Online resources
for individuals and families living with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you need more information, assistance or just someone to talk to, please call or email one of our Family Support Workers. They are here to support you during this difficult time!
Laura: (403) 250-5033, ext 225 / laura@ autismcalgary.com
Stephanie: (825) 994-4249 /
Hannah (Adult Talk Support): (825) 994-8449 /
Access to Food
City of Calgary: Free and affordable food security supports.
https://www.calgary.ca/csps/cns/neighbourhood-services/access-to-food.html
Parents and Everyone
Autism Calgary: Telephone and email support and virtual support groups for parents and individuals with ASD. www.autismcalgary.com
CLIP: Working closely with the City of Calgary, Alberta Health Services and local settlement agencies to ensure that newcomer communities have access to information about Covid-19. https://www.calgarylip.ca/
FSCD Information: Updates on FSCD and how impacted by Covid-19. https://www.alberta.ca/fscd.aspx
Government of Alberta: Preparing for a new school year. https://www.alberta.ca/k-12-learning-during-covid-19.aspx
Government of Alberta: Guidance for Reopening for businesses and nonprofits. https://www.alberta.ca/biz-connect.aspx#guidance
Sesame Street: Explaining the “For now” normal of Covid-19 to children. https://autism.sesamestreet.org/coping-with-covid/
Studio 3: These webinars address support and a low arousal approach to difficult behaviours such as self injury, hand biting, and other topics. https://www.studio3.org/free-webinars
Virtual Adaptive Yoga Therapy Studio: Adaptive Therapy Yoga studio is a new innovative virtual program for individuals with Neurodevelopmental and/or physical conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. This program is designed to improve mental and physical health and wellness in the comfort of your own home. https://www.facebook.com/groups/207696920556723/ Email:
Xenia Livestream Concerts: Accessible concerts for people with disabilities and everyone! To join the concerts being offered online. https://xeniaconcerts.com
Children
Autism Awareness Centre: Excellent Covid-19 guide and resources. https://autismawarenesscentre.com/shop/autism/life-at-home-during-covid-19-e-book/
Calgary Public Library: Amazing digital resources. https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/digital-library/?category=learning-tools
Children’s Link Society: Great resource list for kids of all disabilities. https://childrenslink.ca/resource/covid-19-online-resources/
KidsUpFront: Enriching the lives of children by providing access to meaningful experiences at home. https://kidsupfront.com/kidsathome/
MagnusMode: An app to encourage independence. https://www.magnusmode.com
Sesame Street Amazing Kids Autism: Printable to use with your family! https://autism.sesamestreet.org/all-printables/
Society for Autism Support and Services: Circle Time videos, for Preschool kids to watch and learn. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0DRzggpUREx6Atq-8vlhQ
Older Youth and Adults
Autism Calgary: Telephone and email support and virtual support groups for parents and individuals with ASD. www.autismcalgary.com
Autism Aspergers Friendship Society (AAFS): Their Facebook page, the place to find their videos, news, and more! https://www.facebook.com/aafscalgary/
Calgary Public Library: Digital Library, classes, music, and so much more. https://calgarylibrary.ca/read-learn-and-explore/digital-library
March of Dimes: Free online Classes. https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/Pages/Online-virtual-programs.aspx
CQR Center for Opportunity: Life skills, employment skills, personal development and so much more offered through various programs. https://calgaryquestresources.com/
Mental Health
Autism Calgary: Telephone/email support and virtual support groups for parents and individuals with ASD. Talk Support is also available with our ASD Adult Support Specialist 825-994-8449
Alberta Health Services: List of useful Mental Health Resources. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx
Calgary Counselling Centre: Phone counselling, information, videos and other mental health support. To find out more or register for phone counselling. https://calgarycounselling.com/
Their Facebook page has a wide variety of great videos.https://www.facebook.com/watch/calgarycounsellingcentre
Centre for Mindfulness: Offering mindfulness and compassion practise support. https://cih.ucsd.edu/mindfulness
Brene Brown Podcasts: “Conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart.” https://brenebrown.com/unlockingus/
Dr. Jud Brewer: Mini series on Mindfulness. https://drjud.com/blog/
Wellness Together Canada: Offers the following at no cost to Canadians: Wellness self-assessment and tracking, self guided courses, apps, group coaching and peer support, counselling by text or phone. https://ca.portal.gs/#://ca.portal.gs/
Calgary Counselling Centre: Barrier-free counselling over the phone or online. https://calgarycounselling.com/covid19
Society for Treatment of Autism: Telepsychology. https://www.sta-ab.com/counselling/
Eastside Community Mental Health Services (ECMHS): ECMHS- formerly known as the Community Resource Team and Eastside Family Center- serves as an Open Access Mental Health Hub, providing Crisis Counselling, Single Session Therapy, and System Navigation Support. Immediate crisis and intake support can be accessed by calling 403-299-9699 from 8 am to 11 pm, texting (587-315-5000), or chatting (woodshomes.ca) from 9 am to 10 pm. Services are delivered by an integrated ethnocultural team of professionals with proficiency in multiple languages. Both virtual and in-person support is available through scheduled appointments and walk-ins at their primary location, Northgate Village Mall, Office 255, as well as at three Calgary Public Libraries (Crowfoot, Shawnessy, and Central Public Libraries).
Canadian Mental Health Association: Peer support, counselling services, and Recovery College can be accessed virtually or over phone. https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/we-are-available-for-support-during-covid-19/
Cerebral Palsy Alberta: Support services, Monday to Friday between 8AM and 4PM. Call or text (780) 405-2954, call (403) 219-360, or email , .
Apps and Text Support
BetterHelp: Therapy and support over phone and text. https://www.betterhelp.com/about/
CBT-i: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia App. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/cbticoach_app_public.asp
Headspace: Mindfulness App. https://www.headspace.com/
MagnusMode: An app to encourage independence. https://www.magnusmode.com
Starling: Digital mental health therapy. Wherever you are! https://www.starlingminds.com/
Text ‘COVID19HOPE’ to 393939 for daily messages to help you get through these challenging times