Spectrum Educational Services

ASDreams is funded by Family Supports for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and hosted by Crestwood Mennonite Brethren Church in Medicine Hat. 2018 is the ninth year of running this program for youth on the Autism Spectrum. Registration is ongoing. Contact FSCD directly or Wendy Johnson 403-952-8406 wendywheelockjohnson@gmail.com

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The UP (Untapped Potential) program gives adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities employment support. Training includes skills and e mployability assessments, Life Skills workshops, job search skills, continued support on the job site, support to the employer, multiple work experiences, job customization, job placements, and three and six month follow up. I'll be doing some of their staff training. More information is available at  Being Human Services .

Just like the narrator of this video, I also have a broken foot and crutches. This clip highlights the need for medical services to be accessible to people regardless of the medical challenges they face. 1:54 of the video asks the question, "Wouldn't it make sense if doctor's offices and labs and medical equipment were accessible to . . people who have mobility problems?"

ASDreamers Logan Murray and Micah Sudom planned, wrote, acted, directed and submitted a video for the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta contest. While the two did not win, a shortened clip can be seen here . Be sure to "like" it. Submitted in February, both Dreamers showed teamwork, perseverance and patience while waiting for the judges to make their decision.

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'