acceptance Archives - Canucks Autism Network

As we get ready to celebrate World Autism Day, the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) community will take centre stage as the Canucks take on the Los Angeles Kings tomorrow evening.

📅 Sun, Apr 2, 5pm 📺 Sportsnet Pacific 📻 Sportsnet 650

Since 2008, the Vancouver Canucks and Canucks For Kids Fund have been our biggest supporters. It was 15 years ago that CAN was founded by Paolo and Clara Aquilini, whose son Christian is on the autism spectrum.

In our earlier years, we focused on providing sports & rec opportunities for children. Since then, we’ve grown up alongside our participants to offer a range of employment, mental health & leisure programs for Autistic youth & adults, as well. Beyond our programs, CAN’s training initiatives seek to increase capacity to support and include Autistic individuals across community spaces.

Sunday afternoon will be a celebration of inclusion & acceptance, featuring a number of children & adults on the autism spectrum:

PA announcer Ryan Chilton will be back at the mic.
Professional singer Miriah Reitmeier will perform both national anthems.
CAN hockey players Gavin, Ben & Makayla will be featured at ice level as part of the Rogers Every Kid’s Dream & Toyota Junior Trainer programs.

Ryan Chilton, Miriah Reitmeier with Daniel Sedin and Nish Lal with Christian Aquilini

Ryan is an adult on the spectrum who originally co-emceed our 2014 CAN Sports Day with the “voice of the Canucks” – Al Murdoch. Since then, Ryan’s skills have flourished and he is currently the official PA announcer for the BCHL Coquitlam Express.

Based out of Surrey, Miriah Reitmeier is a professional singer who has previously sang the anthem at the Canucks’ Autism Acceptance Game in 2011 and CAN Sports Day in 2014.

“As a singer living with autism, I want to inspire others in the autism community to pursue their dreams and passions in the performing arts.” -Miriah

Meanwhile, Gavin, Ben and Makayla are all athletes on the autism spectrum who have honed their skills in the CAN hockey program.

The afternoon will also feature a range of individuals from the CAN community who have been instrumental in our participants’ successes.

Nish Lal is a longtime CAN program staff who was one of our very first volunteers back in 2008. With unparalleled enthusiasm and genuine care for each participant he encounters, he is recognized by the CAN community across the Lower Mainland. Tomorrow afternoon, he will be cranking the BCLC Community Hero siren.

CAN CEO Britt Andersen will be interviewed on both the Sportsnet Pacific telecast and the Sportsnet 650 airwaves during intermission. Meanwhile, CAN Director of Marketing & Communications Lindsay Petrie will speak about the cause during an in-game interview broadcasted on the jumbotron.

See highlights from the 2022 game:

In addition to featuring CAN, the Canucks continue to offer accessibility resources to any fans who may benefit.

In 2019, Rogers Arena became the first Canadian NHL stadium to introduce comprehensive autism accessibility resources for all games and events.

These include noise-cancelling headphones (on loan), sensory toys and a quiet room available upon request. For Canucks games specifically, fans can also benefit from an activity storybook and game timeline to increase expectations on the game day experience.

For full details, please visit the Canucks’ autism accessibility page.

Looking for ways to support the cause through the game?

Proceeds from Canucks 50/50 benefit CAN & a range of other deserving charities.
Fans can buy tickets in-game and online.
Or make a donation directly to CAN!
Visit canucksautism.ca/donate.

A huge thank you to entire Canucks organization for celebrating autism acceptance and for supporting the cause year-round. It is because of them that we can continue our work across BC and beyond.

Throughout the evening, the Canucks put the spotlight on CAN participants and the importance of supporting and including individuals on the spectrum in our community.

For the second straight year, anthem singer Gavin Leong (13 years old) and PA announcer Ryan Chilton (28) were featured at the mic.

A former student of the CAN & Sarah McLachlan School of Music program, Gavin has sung at a number of CAN events over the years. Meanwhile, Ryan is a professional announcer and voice over artist who has forged a bond with Canucks PA announcer Al Murdoch.

Gavin was joined at ice level by a couple of young CAN athletes from the Coquitlam Sharks hockey team.

Mikael Raptis (11) was chosen for the Rogers Every Kid’s Dream program, joining the starting lineup at the blueline. Meanwhile, his teammate Kayen DeGoey (10) experienced the pre-game warm up as the Toyota Junior Trainer of the Game.

Mikael (left) and Kayen (right) had just completed their first year of CAN Hockey the day before the game.

And just before puck drop, it was Bob Shanks, a 29-year-old on the spectrum, who cranked the BCLC Community Hero Siren. Over the course of 10 years, Bob has single-handedly raised over $300,000 for CAN. A community hero, indeed.

After the 1st period, it was CAN Founder Paolo Aquilini and CEO Britt Andersen‘s turn to highlight the cause.

Paolo sat with Sportsnet 650 host Satiar Shah, whose brother is also on the autism spectrum. On the Sportsnet telecast, Britt joined Dan Murphy to let viewers know how to support the work that CAN does across BC and beyond.

Listen to Paolo’s interview >

Watch Britt’s interview >

While the evening featured so many different key individuals from CAN, it’s important to note the work that the Canucks do year-round to support autism acceptance.

In addition to providing vital funding through 50/50 and a number of charitable initiatives, the Canucks have partnered with CAN to make resources available at Rogers Arena for any fan on the spectrum (or anyone with sensory sensitivities) who might benefit.

Resources include noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, ID bracelets and a Quiet Room available upon request. For Canucks games specifically, fans can also benefit form an activity storybook to help illustrate what to expect.

For full details, please visit the Canucks’ autism accessibility page.

Looking for ways to support the cause, while commemorating the event?

Canucks players wore limited edition hoodies celebrating the cause.
Get your own Canucks x CAN hoodie at vanbase.ca. Proceeds support CAN!
Proceeds from Canucks 50/50 benefit CAN & a range of other deserving charities.
Fans can buy tickets in-game and online.
Or make a donation directly to CAN!
Visit canucksautism.ca/donate.

A huge thank you to entire Canucks organization and Herbaland for celebrating autism acceptance this past Sunday and for supporting the cause year-round. It is because of them that we can continue our work across BC and beyond.

First off, autism was not well known or understood when I was a boy.

In 1985, I was referred to BC Children’s Hospital, as my parents were trying to figure out what made me tick. You see, as a child I kept mostly to myself, and was content to play by myself for hours on end. I appeared to be hyperactive, rocking for hours on my spring horse. I also had gross motor skills deficits. My childhood doctors kept telling my mom that she was an “overpicky” mother, and my quirks would correct themselves in time. The doctors at Children’s Hospital diagnosed me with ADHD, and told my parents “I met all the signs of autism, except I could talk.” They missed the mark, and I would have to wait sixteen years before I learned I was autistic.

Now, before anyone goes criticizing Children’s Hospital, keep in mind this assessment took place thirty-six years ago, when knowledge of autism was far more limited, and the diagnostic criteria far more restrictive. Just like today. medical professionals can’t just make up their own diagnostic criteria, but are required to follow the criteria accepted as the standard by their profession at the time. I suspect my parents would be given very different answers if I was assessed today in 2021.

Despite not knowing I was autistic, there were supports even back then that helped me somewhat. I received therapy from the Child Development Centres in Quesnel and Fort St John. Therapists at both centres helped me improve my gross motor skills. I also received speech therapy at school in Fort St. John, and later Prince George (where I moved to in 1986 and still live today), and this helped improve my speech. We didn’t know then that it was autism that was causing my difficulties.

In school, I benefitted from extra time on assignments, and tests, including my high school final exams. This helped me succeed, and earn honour roll standing multiple times in both elementary and high school. English was my best subject, and math my worst. I never used any of that algebra they tried to teach me. With these supports, I graduated in 1996 with the rest of my peers, and went on to complete a BA in English and History at UNBC, graduating in 2003.

It was only after my Asperger’s diagnosis in 2001 that my parents and I fully understood my uniqueness.

I finally knew why in grade 2, I would run around the school playground, pretending to be He-Man, and why I played (and still play) with my pillow cases and shirts. This is only a few of the questions we finally had answers to. In case you’re not a child of the early 80’s, He-Man was a popular cartoon series and action figure from the early 80’s. I would pretend I was holding his magic sword and saying “By the Power of Grayskull,” which made him the most powerful man in the universe.

I paid my autism diagnosis little regard until November 2006 when I was expelled from teacher training, and had my life’s dream shattered. This was all because I made a rude comment that offended the classroom teacher who supervised me during my first practicum. Like many autistics, I often make unfiltered remarks. I’ve never sworn, but this trait has often landed me in trouble as an adult. It was never anything too serious, until then.

From 2007-2008, I attended college to improve my communication skills, and started becoming the autistic self-advocate I am today.

I started an Asperger’s support group in Prince George back around 2008 for AutismBC, and from 2012-2020, I worked for AutismBC as the Northern Regional Coordinator. During those almost eight years, I connected families and autistic adults with the resources they needed to thrive in life. From 2020-2021, I worked for the Sinneave Family Foundation, where I developed a toolkit to support autistic adults in employment.

Additionally, I helped plan the 2020 Canadian Autism Leadership Summit for the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA), and in April 2021, I joined CASDA’s board of directors. I am also a passionate public speaker, and love presenting on autism to diverse audiences.

In October 2020, I started a short-term contract with CAN, where I led Project Relay, a series of online workshops to help employment service agencies learn how to better support autistic and intellectually-disabled job seekers during COVID-19.

Corey (left) was charged with assembling a team of experts to speak to employment service professionals from across BC.

This was definitely the most exciting job I had. I built a five member hub team of employment experts and self-advocates, who presented on various employment and mental health related topics during three virtual webinars, all held in February and March 2021.

I was motivated to lead this project because I wanted to ensure autistics were getting help to find work during the pandemic. I really enjoyed the collaboration between myself, and the larger team of hub team members, co-workers, etc. I love working with others, learning from them, and they from me.

If I was to give one piece of advice to self-advocates about educating others on autism, it would be to speak from the heart, and be honest about your experiences.

People want to hear your stories. Tell them what autism acceptance means to you. What it means to me is that I can accepted for being who I am. That is very important to me.

As we transition from awareness to acceptance, remember simply knowing about autism is not enough. We need to accept autistics for who they are, and embrace their uniqueness. Everybody is unique, and special in their own way. The best action we can take is to share our stories, and listen to others sharing theirs.

You may recognize Corey 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:

Natanya: “Autism acceptance means I have a job that I love”

Maxwell: “Listen to us and amplify our voices”

April 28, 2021
by Maxwell

I’ve been accessing Canucks Autism Network (CAN) programs for almost a year now. I thought about joining a couple of years back, but hesitated. I was busy with high school and was in a very bad place mentally and emotionally. But I’ve been making progress on healing and being in a better place.

Being with CAN has really been a journey, since I felt like I was entirely on my own beforehand. I joined last August near the beginning of the pandemic.

I thought, “How do I find people that are just like me?”

I had looked elsewhere, but was often found ineligible for different services and programs because I was deemed ‘high functioning’.

Before CAN, I had been paired with workers who had made me feel afraid to show my true autistic self – that I could not understand social cues or that I experienced sensory overload. I felt like I had to stand up for myself and justify why I deserved to be respected as a human being at a young age.

I can make some eye contact and I can speak, so I was often made to feel like I should be able to move past those social and sensory challenges. It left me with way more emotional scars than I needed. I felt helpless, scared and alone. Looking back on it, I would never wish it on anyone at all.

So when I joined CAN, I really had no idea what to expect. I joined their Youth & Adult Advisory Group (now called the Youth & Adult Leadership Committee), a group of individuals on the spectrum who provide feedback and insight on CAN programming. After the first session online, there was already a huge difference from what I’ve been used to.

Interested in joining the Youth & Adult Leadership Committee? Email mark.comfort@canucksautism.ca.

I shared about how certain actions we see in the community can stigmatize autistic individuals – how making us feel like certain behaviours are inherently bad can be very damaging. I didn’t get questioned or scrutinized for what I had to say. I actually felt as if my voice mattered, and that I was believed with no judgement or shame whatsoever.

“Autism acceptance means I’m part of a community that supports and listens to me.”

Maxwell is one of nine autistic voices who took part in our Autism Acceptance Month video with EY.
For every comment or share of the video until Apr 30, EY will donate $2. FB, IG, Tw, IN

Since the Advisory Group, I have joined a number of CAN programs, including the Skills Training Employment Program (STEP). The program is a 12-week paid opportunity for autistic youth and adults. I was part of their first cohort this past winter. It took time to build back the confidence that I had shattered. But by the end, I had learned much more than what my five years of high school had taught me – and in a way that I can understand.

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A post shared by Canucks Autism Network (@canucksautism)

Maxwell (bottom right) on “graduation day” with STEP in March 2021.

The program also allowed me to reunite with a childhood friend, both online in STEP’s virtual classroom and in-person after the program. As part of STEP, I’ll be working with CAN as an office assistant starting this May. I’m looking forward to it, including working alongside my future colleagues!

Interested in joining the Skills Training Employment Program (STEP)? Our next cohort begins May 10! Apply by May 5.

The best way to support the autistic community is to listen to us, amplify our voices and to be willing to work with the autistic community to bring change, justice and acceptance as a whole.

As an autistic person in the community, both online and in person, it’s both saddening and infuriating seeing certain groups stigmatize us – and then around April, act like they have our backs or speak for us just for their own publicity gain. We’re not here to be alienated and looked down upon. We’re human just like everyone else. We just need support and acceptance for who we are – not a cure or to be “solved like a missing piece of the puzzle.”

Yes, I’m proud of the first steps our communities are making right now. It’s a good thing to shift to “acceptance”. But now we got to continue to strive forward for continued change.

I’m glad to speak out on this month with the best of my ability. I’d like to end with a quote which I stand by to this day: “Nothing about us, without us.”

“It’s important to accept, be open to everyone and enjoy everyone’s unique and individual personalities and abilities,” Natanya said.

As a young woman on the spectrum, her lived experience fuels the understanding and compassion she brings to our programs. Natanya has been with CAN for just over two years. Before being hired as a support worker, she started as a volunteer, supporting kids in our summer programs.

In addition to supporting CAN camps & weekly programs, Natanya (2nd from right) has also volunteered at fundraisers & family experiences!

“My favourite memory at CAN was Overnight Camp on Keats. I remember encouraging one of the campers to let me take him out on the water in a kayak. We saw dozens of seals. His excitement was so rewarding.”

That summer alone, Natanya volunteered in two week-long summer day camps and a full three days at Keats – tirelessly supporting our participants in a range of scenarios.

The following season, Natanya jumped in the pool to support our weekly swimming lessons. Overseeing our swim program at our JCC location in Vancouver was Kaitlin Sterndale-Bennett. Recalling Natanya’s time as a volunteer, Kaitlin had particularly high praise:

“I cannot speak highly enough about Natanya. As a volunteer, she was naturally responsive to the kids, excellent with our visual tools and calm under pressure. She was one of the strongest individuals in the pool.”

Needless to say, Natanya was quickly hired on as a support worker. Her tireless energy, natural ability and clear dedication to helping others are such a benefit to our participants.

Today, she works in CAN’s Active, Multisport, Skate and Music programs.

“I want people to know that people on the autism spectrum are just like everyone else. We have goals and dreams. And we work hard to be successful and achieve them.”

We are so lucky to have individuals like Natanya supporting our participants and families. In addition to guiding our participants in their skill development, she is showcasing first-hand how individuals on the spectrum can lead the way in their community.

Tag: acceptance

Sunday afternoon will be a celebration of inclusion & acceptance, featuring a number of children & adults on the autism spectrum:

The afternoon will also feature a range of individuals from the CAN community who have been instrumental in our participants’ successes.

In addition to featuring CAN, the Canucks continue to offer accessibility resources to any fans who may benefit.

Looking for ways to support the cause through the game?

Further reading

Throughout the evening, the Canucks put the spotlight on CAN participants and the importance of supporting and including individuals on the spectrum in our community.

Looking for ways to support the cause, while commemorating the event?

Further reading

Further reading

First off, autism was not well known or understood when I was a boy.

It was only after my Asperger’s diagnosis in 2001 that my parents and I fully understood my uniqueness.

From 2007-2008, I attended college to improve my communication skills, and started becoming the autistic self-advocate I am today.

In October 2020, I started a short-term contract with CAN, where I led Project Relay, a series of online workshops to help employment service agencies learn how to better support autistic and intellectually-disabled job seekers during COVID-19.

If I was to give one piece of advice to self-advocates about educating others on autism, it would be to speak from the heart, and be honest about your experiences.

You may recognize Corey as one of the nine autistic voices featured in our #AutismAcceptance video with EY this April:

Learn more about the voices featured in the video:

I thought, “How do I find people that are just like me?”

“Autism acceptance means I’m part of a community that supports and listens to me.”

The best way to support the autistic community is to listen to us, amplify our voices and to be willing to work with the autistic community to bring change, justice and acceptance as a whole.

Read more from individuals on the spectrum:

“It’s important to accept, be open to everyone and enjoy everyone’s unique and individual personalities and abilities,” Natanya said.

“My favourite memory at CAN was Overnight Camp on Keats. I remember encouraging one of the campers to let me take him out on the water in a kayak. We saw dozens of seals. His excitement was so rewarding.”

“I cannot speak highly enough about Natanya. As a volunteer, she was naturally responsive to the kids, excellent with our visual tools and calm under pressure. She was one of the strongest individuals in the pool.”

“I want people to know that people on the autism spectrum are just like everyone else. We have goals and dreams. And we work hard to be successful and achieve them.”

Read more from individuals on the spectrum: