November Issue – Reflecting on what happened in November 2020.

LACAN partnered with Kate from Lennox & Addington Libraries during the month of November to create a holiday music video. We hope everyone can enjoy it all December long!

We can barely contain our excitement as we anticipate the release of the holiday dance video!🎅🏻🎄☃️❄️

COMING SOON!

We hope you, your family and friends enjoy this video as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.

“The Hub” located downtown Napanee, Dundas Street. Stop in and see what they have.

Famous for their local fudge and handmade works-of-art. Also great to know, there is NO TAX on anything you purchase at the Hub. All proceeds go directly back into our community.

By shopping at The Hub you will assist in supporting your local community, and at the same time, be promoting equal work opportunities for our vulnerable persons population.

Neurodiversity Project Underway in partnership with Community Living Lennox & Addington.

LACAN is excited to be working on a project with the Town of Napanee, the Arts Council on an inclusion and diversity project.

We hope to share more details as they become available. What we do know, is the funds raised at October’s Autism Awareness DiscoBall Rollerskating event, will be enough to see this project through to the finish-line. Come-on Spring 2021!

Awareness signage installed in local neighbourhood.

Signage for “child with autism” was installed in the community to assist in raising awareness to local traffic. Aimed to alert drivers to take extra caution, as some children living on the autism spectrum do not recognize road dangers or road safety as easily as quickly as others.

Stapley has been working with the Town of Greater Napanee roads department, as well as Marg Isbester – the Mayor of Greater Napanee in advocating for this important sign in hopes to generate ASD awareness in our neighbourhood and community.

Stapley says she is merely “taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of my child who struggles with awareness of road safety. This is what advocacy looks like. It takes time, patience and a whole lot of faith in your community.”

LACAN shares in the excitement of this gesture of “inclusion”, it has made an impact.

LACAN extends their gratitude and thank you to everyone who took involvement to make this act of inclusion happen.

LACAN’s Sensory Friendly Alpaca Adventure with Hickory Lane Alpacas was a huge success.

During LACAN’s visit to Hickory Lanes Alpacas on November 14, 2020 our experience on the farm was unforgettable!

Hickory Lane Alpacas had a relaxing peaceful presence we all couldn’t put our fingers on. Later I came to realize it was the heart and soul of this farm and all their hard work that made it such a beautiful place to be. Everyone chipped in even the youngest family members did their part!

Most people took an opportunity to feed the alpacas while other chose to hold the miniature baby goat!

Each alpaca really did have their very own unique personality! Like Jocelyn said last month, their haircuts are quite fun, and we all believe everyone in our community should get to experience this enchanting farm.

**Trips to the farm are free. Although Hickory Lane Alpaca humbly accepts donations for visiting to help provide for their animals.**

Are you interested in volunteering at one of our events? Do you have pictures you’d like to share? Please tag us on Facebook : @autismLAC

Questions: contact us at: mailto:lac.autismnetwork@gmail.com

Many parents and caregivers are learning for the first time what an individualized educational plan or IEP is used for.

I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s been quite scary for me. Each time I enter these meetings I feel just as anxious as the last. Somehow wondering if I’ve done enough to make sure educators and support staff know everything they can to ensure my son is safe and cared for to be able to learn in his own way.

I for one, have at times, felt in the dark and powerless in what has gone into my sons IEP.

It has taken several years for me to discover parents and caregivers have a lot of say in what goes into these plans.

Things to keep in mind when looking over your IEP and heading into a meeting:

1. Write a list of issues that you feel are important.

2. Prepare your own questions and items to address.

3. To be prepared for the process, request the school provide you with evaluations, proposed goals, objectives, and placement recommendations prior to the meeting.

4. Written notice of the IEP meeting will include a list of participants. If you’d like a speech therapist (or any other person) who works with your child there regularly that is your right.

5. Keep in mind this year may look differently and may be a virtual meeting.

You can request a meeting to discuss an IEP at any time. If you feel it is not being followed, speak up and put it in writing, this is important. There is a legal obligation to follow an IEP.