Across The Desk With Elizabeth Plouffe

I was fortunate to welcome Debbie Irish and Kim Ward to the CASDA podcast and learn more about how the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit got started and the steps in growth its taken to become more diverse and inclusive.

Join Dr. Stephen Gentles, Maddy Dever and Corey Walker as we discuss how the lack of data standardization and linking precludes the necessary complex analyses that could lead to significantly more efficient targeted care, and innovative environmental and policy modifications. As a result, Canada is far from achieving the improvements to quality of life for Autistic individuals and their families, and the benefits to Canada from greater inclusion and realizing individuals’ unique talents and productivity potential, which could be possible with the data that is available.

Most parents plan for the day when their children will grow up and leave the "nest". Their kids will find their own way in the world, get an apartment or house and live independently and successfully. But what if your plan has to include finding a group home situation for your child to age in to? What if your adult child requires support for the rest of their lives in one form or another? And what if the waiting lists for spots in supported living or group homes was 20 years or more? What's the plan then? Join me as Amy Lonsberry discusses the National Autism Strategy with a focus on housing and how making a better plan for all autistic Canadians is what we should be focusing on.

It is my great honor to welcome Deputy Grand Chief Walter Naveau of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to Across the Desk and the CASDA podcast series. Deputy Grand Chief joins us to discuss the growing concern about autism in the First Nations communities. We discuss how families need access to autism services which not only provide existing non-Indigenous learnings but to also incorporate traditional Nishnawbe healing ceremonies and medicines. We also focus on how geography and education create barriers to accessing services and what can be started to fix this problem. Halton as we know it today is rich in history and modern traditions of many First Nations and the Métis. From the Anishinabe to the Attawandaron, the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis - these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in Indigenous history. ​ ​As we gather today on these treaty lands we have the responsibility to honour and respect the four directions, land, waters, plants, animals, ancestors that walked before us, and all the wonder

On April 6th the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity successfully launched its inaugural issue! Bringing together the voices of autistic Canadians from across the country, this journal is being created to amplify the voices of those who have always belonged in the conversation. Learn how you can add your voice to the conversation with the team from CASDA!

MentorAbility is a program which focuses on connecting protégées with mentors in careers. One of the best ways to learn about a career is to talk to someone who is passionate about what they do and will show you the realities of a career choice. Today we meet Tiffany Drummond who is an entrepreneur from Ottawa. Her business, ProCare Family Center, focuses on providing an engaging and safe daycare environment for the kids of Ottawa's busy working parents. Tiffany will share her experience being a mentor, what she gained from the experience and the feedback she received from her protégée.

Are you autistic and looking for work? Finding that a bit tricky during COVID? SpectrumWorks is offering a free virtual job fair which will be happening across Canada on April 8th. Visit SpectrumWorks.ca to find out more and register! Is this just for job seekers? No! We need employers for networking and service providers to introduce themselves and their programs. Today you'll meet Neil Forester who is one of the co-coordinators for the SpectrumWorks job fair. Jon Lai will also be joining us to update on how the conversation about autism across Canada is moving forward. This involves the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the consultation they are running for the National Autism Strategy. Want to get involved in the conversation? Visit CASDA.ca for more information!

Meet the editorial team for the new Canadian Journal of Autism Equity. Maddy Dever, Megan Krasnodembski, and Terri Robson are creating an opportunity to bring Autistic Canadian voices together. What will that look like? Listen to find out more and then watch for the official launch on April 6, 2021!

When do you start thinking about where your autistic child is going to live? When they're 8 or 18? For some folks the conversation has to start as early as 8. Why? Because the supported housing wait list can be 10 years long. Join us as we discuss different housing options for autistic Canadians and how HAL-Labs is making a difference.

When you're in a situation that involves a disability, things can get a little tricky with accessing services and equitable access to those services. This needs to change. CASDA is working with members of the autism community, policy makers and government to level the playing field and lessen the challenges when it comes to making sure that autistic Canadians have as many options as possible for they life they want to lead.

Join Across the Desk for our new series in partnership with MentorAbility Ontario. A national initiative that promotes the employment of people who have a disability in communities throughout Canada. MentorAbility is spearheaded by local Coordinators who facilitate a full or half day mentoring experience in which job seekers who have a disability are matched with individual mentors (employers) – to explore career opportunities and learn what they need to get ahead in their desired field of interest.

We're welcoming Vanessa Tomas back to further discuss the employment aspect of the National Autism Strategy.

CASDA is working hard to create a strong a National Autism Strategy to create opportunities for all autistic Canadians. Today's conversation is with Stephanie Cote and Vanessa Tomas. Two members of the CASDA team working on the National Strategy. Their focus is on employment with two projects: the Autism Employment Scan and the Autistic Voices Project. Visit: https://www.casda.ca/resources/ to learn more!

Join us to learn about what CASDA's been up to in 2020 and get involved in the conversation about the National Autism Strategy!

It's a funny thing that vulnerability got such a bad rap somewhere. Perhaps it's through misunderstanding what it really means. Perhaps it's the misconception that we are weaker for showing our vulnerable self. Perhaps we're full of horseshit and need to get over ourselves. Dave and I get down to the steps it takes to become a real leader, encourage vulnerability in an organization and how to create your "normal."

There are times in every organization where the ability to address issues that are undermining progress have to happen. Otherwise it's like trying to understand what an elephant looks by feeling when blindfolded. You won't be able to grasp the whole picture and find the right solution. Like staying away from the tail. The tail is definitely a no-go ...

What is true for everybody? Good question. Our experiences, our emotions, our current situation, our past - they all come together to create what is true for us. When faced with change, sometimes this truth can make life a little challenging.

Have you ever sat down and thought about how bad communication creates risk in your organization? Or is it something that you figure you'll deal with when you have to? Today I chat with Dr. Jen Frahm who recognized back in 2001 that this topic was PhD worthy and has dedicated her studies and career to helping people change the way they communicate and improve their organization. Now grab a Chipwich, take a seat and let's get proactive.

Do you or your organization struggle with change? Is it something that is so foreign to you that you can't see it's the same as some things you might be doing already? Sometimes it's our perception of a situation that gets in the way of understanding and applying tools. Sometimes it's the leg warmers.

I love me some research. Why? Because when I'm reading a book, written by a person I've never met, I take what they say with a grain of salt. But when they add research and anecdotes to support their advice? Lordy that makes me happy. This is my second foray in to one of Harry Beckwith's books. The first was You, Inc. which I reviewed last year. I liked that one and this one didn't disappoint either. Written in 2000, some of references are dated (remember the colored clam shell Apple laptops???) but honestly, the advice still holds true. Understand the role of imagination. Underestimate the impact of data. Overestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to build trust with clients. It was 200 pages of a good read. Take a listen and see if it's worth turning a page or two ;)