Listening, helping relationship, advocacy and referrals
Our organization provides support to families by making several types of interventions, including meetings with CIUSSS-CHUS stakeholders: social workers, specialized educators and occasional representatives of the Centre Jeunesse or Curateur Public .
We also receive phone calls from parents, community members who either need listening, information, guidance, support or referrals for their children/users. Often families come to us when they are struggling or are waiting for services. In addition, when renewing memberships, we take the time to know the needs of our families and to adapt accordingly. Each participant has a sheet to complete that draws up their general picture and several authorisation forms are to be completed by the person in charge.
Theme nights and conferences
Supporting members by providing them with information on different themes and in different forms is also part of the organization’s mission. In addition, we share important information, training, events and conferences that are communicated to us by other organizations in our region in order to benefit our members.
Difference awareness program: INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY – AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
2019-2020: We have made a new document: “Autism Awareness.” This document is simple, clear with images and examples. Topics covered: evaluation, need for support, manifestations, understanding of verbal language, non-verbal, second-degree expressions, interests, stereotyping, external stimuli and various tools that help the autistic person in his or her daily life. We have also attached a list of useful links and references. This document was presented at each of our kiosks:
- April, Autism Month: until 2019, APPHBM joins Massey-Vanier High School for none awareness activities: chess tournament, sensory room, classroom presentation on integration, explanation of the difference in functioning between the brains of neurotypical people and those with autism spectrum disorder.
- Ville de Cowansville « La plage en fête » Kiosk
- Kiosk at Cowansville City Public Market
- School tour
Awareness is important to the organization, both in terms of intellectual disability and autism. That’s why we offer social activities in the majority of our programs to raise awareness among the general public.