Early Years and School Age Navigation
2025-10-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Caring for little ones with extra support needs is marked by joy, fear, and overwhelm, usually all in the same day! Navigating the toddler and preschool years or if the school years are on the horizon, can be a uniquely challenging time. Join Cari Rawling, (ECE/parent), and Heather Beach (parent), for supportive sessions on Navigating the Early Years. We are here to listen, provide resources, and create a safe place to discuss the parenting experience of young children with diverse abilities.
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY
REGISTER HERE

Free Webinar: Learning with Neurodiversity
2025-10-22 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Experience “Learning with Neurodiversity” on October 22, 2025, hosted by Deanna Fidelak and the Adult ADHD Centre. Unlock strategies for post-secondary neurodivergent students and discover academic support options in this free live webinar.
Join us from your preferred time zone:
4pm – 5:30pm PDT; 6pm – 7:30pm CDT; 7pm – 8:30pm EDT; and 8pm -9:30pm ADT.
The session provides expert advice and practical resources to empower diverse learners. Open to all seeking inclusive learning opportunities and support.
Reserve your spot now!

Aging Caregivers
2025-10-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
We cannot slow the aging process in ourselves or in the people we care for! As we get older, our ability to care for our family member becomes more and more difficult. Planning our own future, and the future of our loved ones can be a terrifying process. Will we be able to provide the necessary care? Will they be well cared for in the future, after we are gone? What can we do to make the future easier? Connecting with other families in similar situations is the best way to problem solve and figure out what will work best for our specific situations. Join our call with other “mature” parents and caregivers and we can problem solve together!

Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

Heartspace Gentle Movement
2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Join Tyra Skibington, certified yoga instructor, for a 45-minute gentle movement program, accessible for all abilities. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a comforting beverage, have a clear space on the floor with a chair or couch nearby for support, but otherwise no special equipment required!
Tyra has been a yoga teacher for over 10 years. She is passionate about caring for the caregiver because she is one. She knows the power of pausing through breath work and loves to share restorative movement as part of that practice. Join Tyra by inviting space and more breath into your body. This will help clear the mind, calm the nervous system and bring awareness to the body.
Register Here

FASD - Thinking Outside of the Box
2025-10-23 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-30 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
September is FASD Awareness Month, and International FASD Day is on September 9!
When we talk about FASD, the conversation often focuses on the challenges—but there’s so much more to the story. There are incredible strengths, talents, and successes worth celebrating.
Join us for an uplifting event where we shine a light on the achievements and unique abilities of individuals living with FASD. This is a chance to hear powerful stories from those with lived experience, as well as the people who support and love them.
Come be part of a joyful conversation—one that honours the gifts that come with FASD and invites you to share your own moments of pride and hope.
Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:00 pm
This Family Hangout takes place weekly.
Register Now

Embracing Success Education Conference
2025-10-24 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney, BC, Canada
This one-day conference is designed especially for educators including classroom teachers, resource teachers, education assistants, and other professionals who work in the school setting with an emphasis on providing knowledge and strategies that can be applied in the classroom and school setting to support students with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.
This year’s conference focuses on foundational academic skills, featuring expert-led sessions on literacy and numeracy instruction specifically tailored for students with Down syndrome. Our presenters have developed practical, evidence-based approaches that educators can immediately implement in their classrooms and school settings. Join in person or take part virtually!

2025 Au-Some Conference
2025-10-25 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Event
About the event

Au-Some Conference 2025 – Featuring Inspiring Neurodivergent Voices
On October 25, 2025 from 10 AM – 3 PM EST, during Autism Acceptance Month, Autism Canada will host the 9th annual Au-Some Conference – the only Canadian event where every presentation is created and delivered by neurodivergent individuals. This powerful day of learning and connection will be presented virtually via Zoom and accessible on our YouTube channel, offering lived experience–led conversations that educate, empower, and inspire change.
Featured Presenters

Alex Watts – ADHD Speaker & AdvocateAn internationally recognized ADHD speaker, advocate, and creative entrepreneur, Alex blends lived experience, humour, and insight to break down neurodivergence in a relatable way. His energetic approach inspires acceptance, empowerment, and action. (Topic: Pathological Demand Avoidance)

Dani Bowman – Artist & EntrepreneurAn autistic animator, artist, and founder of DaniMation Studios, Dani has taught animation to over 3,000 students and premiered 14 short films at San Diego Comic-Con. She is also a cast member of Love on the Spectrum and a dedicated mentor for young creators. (Topic: Rethinking Autism and Employment in Creative Fields)

Charlotte Bergslien – Autistic & ADHD Content CreatorKnown as “The Spectrum Girl” to her 1.5M+ followers, Charlotte uses her platform to explore dating, friendships, travel, and self-esteem in the neurodivergent community. Her candid, uplifting content champions authenticity and inclusion. (Topic: Autism, Mental Health & the Power of Online Advocacy)

priyana – Singer & SongwriterA South-Asian, autistic, queer folk-indie artist from Toronto, priyana blends music and crochet to create safe, expressive spaces for her audience. Her latest album, Days I’ve Cried This Year, reflects her creative process and lived experience. (Topic: Music as a Space for Lived Experience, Rest, and Creativity)

Andreas Souvaliotis – Social EntrepreneurFounder of Carrot Rewards and Green Rewards, Andreas is a bestselling author and global leader in harnessing behavioural science for social good. He champions innovative approaches to public health, climate change, diversity, and citizenship. (Topic: Entrepreneurship and the Benefits of Being on the Spectrum)

Join us for a day that celebrates autistic voices, amplifies lived experiences, and brings together a nationwide community committed to inclusion and understanding.

Engage at Every Age
2025-10-28 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Event
Engage at Every Age: When young and old connect, great things happen!
Join us for a free webinar presented by Andrew Fleck Children’s Services. In this session, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (Ottawa) will be sharing their insights and reflections acquired over the past few years, facilitating intergenerational programming between children ages 0 – 4 and diverse older adult populations in a variety of settings. Participants will have an opportunity to learn from their challenges and successes and ask questions about the early stages of developing an intergenerational program.
Intergenerational programming offers a powerful opportunity to foster meaningful, everyday connections between children and older adults. Both generations benefit from time spent together, enjoying shared interests and forming lasting friendships. Rather than limiting these moments to occasional, planned visits where seniors passively observe, we’re exploring what’s possible when interactions are naturally embedded into daily routines within an early learning and care setting.
Open to anyone developing or considering an intergenerational program with children up to 4 years of age.
Presented By:
Neeka Barnes – Director, Special Projects Andrew Fleck Children’s Services
Neeka Barnes has worked in the early learning and care field for 46 years. She has a diverse background that includes roles as a consultant, life skills coach, and college professor. For the past several years, she has worked as the Director of Special Projects at Andrew Fleck Children’s Services.
José Alejandro Fernandez Cruz – Intergenerational Program Assistant, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services
Jose Alejandro Fernandez Cruz (RECE, Bach. Early Learning and Community Development) is the Intergenerational Program Coordinator with Andrew Fleck Children’s Services. As part of the Engage At Every Age Intergenerational Child Care Project, he conducts research into the best practices of shared-space intergenerational programming and facilitates the involvement of older adults in the program.
Email: jfernandez@afchildrensservices.ca
REGISTER HERE

Advancing Inclusive Education: Global Perspectives
2025-10-28 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Last month, our global inclusion movement came together in person at Inclusion International’s World Congress in Sharjah, UAE — a powerful gathering of advocates and families driving inclusion forward worldwide from over 70 countries.
Join us as we reflect on what we heard in Sharjah and explore the current global landscape of inclusive education — what progress is being made, where challenges remain, and what lessons we can carry forward together.

ADHD - The Real Deal
2025-10-28 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
ADHD doesn’t just affect the person living with ADHD. It also affects those around them. As parents of kids living with ADHD, we can benefit from learning what ADHD is and how to support our kids. Learn from Dr. Duncan,Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, as he dispels some myths and explains how and why the ADHD brain works the way it does.
Join us and other families for this video presentation and discussion that’s facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.
6:30pm-8:00pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
7:30pm-9:00pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you.

Rare But Not Alone
2025-11-03 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Join us in this welcoming space for families who care for someone with a rare disorder (diagnosed or not). Rare disorders and conditions affect a small number of people in the country or even the world. Living with a rare disorder or condition can feel invisible and isolating, and sometimes there are seemingly no answers. But it doesn’t have to be scary all of the time—especially if you have others beside you! Join our supportive group and find strength in numbers as we share stories, connect with others who understand, and build upon our supportive networks.
Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability. FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY FSI is committed to making our events as accessible as possible to everyone who wants to attend. If you have accessibility needs, please let us know when you register, or send us an email to discuss your specific needs. Sign language (ASL) interpretation can be available with 3 weeks notice. Please identify that you require ASL when you register.

SEA: For Adults online workshop
2025-11-03 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
A 90 minute online suicide prevention workshop developed by NEED2 to provide foundational information about suicide that is accessible and relevant to adults; no matter their role in the community.
November 3, 2025 6:30-8pm
Once you’ve registered you will receive the zoom link the day before the workshop.
Register Here.

Supporting The Transition To CLBC
2025-11-03 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Are you a family member supporting an adult with developmental disabilities? This Family Hangout is designed to help you navigate Community Living BC (CLBC) services and supports for adults ages 19+ (or transition-aged youth) with clarity and confidence. Whether your loved one is newly eligible or already receiving support, this group offers practical guidance and emotional reassurance for families walking this path.
This is a welcoming space for families to ask questions, share concerns, and gain the knowledge needed to support your adult family member with dignity and purpose.
The first session begins Monday, November 3, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
This Family Hangout will take place every other week, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

REGISTER HERE

Children in Care - A Group for Parents and Caregivers
2025-11-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
A support group for those with kids in care, considering care, or feeling pressured to place their kids in care.
Only families who have experienced this unique journey truly understand the challenges it brings. Whether due to removal, a special needs agreement, or a voluntary care agreement, placing a child with extra support needs into the Ministry’s care is an incredibly difficult and emotional decision. Families often face feelings of guilt, judgment, and isolation during this process. You’re not alone. Join us for an open and heartfelt conversation with other families who share your experience. This is a space for parents and caregivers to connect, share, and support one another without fear of judgment.
Let’s come together to find hope, resilience, and connection.
** PLEASE NOTE: This meeting is reserved for families with a member with a disability and self advocates only ** Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) is a provincial not-for-profit society committed to supporting families who have a family member with a disability.
FSI is unique in Canada and the only grassroots family to family organization that has a broad volunteer base. FSI SUPPORTS AND SERVICES ARE FREE TO ANY FAMILY

What's holding us back? The future of inclusive education in Canada
2025-11-05 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
16th Annual National Policy Forum on Inclusion
This year’s policy forum will be a 3-part virtual series exploring the realities of inclusive education in Canada. The series will bring together self-advocates, family members, educators, and policy experts. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says that people with disabilities have a right to an inclusive education at all levels. We will explore what gets in the way of these rights in Canada and highlight examples of how we can overcome these barriers together.
Format: 3-part virtual event via Zoom webinar. The forum will include a series of panels and interactive Question & Answer periods. Panels include perspectives of lived experience from people with an intellectual disability and families, as well as research and policy expertise from community organizations and educators.
Your ticket gives you access to all 3 sessions

Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern

A recording of the event will be provided to everyone who registers.
The forum will be held in English. Simultaneous French interpretation and English and French CART will be provided.
Important: ASL and LSQ will be available upon request. Please identify that you require ASL or LSQ when you register, and no later than October 28, 2025. ASL and LSQ interpreters are in high demand. It’s important to us that community members have access to interpreters in their daily lives for things like medical appointments, education, and legal processes. Understanding that access to interpretation is a valuable and limited resource, we will book interpretation only when a need for them is identified.
To help us provide an accessible event, please indicate your accommodation needs when you register.
For questions about this event, please contact: forum@inclusioncanada.ca

16th Annual National Policy Forum on Inclusion
2025-11-05 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Event
What’s holding us back? The future of inclusive education in Canada
3-part virtual event via Zoom webinar
Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern
Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern
This year’s policy forum will be a 3-part virtual series exploring the realities of inclusive education in Canada. The series will bring together self-advocates, family members, educators, and policy experts. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says that people with disabilities have a right to an inclusive education at all levels. We will explore what gets in the way of these rights in Canada and highlight examples of how we can overcome these barriers together.
Format: 3-part virtual event via Zoom webinar. The forum will include a series of panels and interactive Question & Answer periods. Panels include perspectives of lived experience from people with an intellectual disability and families, as well as research and policy expertise.
Register now!

Learn about the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
2025-11-05 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a savings plan that can help someone with disabilities to save for their long-term financial security. Individuals must have the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) to be eligible. Want to learn more about opening an RDSP account? Check out our RDSP Toolkit, or attend an info webinar by Plan Institute!

Substance Use and the Power of Support
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-11-18 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Connection and relationship can make a difference in substance use and addiction. Guy Felicella, a renowned advocate and international speaker who has overcome a two-decade substance use disorder, passionately promotes harm reduction, trauma therapy, and faster access to treatment using his story of resilience and recovery. Learn how we can show care not just for our kids, but for the broader community impacted by substance use disorder.
Join us and other families for this video presentation and discussion that’s facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.
12:00pm-1:30 pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
1:00pm-2:30 pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you .
REGISTER HERE

Understanding ADHD for Adults
2025-11-13 17:30 - 2025-11-27 18:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
ADHD impacts all areas of life, and understanding is a pivotal starting point for moving forward.
This program is designed for those who are newly diagnosed and are embarking on a personal journey of self-discovery.
PLEASE NOTE: This program is not a webinar and requires your active participation to fully benefit from it. Sessions will not be recorded to protect your privacy.
Join us to unravel the complexities of Adult ADHD in an interactive, supportive, and collaborative environment.
After this program you should be able to:

Understand the wide range of Adult ADHD symptoms.
Become aware of how ADHD can impact various aspects of life.
Take proactive steps to explore non-medication approaches to managing ADHD.
Identify how ADHD medications work and how they can improve daily functioning.
Access resources that can bring positive changes to lives of people with ADHD

Facilitated by Dr. Gurdeep Parhar (MD) and Dr. Anita Parhar (PhD), this program draws from their extensive knowledge gained through years of dedicated work at the Adult ADHD Centre. Dr. Gurdeep Parhar and Dr. Anita Parhar bring a wealth of clinical and practical insights through the cumulative experience of over 15,000 patient experiences, which is the foundation of this program.
Begins Thursday, November 13, 2025 – 3 weeks
Dates: November 13, 20 & 27, 2025
Time: 5:30pm PST/ 6:30pm MST/ 8:30pm – 10pm EST/ 9:30pm AST
Where: Virtual on Zoom
Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. As of November 11th, the registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.
Facilitators: Dr. Gurdeep Parhar & Dr. Anita Parhar
Fee: $30 + HST

Please note that this program will be offered in January, March, September and November every year. This program is a good intro to ADHD prior to taking our Adult ADHD Group Coaching programs.
Please note that this program is refundable up to 48hrs before the program starts. Once the program begins, registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Now What? A beginning conversation to support families when our kids begin experimenting with substances
2025-11-13 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Learning that our kids are using substances can be scary. Our fears about substance use can affect how we react. Learn with us while Victoria Keddis hosts a conversation with Douglas Hardie, Registered Clinical Counsellor and Program Coordinator of Island Health’s Child, Youth and Family Mental Health and Substance Use Programs. This is a beginning conversation to help parents self-reflect on how they show up to talk to their kids about their substance use.
Join us and other families for this video presentation and discussion that’s facilitated by a FamilySmart Family Peer Support Worker.
6:30pm-8:00pm Pacific Time (most of British Columbia)
7:30pm-9:00pm Mountain Time (Alberta)
These events are funded for parents and caregivers living in the Province of British Columbia and for CASA families in Alberta. If you are from another province or territory, or live outside of Canada, we welcome you to visit our video library at www.familysmart.ca/videos and use our resources. Thank you.
REGISTER HERE

Sandra Pronteau - Documentary Screening
2025-11-17 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, a time to honour Indigenous people with disabilities and celebrate them as vital members of our communities. ConnecTra is hosting a documentary screening made by Inclusion BC featuring Sandra Pronteau, a Cree-Metis Indigenous woman who has spent many years advocating from various social issues, from equal education rights to support for Indigenous people with disabilities. At the end, Sandra will participate in a Q&A session.
Monday, November 17, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm
REGISTER HERE

Let's Talk: How Babies Learn Language
2025-11-19 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
This workshop provides: valuable insights into infant language learning. Parents and caregivers can learn practical, evidence-based techniques to foster your child’s language skills during these pivotal early years. Recommended for caregivers of children aged 0-2.
REGISTER HERE

ADHD X Autism: “The Similarities and Differences” - Free webinar
2025-11-19 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Virtual Event
Join Adult Autism Centre & Adult ADHD Centre for a free, live webinar—ADHD X Autism: “The Similarities and Differences”—on Wednesday, November 19, 2025!
Gain insights from Dr. Anita Parhar and Dr. Gurdeep Parhar as they explore the connections, similarities, and distinctions between ADHD and autism.
