Skip to main content
Autism Nova Scotia Logo

Strait Area

Strait Area

Regional Autism Centre

Before becoming an official chapter of Autism Nova Scotia in 2014, the Strait Area Chapter started as a committed team of individuals who regularly participated in the Annual Walk the Walk for Autism. Since then, the chapter has grown to offer programs, such as: Summer Camps for children and young adults, swimming, skating, sports programs, and organized family events.

The Strait Area Chapter is proud to offer the following supports:

  • Workshops and programs to support parents, families, professionals
  • Response to individual requests for support either from individuals with
    ASD or caregivers/families
  • Support to professionals to connect clients with resources
  • Connecting clients with existing programs and assistance navigating those programs
  • Individualized programs where appropriate
  • Educational materials
  • Up to date information on resources and studies
  • Connectivity with other chapters
  • Fundraising for the chapter’s social inclusion activities

The Strait Area Chapter is currently developing Social Programs for all ages.

Autism Centre Location Map Image

Office:

459 Murray Street
Mulgrave NS B0E 2G0

Contact:

Natalie Stevens

SA_RC@autismns.ca

902-777-1513

Chapter News

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Women’s Autism/Autistic Project

To help honor International Women’s Day, it’s important to highlight programs that uplift and support women from diverse backgrounds. One such initiative at Autism Nova Scotia is the Women’s Autism/Autistic Project. Founded by two autistic advocates, Patricia George-Zwicker and Danielle Griffin, the program is now available for both teens and adults to connect and find…

Read full article

Talking about Healthy Relationships

Relationships are the connections between people. Everyone has relationships that fall into many categories such as: sexual, romantic, friendship, family, service provider, colleague/boss, etc. Sometimes, these relationships may happen in more than one category. For example, a romantic partner may also be a best friend. Regardless of the category of relationship, it is important to…

Read full article

Shared Interests to Shared Hearts: A Journey of Friendship and Love

Meet Alex and Rebecca, two remarkable individuals from our Social Group program at Autism Nova Scotia, who have blossomed from friends to compatible partners. Their journey is a testament to the fact that dating within the autism community is not only possible but can lead to beautiful connections.  Alex and Rebecca enjoy a range of…

Read full article

Sensory Bin Ideas for Play Routines

Sensory bins can be a fun addition to add to your play routines. They can be a great way for children to explore and learn through hands-on play. Sensory bins support child’s development as they improve fine motor skills (small movements with fingers/hands), sensory exploration, play skills, language development. When starting your own sensory bin,…

Read full article
Read full article for Winter Car Seat Safety Tips

Winter Car Seat Safety Tips

As a rule, winter coats should not be worn underneath in your child’s car seat because they can leave the harness too loose to be effective in a crash. Here’s a simple way to check whether your child’s coat is too big to wear underneath a harness: 1.Put the coat on your child, sit them…

Read full article

Tips for Mealtimes with Your Child

Little Bellies? Little Changes! The amount of food, and different types of food that children are willing to eat can be a stressor for many families. Here are a few tips we often provide families who are concerned about their child’s food choices! 1.) Consider the location and style of your mealtime routines. Do you…

Read full article

Holiday Homemade Treats

There are so many yummy flavors during the holidays – gingerbread, peppermint, caramel, chocolate and vanilla! A fun activity that you can do with your kids is have them help out in the kitchen to make treats and snacks that everyone can enjoy! This is a fun way to practice fine motor skills, following directions,…

Read full article
Read full article for Fuel the Camp Experience

Fuel the Camp Experience

At Autism Nova Scotia we believe in the power of dreams and building an inclusive community for everyone. We believe in the joy we see in people’s eyes as they embark on a journey of self-discovery, that they might not have had access to without your help.  One of the ways we support our community…

Read full article

QuickStart Community Outreach

Our team is thrilled to share some exciting updates on the achievements of QuickStart Nova Scotia (QS) in our recent community outreach project in the Cape Breton Region.  Community Outreach Success: QuickStart Nova Scotia has been actively engaged in a community outreach project aimed at promoting autism acceptance and support. Our dedicated team has achieved…

Read full article

Celebrating Brandon Boyd: A Trailblazing Filmmaker with Autism

In the heart of Nova Scotia’s vibrant film community, a rising star is making waves and challenging stereotypes. Meet Brandon Boyd, a talented filmmaker whose passion for storytelling transcends the screen, and whose journey reflects resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to representation. When asked about his journey into filmmaking, Brandon shared, “Film connects my…

Read full article

Best of Local 2023

A big thank you to everyone who came out to support us at Best of Local on October 19. For the past ten years, Best of Local has been embraced by our community and has helped to raise critical funds in support of the valuable and inclusive programs we offer. This support is important, and…

Read full article

6 Good Sleep Habits

Here are 6 tips you can do throughout the day to promote good sleep habits at night. If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or call 902-593-1015.

Read full article

5 tips for Post-Secondary Students

Here are 5 tips for college and university students gearing up for the first semester of school this fall. 1) Attend all of your classes and take notes. 2) Get to know your professors, instructors and peers. 3) Familiarize yourself with the campus, resources and services. 4) Create a study schedule that you can stick…

Read full article

7 Ideas for Playing with Water

Playing with water has many benefits for early learning, such as hand-eye coordination, motor skills and sensory exploration. Here are 7 ideas for playing with water from the QuickStart team: If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or call 902-593-1015.

Read full article

4 Gardening Tips

Gardening is a great way to get outside, enjoy the nice weather, and practice building fine motor communication, joint attention, imitation skills, and more. The QuickStart team wants to share 4 tips for gardening.

Read full article

Walk YOUR Way 2023 Team Spotlight

We participate in Walk YOUR Way because Autism Nova Scotia was a lifeline when we first learned about Theo’s diagnosis. We have had access to resources, advice, and programs that have helped us adapt to Theo’s way of communicating and interacting with the world. Even before his diagnosis, we could participate in the Quickstart program,…

Read full article

Walk YOUR Way 2023

Although Walk YOUR Way looked different this year for many of us, our first in-person Walk since 2019 would not have been possible without the generosity of our incredible community, Walk YOUR Way participants, volunteers and sponsors. We cannot thank you enough for coming together across the province to celebrate the autistic community in accessible…

Read full article

Ideas for Outdoor Play in the Spring

As the days feel warmer and you start spending more time outside, consider these 7 outdoor activity ideas to keep playing fun and engaging. Toy Car Wash: Fill a bin with soapy water, have a toy car wash and practice washing and drying the cars. Teddy Picnic: Set up an outdoor picnic with a blanket,…

Read full article

4 Tips for Post-Secondary Students

Students – as you’re gearing up for your first year, the Post-Secondary Autism Support Services team wants to share 4 tips. 1) Be mindful of course selection times! It is important to register promptly. 2) Your school’s academic advisors can help you determine what courses are required in your first year. 3) Check in with…

Read full article

Make Reading Books Fun

The QuickStart team wants to share 5 tips to make reading books fun at an early age. 1) Keep Reading Interesting Pick books that align with your child’s interests or books that are funny. 2) Bring the Words to Life Bring the words to life by pointing to the words and pictures as you read….

Read full article

Autism Acceptance Month

Strong communities are filled with diverse people where we accept and celebrate our differences and learn from each other. Autism Acceptance Month encourages us to continue to build inclusive communities where everyone is accepted and has a place to belong. Here are some of the stories from our wonderful community: Autism cuts across every segment…

Read full article

Autism Acceptance Month Flag Raising

We were delighted to welcome two first-voice advocates to our Autism Acceptance Month flag raising event. “When you can see the world from a different perspective, you can change the world and make society better.  Thankfully, due to the work of organizations like Autism Nova Scotia and the advocacy of people living on the spectrum,…

Read full article

National Volunteer Week 2023

As we reflect during National Volunteer Week, we would like to recognize and thank our many volunteers across the province for their generous gift of time and energy. As a non-profit organization, our programs could not run without the help of our wonderful volunteers.  Here are the stories from some of our incredible volunteers across…

Read full article

3 Tips for Mealtime

Mealtime is an opportunity to explore, learn and build confidence with routines. Toddlers might refuse some foods, and that’s ok! It’s important to give them the time and space to move at their own pace and enjoy their “safe” foods. The QuickStart team has 3 tips for mealtime: If you want to learn more about QuickStart…

Read full article

Promoting Movement

Movement is important for every stage of development and helps promote an active lifestyle. Fundamental movements can boost mood, improve cognitive ability, and support better sleep. The QuickStart team has 10 movement tips to help you break out of hibernation: If you want to learn more about QuickStart Nova Scotia or have questions, email us at quickstart@autismns.ca or call…

Read full article
Read full article for Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting

Autism Nova Scotia’s 2022 Annual General Meeting took place via Zoom on Wednesday, June 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (AST). View our 2021-2022 AGM video here!

Read full article
See all Chapter News