Autism Connections

06/05/2026

No Limits Soccer 2026 is almost here, and registration is still open for both groups!

This summer program gives children and youth a chance to build soccer skills, get active, connect with others, and enjoy time on the field in a structured, supportive setting!

Sessions run Monday evenings from July 6 to August 24 at College Field in Fredericton. There are THREE spots left in each group:

Passers: 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Defenders: 6:30–7:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 5:30PM ON MONDAY, JUNE 15TH, so families who are interested should register soon!

Full details and registration can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/48htepzj

We’re also very grateful to for supporting No Limits Soccer again this summer. Their support helps make programs like this more accessible for children and youth in our community.



Image Description: A green poster with a grass background, the Autism Connections logo near the top, and large white and yellow text reading “No Limits Soccer.” In the centre is the Jumpstart logo with text saying the program is sponsored by Canadian Tire Jumpstart. Dark green silhouettes of soccer players appear around the poster. The lower half lists the schedule as Mondays, July 6 to August 24, with Passers from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Defenders from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The location is College Field on University Avenue at Queen’s Square Park in Fredericton. At the bottom are registration details, a website link, and a QR code.

06/05/2026

National Health & Fitness Day is this Sunday, June 7th!

For a lot of autistic people, getting active isn’t about motivation, it’s about the environment. When recreation is predictable and supportive, participation goes WAY up!

That’s why our recreation programs are autism-specific and autism-informed. This summer we’re gearing up for No Limits Soccer and Camp Marvel starting in July, with First Tee Golf happening during Camp Marvel and returning again in the fall!

If you’ve been looking for recreation programs that feel like a better fit for your loved one, start here: https://autismconnections.ca/recreation



Image Description: A photo of a child standing on a grassy field near an orange training cone, with a soccer ball on the ground in the foreground. The child is smiling and looking to the side, wearing pink ear protectors, a black sleeveless top, and a rainbow-coloured layered skirt, with socks and sneakers. More cones and open grass are visible in the background.

06/05/2026

Autism Connections is hiring a Behavioural Technician to join our team!

This role works directly with autistic clients and their families by supporting individualized programming, collecting data, writing daily notes, and helping create positive, trauma-informed learning experiences. Behavioural Technicians work closely with our Lead Behavioural Consultant and play an important role in supporting skill development, connection, and meaningful participation across our programs.

Applicants should have experience working with autistic individuals, strong communication and professionalism, and a willingness to learn, take feedback, and support clients of all ages. During July and August, this position also supports Camp Marvel as part of the camp team.

To apply, visit: https://autismconnections.ca/careers



Image Description: A square graphic with a light off-white background and the Autism Connections logo centred near the top. Large text in the middle reads “We’re Hiring!” with “We’re” in dark gray and “Hiring!” in dark red. Red, orange, and gray curved accents frame the top left and bottom edges, with small sparkle shapes and a subtle gray dot pattern in the upper right.

06/05/2026

Autism Connections is here for people who identify with the autistic experience, whether that means an autistic individual, a family member, a caregiver, or someone with co-occurring support needs.

That also includes LGBTQIA+ autistic people.

Research has shown that autistic people are more likely than non-autistic people to identify as LGBTQIA+. A 2026 peer-reviewed study in Frontiers in Psychiatry points to previous research showing higher rates of both sexual minority and gender minority identities among autistic people.

For us, that matters. Support has to be accessible, respectful, and safe for the people actually walking through our doors.

A formal autism diagnosis is not required to access our programs, services, or events. If you or your loved one identifies with the autistic experience, you’re welcome at Autism Connections!



Source: Sivathasan et al., Frontiers in Psychiatry (2026), “Mental health and service utilization among cisgender-heterosexual, sexual minority, and gender minority autistic adults.

Image Description: A photo of diverse group of people are gathered outdoors on grass, smiling and leaning close together while holding a large rainbow Pride flag in front of them. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.

06/05/2026

We're so happy to have our community partner York Sunbury Search and Rescue (YSSR) joining us for another community engagement event!

🦸‍♂️💙 York Sunbury Search & Rescue at the Superhero Fun Run & Walk! 💙🦸‍♀️

York Sunbury Search and Rescue (YSSR) is proud to support the 16th Annual Autism Connections Superhero Fun Run & Walk!
Join us on Saturday, June 20th at O'Dell Park, Fredericton where our team members and Command Post will be on-site throughout the event.
We’ll also be sharing information about our Project Lifesaver® Program, an international program that helps protect vulnerable individuals who may wander due to autism, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other cognitive conditions. Through specialized radio-frequency technology, Project Lifesaver helps bring loved ones home safely.
Stop by to: ✅ Meet our volunteers
✅ Learn more about Search & Rescue in our community
✅ Discover how Project Lifesaver works
✅ Ask questions about our programs and services
Event Schedule: 🏃 Registration begins at 10:00 AM
🏃‍♂️ 5 km Run starts at 11:00 AM
🚶 2.5 km Walk starts at 12:00 PM
We look forward to supporting this amazing community event and helping raise awareness for Autism Connections and the families they serve.
Together, we can all be heroes in our community! 💙💛

06/05/2026

Some weekends are for doing more. Some are for making things easier.

Sometimes it is a walk somewhere a little quieter. Fredericton has more than 150 km of non-motorized multi-use trails, including Odell and Killarney Lake Parks.
https://www.fredericton.ca/recreation-culture/trails-cycling/trails

Or it could mean choosing something more sensory-friendly. Cineplex’s Sensory-Friendly Screenings offer a lights-up, sound-down movie experience, and participating locations include Fredericton and Dieppe.
https://www.cineplex.com/experiences/sensory-friendly-screenings

And sometimes it is noticing that you are running on empty. For caregivers especially, feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, isolated, or not sleeping well can be a sign that stress is catching up with you. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout

Whatever the weekend looks like for you, finding what feels doable still counts.



Image Description: A photo of two adults and two children are in a bright room with wooden floors and moving boxes. The children are sitting inside a large cardboard box while the adults push it across the floor. There are bubbles floating in the air. Everyone is smiling. There are more boxes stacked in the background.

06/04/2026

Our prize donor list for the 16th Annual Superhero Fun-Run & Walk just got even better.

A big thank you to Jim Gilberts Wheels and Deals & PowerSports, , and Huntsman Marine Science Centre for coming on board as prize donors. We’re so grateful for your support and for helping us add even more to this year’s event.

It’s wonderful to keep seeing businesses step up in support of Autism Connections and the families we serve. Thank you both for being part of this year’s Superhero!



Image Description: A vertical poster-style graphic with a warm orange and yellow city skyline background. Dozens of sponsor and prize donor logos are arranged across the top and middle of the poster, including The Artisan District, Endeavours & ThinkPlay, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, StorTec, Jim Gilbert’s Wheels & Deals, Pizza Twice Oromocto, St. Louis Bar & Grill, Fredericton Playhouse, Lincoln Big Stop and Blue Canoe Restaurant, Scott’s Nursery, Radisson, Special Olympics New Brunswick, Kingsbrae Garden, Strange Adventures, Regent Mall, Dimitri’s Souvlaki, Papa John’s, Abony Family Tennis Center, Kings Landing, The Drome, Domino’s Pizza, Dooly’s, Princess Auto, Covey Basics, Philthy Philly’s, Go-Go Gymnastics, Pizza Delight, Supplement King, Boston Pizza, Comic Hunter, The Oromocto Galleria, East Side Mario’s, The Purrfect Cup, The Lunar Rogue Pub, Harvest Music Festival, Vibrant Salon Spa, Co-op Country Store, and Papa Georgio’s. Along the bottom, a dark curved banner holds the Superhero Fun-Run & Walk logo on the left and large orange text that reads, “You’re a Superhero!”

06/04/2026

Brilliant Labs / Labos créatifs IS BACK AT SUPERHERO!!

Year after year, Brilliant Labs shows up with fun, hands-on learning activities that get kids creating, exploring, and trying something new. They also come out to spend time with our Camp Marvel campers, and we’re always so grateful for the way they help make learning feel fun, creative, and accessible.

Brilliant Labs is an Atlantic Canadian charity focused on hands-on, experiential learning, helping youth build creativity, innovation, coding, and digital skills.

Make sure to stop by and check out what they have planned at this year’s 16th Annual Superhero Fun-Run/Walk!



Image Description: A photo of an adult from Brilliant Labs standing in front of a Camp Marvel camper, at a covered table during a hands-on activity. The table has plastic sheeting, cups, bottles of coloured liquid, straws, paper towels, and a sheet with a drawing on it. The adult is pointing toward the table while the child watches from the side.

06/04/2026

Autism Connections is a safe, inclusive organization dedicated to empowering autistic individuals across the lifespan, with or without a formal diagnosis, by providing tailored support, resources, and opportunities to thrive. Our programs and services focus on connection, skill development, individualized support, and meaningful participation in the community.

We are seeking to add a Behaviour Consultant to join our team. This role supports Behaviour Technicians, develops individualized skill acquisition and behavioural support programming, monitors client progress, and works closely with caregivers, staff, and community partners to help clients build skills and reach their goals.

To apply, visit https://autismconnections.ca/careers



Image Description: A square graphic with a light off-white background and the Autism Connections logo centred near the top. Large text in the middle reads “We’re Hiring!” with “We’re” in dark gray and “Hiring!” in dark red. Red, orange, and gray curved accents frame the top left and bottom edges, with small sparkle shapes and a subtle gray dot pattern in the upper right.

06/04/2026

June is Dysphagia Awareness Month (difficulty swallowing). This comes up for some autistic kids and adults, especially when feeding challenges get written off as 'picky eating', even if there are signs swallowing might not be safe. If someone is coughing/choking with food or drinks, gagging a lot, or meals are consistently stressful, it’s worth bringing up with a clinician and asking about a swallowing/feeding check.

This article from the RCASLPNB explains how to access a registered Speech-Language Pathologist: https://rcaslpnb.ca/public/how-to-access-audiology-and-speech-language-pathology-services-in-new-brunswick/



Image Description: A photo of a child, they are wearing glasses and a white button-up shirt sits facing an adult in a clinic or office setting. The adult, seen from the side with long hair and a light-coloured top, is wearing blue medical gloves and is gently examining the inside of the child’s mouth while the child looks upward with their mouth open. Shelving and office items are visible in the background.