Community Resources
You may have a client that has multiple complex needs that can produce stress on parents and families, and make parenting more challenging. Your client’s parents may find parenting supports for adolescents with challenging emotional and behavioural issues helpful. Parent management training is a recommended behavioural intervention for adolescents exhibiting severe irritability, depression, and conduct problems. More information on various programs/supports is available from:
Parent Support Groups/Parent Skill Training:
■ Triple P Parenting Programs offers various options which include setting your own goals, identifying the changes you would like to see in your teenager’s behaviour and work with a mental health provider to choose the strategies that will fit with your family life.
■Parent Peer Support Groups offers parent peer support groups that provide support, education and practical strategies that can help manage family conflict and strengthen relationships.
■ Parent Education Programs offers free parent education programs, classes and activities that help care givers build positive skills.
ADHD
■ Foothills Academy’s Girls Only! is a powerful 8-week program designed for girls between the ages of 9-12 (Juniors) & 13-16 (Teens) with LD/ADHD. This program aims to engage girls in topics and issues pertaining to their social, emotional, behavioural, and biological development. A particular focus of the program is to educate and enrich participants’ understanding of their diagnosis(es), while also helping them to gain greater awareness of their strengths.
■ Totally ADD and Loving It is a website with excellent videos about Adult AD/HD: http://totallyadd.com/
■ The CHADD website has excellent information and resources for AD/HD: https://chadd.org/
■ Other community resources, such as the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA), and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), are also excellent sources for information.
ASD
■ The Centre for Autism Services Alberta offers many programs and services to clients of all ages, including 5 and under to adult clients. Some of their programs include therapeutic programs, sports, recreation, cooking, arts, skills development, and summer camps: https://centreforautism.ab.ca/programs/
■ Autism Calgary offers a variety of programming for clients living with ASD and their families to help them live meaningful and purposeful lives in their community. They offer family support, adult support, support groups, recreation groups, and special events: https://autismcalgary.com/what-we-do/
■ Autism Alberta is an organization formed by individuals with ASD that advocates for better attitudes, policies, and opportunities for individuals with ASD. Their website contains a wealth of information on ASD and emerging issues involving ASD in our community: https://autismalberta.ca/about
■ Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary offers respite care for children, youth, and adults on the spectrum. In addition, they have numerous programs for group social outings including but not limited to: Lacrosse, Club nights, Community Outings, Movie Project, Outdoor Pursuits, and more: https://aafscalgary.wildapricot.org/aboutus
LD
■ The Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta seeks to represent the learning disabilities community at the provincial level. They provide direct programs and supports to children, families, and adults with learning disabilities. Their website provides valuable information on LD’s, resources available to those with LD, access to funding, assessment of LD’s, and school advocacy: https://ldalberta.ca/about-us
■ CanLearn Society provides a variety of programs for adults, families, and children on the topics of math, reading, and literacy. Their website also contains a variety of resources on LD and literacy, with some resources geared towards parents and professionals. Additionally, they also have an educational blog and podcast that is updated frequently with new information: https://canlearnsociety.ca/learning-disabilities/
■ The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada conducts research, education, and raises public awareness on the nature and impact of learning disabilities. Their website contains a wealth of information for individuals lookig to learn more about learning disabilities: https://www.ldac-acta.ca
ID – In Home Supports
■ The Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre provides respite and direct billing to FSCD. Additionally, they also have an overnight respite program for adults: https://ddrc.ca/homebasedservices/#1501191843303-31bc72eb-314b
■ Enable provides respite services through matching clients with disabilities to support workers based on shared interests, availability, and location in the city. They also offer monthly group activities for the clients and support workers to attend: https://enablecommunity.ca
■ Just 4 U Family Services also provides respite for clients ranging from infancy to adulthood. They offer both individual and group outings and a variety of types of respite care, including work-related care, awake night shift, personal care, overnights, and complex medical care: https://www.just4ufamilyservices.com/services/
■ SCOPE‘s Outreach program provides behavioral, social, and emotional support to children in their homes. Goals are set and parenting strategies are taught to help the family support their child in the attainment of their goal: https://www.calgaryscope.org/services/