Chinook Autism Society

10/16/2026

🌿 Connecting Neurodivergent Adults — Is There Interest?

Making connections can be hard. Having a place where you can be yourself can make a difference.

Chinook Autism Society is exploring the idea of a social group for neurodivergent adults (18+) in Lethbridge and surrounding communities, and we’d love your input!

The goal? A welcoming, relaxed space to meet people, share interests, and build connections at your own pace.

💬 Would you be interested?
🎲 What would you enjoy—board games, coffee meetups, walks, or shared-interest activities?
🤝 Would you like to help shape or organize the group?

Neurodivergent adults’ voices will be central to creating this group. Parents and support people are also welcome to share interest or help spread the word.

Comment below or send us a private message if you’d prefer. No need to share a diagnosis or personal details publicly.

This is an initial interest check—your feedback will help guide our next steps!

❤️

10/16/2026

We are pleased to partner with Family Ties to offer Strengthening Parents Network, a monthly support group for families with neuro-diverse children.

Our next group meets October 22, 6-7:30pm. This month our presenter will be from Wondernook. Call 403-320-4232 to register.

Chinook Autism Society Family Ties Association The Wonder Nook

10/09/2026

Autism Society Alberta's Indigenous Relations Circle (IRC) has two free virtual presentations coming up. These presentations will provide a general overview of disability related resources for caregivers of Indigenous individuals in Alberta.

You can register for the next session on Oct 15th: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/J6_X4mxsSHy58AqQg5VEPg #/registration

Navigating Resources for Caregivers of Indigenous Children and Youth.

Supporting a child or youth on their autism journey comes with many questions, especially when figuring out where to turn for support. This free presentation is tailored for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across Alberta, offering guidance on finding and accessing essential caregiver resources.

Thursday, October 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/J6_X4mxsSHy58AqQg5VEPg #/registration

Navigating Resources for Caregivers of Indigenous Adults and Youth Transitioning to Adulthood.

The transition from youth to adulthood brings major changes in funding, healthcare, housing, and community programming. Created specifically for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities across Alberta, this free presentation offers clarity and guidance on supporting neurodivergent youth and adults through this critical life stage.

Thursday, November 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wEphxQ4kQ_WgMb8vgHd5bA #/registration

For more info on the Indigenous Relations Circle visit: https://autismalberta.ca/alliance/indigenous-relations-circle/

10/09/2026

Adaptive Volleyball & Pickleball 📅 Friday, October 23 🕕 6:15–8:15 p.m.📍 University of Lethbridge Gymnasium 🎟️ Free for all participants

10/03/2026

🧘 Free Adaptive Yoga — Tomorrow, Sunday, October 4!

Kin in the Kommunity, a University of Lethbridge student group, has invited our CAS community to an inclusive, adaptive yoga class!

📍 University of Lethbridge, PE Building, Room PE255
🕒 3:00 p.m.
💛 Free and open to all ages, abilities, and experience levels

All materials will be provided, with modifications and adaptations available to support participation. No yoga experience needed!

A chance to try something new, get moving, and connect with others in a welcoming environment.

09/28/2026

Help improve mental health care for neurodivergent youth in Alberta

The University of Calgary’s Wonder Lab is looking for two youth advisors and two caregiver advisors to help develop guidelines for neuroaffirming mental health care. They want the recommendations to reflect the experiences and priorities of youth and families.

Youth applicants must be 12–18, live in Alberta, have a diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition, and have used mental health care. Caregiver applicants must live in Alberta, care for a neurodivergent youth aged 12–18, and have experience helping them access mental health care. Youth and caregivers do not need to be from the same family.

Advisors will contribute about 2–3 hours per month for one year. Meetings can be online or in person, contributions can be spoken or written, and advisors will be paid for their time. No research experience is needed.

Interested? Email [email protected] for more information. Please see the attached flyer for full details.

09/24/2026

The first Strengthening Parents Networks gathering is tomorrow! We’re excited to kick off this incredible partnership and bring parents together to connect.

📅 September 24 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
📍 Family Centre Downtown
Melcor Centre, 200 – 4 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB

We hope to see you there!

09/14/2026

Spots are still available!

🌟 A new opportunity is coming this fall for neurodivergent youth in Southern Alberta! 🌟

We’re excited to support the NeuroConnect Club—a social communication group led by Speech-Language Pathologists, designed specifically for neurodivergent youth ages 11–17.

This 6-session program provides a safe, supportive environment where teens can build confidence, connect with peers, and practice important social communication skills, including:
💬 Starting and joining conversations
🤝 Keeping conversations going
👀 Reading social cues
💭 Perspective taking

📅 Wednesdays | 6:00–7:00 PM
🗓️ Starting November 2026

One of the things we hear most from families is that their children simply want to find people who understand them. Programs like NeuroConnect Club help create those meaningful connections while building skills that can carry into school, friendships, and everyday life.

📧 To register or learn more:
[email protected]
📞 403-635-4691

Cost may be covered through extended health insurance plans.

At Chinook Autism Society, we’re proud to support initiatives that strengthen community, foster belonging, and celebrate neurodiversity. 💜

09/14/2026

💙 What an incredible honour!

We are so grateful to 98.1 The Ranch, 94.1 CJOC - Lethbridge and Allied Marketing Group for selecting Chinook Autism Society as this month’s Community Voice Fund recipient!

As a growing Southern Alberta charity, support like this helps us continue building connection, education, advocacy, and inclusive opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families throughout our communities.

We’re especially thankful for the opportunity to have our voice amplified. Greater awareness means reaching more families, creating stronger partnerships, and reminding people that they don’t have to navigate neurodivergence alone.

Thank you for believing in what we’re building and for investing in organizations working to make a difference right here in Southern Alberta. 💙

Our goal is a community where neurodivergent people aren’t simply included — they genuinely belong.

It's our pleasure to honour the Chinook Autism Society- a Southern Alberta Charity that supports autistic and neurodivergent individuals and their families through connection, education, advocacy and inclusive community programming. To learn more or find out how you can get involved, go online to Chinook Autism Society Dot C-A.

08/19/2026

🎉 This has been a long time in the making, and we are so excited to finally share it!

One of the things we’ve continued to talk about is how much stronger our community becomes when organizations come together instead of working separately.

Growing Abilities is exactly that. ❤️

Chinook Autism Society is proud to collaborate with Family Centre, The Wonder Nook, and Family Ties Association to create a welcoming space where families raising children with differing abilities can connect, find support, and simply spend time with others who understand.

Beginning this October, families can join us Friday afternoons for play activities, parent support, connection with other families, and access to staff from Family Centre and Family Ties, along with a board member from Chinook Autism Society.

✨ FREE
📅 Fridays, October 2 – December 4
⏰ 1:30–3:00 PM
📍 Family Centre Downtown
👧🧒 Great for children ages 2–12
💛 Siblings and support workers are welcome!

Registration is required — scan the QR code on the poster to register.

We are incredibly excited to see organizations in our community coming together, sharing resources and building stronger supports for families. This is what community collaboration should look like.

💪