This page is updated regularly | Last updated: September 8, 2026
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Community Resources
Events & Workshops
Sunbeam Sibling Group Sessions (Oct 2026 – Mar 2027)
We are pleased to offer sibling group sessions again this year for children aged 11 and under who have a sibling with autism and are registered with the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). Please see the flyer for session dates and times. Group sessions will be held at 65 Hanson Ave.
Families can register by contacting Rehana at r.khanam@sunbeamcommunity.ca. Please note that families need to provide their child’s OAP number when registering their sibling.
FASD Awareness Month: Building Understanding, Inclusion, and Support
Each September, communities across Canada recognize Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month, with September 9 marked as International FASD Awareness Day. The date, the ninth day of the ninth month, symbolizes the importance of an alcohol-free pregnancy for all nine months. The Government of Canada officially recognized September as FASD Awareness Month in 2020, encouraging education, prevention, and support efforts across the country.
FASD is a lifelong disability that can occur when a developing fetus is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. It affects the brain and body, and individuals with FASD may experience challenges related to learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation, communication, and daily living skills. At the same time, people with FASD possess unique strengths, talents, and abilities that can flourish when appropriate supports are available.
The FASD Coordination Program of Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre (SDRC) works with children, youth, and families living with FASD, helping them access community resources, services, and supports tailored to their unique needs. The program serves individuals up to age 18, or up to age 21 for those who are still attending school.
SDRC is member of PLEXUS Waterloo Region’s network of FASD services and supports. Through this collaboration, families can access information, referrals, education, caregiver support groups, and connections to FASD-informed services throughout the community.
FASD Coordinator (SDRC)
FASD Coordinator (SDRC)
Our Shared Responsibility
As we recognize FASD Awareness Month this September, let us continue building a community that values understanding, inclusion, and support for all. Through education, compassion, and shared responsibility, we can help ensure that individuals with FASD and their families have the opportunity to reach their full potential. During FASD Awareness Month, we recognize the dedication of organizations who work closely with Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre and PLEXUS FASD – healthcare professionals, educators, and community partners to support individuals and families affected by FASD.
Call for Community Artwork
Clinics at SDRC
Some of our clinics are:
– Ask A Speech Language Pathologist Clinic
– Ask A Service Coordinator “Let’s Talk School” Clinic
– Intake Financial Clinic
– Speech Language Pathology Clinic
– Ask A Clinical Consultant
Executive Functioning – Virtual Workshop
Upcoming Dates
Presenter: Denise Burke
Date: October 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 1:00 am
Register By: October 2, 2026
This workshop will look at mental skills that includes working memory, flexible thinking and self control. We use these specific skills everyday to learn, work and manage daily life. We will learn to identify challenges with executive functioning and how to implement strategies that can be useful in day to day situations.
Appropriate for: Parents and Caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.
CONNECTIONS AT HOME: COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND/ OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES – Virtual Workshop
Upcoming Dates
Presenter: Lorraine Otto, Speech Language Pathologist
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Register By: Oct 16, 2026
In this workshop, the Speech-Language Pathologist will be discussing what communication is, why some children struggle to communicate, the foundations of communication and practical strategies to encourage communication skills. This workshop is geared toward parents and caregivers of children aged 6 to teens who have limited speech and language skills and will focus on strategies to use at home.
DISCUSSING PUBERTY WITH YOUR CHILD – Virtual Workshop
Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities
Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Register By: October 30, 2026
Sleep Hygiene – Virtual Workshop
Presenter: Denise Burke
This workshop will focus on common sleep issues and factors influencing sleep. Sleep is essential, influencing our biological, social and emotional needs. We will look at sleep as a skill, examining specifically how to support a healthy sleep environment and review evidence-based sleep strategies.
Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.
Upcoming dates:
Monday, December 7, 2026
1pm to 2pm
Register by: December 4, 2026
Recreation and Wellness Programs of SCDS
The team introduces the monthly Recreation and Wellness Calendar of Events, which contains information and details for all group activities at Sunbeam. It can be found on the Sunbeam Community website here:
www.sunbeamcommunity.ca/recreation-wellness-program
These programs are eligible for Passport funding for adults 18 and older, and are also available as fee-for-service options for children aged 12 and up.
For more information and registration, please contact the Recreation & Wellness department via phone: 519-893-6200 (ext. 1211) or email: recreation@sunbeamcommunity.ca
DSO Central West
DSO CWR is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, is one of nine DSO’s in Ontario and is administered by Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services.
What services can you apply for?
There are many different services offered across the province. Some of the services that may be available in your area include:
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- housing supports
- respite for your caregivers
- supports to help you take part in the community
- specialized and clinical supports
- Adult Protective Service Worker Program
- Passport program
Please check their website, www.dsocwr.ca, for more information.
Community Resources
We want to provide an informative resource that will be a useful guide for you. Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre does not necessarily endorse the information contained in this Update. The purpose is to provide information to the community. It is up to the reader to decide what is useful for them. We make every effort to ensure that our information is accurate and relevant. We apologize for any errors or omissions that occur.
AccessOAP
Intake Organization to connect you with autism programs and services available to your family through the Ontario Autism Program.
If you have questions about the New Access-OAP, how to create an account or the Ontario Autism Program visit these websites:
Autism Ontario Calendar of Upcoming Events
Autism Ontario helps all individuals with autism and families in their communities have access to meaningful supports, information, and connections so they are equitably and seamlessly supported across their life course.
www.autismontario.com/events
AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) Awareness Month Sale at AssistiveWare
October is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) Awareness Month. AssistiveWare, the company that makes the Proloquo2Go AAC app, is having a sale for AAC Awareness Month. The Proloquo2Go app will be 50% off from October 14-21.
Please follow this link if you are considering purchasing this app, or want to know more information:
Partners for Planning (P4P) Webcasts of Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
P4P’s Fall Webcast Schedule is live! Save the dates for our upcoming Intro to the RDSP webcasts!
If you’ve recently opened a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) or are thinking of opening one and have some questions, P4P’s Introduction to the RDSP webcast is a great place to start. Join us for one of our fall sessions below to learn more about this made-in-Canada long-term savings tool designed specifically for people who have a disability.
What’s in it for you:
• Complete overview of the RDSP, including eligibility criteria.
• An understanding of how you could receive up to $90,000 from the federal government in bonds and grants.
• Insights into withdrawals and taxation.
• Knowledge of the latest updates and changes.
• Tips & advice on free resources to consult for additional information.
• A live Q&A to answer your questions.
Upcoming Webcast Dates:
• Tuesday, September 8th at 2pm: REGISTER HERE
• Tuesday, October 6th at 1pm: REGISTER HERE
• Thursday, November 5th at 3pm: REGISTER HERE
• Monday, December 7 at 1pm: REGISTER HERE
For more information about the RDSP, be sure to check out the RDSP Resources on the Planning Network.
School-Issue Parent Support Group of WRFN
This peer-led group provides support, advice and a safe environment for parents who have questions or concerns about school issues affecting their children with special needs. The WRFN (Waterloo Region Family Network) School Issues Support Group meets on the last Wednesday of each month during the school year. For more information, please contact Lisa Cook at lisa.cook@wrfn.info.
Special Education Resource Guide of Community Living Ontario (CLO)
Navigating Special Education in Ontario
A Guide for Students, Parents and Caregivers
This guidebook is intended to provide information for parents, caregivers, and community organizations that support students with disabilities. No matter your role, access to information is key when advocating for students throughout their learning journey.
Please check CLO’s website to see the Special Education Resource Guide
To better serve our community, we have moved to an online format in the fall of 2025.