Throughout the operation of our organization we have observed that the majority of South Asian parents we serve are not actively engaged in seeking out programs and resources in the larger community that may benefit their child. This is due to language barriers and socio-cultural stigmas associated with mental health disorders in the South Asian community. These parents become alienated from their own communities creating a “culture of enclosure” that only adds to the challenges they face as parents of children with ASD. The issue we want to address is the lack of active participation and the culture of enclosure that South Asian families who have children with ASD tend to gravitate towards.
Purpose
One of the functions of the SAFE program is to pull South Asian parents who have children with ASD out of isolation. SAAAC believes in order to have parents as active participants in the continuing development of their child with ASD, they must be surrounded by a community that is supportive, respectful, and understanding. The educational aspect of the project will come through various workshops and seminars that will be led by healthcare professionals. Topics will be wide and will range from developing social skills, managing finances, to transitioning to adulthood. The understanding portion of our program will come with biweekly parent group meetings. At these meetings a facilitator will help carry out a family group discussion, touching on aspects such as personal experiences, goals, desires, frustrations surrounding ASD.
Outcome
The outcome of this project is to empower South Asian families who have children with ASD to become moreactive participants in seeking out resources and services. By educating them through workshops/seminars, creating an environment of support, respect, and understanding, SAAAC hopes to have created an empowered group of families who will remove themselves from self isolation, and boldly go into the wider community to seek out resources and services, and advocate more vocally for their child.
DECEMBER 2012 SAFE SESSION: Sexual Health & Development and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Sexual Health & Development and Autism Spectrum Disorders” is part of SAAAC’s ongoing SAFE (South Asian Family Empowerment) Series. Presented by Laura Cavanaugh from the Geneva Centre for Autism, the seminar will illustrate strategies on how to help individuals with ASD understand their sexual development and encourage a healthy sexuality.
Open to parents, caregivers, professionals and volunteers in the field
$10 Fee for non-SAAAC members
Presented By: Laura Cavanaugh (Training Institute Faculty: Geneva Centre for Autism)
Date: Saturday December 3rd, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Town of Markham
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, Ontario L3R 9W3
(Proceed to Chamber Room)
Please download flyer for contact details.