Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

Erika Rowden
Up until this year, the mention of a play date for Conor sent my blood pressure sky high and stress levels through the roof! I had tried so many times to organize them for him, and pretty much every one ended in disaster. You know what I mean – you apologize to the other parent, you feel terrible because the other child has not had a good time, and after all that you still have to deal with a very escalated child because the whole experience has been too overwhelming for them.
 
I’m pretty sure my change of mind about having play dates for Conor came about after listening to Temple Grandin at the Autism Conference. We had been working on social skills and appropriate interaction with peers for so long and these ‘new skills’ need to be practiced. I knew that I had to step out of my comfort zone and get working on this. After all, I see Conor every day stepping out of his comfort zone: to attend school, extracurricular activities, and therapy, so now it was my turn.
 
I am so fortunate to have met the most amazing people through our chapter in Central Alberta. And these are the people I approached for a play date. I knew there would be understanding, support and acceptance which are what I needed.
 
I prepped Conor for what was to come, starting with how to answer the door and greet his friends. We talked about suitable activities inside and outside. Conor absolutely loves Lego so we decided to make this a theme for the play date. We talked about interacting with friends, complimenting them on their ideas and building with a friend rather than by himself.
 
We planned snacks and what to do when he was in the ‘yellow zone’. Conor had set up a quiet corner, so he knew that would be a good place to go to for a break. When movement breaks were needed, he came up with the options of playing outside, playing a Wii sports game, or using his sensory equipment. Lastly, we practiced saying goodbye when the time came. I made sure that I had extra support because I knew that this would be essential for both of us!
 

The day came… and it was a great success! Yes, Conor was escalated for quite a while, but he interacted very appropriately with his buddies and was a really good host. After everyone had gone home he said, ‘This was awesome!’ He had fun, his friends had fun and I felt so very, very proud and happy for Conor. My blood pressure was fine and I was not stressed. We both succeeded!
 
Since then we have had a swim date with a friend and another play date at our house. Each time gets a little easier for him, and I make sure we have that extra support so that everyone can have a good time.
When I see that smiling face and hear the words ‘that was awesome’, I am so very, very glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone. I look forward to many, many more play dates for him to practice and develop those social skills. And I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been so supportive in helping me work on these skills with him.

Jeff’s Marathon for Autism

Deborah Barrett
One of the greatest things about having a child diagnosed with autism is the way it enriches our lives. Autism pushes us off what we thought would be a comfortable, familiar path into a new world. Because we want the very best for our kids with autism we steadfastly face situations we’d rather not have to deal with. We challenge ourselves to stretch our capacity to create a better world, so our kids can have the best futures possible. In stretching ourselves for our kids, we find ourselves growing in ways we had never imagined.

Take Jeff Bowers, for example. A self-confessed former party guy, Jeff’s oldest child, Ben, now age 3, was diagnosed with autism at 21 months of age. It was a wake up call for Jeff. Apart from getting Ben the help he was going to need, Jeff realized he needed to be there for Ben for the long term. “I decided I needed to get healthy and get in shape,” said Jeff. “Ben, and his sister, Jessie (age 2), are going to need me for a very long time.”

So Jeff started running. At first he trained for a 10 kilometre run. “Then, I realized I could do a half-marathon. I did and I finished!” Jeff told me. “Then I decided to tackle the big one and do my first marathon.”
Clearly not a man who thinks small, Jeff decided that if he was going to run a marathon, he might as well make it the best marathon possible. After much research, Jeff decided on the New York City Marathon.

“I knew I wouldn’t qualify on time,” said Jeff, “so I had to run for a charity and apply through the marathon lottery I had, which only gave me an 18% chance to get in. I decided that if I was successful, I wanted to raise awareness of autism and support the local group in Fort McMurray.”

Jeff was lucky. His application was selected for the New York City Marathon on November 6, 2016. Jeff’s marathon run will raise funds for the Fort McMurray Autism Support Group, which operates under the auspices of Autism Alberta.

“I want a good future for both my children, but Ben will have challenges,” Jeff told me. “This is the way I can make a difference right now.”

Jeff is making it possible for the rest of us to make a difference, too. To contribute to Jeff’s fund-raising marathon click here.

Jeff Bowers will also be at Fort McMurray’s World Autism Awareness Day celebration – check out the details below. Plan to meet Jeff and support his marathon for autism!

There’s no doubt about it. Autism changes things. People like Jeff Bowers show how much we can grow and what we can do because we love someone with autism.

March Updates from FMASG

Kirsti Mardell

 

On March 13th, Fort McMurray Autism Support Group had a Family Fun Day out at Tour North Ranch. There were two full hay rides with a big fire. Kids got to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. The kids and some adults went sledding down the big hill Tour North Ranch has, and finished it off with some hot chocolate. It was a beautiful day for our families to get together and enjoy.

Fort McMurray Autism Support Group would also like to thank the Kinette Club of Fort McMurray. On February 16th, the Kinette Club of Fort McMurray hosted a Charity Swim Day. The community was invited down to MacDonald Island Park to go swimming for a donation. On March 16th the Kinette Club also hosted a pot luck dinner and presented a donation check to the Fort McMurray Autism Support Group. Thanks to the Kinette Club for their support!

On March 25th, Fort McMurray Autism Support group, supported by Dunvegan Gardens, will be hosting our first Easter Egg Hunt. Children with special needs and children under 2 years old are free to come; for all other siblings it will be a $5 fee for a ticket to participate. Participants are responsible for bringing their own Easter Basket. Event will start at 2pm down at Dunvegan Gardens. This is a private event put on by the Fort McMurray Autism Support Group, for more info please contact the Fort McMurray Autism Support Group.  

April 2nd is National Autism Awareness day. Fort McMurray Autism Support Group will be hosting a Toonie Swim Day All Day at MacDonald Island park. The community is invited to come out and support the 3 A’s:  Autism, Awareness and Acceptance. There will be a table with info on autism and our Facebook Group. We will also have our Kid’s First Camp Water bottles for sale as well as Autism Pins and Lanyards.

Click the poster to see a larger version

On April 9th at 2pm Fort McMurray Autism Support Group will be hosting a Press Conference at McDonald Island Park in the main concourse to say "Thank You" to our community supporters. The event will feature guest speaker Jessica Pigeau of Edmonton Alberta, an adult with autism. There will be plaques to handed out, and everyone who has supported us over the last five years will be invited to attend.

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Bubbles for Autism in Red Deer

asa_central

Blowing bubbles for ACCEPTANCE & AWARENESS

Please come on out to Parkland Class Accessibility playground and join us in recognizing Autism awareness by blowing bubbles and celebrating the amazing diversity in our community. Don’t forget to wear BLUE!

Saturday, April 2, 2016, 3:30 pm
Parkland School Accessibility Playground
6016 – 45 Ave Red Deer
 

Bubbles Provided! Free Refreshments!

Taking Care of Ourselves

Carolyn Dudley and Maria Vial – Family Support, Autism Calgary

I have worked for a number of years as a researcher in autism issues. One problem that troubles me is the challenge of what is known in the literature and how that research gets translated into solutions that help people in real life. In particular, the research on stress for the primary caregivers specific to autism is concerning. If you are happy, healthy (mentally and physically) and feel little stress then you likely do not need to read this article, but if you are struggling for a number of reasons, please read on.

Being a caregiver for a child or adult with ASD can be hard. Of course there are positive aspects of caregiving, but there are also lots of challenges. I was asked a few years ago by an autism agency, ‘What can we tell parents that will make them take care of their own health, too?’

Knowing the facts about caregiving and autism may alert you to take a serious look at your own lifelong needs and health. Most caregivers experience increased social, economic, mental and physical health challenges in comparison to ‘normal’ families. Children and adults with ASD who have low levels of independence, more behaviors, added mental and physical health complications will increase time required for supports and may increase levels of stress and financial burden.

  1. Financial Impact: Financial consequences of lifelong caregiving are higher than for other families. Three main reasons for this are: lost income of the primary caregiver, lost income of the adolescent/adult with ASD due to poor employment outcomes, and added out-of-pocket expenses.
  2. Increased Chronic Stress: Lifelong chronic stress can impact mental health and physical health. Chronic stress can result in depression and anxiety. Chronic stress can also shorten telomeres (the ends of the chromosomes) that contribute to increased illness and aging.
  3. Lack of time: Due to the increased supports beyond those needed by ‘normal’ children, many of us have less time for ourselves to participate in work, recreation or social events in comparison to other parents.
This is the reality for many. So how can we take care of ourselves? Research shows that caregivers who are doing better do the following: use mindfulness and meditation as a way to cope, increase their self-esteem, engage in social support, change their perception to see positive meaning in caregiving, and lower their concern about the stigma of autism. Of course, all the typical healthy behaviours also apply, like regular physical exercise, eating right, and not smoking.
 
As each of us is as unique as our children, you may have found your own personal ways to cope. Maria Vial and I have also started a running list of ideas that have helped us and, in Maria’s experience of counselling, helped other caregivers. You can likely add to this list with your own experience.

Here is a start on this list, not in any particular order:
 

Don’t forget to laugh. Know this is a marathon, not a sprint, and adjust your energy accordingly. Don’t ask why, as there is no good answer to this question. Seek counselling for any number of challenges you face (e.g. grief, guilt, marital problems). Get exercise, even if it is just walking for 30 minutes. Know what you can control and what you can’t. Keep joy in your life, even if it is just a little bit every week, and this requires that you know what brings you joy. It’s OK to rest and do nothing when the opportunity presents itself. Develop an appreciation for what you are doing well, and feel the satisfaction of that. Encourage your partner to share the responsibilities, as his or her contribution is beneficial for everyone. Maximize help from others. As much as you are able, keep pursuing your work and interests, fostering spirituality and forgiving yourself. If you are not always at your best, tomorrow is another day. 

What about the financial challenges?
  1. Start the Registered Disability Savings Plan if you have not already. Small amounts contributed early on, with compound interest, can add up to a significant amount of money
  2. Consider your work situation. Explore opportunities to work flexible work hours with employers who understand flexible needs, work from home (if that seems appealing), change your profession, upgrade skills, start your own business, or continue to work to full time in a demanding career if you can find and/or pay for the added help you may need.
  3. Capitalize on all tax credits and benefits available to you.

Take the time to really give some thought about how essential self-care is in our situation. It is not an option. It truly must be part of our own personal plan. Imagine yourself in 30 years – most likely your adults will still need support.

Right now ask yourself, what am I doing well that I should be proud of, and what can I do today to take care of myself (even if it is just a deep breath)? We must be active from the start and all through our lives to pay attention to our own needs. Do not put your happiness and health at the bottom of the list, but at least at the same level as everyone else in your family.

Medical Sensory Series Helps Families Take Kids to the Doctor and Dentist

Deborah Barrett and Lauren McGuinness

 

Do you live in fear of having to take your child with autism to the doctor or to the dentist? I sure did. There are so many sensory issues for kids (and adults) to adjust to in those settings that meltdowns are prone to happen.

Autism Edmonton, in partnership with Children’s Autism Service of Edmonton, wanted to help families and kids on the spectrum have better experiences. They realized that most children on the spectrum have many sensory issues that make going to the doctor or the dentist particularly scary and anxiety-producing for kids. So, they offered the Medical Sensory Series to help families deal with going to the doctor and going to the dentist. Here’s what they did:

They offered three sessions for each type of visit. The first session was for parents, called the Parent Learning Session. Respite was provided so parents did not have to get babysitter. In the parent learning session, a doctor or dentist told parents a little about what they could expect from a visit to their office, and they explained some of the technical terms they might encounter. Parents were also offered the perspective of a fellow parent who had unique experience in the medical or dental setting. Then Matthew Kay, a Primary Consultant at Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton, gave the parents some sensory strategies for success in new environments. Parents learned how to create social stories and were given a $25 gift certificate for an app that would help them create their own social stories.

Then the fun began! The next two sessions were Happy Visits for the kids. Ahead of the visit, parents told their children what would happen, and prepped them with the social stories they created. Then parents brought their youngsters to the doctor’s or dentist’s office just to have fun and become a bit more comfortable in the environment. They worked through their social stories. They played with toys or fidgets in the waiting rooms. Eventually, they made their way into the actual clinical room. They had fun, and developed some positive associations with the experience of going to the doctor or the dentist. It relieved a great deal of anxiety. Parents and trainers tried to ensure that each child left on a positive note.

One little girl had a traumatizing experience with the weigh scale at a previous visit to the doctor years ago. In her second Happy visit she was enjoying the play and fun that was being had in the examination room, and before they all knew it she was standing on the scale! Her mother couldn’t believe it, and told us how they had to weigh her while her mother held her for the last several years. Her fear had been transformed into a sense of being able to cope with the new room and it was clear that new, positive associations had been made in this space.

It wasn’t only the children who had good experiences, though. Both kids and parents left these sessions proud of what they had accomplished and feeling more prepared to deal with other challenging situations that might arise. Parents shared that they felt less anxious about their next medical visit, which they felt was sure to lower the potential anxiety of their children.

This program was very successful in Edmonton. Autism Alberta would like to see if there is interest in developing similar programs in other areas of the province.

For more information please contact Lauren McGuinness, Manager of Programs and Services at Autism Edmonton, by emailing lauren@autismedmonton.org.

Exciting New Services for Adults with ASD in the Edmonton Area

Val Guiltner and Keith Goulden
In Fall 2015, the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH), in partnership with the Sinneave Family Foundation and the Edmonton Oliver Primary Care Network (PCN), initiated a new and exciting service for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the greater Edmonton area.

With funding from the Sinneave Family Foundation, in 2013-14 the GRH investigated gaps in medical services for adults with ASD in the greater Edmonton region and best practice approaches for addressing those gaps. The resulting report recommended three major areas of medical need for this population: a diagnostic service for adults suspected of having autism, an autism-friendly primary medical care home for adults with ASD, and a consultation service to support physicians who have adults with autism in their medical practice.

Following the recommendations of the report, with additional support from the Sinneave Family Foundation, and a partnership between GRH, Edmonton Oliver PCN, Alberta Health Services Addictions and Mental Health, a demonstration project was initiated.

The Adult Autism Diagnostic Service for adults suspected of having ASD began seeing patients in November of 2015 at the Glenrose. Referrals have been coming in steadily, and eight to ten adults are being seen a month by a team that includes two psychiatrists with training in this area, a speech language pathologist and a social worker.

The Adult Autism Consultation Service at GRH provided by these same psychiatrists to support doctors with patients with ASD has also recently started. Referrals are now being accepted at GRH from doctors seeking a second opinion about complex ASD related behavioural and medication issues.

Another exciting component of this service has been the establishment of an “autism-friendly” primary care medical service for adults with ASD. The Edmonton Oliver PCN, following a series of educational sessions, has opened its doors to adults with ASD who do not currently have a family physician. With the support of a psychiatrist with training in this area, and a multidisciplinary team who already work within the network, a limited number of new referrals are now being accepted. The group of doctors and the team within the network will address basic and complex medical issues and behavioural issues, and provide linkages to specialists as needed. It is expected that as this model proves itself, it will be expanded to include other primary care networks within Edmonton and beyond.

It is very exciting to see these long awaited services for adults with autism emerging in our community. An evaluation of the services is also underway to ensure effectiveness and patient satisfaction with the services.

For further information about or referrals to the diagnostic or consultation service please contact Elizabeth Kelly at the Glenrose (780-735-8852). For further information about or referrals to the primary care service please contact Alayna Burnstad at the Edmonton Oliver PCN (780-756-3434 ext, 227).

Val Guiltner
Director, Pediatric Rehabilitation
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital


Keith J. Goulden MD, FRCPC, Dipl PH
Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
Teaching Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Alberta

Fail-Proof

Erin Peden
It would seem the day-to-day functions of a family continue to overwhelm me. To make matters more interesting, Mr. P has been gone for a couple of weeks, which means I’m also in charge of the ‘blue jobs’ in our home. (Yes, I said ‘blue jobs’ – I’m a strong believer in equality – except when it comes to shovelling the walk and taking out the garbage. Those jobs are blue jobs. lol) So this morning I was extra unorganized, as I hadn’t planned on needing to get the sidewalk shovelled before getting the kids to school. Turns out, despite the cold, shovelling the walk can be a mind-calming experience. In fact, while I was out there my mind drifted to last Tuesday when I stood in for one of Mr. P’s other blue jobs by taking the Captain to soccer. There was a young man there, about the age of my big kid, standing in goal spouting encouraging words and throwing high-fives. He was obviously not a participant in the adapted program, but an older sibling to one of the children on the Captain’s team.

“Good girl!” he cheered. “Yup, that’s right – kick the ball! Kick it straight to me! Okay – now try to get it in the net!”

The little girl gave the ball a nudge towards the net and the boy theatrically dove for the ball, missing it by a metre, then jumped up and chanted praises to his sweet little sister. His praises were so honest and sincere he had me convinced he truly believed she was an absolute star. He was an amazing little human being who was behaving nothing like the way you’d expect a boy his age to act.


This passing memory was interrupted when I heard a little voice behind me. I put down the shovel and turned to see my five-year-old running towards me with no winter attire on apart from fluffy, white earmuffs, and oversized mitts up to his elbows.

Another mommy fail. Apparently I forgot I was parenting.

“Mommy!” the Captain was yelling, “I wanna help shovel da snow. I be very helpful.” (He’s very helpful.) I scooped the kid up and hauled him inside while trying to stress the importance of jackets during the winter months.

“Was he outside??!!” Princess P asks when we come through the door. “I’m so sorry, mom,” she explained, “I got him dressed and told him I was just going to brush my hair.” Immediately she took her brother’s hand from me and launched into a calm, sweet lecture about not leaving the house without letting ‘sister’ know. I found myself choking back tears as I watched my daughter flip into ‘mom’ mode, taking care of the little person in her life who requires more direction due to his autism. I hadn’t asked her to get her brother dressed or to watch him while I was outside – but just like any other day, she somehow knew what I needed from her to make the morning go a little more smoothly.

She’s always been like this – which is incredibly lucky for me because since the arrival of her little brother, I’ve needed an extra set of eyes to help with the basic day-to-day moments life throws our way. I remember one morning about four years ago I was trying to get ready for work when I heard the big kid yelling at me over the sound of the hair dryer. I went flying into the kitchen to find a one-year-old Captain sitting on top of the counter, pouring hot coffee onto his sister. Her eyes were wet with tears, but her arms were up and she would not leave his side. After simultaneously grabbing the coffee pot from the baby, placing the baby on my hip and pushing my little girl away from the hot contents on the counter, I spun on my heel to see if she was okay.

“Why did you just stand there, sweetheart?” I asked. “Why didn’t you come get me??”

Streaked with red marks from the steaming liquid, she looked at me (her blue-grey eyes brimming with tears) and answered, “because I was afraid he’d fall off the counter.”

At the ripe age of seven she was willing to sacrifice herself to ensure the safety of her baby brother.

Now she is eleven years old. For the most part, she’s a pretty typical ‘tween – all giggly and dramatic. She spends her days trying to determine just who would be the better person for Katniss – Peeta or Gayle – and continues to pine over Anne of Green Gable’s Gilbert Blythe rather than focusing on her math homework.

But just like that boy on the soccer pitch, there are a few things about my big kid that make her atypical.

You see, siblings of special needs children are in a league of their own and they seem have a bit of a step up on the world. They’ve learned a very young age to see a soul long before they see the body encasing it. Somehow these children, despite their lack of life experience, are able to recognize when one needs help, how to motivate those who need sweet words – and most importantly, how to truly be a friend. 

Last year I was having yet another stretch when I felt I was failing on all fronts – the house was a mess, the dog hadn’t been walked in weeks, the Captain was deviant little disaster, and the PTA meetings remained unattended. I went to pick up my daughter from school one day and noticed a little girl coming out of her classroom earlier than the rest of the kids. Her aide helped her to her locker to pack up her gear, then helped her into her wheelchair and wheeled her down the hall.

Princess P had never mentioned anything about a kid in her class having a physical disability. When I quizzed her on it after school I was shocked to discover the student was one of her best friends – a kid I heard about a million times – but never, ever, did I hear about a wheel chair. When I asked her why she hadn’t mentioned it, she just shrugged her shoulders with that you’re-boring-me-mom sentiment shared by all children her age. It was her passive/productive way of reminding me it was a non-issue.

And there it is. The one thing in my life that is fail-proof.

Her.

All I have to do is keep raising this child, because she is a better person than I will ever grow to become. She looks at this world through the spectacles of kindness – an attribute I hope that she (and the league of special needs siblings she belongs to) will make contagious. My big kid is a big person who is wise beyond her years.

I thank my lucky stars for having the opportunity to be her student.


 

We Want to Hear From You!

We are looking to publish stories, event notices or news items from all parts of the province. If you’d like to have your items included in the April 2016 issue of Autism Around Alberta, please send your submissions to AAA@autismalberta.ca by the deadline of Wednesday, April 13.

Autism Calgary Celebrates Autism Awareness Day

Click the poster to see a larger version


Special Presentation: Autism in Mainstream Media

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Come on out, by yourself or with some friends, for an engaging evening of film and conversation!
 
Join us on Sunday, April 3, for a special viewing of “The Black Balloon" that will include a guided discussion about the portrayals of autism in mainstream media, and how they might affect the ways that society views, understands and responds to people with autism.

The viewing will be held at the Bill Black Auditorium at the Glenrose Hospital (10230 111 Ave, Edmonton, AB).
 

Movie begins at 6:30pm with discussion to follow. Entry is by donation of any amount to Autism Edmonton.
 
Hope to see you there!

Autism Canada Builds Its Nationwide Network



Autism Canada is thrilled to be celebrating 40 years of hope advocacy and support. While we are proud of what we have accomplished, there is still much work to be done. We are focused on bringing ASD adults together to share and grow, to advocate at the federal level and to continue fulfilling our role as a national knowledge hub providing current and timely information to the ASD community.

Our ASD Advisory Committee has several exciting projects in the works. ASD Central, Canada’s Facebook Forum for Adults on the Spectrum, is a place of conversation, sharing and mentoring. This group is the only one of its kind in Canada, and we couldn’t be more proud of all the participants who make it possible. On the west coast, this same ASD Advisory Committee is involved in an adult-focused conference taking place on April 1st in Terrace, BC. Autism Canada is proud to be involved in recording the presentations for future viewing by the ASD community. In Ontario, we will be co-hosting an ASD adult conference in August of this year. The focus of this one-day event is brining ASD adults together to learn and share amongst their peers in a space that is comfortable, accommodating and autism-friendly. We will be happy to share more details as they are confirmed.

The election of a new federal government brings great opportunities. Working from the mandate letters issued to all the new Members of Parliament by Prime Minister Trudeau, we have been writing, calling and meeting with our new leadership to be sure autism is part of their plan moving forward. Now is the time to make the greatest impact on areas such as Disability Tax Credits and the Health Accord. We are driven to take advantage of this opportunity and are working diligently to create change at the national level.

As we head further into this year, we are continuing to bring forth valuable and relevant information to families and individuals on theautism spectrum. In September of this year, we will be co-hosting a conference with our Provincial and Territorial Council member, Autism Nova Scotia. We are excited about the lineup of topics and the speakers who will be presenting them. Families, individuals, health professionals, educators and friends will all gain from attending this 2-day conference. For more information about this event, please be sure to check in with our social media or our website www.autismcanada.org.

Autism Physician Handbook

Wendy Edwards

Are you a physician who would like a reference for working with children who have or are suspected of having ASD? Or are you a parent who would like to give your child’s physician or caregiver a bit of extra information about symptoms and issues related to autism?

Autism Canada is proud to present a Canadian Edition of the Autism Physician Handbook. We would like to thank Linda Lee from the Help Autism Now Society, who is the original designer and developer of this document and has allowed us to revise it for Canadians. The fully illustrated Physician Handbook, with over 100 illustrations showing the common characteristics of autism in toddlers, comes complete with the M-CHAT-R Checklist, a visual guide to behavioural symptoms, summary of potential referrals, and tips for optimizing office visits.

“The thought of diagnosing a child with autism can be daunting to physicians. This book – filled with clever illustrations and easy explanations – is a great tool for physicians and other care givers trying to deal with this issue. Thank you to the Help Autism Now Society and Autism Canada for putting together a very helpful resource that can easily be used by anyone involved in the early detection of autism.”

Dr. Wendy Edwards, Pediatrician
Chatham, ON

Click here to read it

Want to Reduce Your Taxes?

Deborah Barrett

It’s tax time, and we all want to reduce our taxes. Many families of children with autism aren’t aware that they can take advantage of Canada’s Disability Tax Credit. It’s designed to even out the tax burden for people who have or have a family member with a severe physical or mental impairment. It can reduce your tax burden significantly. In some cases, where taxes have been paid before the taxpayer became aware of the Disability Tax Credit, the taxpayer can receive a significant lump sum payment, sometimes well over $10,000. Sheryl Smolkin, writing for Sun Life Financial, says that in 2014 adults who qualified received a non-refundable Disability Tax Credit of $7,766. Families with a child under 18 received an additional Disability Tax Credit of $4,530. Together the credits for children added up to $12, 296.

To qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, you have to fill out form T2201, Disability Tax Credit Certificate, and have it approved by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You can click here to see if you may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. To find out more about the Disability Tax Credit, click here.