Learning that meets your family where you are

Sensory needs

Understanding sensory seeking and avoiding, building calm corners, and sensory friendly daily life.

Communication

Supporting every communicator: speech, AAC, gestures, and behavior as communication.

Behavior and meltdowns

What is happening during a meltdown, what helps in the moment, and safety planning.

ADHD

Executive function, focus, impulsivity, and strengths based strategies for ADHD kids.

Sleep and routines

Bedtime, mornings, and routines that bend without breaking.

Daily living skills

Potty training, hygiene, dressing, and independence at your child's pace. Alberta families can also register for free AHS toilet training webinars.

School and advocacy

IEPs, school meetings, and how to advocate so your child gets what they need.

Parent self-care

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Support for the supporters.

Pica: eating non-food items

When a child chews or eats things that are not food, like paper, dirt, or small objects, it can be dangerous, and there is help. These plain language guides come from the National Autism Safety Council, shared with their permission.

Safety: wandering and water

Many autistic children wander, and water is the first place to search. These guides come from the National Autism Safety Council, shared with their permission, including the Search Water First message.

A safety space: YEG Built For Life Foundation

For women and children rebuilding after domestic violence, Sarah Courchesne's YEG Built For Life Foundation is creating transitional housing and a community of support in the Edmonton area. If home is not safe, you are not alone, and there are people building a way forward.

One book many survivors find life-changing is Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft, about angry and controlling partners. It is widely available free to read for people who need it. If finding a safe copy is hard, reach out and we will help.

Masterpiece

By Alexandra Hoffman. Samuel, a boy on the autism spectrum, shows his class that seeing the world differently makes him a true masterpiece. Part of The Incredible Kids series.

Marvelous

By Alexandra Hoffman. An inclusive kids book celebrating a child with ADHD. Part of The Incredible Kids series.

Sparkle

By Alexandra Hoffman. Jasmine has dyslexia and dysgraphia, and tells her story in her own way. Printed in a dyslexia-friendly font. Part of The Incredible Kids series.

Big Dreams

By Alexandra Hoffman. Gabby refuses to sit on the sidelines. An empowering story for all the dreamers. Part of The Incredible Kids series.

Behavioural Technician course (RBT)

The Autism Partnership Foundation offers a free 40 hour Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training, online and open to anyone. It is based on the BACB 2nd edition task list and meets the training requirement toward RBT certification, with a completion certificate at the end. Canada is one of the countries where the BACB accepts RBT applications, so this training can be used here. (Ontario is the one exception, where the province now runs its own system.)

Emotional First Aid (St. John Ambulance)

A free online training from St. John Ambulance Canada with trauma-informed, practical tools and strategies to build resilience. It was designed for peers and frontline workers, and any adult supporting others through hard moments can take it.

Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta)

A free 12-lesson university course from the U of A Faculty of Native Studies. It explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada from an Indigenous perspective. Beginner friendly, at your own pace, and a strong starting point for teachers, providers, and any adult who works with families.

Psychological First Aid (Canadian Red Cross)

Two free, self-paced online courses from the Canadian Red Cross: Self-Care, and Caring for Others. Each takes about 45 to 90 minutes, builds resilience and practical skills for supporting people through stress and hard times, and comes with a certificate. Free until December 31, 2026.

Help at home for Alberta seniors

Not a course, a provincial benefit worth knowing about. Alberta's Special Needs Assistance for Seniors can help eligible low-income seniors aged 65 and up with the cost of light housekeeping, grass cutting, and snow removal when health or mobility makes those chores impossible, up to about $1,300 a year. A doctor's note is needed the first time you apply, unless you are 80 or older. Call 211 for help finding seniors supports near you.

Including All Children (University of British Columbia)

A free online course from UBC's Faculty of Education about how children grow and develop from birth to age 12, including children with special needs: typical and atypical development, common conditions, the professionals who help, and where parents go next. Made for parents, foster parents, and anyone who works with young children.

Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing (UBC)

A free, fully online course from UBC for early childhood educators, providers, and families, about bringing Indigenous knowledges, worldviews, and teachings into early learning. Six learning circles, including All My Relations and Land as the First Teacher, at your own pace.

Aboriginal Worldviews and Education (University of Toronto)

A free course from the University of Toronto for teachers and educators, on Indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit every student. Beginner friendly, about 10 to 20 hours, at your own pace.

Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education (UBC)

A free-to-take course from UBC on weaving Indigenous histories, perspectives, and approaches to learning into classrooms and communities, learning from Indigenous Elders and educational leaders. Six weeks, a few hours a week.

The Self-Determined IEP (Université Laval)

A free university course on building a self-determined individual education plan (IEP) for students with behavioural difficulties. Practical for teachers, school staff, and parents heading into IEP meetings. Registration is open now.

Understanding ADHD (Université Laval, in French)

The only Canadian university ADHD course we found is offered in French, with two versions: one for teachers and school staff, and one made for parents at home. It runs February 22 to April 23, 2027, and registration opens November 30, 2026. We are listing it for our French-speaking families.

Homeowner basics: free Home Depot workshops

Yes, there is a free way to learn home upkeep. Home Depot Canada runs free livestream workshops where their associates teach homeowner projects step by step, plus free how-to guides for jobs like fall yard cleanup and gutter cleaning. A friendly place to start if you are a new homeowner learning as you go.

Prevent It! (Little Warriors)

A free workshop from Little Warriors, the Alberta charity, that teaches adults how to help prevent child sexual abuse and how to respond. For adults 18 and up, offered online and in person, with an Indigenous version of the workshop available.

Grateful Grounds Cafe

Cozy downtown cafe: coffee, pastries, specialty drinks, sandwiches. A welcoming, low pressure space for everyone.

Clawnicorn Creative

Art apparel by Rylan Formanski, autistic artist. Gives an autistic artist a creative outlet and a way to earn her own money.

K.N.C. Property Care

Lawn care, snow removal, junk removal, and property cleanups. Advance notice of noisy work on request.

Leduc Cinemas

Our hometown theatre, a Sensory Friendly Leduc participating partner. Hosted a sensory-friendly show for our families.

Next Chapter Leduc

Women-owned indie bookstore with a cozy reading nook and cafe. Building an adult sensory bag product for their store.

BGC Leduc

Boys and Girls Club of Leduc. Free community programming for kids and youth, now a Sensory Friendly Leduc listing.

Feel Good Cleaning Company

Local cleaning company on board as a Autism Leduc supporter from the early days.

City Life Church

Home of the Sensory Voltage Kids sensory room, built in 2025. Letters of support and a heart for our families.

Edmonton Care for Kids

Childcare agency supporting families across Edmonton and Leduc, including neurodivergent-supporting dayhome spots. Contact edmontoncareforkids@gmail.com.

Essential Child Care & OSC

Daycare centre welcoming children 0 to 12, with space now. An inclusive, play-based and Montessori-inspired program supporting autistic children and kids with ADHD, sensory processing needs, and speech and language delays. Contact Essentialchildcareosc@gmail.com.

Coming soon

Pending application. Another childcare provider for Leduc families is on the way.

Private dayhomes

Home-based care in a private dayhome. Parents and providers both start here; providers in this tier share their background checks with us directly.

Licensed dayhomes

Approved family day homes working through an Alberta agency. Parents and dayhome providers both start here.

Licensed daycares

Licensed childcare centres, including out of school care. Parents and centres both start here.

Babysitters and nannies

Short term and occasional care: date nights, respite, and regular nanny schedules. Parents and caregivers both start here. Caregivers provide background checks before their first placement.

Alberta FSCD funding

Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) can fund child care supports, respite, aides, counselling, and more for eligible Alberta families. Based on your child's needs, not just the diagnosis.

FSCD (Alberta)

Family Support for Children with Disabilities helps Alberta families raising a child with a disability, with supports such as respite, counselling, child care supports, and help with some disability related costs.

Disability Tax Credit (federal)

A federal non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family member, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. Being approved can also open the door to other programs.

RDSP (federal)

The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a long term savings plan to help people with disabilities who are approved for the Disability Tax Credit save for the future. The Government of Canada adds grants and bonds to help the savings grow.

Canada Disability Benefit (federal)

A federal benefit that provides direct financial support to people with disabilities who are between 18 and 64 years old.

AISH (Alberta)

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped provides a monthly living allowance and health benefits to eligible adults in Alberta with a severe disability that permanently prevents employment.

Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (Alberta)

Helps eligible low income Alberta seniors with the cost of appliances, minor home repairs, and some health and personal supports.

Leduc FCSS (City of Leduc)

Our city's Family and Community Support Services offers subsidized counselling, seniors outreach, and help finding local programs and supports. Call 780-980-7109 or email fcss@leduc.ca.

Parent workshops

Free sessions for parents. Practical topics, small groups, everyone welcome. New dates are being made now.

Life and Social Skills Learning Hub

Life skills for autistic kids ages 5 to 9: routines, confidence, and everyday independence, taught the gentle way.

The Leduc Times

Our quarterly online newspaper, made by local autistic children and adults together with professional mentors. A new issue every season: Spring (March), Summer (June, with the Leduc Rodeo spotlight), Fall (September), and Winter (December).

Adaptive swimming safety lessons: coming soon

Swimming lessons built for autistic children, focused on water safety and preventing drowning, guided by the National Autism Safety Council's adaptive aquatics resources. Details will be posted here as they come together.

Sports: coming soon

We are building sports opportunities for our kids together with Special Olympics. Details will be posted here as they come together.

Parent workshops

Free monthly sessions for parents and caregivers. Practical topics, small groups, everyone welcome. First Wednesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. New dates are being posted here as they are confirmed.

Coming January 2027: Autism Leduc leads a mentor month with the Alberta Dayhome Support Network (ADSN), running parent and provider sessions on Zoom.

Glenrose family sessions on Zoom (shared by Autism Leduc)

Free evening sessions for families, run by the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. Autism Leduc is sharing these because families asked; Glenrose takes all registrations. To sign up, email PFRC@ahs.ca with your name, your child's name, your phone number, and the session name.

Pathways to Employment, Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Financial Resources for Adults Living with Disabilities, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Guardianship, Trusteeship, and Medical Consent, Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Supporting the Move: Housing Transitions, Thursday, December 10, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Discover the Power of Play (Glenrose, on Zoom)

Wednesday, November 25, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A free session for parents and caregivers on the power of play, with Dr. Jessica Zvonkovic. Registration through Glenrose at PFRC@ahs.ca.

Boots and Buckles fundraiser night

Friday, November 13, 2026, 8:00 p.m., BlackJacks Roadhouse, Nisku. An adults' night out fundraiser with a silent auction, supporting Autism Leduc's sensory bags and family sensory rooms.

Creating Change: bystander intervention workshop (City of Leduc FCSS)

Friday, November 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Rig Hand Distillery, Leduc County. A free workshop with Julie S. Lalonde on stepping in safely to build safer communities, co-hosted by City of Leduc FCSS and Leduc County FCSS for Family Violence Prevention Month. Lunch is included. Register by Friday, November 6: call Kristin at 780-955-6421 or register on the City of Leduc website.

What's Up with Teens 2.0 (Family Resource Network)

Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Family Resource Network, Leduc. An in-person workshop for parents and caregivers on surviving the teen years.

In the Kitchen With... (coming soon)

Local chefs teach adults the basics: simple, affordable meals, cooked step by step, no experience needed. Dates will be posted here.

The ADHD Graveyard: coming soon

A hobby swap for ADHD adults: bring the hobby you loved and left behind, trade supplies, and leave with a new one to try. Coming soon.

The Cat in the Hat at Leduc Cinemas

A Cat in the Hat movie outing at Leduc Cinemas during the November 9 to 13 school break. The exact showtime is coming soon. Email autismleduc@gmail.com to hear when it is set.

Walk Like A Man: music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, Leduc. A live concert celebrating Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, presented by Paquette Entertainment.

Folsom Prison Revisited: the story of Johnny Cash

Sunday, November 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, Leduc. A concert telling the story of Johnny Cash and his famous concert at Folsom Prison.

Leduc Christmas Farmers Market

Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Leduc Recreation Centre. Local vendors with handmade gifts, festive decor, artisan products, baked goods, and seasonal treats.

A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas

Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts, Leduc. Jill Barber and her jazz quartet perform Christmas standards in a nostalgic holiday concert.

From Overwhelm to OK: Dealing with Difficult Emotions

Mondays, November 9 to December 7, 2026, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., online on Zoom. A free 5-week group support program with Kim Silverthorn of Tacit Knowledge, in partnership with Beaumont FCSS. Learn to manage anxiety, anger, depression and overwhelm, and build emotional regulation, problem-solving and crisis management skills. Register with Click It Course #22067 or by email at FCSS@beaumont.ab.ca.

Kimochis at the Library (BGC Leduc)

Thursdays, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Leduc Public Library. A free BGC Leduc program for children ages 3 to 6 and their parents or guardians. Stories and Kimochis plush characters help little ones learn about big feelings, with helpful take-home materials each week.

BGC Leduc November youth programs

Free all November for grades 7 to 12: Dungeons and Dragons, Cooking Club, Drop-In (now twice a week), Leadership, virtual programs, and new Yoga and Pilates. Some programs have limited spots, so register early through BGC Leduc on Amilia or at bgcleduc.com.

BGC Leduc Winter Fun Fest

Returning this winter to the Leduc Golf and Country Club. Horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, craft and sensory stations, ice skating and more, raising funds for BGC mentorship programs. The date and tickets will be announced at bgcleduc.com.

Sign up and stay in the loop

Three quick forms, each takes about a minute.

Business supporter sign-up

Local businesses: partner with Autism Leduc, get listed on our community map, and show families you welcome neurodivergent kids.

Artist submissions

Are you a neurodivergent artist in the Leduc area? Submit your art for monthly features and for use in our sensory bag projects.

Sensory room nominations

Nominate a low-income Leduc area family raising high-needs children for a future sensory room build. Nominations open January 15, 2027.

Request a sensory bag

Families can request a $30 sensory bag full of calming tools, made by Autism Leduc. Buy-one-give-one option available.

Donate to the Christmas fundraiser

Help build sensory rooms for four local families this Christmas. Every dollar goes directly to the builds.

Drop off bottles

Bottles for Bubbles: bring your empties to the Leduc Bottle Depot and say they are for Autism Leduc. Runs through December 20, 2026.