ISAND
5734 Yonge Street, Suite 500 M2M 4E7 Toronto, ON, Canada

ISAND Clinician Updates There are several recent and upcoming Clinician changes at ISAND that I’d like to update you about. I’d also like to inform you that you can read biographical information on all of our Clinicians by visiting the ISAND website www.isand.ca, and looking at the Team page under the about Us tab. For information on clinicians that have more recently become ISAND Team Members you can also read our Spring/Summer 2021 newsletter which can also be found on ...Continue reading

The 28-year-old man, accused of killing 10 and injuring 16 after driving a van down Toronto’s Yonge Street in 2018 over the course of several minutes, has pleaded not criminally responsible to the charges. Through his lawyers, Alek Minassian has pleaded not criminally responsible for his actions that day claiming that because of his Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, Mr. Minassian’s way of thinking is severely distorted in a way similar to psychosis, stated Dr. Rebec...ca Chauhan in a Toronto Star article. At ISAND we believe this statement to be erroneous and damaging to the thousands of people living with ASD in the GTA. Minassian agrees that he intended to kill, that the murders were planned and deliberate, and that he in fact did cause the death of those people. To say that people with ASD lack the emotional awareness to understand that it is wrong to kill people is both wildly inaccurate and extremely dangerous. ISAND embraces the uniqueness of everyone and believe that every person with ASD, given the right supports, can and should feel welcomed in their community. This defence strategy perpetuates harmful stereotypes about people with ASD. In fact, research has shown that persons with who are very intelligent and have ASD tend to be law abiding, highly moral and are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. Mr. Minassian does in fact have Autism Spectrum Disorder, however we believe that diagnosis has nothing do with his pre-meditated actions on that April day in 2018. From the court reports, it appears that most of the experts called for both the defence and the crown agree. Dr. John Bradford, a Canadian Forensic Psychiatrist called by the defence stated under oath that that Mr. Minassian showed ritualistic behaviours, but not delusional behaviour or psychosis. In Dr. Bradford’s opinion, the ASD diagnosis does not allow Mr. Minassian to be found Not Criminally Responsible. We hope that the judge rejects the defence arguments, and allows Mr. Minassian to be judged on his actions, not on a falsely misleading theory based on his diagnosis of ASD.

"ISAND gave my son a future and hope to our family. The days, weeks and months that followed Liam’s diagnosis of ASD were the most heartbreaking, gut wrenching, emotionally draining, and tear-soaked times of our lives. ISAND’s therapists have been nothing short of amazing. Liam’s progress has been incredible, and our family has HOPE for a brighter future." This is one of many stories that we hear from our families. Last year alone we helped more than five hundred children and their families. With your gift, we can continue to provide HOPE to those in need. Please donate today. https://isand.ca/donate/

Do you have clinical administration and reception experience? Do you want to be part of an integrated team of professionals that puts families living with autism first? At ISAND we’re passionate about working with families to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people. We are seeking an experienced Clinical Front Desk Assistant who is client focused, friendly, professional and capable of managing a wide range of administrative activities. This position is often one o...Continue reading

Are you a SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST with experience working directly with school and pre-school aged children with ASD and provided coaching & supports to their parents? Have you experience facilitating social groups? Do you want to be part of an integrated team of professionals working collaboratively and putting families first? Are you ready to explore a career that can impact lives, including your own? If you are, then be a part of our story. At ISAND we’re passionate ab...Continue reading

Do you want to be part of an integrated team of professionals providing early intervention? Are you ready to explore a career that can impact lives, including your own? Are you a Behaviour Therapist, an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), Communication Disorders Assistant (CDA) or a Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT)? If you are, then be a part of our story. At ISAND we’re passionate about working with families to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people. POSITION: ...Continue reading

Are you a BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYST (BCBA) with experience working directly with individuals with ASD and their families? Do you have experience providing clinical supervision to other Behaviour clinicians? Do you want to be part of an integrated team of professionals working collaboratively and putting families first? Are you ready to explore a career that can impact lives, including your own? If you are, then be a part of our story. At ISAND we’re passionate about w...Continue reading

On Wednesday December 9, 2020 Ali Ehsassi, Member of Parliament Willowdale, came to ISAND for a tour and to provide us with four bags of PPE. Mr. Ehsassi, a supporter of ISAND and the work that we do provided us with mask, hand sanitizer, Canadian Flags, and a Certificate thanking and acknowledging ISAND for our role in helping families by providing leading edge therapy to children, youth and adults with ASD.

Calling all teens and young adults! Have you been feeling less motivated, more tired, or more stressed? Are you in need of a burst of energy? If you’re looking for a way to grow stronger, be healthier, become more self-empowered and confident, and get your head in the game then this is the program for you! ISAND’s Health and Fitness Academy will focus on: - Cardio and strengthening exercises - Mindfulness and self-regulation... - Healthy active living - Self-empowerment - Assertiveness - Self-confidence Sessions can be online via Zoom, or in person at ISAND in small groups. Online sessions will consist of 30 minute sessions twice a week. In-person sessions are to be 1-hour in length. Times to be decided based on interest. Try your first 2 sessions for free! Following sessions to be priced at $10 per 30 minutes. If you are interested in joining ISAND’s Health and Fitness Academy, please email Alyssa Johnston, Occupational Therapist at [email protected] Please reply ASAP for participation in August sessions running for 4 weeks from August 10th to September 5th. Reply by August 21st for Fall enrollment.

Three time karting champion, Austin Riley, the first professional race car driver with autism spectrum disorder sat down with ISAND’s world renowned developmental paediatrician, Dr. Wendy Roberts, to talk about his career as race car driver. The interview was filmed and will be part of an episode of season four of Employable Me, which airs on TVO and AMI. (The date of airing is not confirmed, but likely sometime in April 2021). Austin has placed high in many races including winning first place in a Saleen Cup race at Portland International Speedway in 2019. He is living proof of his own famous saying that, Just because you have Autism, it doesn’t mean you can’t do great things. For more information on Austin and his acer, visit www.racingwithautism.com. For more information about Dr. Roberts and ISAND, please visit https://isand.ca.

Thank you @brightertogether for making it possible to resume in-person therapy sessions as quickly and safely as possible. We cannot wait to see all of our patients again we have missed you all! #ISAND #isandcentre #nonprofit

Proud to be part of the true north, strong and free. #canadaday #toronto #canada#isandcentre #isand #autism #asd

Thank you to our friends at Brighter Together for helping raise funds towards our in-person safety protocols

Today marks the 51st anniversary of the start of the #stonewallriots and would have been Toronto's annual #Pride parade. While things look very different this year, it is important to remember the sacrifices made by the activists that came before us and celebrate the progress of the LGTBQ+ community. We are honoured to be allies today and every day. #Loveislove #Pride #Pride2020 #Toronto #LGTBQ+ #LGBTQIA+ #ally #isandcentre #isand #autism #asd #happypride

Individuals with disabilities sometimes require explicit teaching to learn self-determination skills. However, once these skills are taught, these individuals demonstrate better outcomes after high school when it comes to employment, further education, and independent living. Introducing ' - ; an 8-week course aimed to teach self-determination and self-advocacy skills to teenagers still in high school. Visit https://isand.ca/whats-new/ for more info! #isand #isandcentre #toronto #advocate #advocacy #ASDawareness #asd #autism #autismawareness #nonprofit #selfdetermination #selfdeterminationskills #socialskills #teengroup #confidentteen #Counselling