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Please note: Thank you to everyone who applied for the committee. Applications are now closed. Each application will be reviewed by the Provincial Autism Action Plan Project Team who will select and notify the representative members. What is the Provincial Autism Action Plan? The Provincial Autism Action Plan is a proposed framework that represents a…

Autism Nova Scotia is excited to welcome two extraordinary East Coast culinary talents to our 11th Best of Local gala stage on October 17th: East Coast Canadian Head Chef Gabrielle LeGuerrier has cooked for world leaders, many celebrities, and most notably, her last job before the creation of Gourmetgab Events by Pertu – was Sous…

As summer approaches, sunscreen becomes a must-have for safety. However, applying sunscreen can be challenging.  Here are five tips to help make applying sunscreen easier from the QuickStart team: By incorporating these strategies, you can help make sunscreen application a positive experience. If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or…

Meet Charli Miller, Autism Nova Scotia’s Employment and Transitions Manager, someone who is passionate about creating inclusivity in discussions around relationships and sexuality. Charli also oversees the Healthy Relationships, Sexuality and Autism Program (HRSA). The program teaches people about healthy relationships and sexuality in a way that includes everyone, including those who are or identify as…

Dressing involves multiple skills and movements within one routine, like balance, coordination, pushing, pulling and other fine motor skills. Consider the steps below to try and practice with your child to set them up for success! 1) When supporting your child in their independence with dressing, make sure they are in a comfortable position on…

It is our great honour to announce the recipient of the 2024 Joan Craig Trailblazer Award, Brandon Boyd! This award is presented to a change-maker who works to build inclusion, amplify autistic voices, and collaborates to trailblaze a path forward for everyone. Brandon uses his voice and his talents to advance autistic representation in the…

Meet Stephen, a 42-year-old who sees the world through a different lens. Stephen is autistic, which means his brain works in its own special way. But here is the thing, autism is not the same for everyone. Stephen wants you to know that.  “Some people think they know how autistics should act, but they’re usually…

Autism Nova Scotia is proud to host the 11th annual Best of Local gala event presented by Stewart McKelvey on Thursday, October 17th. This incredible evening will celebrate the autistic community while featuring delectable food and beverages, entertainment, and stories from our community. The impact of our Best of Local gala stretches far beyond one…

As we enter the Spring season and the weather starts getting warmer, you can create opportunities to take your child outside to play in nature. Playing outside and in nature helps promote a child’s curiosity, creativity, and learning new experiences. It allows them to explore their senses while testing their limits. Outdoor play also gives…

In the world of sending and getting packages, there’s a special story about friendship and accepting each other at DHL. Let’s meet Myles, who is autistic and works at DHL. His journey has changed the way he sees working together and feeling like you belong.  Last year, Myles joined a team made up of his…

To help honor International Women’s Day, it’s important to highlight programs that uplift and support women from diverse backgrounds. One such initiative at Autism Nova Scotia is the Women’s Autism/Autistic Project. Founded by two autistic advocates, Patricia George-Zwicker and Danielle Griffin, the program is now available for both teens and adults to connect and find…

What does “Coaching” mean? Coaching provides a collaborative approach which focuses on the following in different roles and organizations, such as sports/fitness, business, education, and counselling. 1)Defining goals and finding out what is important to the individual person; 2)Creating plans and finding ways to achieve these goals and;  3)Working toward accomplishing them together through practice…

Relationships are the connections between people. Everyone has relationships that fall into many categories such as: sexual, romantic, friendship, family, service provider, colleague/boss, etc. Sometimes, these relationships may happen in more than one category. For example, a romantic partner may also be a best friend. Regardless of the category of relationship, it is important to…

Meet Alex and Rebecca, two remarkable individuals from our Social Group program at Autism Nova Scotia, who have blossomed from friends to compatible partners. Their journey is a testament to the fact that dating within the autism community is not only possible but can lead to beautiful connections.  Alex and Rebecca enjoy a range of…

Sensory bins can be a fun addition to add to your play routines. They can be a great way for children to explore and learn through hands-on play. Sensory bins support child’s development as they improve fine motor skills (small movements with fingers/hands), sensory exploration, play skills, language development. When starting your own sensory bin,…

As a rule, winter coats should not be worn underneath in your child’s car seat because they can leave the harness too loose to be effective in a crash. Here’s a simple way to check whether your child’s coat is too big to wear underneath a harness: 1.Put the coat on your child, sit them…

Little Bellies? Little Changes! The amount of food, and different types of food that children are willing to eat can be a stressor for many families. Here are a few tips we often provide families who are concerned about their child’s food choices! 1.) Consider the location and style of your mealtime routines. Do you…

There are so many yummy flavors during the holidays – gingerbread, peppermint, caramel, chocolate and vanilla! A fun activity that you can do with your kids is have them help out in the kitchen to make treats and snacks that everyone can enjoy! This is a fun way to practice fine motor skills, following directions,…

At Autism Nova Scotia we believe in the power of dreams and building an inclusive community for everyone. We believe in the joy we see in people’s eyes as they embark on a journey of self-discovery, that they might not have had access to without your help.  One of the ways we support our community…

Our team is thrilled to share some exciting updates on the achievements of QuickStart Nova Scotia (QS) in our recent community outreach project in the Cape Breton Region.  Community Outreach Success: QuickStart Nova Scotia has been actively engaged in a community outreach project aimed at promoting autism acceptance and support. Our dedicated team has achieved…

In the heart of Nova Scotia’s vibrant film community, a rising star is making waves and challenging stereotypes. Meet Brandon Boyd, a talented filmmaker whose passion for storytelling transcends the screen, and whose journey reflects resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to representation. When asked about his journey into filmmaking, Brandon shared, “Film connects my…

Here are 6 tips you can do throughout the day to promote good sleep habits at night. If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or call 902-593-1015.

Here are 5 tips for college and university students gearing up for the first semester of school this fall. 1) Attend all of your classes and take notes. 2) Get to know your professors, instructors and peers. 3) Familiarize yourself with the campus, resources and services. 4) Create a study schedule that you can stick…

Playing with water has many benefits for early learning, such as hand-eye coordination, motor skills and sensory exploration. Here are 7 ideas for playing with water from the QuickStart team: If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or call 902-593-1015.

Gardening is a great way to get outside, enjoy the nice weather, and practice building fine motor communication, joint attention, imitation skills, and more. The QuickStart team wants to share 4 tips for gardening.

We participate in Walk YOUR Way because Autism Nova Scotia was a lifeline when we first learned about Theo’s diagnosis. We have had access to resources, advice, and programs that have helped us adapt to Theo’s way of communicating and interacting with the world. Even before his diagnosis, we could participate in the Quickstart program,…

Although Walk YOUR Way looked different this year for many of us, our first in-person Walk since 2019 would not have been possible without the generosity of our incredible community, Walk YOUR Way participants, volunteers and sponsors. We cannot thank you enough for coming together across the province to celebrate the autistic community in accessible…

As the days feel warmer and you start spending more time outside, consider these 7 outdoor activity ideas to keep playing fun and engaging. Toy Car Wash: Fill a bin with soapy water, have a toy car wash and practice washing and drying the cars. Teddy Picnic: Set up an outdoor picnic with a blanket,…

Students – as you’re gearing up for your first year, the Post-Secondary Autism Support Services team wants to share 4 tips. 1) Be mindful of course selection times! It is important to register promptly. 2) Your school’s academic advisors can help you determine what courses are required in your first year. 3) Check in with…

The QuickStart team wants to share 5 tips to make reading books fun at an early age. 1) Keep Reading Interesting Pick books that align with your child’s interests or books that are funny. 2) Bring the Words to Life Bring the words to life by pointing to the words and pictures as you read….

Strong communities are filled with diverse people where we accept and celebrate our differences and learn from each other. Autism Acceptance Month encourages us to continue to build inclusive communities where everyone is accepted and has a place to belong. Here are some of the stories from our wonderful community: Autism cuts across every segment…

We were delighted to welcome two first-voice advocates to our Autism Acceptance Month flag raising event. “When you can see the world from a different perspective, you can change the world and make society better.  Thankfully, due to the work of organizations like Autism Nova Scotia and the advocacy of people living on the spectrum,…

As we reflect during National Volunteer Week, we would like to recognize and thank our many volunteers across the province for their generous gift of time and energy. As a non-profit organization, our programs could not run without the help of our wonderful volunteers.  Here are the stories from some of our incredible volunteers across…

Mealtime is an opportunity to explore, learn and build confidence with routines. Toddlers might refuse some foods, and that’s ok! It’s important to give them the time and space to move at their own pace and enjoy their “safe” foods. The QuickStart team has 3 tips for mealtime: If you want to learn more about QuickStart…

Movement is important for every stage of development and helps promote an active lifestyle. Fundamental movements can boost mood, improve cognitive ability, and support better sleep. The QuickStart team has 10 movement tips to help you break out of hibernation: If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or call…

Autism Nova Scotia’s 2022 Annual General Meeting took place via Zoom on Wednesday, June 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (AST). View our 2021-2022 AGM video here!