Not just about: Authentic!


Karen Sudom speaks to the beauty and challenges of her experiences navigating this crazy yet wonderful world. She began as an Autism specialist and has widened her spectrum of topics to include her lived experience in community discussions, decisions and delivery.

Not just about: Authentic!
Karen doesn't just speak about Autism, but also what it is like to be Autistic. She doesn't just speak about social supports and community inclusion, but also her experiences of delivering, needing and accessing help.

She shares with educators, parent groups, students, churches, businesses, health professionals and other services providers. Karen's work has found her behind the scenes and behind the microphone.

Pre Covid Karen led weekly after school groups for preteens and teens with mainstreamed Autism called ASDreams. She served on the City of Medicine Hat's Advisory Committee on Disability Issues and Social Development Advisory Board. Karen moved to Calgary in 2023. 

Popular posts from this blog

Free Online Autism Information Session

Alberta Health Services is offering an online session called, "Supporting and thriving with your loved ones affected by Asperger's Syndrome". This is the description: Adam has personal experience of living with a sibling diagnosed with Asperger's that he uses to guide others in understanding Asperger's and some commonly associated conditions. This will aid you in taking more informed care of the person with Asperger's in your life. Combining personal experience and training, Adam will explore how narrative approaches can help you connect to someone with this diagnosis. In addition, the personal impact on the caregiver will be discussed, including ideas for self-care. The course is available until June 10, 2016 at 11:00am.  Registration information available here.
Read more

Improved Efficiency?

Another government agency has changed its policy to be more efficient. An  AISH  client can no longer email their worker. For example, instead of forwarding an appointment confirmation email from my specialist in Calgary, I now have to print it off and hand deliver it to the AISH office downtown. This adds many layers of cost: paper and ink travel my time to deliver another level of AISH administration Unfortunately arriving at the office does not simplify the process. Or personalize it.  Previously  I wrote about ways staff can humanize the experience of needing to access support services. As I was waiting for an appointment, a man went to the counter and asked to see his worker. PAD (person at desk): She isn't available. You can see the walk in worker. Man: When will my worker be available? PAD: I don't know. You need to make an appointment to see her. You can see the walk in worker. Man: How do I make an appointment? PAD: She makes her own appointments. You'
Read more