APRIL 2023
CTN's vision of a vibrant community where all kids, youth and families belong includes celebrating World Autism Day on April 2 and building awareness and acceptance throughout the month. Click the links below to read inspiring stories from families. Be sure to follow our social media posts where we will be highlighting the voices and stories of autistic people and sharing resources related to the kids and youth we serve on the autism spectrum.  




NEWS & STORIES
Save the date for CTN’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. Attend in person or virtually. Details and registration will be shared in next month’s issue of Connect. 
With this important feedback from CTN families, we are beginning the next phase in our equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigeneity and accessibility journey. Your participation helps to identify inequities and remove systemic barriers that impede full participation, access and opportunity for kids, youth and families. Partnering with clients and families throughout this process will help with the creation of an action plan for CTN to build a more equity-positive environment. 
CTN's Equipment Loan Program (ELP) has recently purchased a GRIT Freedom Chair (16"). The GRIT is a manual all-terrain wheelchair built to explore the outdoors, get daily exercise, and go on adventures with the people you love. This chair is built for hiking trails to sandy beaches and more. It is easier to push than a normal wheelchair with its level system and specialized tires. This chair disassembles easily to take you on life's adventures!
Volunteers are an important part of CTN and help us continue to provide a variety of engagement opportunities for clients and families.

We’d like to celebrate National Volunteer Week April 16 - 22 by introducing our new volunteer system and database. CTN has been working hard to roll out a system with all volunteer information in one spot that allows volunteers to track their hours, view and sign up for a variety of volunteer opportunities, and more!
EVENTS
Are you a parent, or caregiver of a child who has received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the last six months? Join us for our upcoming monthly sessions of "One Step at a Time" to learn more about ASD, discussion the emotions of a new diagnosis, connect with other parents and more.
Our network calendar features events hosted by CTN, our partner organizations and other local community agencies that may be of interest to your family. New workshops, programs and events are added each week.
RESOURCES
CTN supports kids, youth and families by focusing on CanChild's framework of the F-words for Child Development. Every child with varying abilities has the right to have fun, enjoy friends, function as they are, access fitness, plan for their future and join in on family activities.
Connect is a monthly newsletter for families of kids and youth with disabilities and developmental needs and the service providers who support them.
If you want to share feedback, have story ideas or want to volunteer to
write an article, please email info@ctnsy.ca.
Email Us
Want to share information,
tips and resources
 with other families?


Stay In Touch
Want to receive information
about events, newsletters, resources and more?
Sign up for our email list.

Get Involved
Want to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of kids and youth with disabilities and developmental needs and their families? 
If you have any questions about your child's development or want to learn about
the services available in the communities we serve, please call 1-866-377-0286.
Disclaimer
This newsletter is not intended as advice to meet the specific needs of an individual, as individual situations will differ. Newsletter readers should not act or rely on newsletter information without seeking specific advice on matters of concern. We will not purposefully present inaccurate information in this newsletter, however information is supplied "as is" and may contain errors. We do not guarantee or warrant the quality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, appropriateness or suitability of the newsletter content. Reliance on any information appearing on the newsletter is at your own risk. We expressly disclaim all warranties, representations and conditions regarding use of this newsletter and its content.
Better Together: A vibrant community where all kids, youth and families belong.