News

This research project aims to explore how different environments—natural, built, and social—can enhance the well-being of autistic youth, focusing on both psychological and physiological improvements. The study will investigate the potential of therapeutic photography as a tool for promoting positive well-being.

What does participating involve?
Participants will engage in four-weeks of therapeutic photography around York University, capturing images of environments that contribute to their sense of well-being. They will also reflect on and discuss the reasons behind their photo choices with the research team. Please refer to the poster below for more informatinon.

Who can participate?
The study is open to autistic individuals aged 16-25 years. Support persons can assist with participation if necessary.

Interested in participating?
If you are interested in joining this study, please reach out to Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Clinical Lead of the Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Lab at York University, via email at taphoto@yorku.ca.

For more information, please visit the project’s website at https://www.yorku.ca/health/lab/ddmh/therapeutic-photography-and-wellbeing/.

Individuals who meet the criteria for participation are invited to take part in a research study conducted by the Pediatric Pain, Health, and Communication Lab, led by Dr. Meghan McMurtry at the University of Guelph.

The study, titled “Gathering Feedback on a Vaccination Social Story to Help Autistic Children and Their Caregivers,” aims to enhance the vaccination experience for autistic children.

The research team is seeking participants in the following groups:

1. Autistic youth (ages 7-18) and their caregivers (18+)
2. Professionals who work with autistic youth (e.g., respite workers, occupational therapists)
3. Professionals who give vaccinations (e.g., pharmacists, nurses, physicians)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Participants must live in Canada and speak English fluently.
• For the child-caregiver pairs, both individuals must participate together.

What’s Involved?

Participation will involve a review of the lab’s Social Story about vaccination (optional) and a ~1 hour virtual interview (for child-caregiver pairs) or focus group (for professionals), where participants will discuss the Social Story and provide feedback on its effectiveness, such as what they liked or disliked, and how it might be improved.

This study aims to gather valuable insights that will contribute to making needle procedures, like vaccinations, as comfortable as possible for autistic children. Your input could have a direct impact on improving the healthcare experience for many. If you know individuals who might be interested, please share this opportunity.

If you are interested in participating, or have any questions, please contact Olivia Dobson, PhD Candidate at odobson@uoguelph.ca.

Disclaimer: Participation will not affect services, funding, or employment. Please see the attached flyers for more information and recruitment details.

Community Living York South and ME & Lau Family Foundation will be hosting a Personal Income Tax Filing Clinic for people with intellectual disabilities and their parents on Saturday, April 12th 2025 from 9:00am – 5:00pm by appointment.

Please check the flyers on this page for more information.

Location: Community Living York South Markham Office
(5694 Hwy 7 East, Unit 13, Markham, ON L3P 1B4)

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT
Contact: Stina Li
905-294-4971 Ext. 267
sli@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Please press < and > to view the flyer in different languages.

Contact: Stephanie Studer
E-mail: studers@mcmaster.ca
Mobile Phone: (647) 980-0171

A research team at York University is recruiting autistic youth to participate in an online study about positive well-being (i.e., flourishing) and to test the use of a flourishing questionnaire.

Who can participate?

• Autistic youth between 13 and 25 years of age.
• Located in Ontario, Canada.
• Have a diagnosis of autism or self-identify as autistic.

What does participation involve?

• Completing a 15-minute online survey about flourishing and autistic traits.
• For those under 16 years of age, a parent or caregiver will be asked to provide consent for participation and complete the autistic traits questionnaire about the youth.
• The survey can be completed alone or with a support person.

If you would like to participate, please click the link and fill out the sign-up sheet! A member of the research team will email you the survey directly https://yorku.questionpro.ca/t/AB3urAcZB3u32R

You can contact the research team (Teresa Sellitto and Dr. Jonathan Weiss) at flourishstudy@yorku.ca if you have any questions.

[Text from the Flourish Study team]

We are glad to share Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO)’s “I am a Caregiver” Toolkit—a resource material designed to support caregivers in long-term care. View the toolkit adapted for several languages and communities on OCO’s website: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/managing-care/toolkits/

View the English version here

Quick links:

• Cantonese adaptation
• Mandarin adaptation
• Tamil adaptation
• Punjabi adaptation
• Tagalog adaptation
• French
• Black adaptation – English
• 2SLGBTQAI+ adaptation – English
• Indigenous adaption – English

The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO)’s Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment (SCALE) Program is coming back this February 2025! This biannual program aims to support caregivers’ mental health and well-being through webinars, resources, and optional support sessions held online.

Registration is now open through EventBrite at this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/scale-program-supporting-caregiver-awareness-learning-and-empowerment-tickets-1087017682149.

Visit OCO’s page about the SCALE Program or reach out to info@ontariocaregiver.ca for more information.

Brock University, Disability Studies Department is conducting a study to understand the strengths that caregivers see in their 10 to 17 years old children on the autism spectrum. The study is an online survey that will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Below is our recruitment poster for additional details. Interested caregivers can click on the study link HERE or email Kevin Yu at yc20tw@brocku.ca.

Beginning January 15, 2024 our new name will be the 

York Community Autism Partnership (YCAP) 

A New Name for a New Year!   

The former York ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Partnership is very excited to announce our new name 

the 

York Community Autism Partnership.  

As an organization that promotes positive awareness of Autism and is responsive to our community, our new name, the York Community Autism Partnership reflects respect for people with Autism and emphasizes our collaborative community work to enhance the system of supports for people with Autism and their families in York Region. 

Why this subtle change?  

There is a growing discontent amongst self-advocates with Autism, their families and many professionals with the use of the term “disorder” with respect to this neuro-diversity. While Autism Spectrum Disorder remains the official diagnosis in the DSMV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Version V), many people feel that referring to someone as “disordered” in everyday interactions diminishes and disrespects their strengths and abilities and negatively emphasizes the challenges  experienced by people with Autism.