What your membership means...

The Autism Society of New Brunswick provides up to date information, keeping parents and professionals aware of what is happening around the province through our mailing list, ASNB website, regular mail, email and newsletters. We also receive and provide various information to local support groups, Autism Support Centres where applicable, professional and private associations or groups. ASNB also has representatives in various areas in New Brunswick.

Families new to the province or new to the diagnosis of autism need information and support. Information about the condition, effective treatment, and how to access services. We also provide confidential crisis referral, and maintain a list of parents willing to talk with other parents. To provide this information there are expenses incurred such as postage, printing, photocopying, and a phone line to pay for.

ASNB promotes continuing education. We provide information about workshops, conferences, guest speakers, and programs. ASNB is often invited to participate on various committees representing you at the different levels of Government and their respective Departments. To name a few, ASNB participates in The Premier’s Council for the Disabled, New Brunswick Association for Community Living, Department of Education Student Services, Department of Family & Community Services Special Needs Unit, New Brunswick Interdepartmental Committee on Services to Persons with Autism, and Department of Education Inclusion Review Committee.
ASNB is invited to guest lecture to student’s enrolled related fields at the University of New Brunswick, and New Brunswick Community College campus’s. All the while promoting a better understanding and interest in autism to these future professionals.

ASNB works for improvements in our province that affect the lives of individuals with autism. We cooperate with other agencies with complementary mandates, and help ensure that individuals with autism and their families have a voice in the issues that affect them. ASNB is an active member of the University of New Brunswick’s Autism Steering Committee working to establish a Centre for Education, Training, and Research in Autism and related neurological disorders. ASNB also supplies support for the Stan Cassidy Centre’s Paediatric Rehabilitation Team, which is New Brunswick’s traveling tertiary care resource.

ASNB surveys available resources while assessing the needs of the autistic community, and then works at developing a plan to address those needs. One area identified is to provide training in Intensive Behavioural Interventions for therapists, teachers, and teacher assistants. Another issue is the accessibility of post-secondary education, employment opportunities for adults with autism, and residential facilities for those requiring it.

ASNB works on a local level with families/caregivers providing support and resources based on the need, and where necessary we advocate on an individual level attending case conferences, school meetings ensuring appropriate support systems are in place.

ASNB has developed a standardized PowerPoint presentation and Guide called “Autism 101”. Topics include characteristics, diagnosis, causes, assessment, co-existing conditions, communication, treatment, support services, resources, and more. In 2002 it won the national CASLPA award (Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists). There is a pressing need for volunteer translators, as Autism 101 is primarily available in English. Future plans include wider distribution of “Autism 101” CD’s and Guides throughout the province, and training local speakers.

ASNB participates on the Board of Directors of Autism Society Canada, working on a national level to develop necessary resources. For example, the necessity of a mobile A-DOS training unit to train physicians in the best practice recommendations for diagnostic screening. Production of public service announcements and educational resources, and communication with federal government agencies like Stats Can, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

And this is done completely by volunteers.

ASNB