TIMMINS, HEARST, KAPUSKASING, COCHRANE, IROQUOIS FALLS, MATHESON, SCHUMACHER, KIRKLAND LAKE, ENGLEHART, NEW LISKEARD, NORTH COBALT – April 2, 2016 marked the 8th World Autism Awareness Day. It also signified the launch of a month long Autism Awareness campaign for North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS.) NEOFACS once again joined in Autism Ontario’s “Raise the Flag” Campaign, with flags raised or displayed in eleven communities.
On Saturday, April 2, Golden Avenue Public School and NEOFACS, supported by Autism Ontario, hosted the annual Family Fun Day at Golden Avenue Public School. Children and youth diagnosed with Autism were invited to attend a special family play day that encouraged social learning opportunities.
The second annual “Expression Challenge” is now open across the districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Children and youth are encouraged to submit their expression challenge (cross word and/or art submission) form for a chance to have their art featured on the 2017 Autism t-shirt. Forms are available in both English and French and are available for download from https://www.neofacs.org/news/autism_expression-challenge/. Close to 80 “Expression Challenges” were submitted for the 2015 campaign.
Artwork from last year’s campaign was featured on a special t-shirt/hoodie fundraiser available for purchase online in February and March of 2016. While the fundraiser aimed to sell 50 shirts, the campaign was 158% funded, selling 79 shirts. Approximately, $500 was raised through this campaign and he funds will go towards purchasing materials and resources for autism therapies and programs.
The month long campaign promotes an understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and available therapies. Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. Autism disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours. In 2013, all previously sub-categorized autism disorders (autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome) were merged into one diagnosis of ASD.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
NEOFACS offers a number of children’s mental health programs for children and youth with Autism. Services include the Applied Behaviour Analysis Program (ABA), the Autism Intervention Program (AIP/IBI), and the Autism Resource Program (ARP). The ABA program is offered in cooperation with One Kids Place and the AIP/IBI program is offered in partnership with HANDS (The Family Help Network from North Bay). More information on these partnerships can be found by visiting http://www.onekidsplace.ca and http://www.thefamilyhelpnetwork.ca.
Media Contact:
Brooke Ballantyne
Communications Coordinator
Telephone: 705-360-7100 ext 5217
For additional information, please contact:
Josée Bélanger, MSW, RSW
Director of Services: Children's Mental Health, Youth Justice & Community Based Programs
Directrice des services : santé mentale des enfants, justice pour la jeunesse et programmes ommunautaires
705-360-2104