Fourteen years ago, we launched a pioneering website and Listserv from Guelph, to provide an information and communication service about adult Autism issues. At that time there were very few Internet resources about Autism. An Internet search for “Autism” in March 2000 found 134,000 hits while now there would be 16.7 million. Then there were virtually no Internet references to Autism in adults: now there are 238,000 including 14,000 published items in Google Scholar.
OAARSN: Ontario Adult Autism Research & Support Network still functions at http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca though now shares its information roles with other sites. OAARSN represents a connection between the strategies that people and families have been pioneering since 1996 and all the big developments out there in Autism Spectrum Disorders and creative ways of supporting vulnerable adults. We continue to find it valuable to make connections between the particular details of individual lives and more general trends. We are dedicated to the interests of adults, especially those with quite severe Autism, encouraging whatever means of self-expression each person has, and supporting their families and friends.
The present OAARSN website is supplemented by monthly or more frequent news bulletins that also report research and announce events. You can be added to the Listserv for Adult Autism Issues or the Listserv for Creative Supports by sending a request with your full name and email address to ebloomfi@uoguelph.ca Membership is confidential.
For current research news, we recommend subscribing online to:
SFARI: Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, launched in 2005. Its mission is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by funding innovative research of the highest quality and relevance, to benefit individuals challenged by these disorders. Visit https://sfari.org/
Top issues and most-viewed articles of 2013 included:
Broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders
Gender differences in autism get their due
Long look at genes reveals surprise links to enzymes
Brain’s garbage collectors get fresh look
Balancing signals of excitation and inhibition
Study of nonverbal autism must go beyond words
Long-term studies track how autism changes with age
Long neglected, severe cases of autism get some attention
Sense-jumbling synesthesia often accompanies autism
Autism brains are overly connected, studies find
Understanding contradictory connectivity reports in autism
Anxiety, autism may share common basis
People with milder forms of autism struggle as adults
Hundreds of books and articles are published each year relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The world’s leading publisher of Autism titles is Jessica Kingsley Publishing at http://www.jkp.com/
Parentbooks at http://www.parentbooks.ca/ in downtown Toronto offers the largest selection of ASD books for sale in Ontario.
In our region, the Kitchener Public Library Autism Collection, funded by Waterloo-Wellington Autism Services since 2002, contains about 1,000 current books, videos etc. Items may be borrowed by people from outside the region on special cards and also through Inter-Library Loan. Link: http://www.kpl.org/ref/healthlink/autism.html#top
Brock University’s New Archive on ASD, started in 2013, is collecting the day-to-day records of people living or working with ASD in order to preserve the wide-ranging history of autism in North America. See more at: http://brocku.ca/library/collections/special-collections-archives/autism-collection
ASD services and links in Ontario and our region
Most cities and regions have some organization or group concerned for children and youth with Autism. Adults may not be as well served.
Autism Ontario, leading source of information and referral, has 24 regional chapters. http://www.autismontario.com
Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Canada's largest service provider for ASD, offers services in several Ontario regions. http://www.kerrysplace.org
The Redpath Centre in Toronto specializes in people of all ages with Aspergers Disorder http://www.redpathcentre.ca/
Regular conferences are organized by The Geneva Centre for Autism and Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services; and Autism Canada Foundation and Autism Intervention Clinic of Guelph (mainly on biomedical aspects).
Autism Spectrum Connection in our region offers resources and communication tools http://www.autismspectrumconnection.com/
Waterloo Wellington Autism Services sustains the Autism Collection at the Kitchener Public Library. http://www.kpl.org/ref/healthlink/autism.html
Guelph Services for the Autistic is a housing trust that also sponsors initiatives such as this film, Aroha entities and Bridges-Over-Barriers®.
Search OAARSN website: http://www.ont-autism.uoguelph.ca/
More Questions
Our film will evoke many more questions such as these:
- What impressed me most in this film? Do I identify with the key characters Matthew, Dave, Geena or Professor McCord?
- This film speaks to me. How can I learn more about respectful ways of including adults with ASD in my community?
- I’d like to get to know someone with Autism as a friend. I’d feel more comfortable doing this in a small group. Is this possible?
- Someone we know may have undiagnosed ASD. Should we suggest trying to get help?
- Why did you make a dramatic film with actors rather than a documentary of real people living with ASD?
- What does the title “Holding in the Storm” mean to me?
Some groups are planning to show our film in gatherings in their communities as a basis for discussing how to build community and enrich lives through friendships and shared interests.
To request copies of the film on DVD with Discussion Guide, or to ask questions, please email ebloomfi@uoguelph.ca. Basic cost of DVD plus book is $10 plus postage etc
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