Past External Events
Canucks virtual challenge
We nearly DOUBLED our fundraising goal in 2020.
Every spring or summer, we invite our community to unite for a big celebration in support of the cause.
Before COVID, we welcomed families, supporters & general public at venues like Jack Poole Plaza, Surrey Civic Plaza & Swangard Stadium.
In order to continue bringing our community together, while staying safe, we launched the CAN Virtual Challenge in 2020!
Join us again this spring from May 31-June 4.
- STEP 1: Sign up and begin fundraising!
Exclusive prizing for top fundraisers. - STEP 2: Complete 5 daily challenges.
Held from May 31-June 5. Learn more about this year’s activities. - STEP 3: Celebrate together at our Zoom Wrap Up Party!

Waiting for assessment
If you are waiting for an autism assessment, this workshop is for you.
Join us for a 3-hour workshop covering the essential information that families need to know at the start of their autism journey.
- Basic information about autism
- How to prepare for an autism assessment and what your family can do while you wait
- Pros and cons of private vs. public assessments and diagnoses
- What to expect at the assessment and after a diagnosis
- Tips on coping strategies, how to talk to your family and friends about autism, etc.
You will also have the opportunity to pose questions to a Board-Certified Behavioural Analyst (BCBA).
For many families, this workshop is the first touchpoint to the autism community. It is a place to meet others facing similar challenges in your community.

Social Thinking Training
ACT has negotiated a special rate with our generous partners at Social Thinking® for Canadians to purchase access to their recorded training programs in Canadian dollars. Registrants will have access between April 15th and June 15th, 2021. Please use the Register button for each option to view more details.

Turning COVID 19 Crisis into Opportunity
Join us for this important Focus on Research presentation where SFU researchers will examine the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life and mental health of autistic children and their families, based on a survey of over 200 families. The presentation will include an assessment of the effectiveness of government supports during the initial lockdown period.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life and mental health of autistic children and their families.
- Assess the effectiveness of government services and supports implemented during the lockdown period.
- Identify strategies that parents can use to build resilience during this time.
- Generate potential solutions and recommendations for government.

Supporting Early Social & Communication Development through Parent Coaching
This presentation will provide information about the lessons learned from the Parent And Child Early Coaching project (PACE), conducted in collaboration with child development centres and Aboriginal agencies in 16 BC communities from 2018-2020.
Included will be discussions of:
- The early signs of autism and the importance of early diagnosis.
- Parent coaching and how it differs from other types of parent-child support for toddlers with social communication delays
- What the research tells us about the effectiveness of this approach
The PACE Coaching research team will describe how the parent coaches involved in the project were trained and what the outcomes were. Contributions from the coaches themselves and their training facilitators will be featured.

AutismBC Talks: Women and Girls on the Autism Spectrum
AutismBC is pleased to collaborate with Provincial Outreach Program for Autism and Related Disorders (POPARD) to present a series of workshops in 2021, aiming to provide resources for families to help their kids (and parents) learn at school, at home, and in the community.
This session will:
• Discuss the differences between boys and girls on the autism spectrum
• Discuss strategies specific to supporting girls on the spectrum
• Provide resources and information on how to connect with other women and girls on the spectrum
45 minutes content
15 minutes Q&A