Spectrum Educational Services

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. 

Micah Sudom, my son and former ASDreams member, composed Give it Time.  His band, Mostly Micah, played it during high school graduation. Micah is the one on piano. Mostly Micah also provided the dinner music for the school district's teacher retirement party. Micah's first educational assistant and his kindergarten teacher both retired this year. The PUF administrator who got me started in the school support system was one of the two honoured educators at the event. The title Give it Time wasn't chosen for a graduation theme or a teacher retirement gig, however I can't imagine a more fitting title. Early educators who gave of their time not knowing how their involvement would shape the lives of their students. Junior high boys who spent six years eating their lunches together in the band room, learning new instruments and jamming together. A mom who invested 18 years into countless appointments with Family Supports for Children with Disabilities, service provide

My article "Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder" appears in the summer edition of  Bridge magazine . Scroll to page 13 to find a readable version of the thumbnails below. Save Save

Updates to the  ASDreams  program: New time: 5:00-7:30 New ages: age 11 now welcome New format: don't forget to bring your supper Sample schedule : 5:00 Opening together 5:15 Theme activity together 5:45 Group A skills/group B free time 6:15 Supper together 6:45 Group B skills/group A free time 7:15 Closing together 7:30 Home

I was thankful to take part in IDPD again this year. Shaw TV Medicine Hat captured highlights of the events. One minute into the video they focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. I had the privilege of being interviewed. The interview took place in the foyer at the end of the school day just as parents were arriving to pick up their children. My "robotic" voice reveals that I'm using a significant amount of my brain for self regulation. Tools I used to manage myself during the interview: I focused my eyes on Leslie Jerry , a familiar face from the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues . Before being interviewed I asked the interviewer what questions she would have for me. I remembered that any part of being Autistic that I couldn't hide from the camera could become another avenue for ASD awareness. The comments from students demonstrated that IDPD increases inclusion. The sessions increased the level of students' understanding of different disabilities. I

" It’s all about having empathy as a first reaction as opposed to frustration or annoyance," captured a key theme shared with staff in  Westwind School Division during two days of professional development I offered in May. The division capitalized on my time there by also hosting a community awareness presentation. They also took this picture. Fortunately I no longer need the crutches!

Tired of waiting until you are a teenager? Now you don't have to wait! ASDreams is offering two groups on Monday evenings at CORE. 4:15-5:45 for grades 4-6/7 6:30-8:00 for grades 7/8-12 Family consultation will help place participants in grades 6 and 7 into the most appropriate group with the flexibility to switch groups to achieve success. Session One starts October 15. To register, call Judy at 403-527-3302 ex 129

It is a privilege to represent the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues at the ceremony on Wednesday. Each link below takes you to a picture of the features of the waterpark and playground. It has been designed to be accessible and fun for children, parents, and caregivers with and without disabilities ( Braille clock , drums , teeter totter , swings ). Surfacing  - is a resilient recycled tire solid surface that is level with the walkway.  The surface is firm, stable, slip-resistant, and provides outstanding shock absorption. Equipment - offers a mix of both accessible and more  demanding features that will appeal to and challenge a variety of children and abilities.  The ramps, accessible stairs and platforms use colour to indicate elevation changes.  The  safari bus allows children using a mobility device to experience the movement and bounce of a safari bus trip with their peers.   Water Playground - Seasonal (May long weekend - September long weekend).  Fully accessible

     As a parent with children on the Autism spectrum, I've been both commended and scolded for how my children behave at restaurants.  I'm so thankful my identity is not tied to the varying and variable opinions of others.  Impatience by a waiter over a child who (again) needs more time to decide. Strange looks for allowing an older child to sit under the booth to escape the noise. Compassion for a child who believes is independent enough to find the washroom, but needs and receives redirection away from the doors to the kitchen. Congratulations from a table nearby for the excellent manners of my son who adds "thank you" to almost every verbal exchange with strangers.     Eating out as a family is an adventure with a highly variable cost/benefit  analysis.

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'

Lars and the Real Girl (Image via RottenTomatoes.com) Watching a movie about a life sized doll ordered off the Internet was not where I expected to discover community. Yet in  Lars and the Real Girl , community plays a central role as each character decides what to do about Bianca – the doll that Lars believes is real. Can Bianca come in for dinner? Lars' brother doesn't want to be associated with crazy. His sister-in-law, Karin, seems a bit more open. She asks what they can do to help, but recoils at the thought of letting Bianca borrow her clothes. It is a very personal request. Here is where Karin draws the line – Bianca doesn't have the same style. But Lars says Bianca doesn't care about stuff like that.The movie focuses on the community including Bianca so Lars can feel included, too. The community includes her for Lars. Lars, too, faces the challenge of valuing his doll. I think the most powerful moment is when Lars has to decide what he will do about Bianca.

A parent requests the disability supports a family member needs. A person on fixed income applies for increased rent subsidy to match increased expenses. Access to mental health services is required. "No" is a word heard repeatedly by people accessing social assistance. As I waited in line to pick up a cheque that could not be mailed because of the current postal strike/lock out in Canada, I heard many forms of "no". I believe it is time for a vocabulary makeover: That's not our mandate:  This response tells me the service provider is system oriented, not client oriented. The potential client is dehumanized as their needs are externalized into a checklist. It is emotionally easier to say no to a piece of paper than a person. For the applicant, it is challenging to not take the rejection personally. Your friend gave you the wrong information:  This typifies the mistrust service providers can develop towards their potential clients. It also undermines the soc