Integrated Autism Consulting

National AccessAbility Week runs from May 31 to June 6, 2026. This year’s theme, “Building a Strong, Accessible Canada,” reminds us that Canada is stronger when everyone has equal opportunity to participate, contribute, and thrive.

For Autistic people and their families, accessibility includes access to communication, services, employment, education, health care, housing, and community supports.

This week, Autism Alliance of Canada joins organizations across the country in recognizing the work being done to remove barriers and build a more inclusive Canada.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/national-accessability-week.html

The Spectrum Connection May Meetup is happening this week - the group is meeting tomorrow at Sir Games a Lot in Barrie ♟️🎲

New Members are welcome:
Click here to register https://www.integratedautismconsulting.com/spectrum.../ or contact Nicole at [email protected] for more information about this group

Last month we shared our April Autism Acceptance Month newsletter, and in it we talked about Autistic joy, and asked our community to share their Autistic Glimmers with us.

Our newest issue of the newsletter is out now, and includes the wonderful examples of “Autistic Glimmers” that our community members anonymously gave of their own glimmers.

The newsletter begins:

“For Autism Acceptance Month, AWN highlighted autistic joy during a time when it’s needed most. We largely focused on autistic glimmers: small moments or experiences that bring you feelings of autistic joy.

To further spread joy within our community, we created a survey and asked you to share your autistic glimmers with us! AWN was delighted by the responses and are keeping the moment alive by sharing the results.

The AWN Community’s Autistic Glimmers

* “My autistic glimmer is when I see a spring warbler singing at the top of its lungs and catching insects. It’s joy in living in the moment is infectious. I get to witness a fashion show and symphony at the same time.”
* “Laughing with my daughter and being near the ocean.”
* “The smell of hot pine trees during the summer, the sound of katydids at night, and when my dogs cuddle with me.”
* “Hearing a song that I love. Sitting in my swing chair in my garden. Feeling sunlight on my face in winter. The ripple patterns made when light reflects off water. A really deep pressure hug from someone I care about. Stroking my shark plushie. Running a hairbrush over the skin of my arms or legs.”
* “When I visually stim by watching water move in a river or waterfall.”
* “Sun on my face.”
* “Knitting.”
* “Catching Sight of my favorite squirrel on the way home.”
* “Finding John Ruskin books in old secondhand bookstores to add to my collection. Seeing ladybugs. Watching how excited my dog gets about eating a blueberry.”
* “Walking on grass, hugging a body pillow, cuddling or hugging with my sister.”
* “The smell, feel and sound of magazine pages and books.”
* “Manatees! They’re so friend-shaped”.

You can read the newsletter in its entirety at the link in the first comment!

[image description:
Blue image with black text reading:
“autistic glimmers BINGO” with a bingo card showing the glimmers listed below

Sun streaming in through a window
Collecting stones on the shore
Watching birds visit a feeder
Rainbows cast by sun catchers
“Dopamine dressing” (wearing clothes & accessories because they spark joy)
Smooth rocks
Crunchy snacks
Zipping zippers
Crunching leaves
Cat purrs
Steaming tea
Certain moments in favorite songs
The satisfying click of LEGO or well-made puzzle pieces
Walking barefoot on grass
Dust glimmering in a ray of sunlight
Candlelight and flames flickering
Swinging on playground swings
Popping bubble wrap
Thunderstorms at night”

At the top left is a hand holding a phone with the BINGO card on the screen. Beside the illustration of the phone is the awn logo: a large pink “a” with a pale green winged spoonie dragonfly. Below the “a” is our url: awnnetwork dot org ]

Navigating the healthcare system can sometimes feel overwhelming--from knowing which provider to see, to preparing for appointments, asking the right questions, and managing follow-up care.

To support Autistic and other neurodivergent people in these everyday situations, we are offering a 60-minute workshop where a facilitator will walk attendees through Sinneave's Navigating the Healthcare System Toolkit.

🗓️ Tuesday, May 26
⏰ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
🖥️ Online via Sinneave Connects

Participants will access the interactive toolkit on Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub, and learn how these resources can support you in different stages of the healthcare journey.

Visit our website to learn more and to register: https://sinneavefoundation.org/event/navigating-healthcare-from-planning-to-follow-up-6/

Our Spring Newsletter is out with updates on our programs and services including information about:

– New Program! Prepare for Post-Secondary

– Our Social Groups including The Social Club, Spectrum Connection and Craft Circle

📬 Click here to view the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/a9884ae2c213/iacspring2026newsletter

New Program Announcement! Prepare for Post-Secondary

A 12 Week program for autistic youth looking to prepare for post-secondary education!

The goal of this program is to help individuals gain skills, access resources and plan for their post-secondary journey.
Individualized coaching will be provided throughout the program.

Format: offered virtually to autistic youth across the province

Contact Erin at [email protected] for more information or to register

Less worrying, more living!!

One of the best things you can do to ensure you play safe is to be informed and test regularly. The Gilbert Centre is hosting a Prep for Pride Testing Event on May 25th. The event will happen on site at our clinic at 80 Bradford Street in Barrie, Suite 525, between 9:30 and 3:30.

Ausome News! Last week Callum was Recognized for National Volunteer Week by the Barrie Public Library 📚

Callum has been a volunteer at the BPL since 2024 and continues to be a valued member of the team. Thank you Callum for all the amazing work and the contribution that you make to the library community through volunteering!

https://www.integratedautismconsulting.com/blog/ausome-news-callum-recognized-for-national-volunteer-week/

Researchers and partners participating in this study would like to understand the barriers neurodivergent people and their supporters face in seeking needed services. The goal of this study is to contribute to improvements in service access.

They are recruiting anyone involved in this area, including neurodivergent individuals with lived experiences, supporters, service providers and advocates to complete a short survey.

The survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, and your participation will help to better understand people's experiences in seeking services.

Visit their website to complete the survey: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_a4QCrW05At7s5tc

If you have questions, please contact the researchers directly via [email protected].

The Spectrum Connection is a social group for autistic youth (ages 18 and over) that meets monthly in the Barrie, Ontario area!

The April Meetup is happening this week - the group is meeting tomorrow to enjoy board games, puzzles and arts activities.

New Members are welcome:
Click here to register https://www.integratedautismconsulting.com/spectrum-connection/ or contact Nicole at [email protected] for more information about this group