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Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

@peelautismresource.bsky.social

1.2K followers 80 following 580 posts

With a focus on Peel Region (Ontario, Canada), PAR is an online resource providing information about autism, Special Education, government programs & community supports. Skeets are my own https://linktr.ee/Peel_Autism_Resource

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Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 9d

Latest in the blog!

A list of upcoming virtual and in-person autism-related events in October for Mississauga and GTA

#autism #workshops #PeelRegion #GTA #Mississauga #Brampton

peelautismresourceblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/u...

Upcoming Events in October 2025

A list of upcoming virtual and in-person autism-related events in October for Peel region and GTA

peelautismresourceblog.wordpress.com

Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

ARCH Disability Law Centre @archdisabilitylaw.bsky.social · 12h

Arbitrary Relocation of Residents with Developmental Disabilities Due to Labour Dispute Violates Rights and Endangers Safety at Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS): www.facebook.com/share/p/17SA...

Redirecting...

www.facebook.com

Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) @autisticadvocacy.org · 16h

President Trump and Secretary RFK Jr. continued to spread untrue info about autism today. They said people who were circumcised were more likely to be autistic. This is not true. It is another example of lies that hurt autistic people and our families.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) @autisticadvocacy.org · 15d

Monday’s press conference with President Trump, RFK, and other members of HHS leadership contained false and harmful information about autism, acetaminophen, and vaccines. Read our full statement in formal language and plain language here: autisticadvocacy.org/2025/09/asan...

ASAN Condemns Administration's Rampant Misinformation about Autism, Acetaminophen, and Vaccines; Calls for Respectful, Fact-Based Approach - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

On September 22nd, President Trump, RFK, and other members of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leadership held a press conference that contained false and harmful information about…

autisticadvocacy.org

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Victoria Duncan @victoriaduncan.bsky.social · 15h

I will not be reacting to what The Orange Men have to say about autism. It is ridiculous. At some point you gotta stop repeating your opponent's absurd claims, even if only to refute them, and get back on message.

Autism is a normal occurrence among humans; autistic people are worthy.

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · Dec 3

Something parents & educators need to keep in mind

It isn't about just stopping a meltdown. It's accepting, understanding & accommodating differing neurotypes so that children don't go into meltdown in the first place

#OntEd #EduSky #autism #neurodiversity #disability

There's a photo of a black male child crying. Overlaid is a quote from Allison Davies. White text reads "Quote of the day. Children never, ever CHOOSE the meltdown or the anxiety related behaviour, in the same way YOU would never, ever choose to have a meltdown in front of your family, colleagues or friends. A meltdown is not a choice, it is a byproduct of a brain that isn't coping with something. And that brain needs to be showered in love, compassion and safety"

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Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 20h

Many parents want their autistic children in self-contained classrooms to get the supports they need

This paper found that they don't deliver on their promises

www.inclusiveschooling.com/wp-content/u...

It was done in 2011 but its findings still should be considered

#OntEd #autism #inclusion

Image is a screen capture of an excerpt from a 2011 paper titled "Does Self-Contained Special Education Deliver on Its Promises? A Critical Inquiry Into Research and Practice".

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 23h

And bears repeating again that #autism doesn't need "treatment"

The group pathologizes autism & believes ABA is "medically necessary" (which is patently misinformed & untrue)

It irks me that they've had some media coverage

Their rhetoric just reinforces harmful stereotypes of autism

2/2

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Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 23h

The Alliance's mission is to INFORM policy & practice at a national level

It's the provinces who are responsible for creating & delivering #autism services

A group that doesn't understand the constitutional division of legislative authority in Canada shouldn't speak for the entire community 1/2

Image is a screen capture of a Facebook post

Text reads "Hi Folks,

Well, the Autism Alliance of Canada's 2024 annual report is now available online. I did a word search for 'treatment', 'therapy', 'ABA', 'Applied Behaviour Analysis', and 'Medicare'. None of those words show up in the report. I guess they are not priority issues for the 'Alliance'".

Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Michelle Dawson @autismcrisis.bsky.social · 1d

"clothing-related tactile sensitivity has significant, widespread effects on autistic adults’ lives including their appearance satisfaction, self-esteem, and their clothing options and choices"? journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... based on online survey results, mixed methods study, free

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

The Autistic Coach | Matthew (he/they) @theautisticcoach.bsky.social · 1d

Autistic meltdowns aren’t tantrums.

They’re the bodymind saying “I can’t hold this anymore".

They’re not moral failures.

They’re overload.

Pressure leaving the system.

You don’t need punishment.

You need safety.

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · Dec 12

Accommodations for neurodivergent students should be implemented from the start - not after they've already become distressed

And they shouldn't be taken away b/c they're "doing well"

Schools need to be proactive - not reactive

#OntEd #EduSky #autism #neurodiversity #disability

(From Neurowild)

Image of illustration by Neurowild that shows two people with speech bubbles. First person is saying "Jack seems to be doing quite well lately. Does he still need all those supports?". Second person is saying "Yes. He's doing well BECAUSE he is appropriately supported".

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Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 1d

From @selfreg.bsky.social

"Self-Reg can help us understand and respond positively to the roots of many behaviour, emotion and social challenges that affect children and families."

Blog: self-reg.ca/practices-of...

#SelfReg #parenting #ChildDevelopment #autism #stress

On a green background, white text reads "There are five practices in The Shankar Method:

1. Reframe the behaviour
2. Recognize the stressors across the five domains
3. Reduce the stress
4. Reflect and enhance stress awareness
5 Restore energy"

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 1d

From SENDwise Hub

Why accommodations can't replace intentional, inclusive design

ndwisehub.substack.com/p/accessibil...

#OntEd #EduSky #autism #inclusion #accessibility #disability #neurodiversity

Square image with orange background and white text

Text reads "Accessibility: A Right, Not a Request. Why accommodations can't replace intentional, inclusive design. A while back I wrote a short post about why accommodations are not enough on my social media. It was more of an overview on their inadequacies and why we should rethink and reframe...."

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 1d

How many survey respondents actually voted for their school board trustee?

Many parents don't even know who their trustee is. Most school issues that parents face fall under the superintendent's purview

Not saying what Calandra is doing is right but how school boards operate DOES need to change

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 1d

Sometimes it's staff who escalate a student's dysregulation. They mistake it for defiance/disobedience

Punitive measures & discipline aren't the courses of action to address dysregulation. Yes the child can learn calming strategies & improve communication BUT the ENVIRONMENT must also change #OntEd

Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Educational Psychology Services for Schools @edpsychschool.bsky.social · 20d

Fantastic summary of recent research on anxiety and interoception- super useful to think about as educators, especially when designing for belonging & attendance.

Experiences of interoception and anxiety in autistic adolescents

A reflexive thematic analysis Kiera Adams, Jonahs Smith, Mary Brown, Geoff Bird, and Polly Waite (2025) research gate We all know the feeling: your heart races before a big event, your stomach twis…

crae.ioe.ac.uk

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

National Autism Implementation Team @naitscotland.bsky.social · 28d

The importance of using #neuro-affirming language is a strong message from #AEC2025. This NAIT guide to writing neuro-affirming reports is free to download and use nait.scot/document/neu...

Neuro-affirming Reports Guidance for Practitioners (2024) - National Autism Implementation Team

This guide provides practical guidance for health practitioners about taking a neuro-affirming approach to writing reports or plans. It synthesises insights from published research, as well as observa...

nait.scot

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences @uclbrainscience.bsky.social · 3d

Autistic children and adults may be experiencing PTSD at higher rates than official diagnoses suggest, with their symptoms misdiagnosed or dismissed as being autism traits because of 'diagnostic overshadowing,’ finds a new analysis by @uclpals.bsky.social researchers.

PTSD often overlooked in autistic people and needs better diagnosis, new analysis finds

Autistic children and adults may be experiencing PTSD at higher rates than official diagnoses suggest, with their symptoms misdiagnosed or dismissed as being autism traits because of 'diagnostic…

www.ucl.ac.uk

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Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Autistic Adam @autisticadam.bsky.social · 2d

Being autistic can be so frustrating at times, and here's just one reason why.

Sometimes you can't just "do that"

Even if you were to "do that" before or yesterday, it makes no difference.

Being told well you did that before or yesterday don't help ethier.

Sometimes you simply can't do that.

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Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 1d

Read more here www.facebook.com/kellymahler/...

#autism #interoception #sensory #OT #MentalHealth

Credit: Kelly Mahler

Image description: Orange tile with lighter orange stripes. Text reads: Why Compliance Hurts Mental Health. When you’re forced to mask, ignore, and override your body’s signals, you lose self-trust. Interoception can help undo compliance and reconnect

Reposted by Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦

Community Living Ontario @clontario.bsky.social · 2d

Join us for an engaging webinar led by Community Living Toronto on their vision on the future of inclusive housing.

Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join us for an engaging webinar led by Community Living Toronto on their vision on the future of inclusive housing.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nm08xOaZSWm0CoVF1XAZPA?fbclid=IwY2xjawNR98JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5cWg4V2JkTjJSR2hIdVhuAR5iMGvDDyE6qmnLCLiIoGc3GxtsCQoISE71rgxjpJwJri-Ui7dafi5QQdPQFg_aem_SxdjGeMKt5RflorubX1-3w#/registration

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 2d

Without reform, Ontario’s elected school boards face inevitable death: Paul W. Bennett in the @theglobeandmail.com | Macdonald-Laurier Institute macdonaldlaurier.ca/without-refo...

#OntEd #ONpoli #education

Without reform, Ontario’s elected school boards face inevitable death: Paul W. Bennett in the Globe and Mail | Macdonald-Laurier Institute

Education is too important to be left solely to Queen’s Park bureaucrats.

macdonaldlaurier.ca

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 2d

From @autisticadvocacy.org:

Saying your child has "profound autism" does NOTHING to get the support they need

Functioning labels are harmful. Period.

The focus should be on improving services for ALL autistic people

autisticadvocacy.org/2021/12/func...

#autism

Functioning Labels Harm Autistic People - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

On December 6th, a group of autism researchers commissioned by The Lancet released a report on the future of autism services and research. This report primarily deals with the need for better services...

autisticadvocacy.org

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 2d

While more funding is needed, "true inclusion demands a fundamental shift in attitudes, environments and policies"

SO MUCH needs to change - class sizes, staff training, board policies, MoE guidelines

#OntEd #ONpoli #autism #inclusion

@inclusioncanada.bsky.social @clontario.bsky.social

The Conversation Canada @ca.theconversation.com · 4d

Many autistic students are denied a full education — here’s what we need for inclusive schools

Integrating autistic students fully and meaningfully in classrooms is important for their education, for broader classrooms as well as for families’ employment security and well-being.

theconversation.com

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 2d

As long as schools are permitted to use seclusion & restraint, true inclusion will not be possible

It's not just lack of training, but lack of the right type of training. Compliance-based methods like PBIS don't work

Schools need to become trauma-informed & neuro-affirming

#OntEd #ONpoli #autism

Peel Autism Resource 🇨🇦 @peelautismresource.bsky.social · 2d

Is more funding needed? Yes. But it's not enough. We need the entire system needs to be overhauled

As the article says, there needs to be a shift in ATTITUDES to make inclusion possible

Schools need to STOP using a compliance-based model. It's OUTDATED

#OntEd #ONpoli #autism #inclusion

Image is a screen capture from an article put out by The Conversation titled "Many autistic students are denied a full education — here’s what we need for inclusive schools"

Text reads "The assumption that simply integrating autistic students into mainstream settings guarantees inclusion is not only misleading, but harmful. As many advocates warn, true inclusion demands a fundamental shift in attitudes, environments and policies."