Winter Newsletter 2024

1313eaf9 376e 45e8 Abd5 60f8ac406531

Winter 2024 Newsletter

Celebrating Accomplishments !
D45251cf C1d2 3e10 59e7 Eab91711d5cd
Happy 10+ Anniversary to
Integrated Autism Consulting!!
 
In the Spring of 2014, Integrated Autism Consulting selected 45 Maple Avenue as the venue for its first ever coaching and training centre location – a development that also marked the Ontario-wide expansion of the Transition to Life program and individualized coaching. Envisioned as a place for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders to attend educational programming developed to foster independent life skills, the scope of 45 Maple Avenue soon evolved and matured.
Thank you!
In light of the upcoming anniversary, we at Integrated Autism Consulting would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who took the opportunity to walk through those jet-black doors at 45 Maple Avenue and to everyone who we have worked with before and since.

Read the full post on the Blog: https://www.integratedautismconsulting.com/blog/happy-10-anniversary-to-integrated-autism-consulting/

During our anniversary year, we would like to do feature articles on some of our Transition to Life and coaching graduates. These individuals have embraced the transition to adulthood and are thriving.
David Francis: Resilience Embodied
Ed2e46d0 5e28 7d62 5ea0 Fdedf9e873aa

Resilience is a uniquely important character trait. A resilient person is adaptable, someone who meets life’s adversity head on, stays positive and strives to learn and grow from their experiences. Adept at seeing the bigger picture, those with a developed capacity for resilience understand all that they have to offer and view setbacks as hurdles to be overcome in the complex journey of life. 

It is a trait that Transition to Life graduate David Francis has come to embody.  

David’s work experiences prior to Transition to Life  were part-time, with inconsistent hours and often long stretches of intra-provincial travel. Holding a degree in Religious Studies and a certification in HR Management, he was looking for a full-time, salaried position that would challenge him while engaging with his many skills.  

Enter Integrated Autism Consulting.
Armed with job readiness skills from the Transition to Life program, founder Patricia O’Connor connected David with Specialisterne – an organization devoted to helping autistic and neurodivergent Canadians find meaningful employment.

Read the full post on the Blog: https://www.integratedautismconsulting.com/blog/david-francis-resilience-embodied/

Transition to Life Graduates
Kevin Alexander
06b2d421 763c 730d Cdea B328d4e7c6a6

Kevin is a remarkable young man, who is honest and organized. He was
open and dedicated to the Transition to Life course and did an excellent
job completing activities, practicing, and discussing.

Kevin enjoys getting out in the community and typically takes various
public transportation to wherever he needs to go. Kevin is not one to shy
away from getting out of the house or meeting new people: Kevin’s
confidence in getting out there is something to be admired!
Congratulations Kevin, on all of your achievements so far, and thank
you for all your persistence and hard work throughout the course!I wish
you all the best as you continue to pursue your interests and future
goals. With your dedication and determination, you can accomplish
many great things!

-Coach, Chris

Shauna Quinn
6caea86d Ec87 2414 2ec8 E81e237f606e

 

Shauna is a wonderful young lady, who is thoughtful and kind. She was open and dedicated to the Transition to Life course and did an amazing job completing all activities and practice!

Shauna was very engaged in creating goals for herself, which focused on finding employment, making social connections, and building independence and confidence. She showed great commitment and focus when working towards her goals and learning new skills. Shauna worked especially hard on her interview skills and successfully found employment before the course ended! An incredible achievement! Shauna applied various conversation skills during several of our discussions throughout the course. She knows her values and is very respectful towards others.

All of the traits required to make her a wonderful friend! Shauna enjoys music and is interested in playing guitar. Along with pursuing her other hobbies, such as baking, fashion and journal writing, she would also love to learn and try new things.

Congratulations Shauna, on all of your achievements so far, and thank you for all your hard work throughout the course! I wish you all the best as you continue to pursue your interests and future goals. With your dedication and determination, you can accomplish many great things!

-Coach, Nicole

Out and About
Paulo Kabateraine: South Africa
D9f6f2ce 9e27 48a3 D34d 95e4e35429b5
3a73b436 236a 8b1e 7b75 86ea44ff4094
4961c02c 389a 2f8e F77a E9fe88ecd869
Paulo recently returned from South Africa and shared these fabulous pictures of his trip to his home country.  Paulo once lived in Lesotho and while there he visited the magnificent Maletsuyane Falls, the highest waterfalls in the world, as well as the Thaba Boslu Cultural Village where the first King of Lesotho, Moshoeshoe resided.
 
Thank you for sharing, Paulo!
 
Paulo is a graduate of the 2017 Transition to Life Toronto course and an active member of our on-line Social Club!

 
Caleb Winter: Costa Rica
26ba4e55 B4ca 002e 1955 8f14ff972119
C3cb4cf1 0a8c D64f Edfa D81fcbefd655
Caleb recently returned from Costa Rica and shared these wonderful pictures of his trip.
 
Thank you for sharing, Caleb!
 
Caleb is a graduate of the Transition to Life course and an active member of our on-line Social Club!

 
Congrats, Graduate!
2cb7a50a 4b75 Baff 857a F320e008458b

After working hard over this past year, Olivia is celebrating her recent graduation from the Food Services program with Georgian College! Olivia learned many skills from the program, such as how to make modifications to a menu to accommodate a variety of dietary sensitivities. She learned some of the leading causes of health issues related to food service and how to properly deliver person centred care in food service related to healthcare. Olivia also enjoyed the modules her professors included throughout her course, as they would include funny graphics! Olivia is now focused on finding a position as a Dietary Aide.

Best of luck on your job search, Olivia, and congratulations on graduating from your course and achieving your Food Services Worker certificate!

Programs and Services
Across Ontario and Beyond! 

 We currently offer in person programming at our office in Barrie and virtual Coaching, Consultations and Workshops
Remember your Passport funding can be used for many of our services!
Mentoring Services:
11aa3ca9 65fb 884e E5a8 Bb9a3dba252b
This service is ideal for young adults who are seeking assistance with getting involved in their local community (within Simcoe County).

IAC Mentoring Services provides:
  • Focus on social skills and life skills development 
  • A supportive mentor will be matched to each participant, based on their interests and goals
  • Goal-targeted planning is provided 
For more information on Mentoring services, contact patricia@integratedautismconsulting.com.
Transition to Life
F418d967 60e4 E14d 5bb4 5ce8cb740198
Program Overview:
  • Individualized Course & Coaching 
Virtual or in person at our Barrie office

Each week you will receive:
  • Direct Teaching & Instruction
  • Focus on Goal-Setting
  • Practical Assignments, Interactive Tasks
  • Volunteer/Employment Support
Course Content:
  • Understanding your Diagnosis
  • Transition from Secondary School to Life
  • Assessment of Current Skills
  • Emotional Regulation & Anxiety Reduction
  • Social Understanding
  • Healthy Relationships: Friendship & Sexuality
  • Employment
  • Self-Employment
  • Independent Living
Course Structure: 2 hours of one-to-one teaching & coaching weekly
  • 12 weeks in length
Visit our website for more information on the course, to fill in an application click here or contact patricia@integratedautismconsulting.com.
Imagine a Life – Workshop for Parents
5255eb30 98fd 0823 6c8e 9b8b4cc3d7ca
An interactive workshop designed for parents to explore strategies and resources to support successful transition experiences. 

Workshop Overview:
Participants will focus on:

Transition Planning
  • Understand critical success factors when developing a transition plan 
  • Learn how to assess and develop goals for their child in each of the following areas: life skills, job readiness, community involvement, social understanding & sexuality, lifelong learning 
Explore Strategies
  • Explore self-regulation and anxiety reduction strategies
Schedule Development
  • Review barriers to developing a meaningful daily schedule (executive functioning, computer addiction and sleep hygiene)

Who it’s for: for parents and caregivers of adolescents and young adults with ASD
  • Individualized workshop and consultation
  • Date and Time TBD by parent/caregiver

Visit our website for more information on this workshop or contact patricia@integratedautismconsulting.com
The Spectrum Connection
In-Person Social Group at IAC
Fbeb92d4 2b38 7a76 F768 42492a20a2d7
The Spectrum Connection is a monthly social group for Autistic young adults that meets in the Barrie community!
  • Includes monthly events organized by a coordinator that will be held on the final Thursday of each month. Cost: $30.00 plus HST.
Registration for Spectrum Connection:
Community
F11ef0b6 24c6 2203 35f9 D4434225cfb5
A4800160 62a4 De0f 07c4 Fccafcbd473e
793d1be4 F4aa 2c04 6d84 903a191c04be
Personal Finance for Autistic Adults
Free Online Course
46c3ed4b 4158 4c3f 5085 4c4b1305dd5b
This online course is offered through Autism Ontario and covers various topics including banking, budgeting, understanding debt and credit and developing awareness of financial scams.
  • Click here to register using the online form.
Exploring Affordable Rental Housing Options
Join DSO Housing Navigators for a free virtual presentation on various types of affordable and rent geared to income options available to individuals with low to moderate income.
  • Click here to register for the event.






Similar Posts