Autism Edmonton

💙 It's Time to Strengthen Emergency Alerts for Vulnerable Missing Persons

Recent events have deeply affected communities across Alberta and across Canada. They have also highlighted an important question:

How can we better protect vulnerable people when every minute matters?

At Autism Edmonton, we believe it is time to explore the creation of a Vulnerable Missing Persons Alert that complements existing emergency alert systems.

Amber Alerts serve a critical role in responding to child abductions. However, there are many situations where a vulnerable person goes missing and faces significant risk without meeting the criteria for an Amber Alert.

This could include:
• Autistic children, youth, and adults
• Individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
• People with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Individuals with acquired brain injuries or other cognitive disabilities
• Others who may be unable to communicate, recognize danger, or safely find their way home

An effective alert should do more than notify the public that someone is missing. It should provide practical information that helps people recognize the individual and respond appropriately, while respecting privacy and dignity.

Information shared where appropriate and with consent could include:
• A recent photograph and physical description
• Last known location and time seen
• Clothing and identifying features
• Communication preferences or challenges
• Sensory considerations that may affect interactions
• Medical or safety information that is relevant to locating the individual
• Guidance on the safest way to respond if the person is found

We recognize that developing a system like this would require thoughtful collaboration among governments, law enforcement, emergency management agencies, disability organizations, privacy experts, and families.

Our hope is simple: to help ensure that when a vulnerable person goes missing, communities have the information they need to respond quickly, compassionately, and effectively.

We welcome a respectful conversation about how Canada can continue to strengthen its emergency response systems to better protect vulnerable people and support the families who love them.

💙 Together, we can build safer, more inclusive communities.

📢 Holiday Office Closure Notice

Please note that the Autism Edmonton office will be closed on Monday, August 3, 2026, in recognition of the Heritage Day long weekend.

We will reopen and resume regular business hours on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

We hope everyone has a safe, enjoyable, and relaxing long weekend!

Happy Heritage Day from all of us at Autism Edmonton! 💙

🎉 3,452 participants! 🎉

This year at K-Days, an incredible 3,452 individuals utilized the Autism Edmonton Sensory Room Experience.

We are grateful to K-Days for once again partnering with Autism Edmonton to provide a welcoming, calming, and inclusive space where individuals and families could take a break from the sights, sounds, and excitement of the fair. Thank you for believing in the importance of accessibility and inclusion. We are already looking forward to returning in 2027!

A heartfelt thank you also goes to our amazing volunteers and Autism Edmonton staff. Your compassion, dedication, and countless hours made this year's Sensory Room a tremendous success. From welcoming families to ensuring the space remained calm, supportive, and comfortable throughout the event, your efforts made a meaningful difference for thousands of people.

To everyone who visited the Sensory Room this year, we want to thank you for allowing us to be part of your K-Days experience. We can't wait to see you again next year!

💙 Thank you, K-Days.
💙 Thank you, volunteers.
💙 Thank you, Autism Edmonton staff.
💙 Here's to an even bigger and better Sensory Room Experience in 2027!

Many people are surprised to learn that autism and rare genetic conditions are often connected. Researchers have identified more than 100 rare genetic conditions that are associated with autism, highlighting the importance of continued research, earlier diagnosis, and improved supports for individuals and families.

On Monday, August 3, a remarkable family will continue their Cross Canada Journey of Hope. Navpreet and Stalinjeet Gill, parents of three-year-old Gurmoh, are travelling across Canada to deliver Letters of Hope to Parliament on behalf of families living with rare genetic conditions. Their journey aims to raise awareness of the need for earlier diagnosis, increased investment in rare disease research, and timely access to innovative treatments.

At Autism Edmonton, we know that every family's journey is unique. Many autistic individuals and their families also navigate the challenges of rare genetic conditions, making collaboration, awareness, and research more important than ever.

We encourage our community to learn more about this inspiring initiative and to follow their Journey of Hope as they travel across Canada.

To the Gill family, we wish you safe travels and thank you for sharing your story and advocating for families across the country.

💙 A Message from Autism Edmonton

Today, our hearts are with Parker's family, friends, loved ones, and the entire Calgary community.

On behalf of everyone at Autism Edmonton, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences following the tragic loss of Parker. There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child, and we hope his family is surrounded by love, compassion, and support during this unimaginably difficult time.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Calgary Police Service, first responders, search and rescue teams, partner agencies, volunteers, and the many community members who dedicated their time, compassion, and unwavering efforts to the search for Parker. Your commitment and care demonstrated the strength of a community coming together in hope.

This tragedy has touched many people beyond Parker's family. It has affected autistic individuals, parents, siblings, caregivers, professionals, first responders, volunteers, and communities across Alberta. Grief can affect each of us differently, and it is okay to seek support if you are struggling with the emotions that can follow heartbreaking events such as this.

If this tragedy has affected you or someone you care about, support is available. You do not have to go through difficult moments alone.

💙 9-8-8 Su***de Crisis Helpline
Call or text 9-8-8 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Canada)

💙 Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Distress Line
📞 780-482-4357 (HELP)

💙 Calgary Distress Centre
📞 403-266-4357 (HELP)

💙 211 Alberta
Call or text 211 to connect with mental health, grief, and community support services.

Our thoughts remain with Parker's family and with everyone whose lives have been touched by this heartbreaking loss. As a community, let us continue to care for one another, offer compassion without judgment, and remember that it is okay to ask for help when we need it.

💙 The Autism Edmonton Team

Congratulations to Tim Q. in winning the latest Autism Edmonton 50/50 draw!

A master of dad jokes and great energy, Tim will be spending some of his win at a nice restaurant with his girlfriend. The woman who dragged him to KDays that day and encouraged him to purchase a ticket. 🙂

Tim has won in so many different ways.

Thank you everyone for your generous support at KDays with our 50/50. It means a lot to all of us here at Autism Edmonton!

📢 Calling All Student Researchers!

Autism Edmonton and the Autism Research Centre at the University of Alberta are excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2027 Student Pilot Grants!

Are you a student passionate about advancing autism research? This is an incredible opportunity to receive funding for innovative research projects that will help improve understanding, supports, and quality of life for autistic individuals and their families.

At Autism Edmonton, we believe that meaningful research drives meaningful change. We are proud to partner with the Autism Research Centre to support emerging researchers who are shaping the future of autism knowledge and practice.

📚 Learn more about Autism Edmonton's commitment to autism research:
https://www.autismedmonton.org/scholarship-research/

📝 Find details about the 2027 Student Pilot Grant and how to apply:
https://sites.google.com/a/ualberta.ca/autismresearchcentre/upcoming-events/funding-opportunities

If you know a student, graduate student, or early career researcher with a passion for autism research, please share this opportunity!

Together, we can continue building knowledge that leads to more inclusive communities and better outcomes for autistic people across Alberta and beyond.

For 10 incredible days, Autism Edmonton was proud to partner with Explore Edmonton and KDays to provide a Sensory Room experience for our community.

Hundreds of children, youth, adults, and families had access to a calm, welcoming environment where they could regulate, recharge, and return to enjoying everything KDays had to offer. For many, this space made attending the event possible.

Every year, we learn more about how sensory spaces can best support autistic people and others with sensory needs. We continue to listen, observe, and improve because creating truly inclusive environments is an ongoing journey.

New research has now added to our understanding by exploring how autistic students describe their experiences with multi-sensory environments in schools. Their voices reinforce the importance of thoughtful, well-designed sensory spaces that promote regulation, comfort, and participation. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/27546330261448357

We also invite you to listen to CBC Radio Active, where CBC's Sean Newton spoke with Autism Edmonton Executive Director Cassandra Rasko about the importance of sensory inclusion zones and what they mean for our community. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-52-radio-active/clip/16227530-sensory-inclusion-zones-kdays

A heartfelt thank you to Explore Edmonton, KDays, our volunteers, staff, and everyone who helped make this year's Sensory Room such a meaningful success. Together, we are creating more inclusive spaces where everyone belongs.

🎉 WE HAVE A WINNER! 🎉

What an incredible K-Days 50/50!

🏆 Winning Ticket: B-3171
💰 Prize: $6,810

Our winner has been notified and is taking home an amazing $6,810!

To everyone who purchased a ticket - thank you! Your support means so much to Autism Edmonton. Every ticket purchased helps us continue creating inclusive programs, services, and community spaces that support autistic individuals and their families throughout our region.

A very special thank you goes out to our incredible volunteers. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm made this fundraiser possible, and we couldn't have done it without you. 💙

Congratulations to our winner, and thank you to everyone who helped make this year's K-Days 50/50 a tremendous success. Together, we're building a more inclusive community where everyone belongs.