Across the Desk

Meet the editorial team for the new Canadian Journal of Autism Equity. Maddy Dever, Megan Krasnodembski, and Terri Robson are creating an opportunity to bring Autistic Canadian voices together. What will that look like? Listen to find out more and then watch for the official launch on April 6, 2021!

When do you start thinking about where your autistic child is going to live? When they're 8 or 18? For some folks the conversation has to start as early as 8. Why? Because the supported housing wait list can be 10 years long. Join us as we discuss different housing options for autistic Canadians and how HAL-Labs is making a difference.

When you're in a situation that involves a disability, things can get a little tricky with accessing services and equitable access to those services. This needs to change. CASDA is working with members of the autism community, policy makers and government to level the playing field and lessen the challenges when it comes to making sure that autistic Canadians have as many options as possible for t...

Join Across the Desk for our new series in partnership with MentorAbility Ontario. A national initiative that promotes the employment of people who have a disability in communities throughout Canada. MentorAbility is spearheaded by local Coordinators who facilitate a full or half day mentoring experience in which job seekers who have a disability are matched with individual mentors (employers) – t...

We're welcoming Vanessa Tomas back to further discuss the employment aspect of the National Autism Strategy.

CASDA is working hard to create a strong a National Autism Strategy to create opportunities for all autistic Canadians. Today's conversation is with Stephanie Cote and Vanessa Tomas. Two members of the CASDA team working on the National Strategy. Their focus is on employment with two projects: the Autism Employment Scan and the Autistic Voices Project. Visit: https://www.casda.ca/resources/ to lea...

Join us to learn about what CASDA's been up to in 2020 and get involved in the conversation about the National Autism Strategy!

It's a funny thing that vulnerability got such a bad rap somewhere. Perhaps it's through misunderstanding what it really means. Perhaps it's the misconception that we are weaker for showing our vulnerable self. Perhaps we're full of horseshit and need to get over ourselves. Dave and I get down to the steps it takes to become a real leader, encourage vulnerability in an organization and how to crea...

There are times in every organization where the ability to address issues that are undermining progress have to happen. Otherwise it's like trying to understand what an elephant looks by feeling when blindfolded. You won't be able to grasp the whole picture and find the right solution. Like staying away from the tail. The tail is definitely a no-go ...

What is true for everybody? Good question. Our experiences, our emotions, our current situation, our past - they all come together to create what is true for us. When faced with change, sometimes this truth can make life a little challenging.

Have you ever sat down and thought about how bad communication creates risk in your organization? Or is it something that you figure you'll deal with when you have to? Today I chat with Dr. Jen Frahm who recognized back in 2001 that this topic was PhD worthy and has dedicated her studies and career to helping people change the way they communicate and improve their organization. Now grab a Chipwic...

Do you or your organization struggle with change? Is it something that is so foreign to you that you can't see it's the same as some things you might be doing already? Sometimes it's our perception of a situation that gets in the way of understanding and applying tools. Sometimes it's the leg warmers.

I love me some research. Why? Because when I'm reading a book, written by a person I've never met, I take what they say with a grain of salt. But when they add research and anecdotes to support their advice? Lordy that makes me happy. This is my second foray in to one of Harry Beckwith's books. The first was You, Inc. which I reviewed last year. I liked that one and this one didn't disappoint eith...

Sometimes it can take a bit of a set back to get you to look at your why. If you've been living under a rock then you might never have heard of Simon Sinek and the why talk. That's another podcast. Your values and your why are what makes your business run. Sometimes it's that simple. When one of those gets jerked around a bit it can cause a crisis of faith in your why. But there's a silver lining!...

Did you know there's a difference between pursuing personal development and personal education? And that they each have incredible value to you as a human being and employee or entrepreneur? As someone who's always been a crazy dedicated learner, I never thought of the distinction. I just figured learning was learning. But it's finding that balance and making sure you don't mistake one for the oth...

Can you remember the last time you sat across from someone for a job interview? Searching for words? Hoping the stress sweat didn't stink too bad? Wondering what surprise question was coming up? Now imagine being PERFECT for the job but not having the ability to convey that. Of dealing with a social disorder that makes the interview process 10x more uncomfortable than you could ever imagine. That'...

Have you ever wondered about how intentional you're being in your learning? Or do you figure you're past that stage? That learning shouldn't have to be a part of your business any more? That's pretty freaking short sighted if I do say so myself. My business coach recommended The 15 Laws of Invaluable Growth and it's impact will be felt on my family, my business, my volunteer activities and more. I...

I'm a huge believer in personal development. HUGE. (I know what you're thinking right now and my hands DO NOT look like some orange TRex experiment). It began with some things I wanted to improve about me (I'm mostly awesome but ...) and has turned in to more about my business. How do I do this? Well besides my reading addiction, I attend events. I used to be quite indiscriminate. Shiny, New. Free...

There aren't too many business books I read and immediately think: You know what? I could get more out of that. This book is one of them. Make it Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die is terrific. Not only can it help you tell your business' story better but it can help you communicate better period. Why is this book worth reading again? It's got so many good ideas for how to stand out, be...

I like to believe that most people operate their business like they operate their life. For me that means honesty, transparency and healthy dose of sarcasm. It would never occur to me to shyst someone personally or professionally so when I run in to these backdoor politics in certain industries, it always hits me between the eyes. This month at Ballsy, we covered the most diverse range of topics y...

I had the good fortune of meeting Hazel van der Werken back in 2015 at our very first Spark the Change Toronto. She came to our conference but I forgot to ask her an important question at the time: why? Turns out the answer is exactly why we want people to come to Spark. Hazel thought so too and became a part of the team in 2016. So why did she come out on those fateful June days? She was, as it t...

Have you ever been sitting at your desk and just known there's somewhere else you'd rather be? Something else you'd rather be doing? I don't mean at the movies or going for lunch. I mean leaving your career something else. Changing your life something else. Or is it all just as simple as learning to play the ukelele? Whispers of Your Heart, Vikas' topic for Spark helps us to find out.

We sit down, well across from, Ryan Burwell who is the Director of Training and Facilitation for TwentyOne Toys. Sounds stuffy right? He's anything but. Passionate. Animated. Committed. Creative. But not stuffy. Ryan is our second guest for Spark2018 and the #sparkto podcast. We chat about how to tap in to the 4 year old you were once friends with. How catalyzing moments can create some of the bes...

Sue Johnston is really good at being curious. The great thing about this? She's even better at sharing what's she found on her adventures with curiosity. I've looked forward to having Sue across the desk since 2015 when we started working together on the Spark the Change Toronto team. With a diverse background including journalism, fashion, TV, coaching and communications expert, Sue brings an inc...

Does your knee act like a jerk when change happens? Would someone providing a new way of thinking be helpful? If your organization is experiencing some changes that have your team flipping out and the change stalling, perhaps you need someone like Laura to come in and give you some new ways to save your knees. Your business can't afford to cling to practices that could bring it to its knees.