Navigate by Age Group

Autistics Aloud | Employment & Post-Secondary Support | Family, Respite, and Community Support | QuickStart Nova Scotia | Social and Inclusive Programming

Browse our programs based on what age group they are targeted at.

Programs for ALL AGES

 

Autism Arts

The Autism Arts program invites children, youth and young adults who are on the autism spectrum to explore art mediums through self-expression. The program creates an opportunity for new friendships to develop and participants to take part in a positive recreational experience within the community.  READ MORE

Autism Aviators

Autism Nova Scotia has partnered with the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to create resources that will prepare you or your family for travel at most airports. READ MORE

Autistic Self-Advocacy Council of Nova Scotia

The Autistic Self-Advocacy Council of Nova Scotia (ASAC-NS) is a community-based and self-directed not-for-profit group of people on the Autism Spectrum that gives people with ASD an opportunity to discuss and learn about the issues, decisions, and  practical day to day challenges that affect their lives, and the opportunity to support each other for greater overall success.  READ MORE
 

Autistics Aloud

Written and edited entirely by people on the autism spectrum, Autistics Aloud is a unique publication which showcases the many gifts and talents amongst the autistic community.  READ MORE

Education Services

Public awareness of the features of autism and how it impacts the lives of those living with ASD and the others around them helps to promote acceptance and inclusion. Autism Nova Scotia offers the many types of education services to expand awareness in society.  READ MORE

Respite Database Service

Autism Nova Scotia is operating a Respite Database in the Halifax Area where families can connect with trained respite workers and other respite services. These respite workers have been screened via a background check, a vulnerable sector check and a child abuse registry check.  READ MORE

CHILDREN to JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS

iPad Lending Library

Introducing Autism Nova Scotia's iPad Lending Program!
This program offers iPads loaded with apps and motivational games for families with children from Pre-school to Grade 8. An introduction session is required before lending the iPad and a checkup will be conducted a week and a half into the program. READ MORE

Ben James Autism Summer Camp

The Ben James Autism Summer Camp is a recreation program for children and youth on the Autism Spectrum between the ages of 6-21 years. Each camper is supported with a 1:1 camper/counsellor ratio and activities are designed specifically with participants’ needs and interests in mind.  Look for details on 2018 Camp in Spring 2018.  READ MORE

Brigadoon Family Weekend Retreat

Family Respite Weekend Retreats are for families with a child or youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to enjoy a weekend together at beautiful Camp Brigadoon. This camp is all inclusive and will feature valuable information sessions and fun camp activities for parents, siblings, and campers with ASD. Each family will have their own room within one of Brigadoon’s lovely cabins to share together at night.  Look for details on 2016 Retreats in Spring 2016.  READ MORE

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Social Group

Teen and Adult Social Groups bring together teens (14 years old and up) and adults who would like to meet peers who are also on the Autism Spectrum. Outings and activities are chosen by participants. Supported by trained volunteers, groups are between 6-10 members. Registration for Fall session starts September 8th.  READ MORE

Supported Social Group

The Supported Social Group Pilot Program will create an environment where youth on the autism spectrum (ages 14-21) can meet and socialize. Each participant must have the support of a respite worker. The program will also be supported by 2 student occupational therapists and 2-3 volunteers. The group will have 5-6 members.
The Supported Social Group will allow people to have the opportunity to make friends and engage in meaningful experiences. Each week will consist of different activities, as well as opportunities for socialization and skill building.  READ MORE
 

Dungeons and Dragons Group (age 15+)

D&D Club will bring together adults with autism who share similar interests in fantasy and role-playing based games weekly to play D&D. Each group will be led by a Dungeon Master (DM) and supported by another volunteer. Groups will range in size from 3-5 participants.
Participants will learn how to develop their characters while interacting and socializing with peers in a safe supportive environment. READ MORE

Worktopia

CommunityWorks Canada is an after school pre-employment program for teens and young adults with ASD who are attending high school. Working alongside peer mentors, participants take part in various volunteer opportunities throughout HRM, where they will have the chance to develop social, communication, résumé-building, and other pre-employment skills. Through exposure to a number of different volunteer environments and job tasks, participants may also gain insight into which potential careers are most interesting, motivating and rewarding to them. In addition, CommunityWorks aims to foster a greater awareness for ASD in the community, showing community partners the benefits of hiring individuals on the spectrum. READ MORE
SchoolWorks Canada, through the implementation of Transition Readiness And Autism Community Employment (T.R.A.A.C.E) curriculum, is a school-based program that offers skill building modules to support social, communication and vocational skills development and a peer supported co-op experience to youth with ASD ages 15-21 who are currently attending high school. The program is designed to help prepare participants for the transition to adulthood and future employment. Look for details on registration in Spring 2016.  READ MORE

Ben James Autism Summer Camp

The Ben James Autism Summer Camp is a recreation program for children and youth on the Autism Spectrum between the ages of 6-21 years. Each camper is supported with a 1:1 camper/counsellor ratio and activities are designed specifically with participants’ needs and interests in mind.  Look for details on 2018 Camp in Spring 2018.  READ MORE

Brigadoon Family Weekend Retreat

Family Respite Weekend Retreats are for families with a child or youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to enjoy a weekend together at beautiful Camp Brigadoon. This camp is all inclusive and will feature valuable information sessions and fun camp activities for parents, siblings, and campers with ASD. Each family will have their own room within one of Brigadoon’s lovely cabins to share together at night.  Look for details on 2016 Retreats in Spring 2016.  READ MORE

AGE 18 and UP

Bridges to Success

Bridges to Success is a weekly social program for young adults ages 18-24 with autism who require higher levels of support. The program focuses on life, recreation and social skill development that promotes community exploration and engagement.  READ MORE

Chat 'n Chill

Chat 'n Chill is a monthly event held in partnership with Enactus Dalhousie. This monthly event is a social night for adults with autism to chat and meet new people. READ MORE

Dungeons and Dragons Group

D&D Club will bring together adults with autism who share similar interests in fantasy and role-playing based games weekly to play D&D. Each group will be led by a Dungeon Master (DM) and supported by another volunteer. Groups will range in size from 3-5 participants.
Participants will learn how to develop their characters while interacting and socializing with peers in a safe supportive environment. READ MORE

Social Group

Teen and Adult Social Groups bring together teens (14 years old and up) and adults who would like to meet peers who are also on the Autism Spectrum. Outings and activities are chosen by participants. Supported by trained volunteers, groups are between 6-10 members. Registration for Fall session starts September 8th.  READ MORE

Social Skills (PEERS) Program

This program follows UCLA’s PEERS model to support adults (18 yrs and up) with autism to develop and maintain friendship building skills.  Both adults and their parents/caregivers will be meeting each week at the same time but partaking in separate lessons and activities.  Look for registration details Winter 2017. READ MORE

Supported Social Group (up to age 21)

The Supported Social Group Pilot Program will create an environment where youth on the autism spectrum (ages 14-21) can meet and socialize. Each participant must have the support of a respite worker. The program will also be supported by 2 student occupational therapists and 2-3 volunteers. The group will have 5-6 members.
The Supported Social Group will allow people to have the opportunity to make friends and engage in meaningful experiences. Each week will consist of different activities, as well as opportunities for socialization and skill building.  READ MORE

Video Project Club

Autism Nova Scotia has started a Video Project Club for adults with autism interested in creating short films.  READ MORE

Post-Secondary Peer Group

The Autism Post-Secondary Peer Group is for students with an autism diagnosis, attending a post-secondary institution in the Halifax area.  Students that attend will meet in a group, once a week throughout the semester, and will explore and discuss topics that support them in their university careers, as well as provide a place to explore the challenges and opportunities that come with transitioning from university into the job market.  READ MORE

Autism Job Seekers Database

Autism Nova Scotia, in collaboration with Ready, Willing, and Able has launched its Autism Job Seekers Database to help connect you to paid employment opportunities developed by Ready, Willing, and Able.  READ MORE
 

Autism Works Launch Pad

Autism Works Launch Pad is a comprehensive program designed to teach participants the skills they need to enter the workplace and provide them with the real-life work experience they need for meaningful employment.   READ MORE

Worktopia

EmploymentWorks Canada is an employment program for adults with ASD who are out of high school, up to age 29. The program consists of twice weekly sessions comprised of structured, tailored content aimed at employment and social skill building. Participants also get the chance to sample various types of employment through job-shadowing at a minimum of 4 locations throughout HRM. A few key goals of EmploymentWorks are to increase community engagement by promoting benefits for the workplace, expand workplace hiring and accommodation practices, empower individuals to build skills and reach employment goals, and build confidence. READ MORE
 

Autism in the Workplace Training 

Autism Nova Scotia also offers employers the opportunity for Autism in the workplace training sessions. These brief information sessions are designed to give a workplace, co-workers, managers, or employees a broad introduction to Autism.  READ MORE

Ready, Willing & Able

Educating Employers on the Business Case for Inclusive Employment

Autism Nova Scotia is pleased to have staff devoted to educating employers on the business benefits of employing people with Autism, and to helping businesses connect to and develop the labour supply pipelines that diversify their workforces while building stronger, more resilient and more profitable businesses. As a partner in the national reaching Ready, Willing and Able program, our staff have connected employers in a variety of industries and sectors to a diverse labour pool, and have facilitated dozens of hires. Our RWA team is available for general education sessions to groups and for firm level meetings to outline the steps an employer can take to becoming a more profitable business through inclusive hiring.  READ MORE