Autism Network – Lennox & Addington County
Registered charity advocating and supporting neurodiversity.
The town of Greater Napanee will once again be recognizing Autism Awareness month in October.
Greater Napanee town council received the letter at this weeks town of Greater Napanee council meeting from correspondence from the Autism Network LAC.
My name is Caylee Ortiz and I have humbly accepted a position on the board of directors with The Autism Network LACAN.
I have a diploma in Early Childhood Education and Community and Justice Services with 7 years of experience in the world of child care. I am wildly passionate about working with children and ensuring that each child I come into contact with feels seen and heard. I currently work as a programming assistant for the early years with the Kingston Frontenac Public Library and I am an ECE & EA with the Limestone District School Board.
My approach as an educator is one in which I describe as The Whole Child Approach. This can be broken down into three categories, 1. See the child 2. Hear the child, 3. See With New Eyes.
My teaching wheelhouse is driven by adaption, inclusion, diversity, praise and research.
A child at heart myself I believe connection comes in all forms and the most effective avenue of learning is through organic play. The paramount scale to follow, is that of happiness and joy. To See With New Eyes is to recognize and value the differences in the children of the world. It is to educate ourselves and those around as to how to be successful in being a propeller of success in a child’s life. Change the way we teach, not change the way they learn, find new perspective, in times of confusion.
My passion for advocacy has many branches but in terms of this particular branch, there is a child close to my heart who is navigating his adventure with ASD and I can truly say, no tiny human has taught me more than this little man. It is because of him and others along my ECE journey that I will continue to work hard to provide equal opportunity for those who have been touched with the wand of neurodiversity.
I have a deep passion for yoga and holistic approaches to healing, therapy and education. It is through my practice that I am able to provide affirmation, reassurance and support to each family I work with. I look forward to the journey ahead, may you all be happy and free!
Pronouns: She/her.
There was a nice turnout to witness the installation of Pallet’able Art by the Town of Greater Napanee.
This project was a collaboration with Community Living Lennox & Addington aimed to raise awareness of disability inclusion within our community. “Inspiring Possibilities” was sponsored and commissioned by CLLA, staff and clients.
Autism Network LAC – LACAN commissioned the talented Barbara Andrea Grawberger to bring “Inclusion” to fruition.
It was an honour to have Tim Nimigan’s knowledge and experience with the Celebrating Arts and Culture of Napanee, to honour this piece.
Visit the Town of Greater Napanee to see more Pallet’able Art and the artists description of this amazing piece.
https://www.greaternapanee.com/en/live-play-and-discover/-pallet-able-art-program.aspx#
Communities who work together make beautiful things happen.
Today it was this fabulous piece of art.
Here we grow again!
Lee Cowling has graciously joined our efforts to spread awareness of inclusion in her field of work and our communities.
She lives in Harrowsmith, which is an area we cover in Lennox & Addington County.
Lee is an experienced professional in the healthcare community. Some might even call her an expert in critical care, which is a specialized area of nursing.
Lee has travelled to the United States on a special work visa, spending two years of her career in a trauma hospital located in St. Petersburg, FL.
More recently, Lee held an important role with Trillium (Organ Donation Donor Team) where she experienced grief, tragedy and loss regularly.
She has provided compassion and kindness to many families during the challenging journey of organ donation.
We have no doubt Lee is perfect for a seat on our board to assist us to fulfill our vision of advocating for acceptance and inclusion in our community.
Autism Network LAC is honoured to have Lee’s skill-set, healthcare perspective and integrity on the board.
Please join us in welcoming Lee.
Lee Cowling BIO:
Hello! My name is Lee, I’ve been selected for a position, on the board of directors with Autism Network LAC – LACAN as a healthcare professional.
I have been in the healthcare field for the past 20 years. During this time I have seen diversity and with that the knowledge of how important educating our community of different challenges many families face daily. How to be an inclusive; family member, friend, co-worker or neighbour.
Someone close to me lives on the autism spectrum and has given me many reasons to be passionate about advocating for acceptance and inclusion.
I’m looking forward to bringing a voice as a healthcare professional to encourage inclusion now and for our future generations!
Lee Cowling
Autism Network LAC is thrilled to have received Mr. Randy Cook’s certificate of completion of the Autism Awareness for First Responders Course.
This course is provided free through the CAN (Canucks Autism Network) that we have been networking with the provide a more inclusive community to all with exceptionalities.
First Responders
If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity or making your workplace a more inclusive environment reach out via email:
lac.autismnetwork@gmail.com
Thank you Randy for making our community a great place to live.
https://www.greaternapanee.com/en/your-town-hall/emergency-services.aspx
Public Education performs the following functions:
Follow Greater Napanee Emergency Services on Twitter @NapEmergServ for fire safety tips, as well as community and department events.
Programs offered by Greater Napanee Emergency Services:
If your family or group would like to arrange a visit from the Fire Services, or set up a station tour, you can contact us during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
View complete Board of Director list by clicking above link. 👆🏻
Please join us in welcoming our newest member to the LACAN board of directors. LACAN is a full volunteer board aimed to assist our community and promote inclusion for everyone.
Hi everyone, my name is Lindsay I’ve accepted a position on the LACAN diverse board of directors.
My son is neurotypical, his name is Archer. We love our boxer named Lyric. Our family has friends of all different abilities and backgrounds. I am dedicated to being an inclusive family as well as a supportive source for our neurodivergent friends.
The decision to accept this diversity position on the LACAN board is an honour. I am delighted to assist in spreading awareness surrounding social inclusion, to teach our children to be good advocates as well as good friends!
Inclusion starts young, it’s learned – we can all be good teachers. Let’s help our youth understand that it’s ok to be different!
Looking forward to an inclusive future with you!
Lindsay Walsh
View complete Board of Director list by clicking above link. 👆🏻
Ashley is a self-advocate and identifies as neurodiverse. LACAN is thrilled to have her voice on the board of directors.
Ashley gained a great amount of inspiration while being an older sibling to Avery who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
When growing up, Ashley sensed she was different from her peers, always seeking a real connection and not really sure how to make it happen on her own. She suffered in silence for many years, not understanding what others were laughing and joking about, which was usually aimed towards her and being bullied most of her academic life.
Ashley enjoys artistic work as well as technology. These activities/work help her to reduce the stress and anxiety of social sensory input throughout her day.
After falling through the cracks of a system not built for her, Ashley hopes to continue her education and learning about disability studies and be an advocate for change.
Fourteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2021. Communities around the world come together on April 2nd to recognize autistic individuals and those who love and support them.
World Autism Awareness Day spotlights hurdles autistic individuals and others living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face daily. As a growing global healthdisorder it’s increasingly gaining more exposure in the press.
ASD is a neurological disorder that has been steadily been gaining more understanding globally. This important day of recognition aims to further increase and develop world knowledge of children and adults on theautism spectrum. World Autism Awareness Day is a day to celebrate the talents of autistic individuals, while focussing on embracing and welcoming these diverse skills everyday.
Please share this short animated video to educate those you around you to understand some of the differences people face all around us everyday.
AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN –Alexander Amelines. (Autism explanation animated 4 minutes)
Sesame Street – Meet Julia. She is autistic. (Younger explanation 10 minutes)
Autism Network LAC would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to learn more about autism and by doing this it will hopefully create a more inclusive world for those we love and care about.
Autism Network LAC
Huge shoutout to Hickory Lane Alpacas for hosting this sensory friendly event.
Thank you Jamie&Jaclyn’s No Frills Napanee for their generous donation to the farm. As well as Milk And Cookies Cafe for donating 60 Alpaca rainbow cookies as a gift for those visiting the farm this date.
This event was such a hit! Beautiful people coming together to enjoy a fantastic day.
If you were able to join us today and have photos please share, we want to see how much fun you had!
Tag us on Facebook using @ autismnetworkLAC or Instagram autism_network_lac
Autism Network - Lennox & Addington County 