we had enrolled Ayden in.

“Are they going to accept him? What if they can’t support him? Are they going to turn us away too?”

But when our nervous little Ayden walked into the gym that first day, his world – our world – forever changed. He saw a group of children just like him on every level. He saw compassionate volunteers and trained coaches who could be assigned for just him — one on one.

When Ayden gets anxious, he flaps his arms or puts his hand to his mouth to rub his lips. He won’t make eye contact. As a young child, he would never go outside without this one specific hat and a fuzzy little bracelet. They were almost like his security blanket for whenever he was feeling uneasy.

These traits might seem strange to others, but the staff and volunteers at Canucks Autism Network accepted him for who he was. No judgement. Just unconditional inclusion.

Within five minutes of his first session, you could see his whole body language change. He wasn’t timid. He wasn’t flapping his arms as much. He wasn’t putting his hand up to his mouth. He took off that hat and bracelet.

For the first time, we truly saw our special guy open up and be comfortable with himself. Ayden went from an anxious little boy who would rarely tell us how he felt – to literally bouncing from excitement and talking about how fun CAN was.

I still lose my breath out of the pure joy of seeing him like that. You could see it so clearly on his face.

That unbelievable experience on the first day has been the same each and every session at CAN. For the past 9 years, Ayden has learned to swim, bike and play basketball.

CAN programs have opened up so many possibilities when so many others told us they didn’t have the resources or the time.

Learn more about CAN sports and rec programs.

Ayden goes beyond his boundaries and commits to the people who work there because he truly trusts them. The staff and volunteers at CAN have become real life superheroes in his eyes. They empower each child to accomplish so much more than anyone thinks they can. They have shown me what Ayden is capable of.

Because they taught him to swim, we can now go to the lake in the summer and we don’t have to be afraid that he will wander and drown.

Canucks Autism Network has become a pillar of strength, comfort and acceptance for us. Because of CAN, Ayden has made some of his best childhood memories with them. His bedroom is covered with photos of him at CAN summer camps. And all the medals that he’s received in their sports programs.

I don’t know where we would be without Canucks Autism Network. The variety of programs, the level of support and the consistency of quality – there are no other programs out there like CAN. Period. There just aren’t.

Now when I encounter new families who are also struggling with autism, I tell them just as passionately and urgently as our case worker did nine years ago. “You HAVE to register for CAN.”

I have personally paid for other families’ $25 memberships because I want them to experience what we had — and that we still have to this day.

Learn more about CAN membership,

Today, Ayden is more confident. On the verge of entering Grade 8, he is more social. He is happier. Ayden would not be the person he is today if not for Canucks Autism Network.

But there are still so many families like mine that need support. Approximately 1 in 46 children is diagnosed in BC. Ayden is one of over 16,000 children and youth with autism province-wide that need your support.

My most heartfelt thanks to all those who support Canucks Autism Network. Because of you, CAN will continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of families like ours.

On every level of my gratitude — thank you.

RETURN TO BLOG HOME

Kerry and her husband Ryan have a son with autism and a younger daughter. Last month, her family participated in the 5th Annual CAN & YVR Autism Accessibility Tour.

Held on April 18, the tour is offered to decrease anxiety often associated with air travel. Individuals and families with autism were invited to familiarize themselves with the pre-flight process, including check-in, security, finding their gate and boarding a plane.

In addition to the tour, each individual with autism was given a YVR Resource Kit, which features an activity storybook, step-by-step checklist, airport map, tips for travel and a tote bag to carry each item.

By increasing expectations and providing a simulated airport experience, the goal of the annual event is to build confidence for future travel.

It was Kerry’s first time at a Canucks Autism Network event. That same night, she shared this feedback with us:

***

Yesterday night, I was front-loading my oldest for the tour. He announced: “I don’t want to do it. But I’m ready to do it. I will use my courage.”

To prep himself on the way there, he requested that we play “Brave” by Sara Bareilles on repeat.

With his visual schedule in hand, he put that song into action at the airport—conquering check-in and security. He fearlessly filed onto the Air Transat Airbus A330, filled with families just like ours.

Travelers with autism can obtain the YVR Resource Kit, including the Activity Storybook (pictured above), at any YVR info desk.

The beautiful thing about this whole experience was that it provided a safe place for nervous fliers and their supporters to just be, without apology.

Meltdowns, earmuffs, iPads, fidgets, and endless questions about every step—it was all okay. There were no dirty looks or hurry-ups, because everybody there just “got it.”

To be honest though—when I signed up for this event, I was thinking mostly of myself. I wanted to have a picture of what traveling with a child who is fearful of crowds, machines, noise, and new things would look like.

And I left with not only that, but also with this sense of feeling deeply loved by countless kind strangers. To the service agents, security and customs officers, airport volunteers, flight attendants, and to the many, many genuinely smiley helpers sporting Canucks Autism Network t-shirts—why do you care about my family so much?

The tour also included an opportunity to sample the YVR Customs Declaration kiosks.

This week, spectrum-related struggles had me feeling extra lost & lonely, and ready to resign from this parenting gig. Tonight felt like the gigantic hug I needed. Thank you Canucks Autism Network and YVR for allowing me and my family to feel seen & safe.

***

We launched this program with YVR in 2014, because we had individuals and families with autism like Kerry’s in mind. Air travel can be a significant challenge for those on the spectrum who have anxiety or sensory sensitivities. But with the correct supports in place, they can accomplish so much.

We have always recognized that the entire family that shares the struggles and successes of an individual with autism. That’s why the tour allowed for the entire immediate family to join in on the experience.

Kerry’s husband & daughter were also able to experience the entire CAN & YVR Autism Accessibility Tour.

The larger the community of support, the better we can all support those on the spectrum. In addition to YVR, this year’s tour was also made possible by collaborations with Air Transat, Canadian Air Transit Security Authority (CATSA), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and US Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

Category: Success Stories

“So incredible to watch your child move forward”

“CAN programs have seriously changed his life”

Three years later, our weekly programs have impacted 370 participants in Kamloops and Nanaimo.

Towards the end, a staff member came out, visibly frustrated. She pulled me aside and her first question was, “What is up with Kai?”

But while fighting back tears, my first thought as I drove back home with Kai was how grateful I am for his experience at CAN and Sarah McLachlan School of Music.

It is an absolute privilege to be a part of the lives of families like Rosaleen and Kai’s.

Interested in increasing accessibility and inclusion in your organization’s programs?

What motivated you to take the Supporting Positive Behaviour course online?

How has the training impacted BC Tennis coaches?

The Supporting Positive Behaviour course is now eligible for NCCP Professional Development Points. How valuable is that for coaches?

How does inclusion in sport benefit our community?

What are the next steps for Tennis BC?

Take Supporting Positive Behaviour for FREE!

Eligible for 2 NCCP Professional Development Points.

“My son was not coping at all. I thought there had to be a sensory zone somewhere,” Julia shared with us after the event. “Sure enough, I see the CAN tent. And inside is a table of noise-cancelling headphones amongst all sorts of fidgets and sensory gear.”

More CAN stories

More CAN Stories

More CAN Stories