Autism Nova Scotia Cape Breton Chapter

06/10/2026

Employment support, guided by you. 🌟

Autism Nova Scotia's Individualized Employment Supports (IES) provide personalized, one-on-one support for Autistic adults (16+) to explore employment opportunities, build on their strengths, and work toward meaningful goals at a pace that works for them.

Applications for IES in Central, Cape Breton, and the Annapolis Valley are now open! Learn more and apply today: https://www.autismnovascotia.ca/programs/individualized-employment-supports/

06/10/2026

📦 **Mail Day at the Office!** 📦

We just unboxed a brand-new selection of fidget and stimming tools specially chosen for upcoming outreach tables, job fairs, and community events! While we love supporting community members of all ages, we wanted to ensure our toolkit felt inclusive, professional, and welcoming for the adults and older teens supported by our Economic Inclusion team. This new lineup offers some sleek and practical ways to ground yourself, focus, stim or self-regulate!

Here is a peek at what our employment staff will have at future tables:

**Textured Sensory Stickers**: Available in both strip and circular formats with a ton of designs. They stick right onto your laptop, water bottle, desk or wherever else needed, providing a subtle, rough texture perfect for tactile scratching and grounding that can be discreet if you need it to be!

**Silicone Worry Stones**: Designed to fit in your hand with distinct ridges, bumps, and inlays. These provide fantastic deep-pressure feedback and a surface for repetitive thumb rubbing. There is a variety of textures in addition to being bendable and durable.

**Acupressure Rings**: Lightweight metal rings that roll smoothly up and down your fingers, offering a unique and intense tactile sensory input that promotes focus and help some to self-regulate.

**Pop-It Keychains**: A portable, travel-friendly classic that offers a satisfying popping feedback right on your keys, bag, or in a pocket.

We also have mechanical keycap fidgets on the way for those who enjoy rhythmic or auditory clicking with their stims! Those we be here in a few weeks but we just couldn't wait to share. Whether you're stopping by our table to chat about employment supports or just passing through, feel free to grab a tool that works for you when you see us next!

Our next outreach event is at CCYO in Sydney Mines on June 17th. Staff from our local Economic Inclusion team & the Chapter will be there! Drop by to learn about employment and chapter supports, the QuickStart program, Pinwheel Wellness & more. See you out in the community!

06/09/2026

Parents and caregivers of children with autism starting Primary in September 2026 — join the final Transition to School Question & Answer session before the 2026 school year begins. Happening tomorrow, June 10 from 12:00 PM–1:00 PM.

This session is an opportunity to ask questions, learn about available supports, and get guidance to help make your child’s transition to school smoother.

Hosted by the Provincial Preschool Autism Service (PPAS) in partnership with IWK Health, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development Intervention Services (NSECDIS).

Register at: iwkhealth.ca/provincial-preschool-autism-service/autism-education-series.
Or visit the link in our bio.

We hope to see you there!

06/04/2026

Thank you to 100 Women Who Care CBRM for inviting us to present at last night's meeting, and thank to all the members who voted for Autism Nova Scotia Cape Breton Chapter as this quarter's recipient.

100+ Women Who Care CBRM is an amazing non-profit who make it their mission to help other non-profit's in CB continue to succeed. We are very grateful for the work they do, and their love and appreciation for their community!

✨ What a Night! ✨

Our 48th Giving Circle for 100 Women Who Care CBRM was a full house, filled with incredible energy, connection, and community spirit.

Congratulations to Autism Cape Breton, the recipient of this evening’s Giving Circle donation! Your work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of so many families throughout our community, and we are honoured to support your mission.

A heartfelt thank you as well to our other presenting organizations:
💙 Celtic Colours International Festival Youth Program
💙 Forget Me Not Packages

All three presentations were inspiring, impactful, and highlighted the incredible work being done right here in Cape Breton. Choosing just one recipient is never easy, and tonight was no exception.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our amazing venue and event sponsors:
✨ Parks Inn by Radisson
✨ Second Encore Pub
✨ Isla Kusina

A special thank you to Duane Nardocchio and Jennifer Shebib for being such outstanding hosts and helping make the evening so welcoming and memorable.

We would also like to thank:
✨ Nova Stream
✨ Tracy’s Bridal

And a huge thank you to Hearts of Kin for providing the beautiful live entertainment during our networking hour. Your music created the perfect atmosphere for an evening of connection, generosity, and community.

Most importantly, thank you to every woman who attended, donated, voted, and continues to believe in the power of collective giving. Together, we are creating real and immediate impact throughout CBRM.

❤️ One hour. One vote. One hundred women. Incredible change.

06/02/2026

Happy Pride Month! ❤️🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

June marks the beginning of Pride Month and Pride Season across Canada. 🌈

At Autism Nova Scotia, we remain committed to creating welcoming, respectful, and inclusive spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

We celebrate and proudly support 2SLGBTQIA+ Autistic individuals, families, staff, volunteers, allies, and community members this Pride Month and year-round.

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

Networking is a cornerstone of the music industry, but for many neurodivergent artists and professionals, it can also be one of the most challenging spaces to navigate.

Networking for Neurodivergents: Navigating Music Industry Events, presented by Avalon Employment, MentorAbility Atlantic, and Autism@Work, brings together neurodivergent individuals and employment professionals for a practical, solutions-focused conversation grounded in lived experience.

The panel will explore real barriers that can arise in industry settings, from crowded showcases and informal conversations to high-pressure introductions and follow-ups. It will also share strategies for building connections, finding collaborators, securing opportunities, and creating more inclusive spaces across the music sector.

Following the discussion, participants are invited to a neuro-affirming networking event in the Connectors Lounge, offering a supportive space to put the conversation into practice.

📍 B429, NSCC Sydney Waterfront Campus
🗓 Friday, May 22
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

For artists, industry professionals, venues, festivals, managers, and anyone interested in building a more accessible and welcoming music industry.

05/20/2026

This could be a great opportunity for folks with an interest in construction or the trades.

If you think this could be the right fit for you and want someone to talk to about it, or support an application, please reach out to us directly! You may also email Winter at [email protected] to chat about support or applying.

You’re invited! 🔨🏠

Join the Housing Construction Council of Nova Scotia on May 27 for the Tiny Home Construction Finishing Fundamentals Program Open House in Sydney, NS.

📅 May 27, 2026

📍 90 Military Road, Sydney, NS

🕚 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Come tour the tiny home build, meet participants and instructors, and learn more about this hands-on training program preparing Nova Scotians for careers in housing construction.

If you plan to tour the build site, please assure that you’re dressed appropriately for the weather and construction environment. Your safety matters!

Light refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Learn more about our programs:https://housingconstruction.ca/programs

05/15/2026

Autism Nova Scotia offices across the province will be closed on Monday, May 18, in recognition of Victoria Day.🌸