Click “Become a Member” and create a website profile. Once we receive this form, our family coordinator will contact you and get you approved on the website and ready to sign up for activities.
Keep in mind, you will not be able to see the detailed Event Calendar until you are an approved member on the website!
We charge an hourly service fee for all of our programs. These hourly fees are in place for respite care, community aide support and/or work related child care (and the cost will be dependent on the type of care). The hourly service fees can be covered by FSCD or PDD if a contract is in place. If you do not have FSCD or PDD funding in place, please see their websites for details and contact the Autism Calgary Association for support with the FSCD or PDD funding processes.
Yes, there are often additional fees for our daily activities.
Here is a breakout of potential fees:
A subsidy may cover a portion of these additional fees. Contact AAFS for more information about our subsidy program.
If you do not qualify for PDD or FSCD funding, AAFS programming is still available. Please contact us for more details and we will do our best to help you and your family receive the care that you need.
Please do not let the cost of activities prevent your child from accessing AAFS. Please contact us for details on subsidy.
On trips out of town or on days with a large number of staff and youth we will often use school buses driven by transport companies. For movement within an activity, for example, from gymnastics to Boston Pizza, we will use staff vehicles. Have no fear, as all staff have adequate insurance for transporting youth.
We are always able to adapt our programming to suit your child’s needs. For example – If your child is only able to swim for an hour, then we will be able to have one of our staff get them out of the pool and meet you at the drop-off point when you are ready. Please let us know when RSVP’ing for an activity what your specific needs are so that we are able to staff the activity appropriately.
Specialized programs aim to engage and develop special interests and talents in our youth. These programs include education and experience in the fields of art, drama, film, extreme sports, and music. These programs require a regular RSVP from members and usually run one night a week for four to six months. In the past, our specialized programs have included The AAFS Movie Project, Arts-Based Self Advocacy, Video Games Design, Visual Art and Dance.
Our committed and talented Social Experience Guides (SEGs) oversee every activity. We require each staff member to have current Emergency First Aid (Level C), an up-to-date criminal record check including vulnerable sector search, and proper insurance for every driver transporting youth during activities by vehicle. The ratio of staff to youth is never above 3:1 and is based on each member’s needs and the activity’s specific requirements.
We are able to provide 1:1 care if it is included in the RSVP request and subsequently planned for ahead of time. Our staff are familiar with providing 1:1 care with individuals who possess varying levels of need. We are familiar with non-verbal communication methods including PECS symbols and electronic devices. We assess the needs of each child individually with the hope of eventually phasing out 1:1 care and encouraging independence within the community. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
AAFS is open to children, youth, and adults of all ages and abilities! Our goal is to provide a space for youth to meet peers that they connect with, but we also see the value in establishing a community for ASD youth where they can help one another without the need for our support. Your child will have every opportunity to meet and foster relationships with those that understand them and share common interests and challenges. The simple answer is a resounding yes.
AAFS is an inclusive organization offering activities for all age groups and ability levels. Most of our activities are conducted to make them approachable and exciting for individuals from childhood to adulthood, like our days at Calaway Park or camping in Kananaskis. We also offer age-specific programming; for example, the Little Autism Aspergers Friendship Society (also known as “LAAFS”) runs activities specifically for children 4-9 years, and the Fellowship program offers activities exclusively for youth over 16. Even more adult-oriented programs are available to members over 18, such as our daily VAULT program (Varied & Unique Life Training), group dinners or wing nights at the local pub.
YES!
We are happy to provide before and after care for all of our activities, especially during the summer. Please let us know when you are interested in before or aftercare when registering for an event.
Within special circumstances, siblings are welcome to attend our programs, however only if it would help the relationship between the sibling and the other youth with ASD. We do charge a rate for siblings being present. Please contact us for more details.
Because we are funded under the understanding that we are providing respite for parents and families, we are not able to accommodate family members at activities. We do understand that family members may want to see the activity in progress and determine whether their child is a good fit at their first activity however we are only able to offer a space for parents to ask questions and stick around for the first few minutes of the activity. We recommend that the first activity signed up for is in line with the already-discovered interests of the child, and occurs at our clubhouse or another environment where transportation or admission costs are not involved.
The beautiful aspect of AAFS is that we are a non-diagnosing or clinical organization. Our members experience enough clinical support throughout their life that we want to offer something different. An opportunity to build relationships while sharing in some fun time.Â
We have access to several community partner organizations that can offer you support groups and address general questions about treatment and diagnosis.Â
Autism Calgary Association (ACA) – is an association of individuals and families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) striving to assist each other and the broader community so that those with ASD live meaningful and purposeful lives in a community that values them.
Sinneave Family Foundation – is based in Calgary, Alberta. Its mission is to improve education, employment, and housing outcomes for people with autism.
Our staff have worked with a wide range of behaviours, many that would be considered difficult or troublesome. This is of no concern, because everyone is welcome to become a member, and there is never a point in which a youth is ‘kicked-out’ of our programming. We work with the youth and their families to make sure that all of our members are having their needs met at AAFS.
