This page is updated regularly | Last updated: September 8, 2026
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Community Resources
Events & Workshops
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
School Refusal – Virtual Workshop
Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.
Upcoming dates:
Presenter: Denise Burke
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
Register By: September 11, 2026
ASK A SLP ABOUT AAC (AUGMENTATIVE and ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION) – Virtual Workshop
Appropriate for: Parents and caregivers of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Register By: September 11, 2026
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
Who Can Access Services:
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- Children, youth, and families living with or suspected of having FASD
- Ages: Up to 18 years old, or up to 21 if still attending school
- Must reside in the Waterloo Region
Referral Process:
-
- Referrals can be made via Plexus
- Eligible referrers include:
- The individual or their legal guardian
- Extended family members
- Family physicians
- Agencies acting on behalf of the individual/family (with permission)
- Individuals aged 16+ must provide consent if they understand the implications of assessment/treatment
Support Offered:
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- Coordination and guidance from FASD Coordinators
- Resources for caregivers, health professionals, and social service providers
- Information and assistance regarding eligibility and services
Need Help or Have Questions?
Contact the FASD Coordinators at SDRC directly for clarification on eligibility or services for children under 18 at: plexusfasd@sunbeamcommunity.ca
They can also be found on Instagram and Twitter at – @Plexus Fasd Iike, follow, share and connect!
Referrals can be made here: Plexus Referral
sunbeam-centre.ontarionow.ca/self-referral/?aLanguage=
FASD Ontario Webinars
FASD Ontario has a resource page with past webinar recordings that cover a wide variety of topics within FASD including FASD and cannabis, FASD prevention, supporting parents raising children with FASD and more.
www.fasdinfotsaf.ca/webinars.
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:
-
- 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.
Primary Care Connect Clinic Now Open
The Primary Care Connect Clinic is now open and accepting appointments for individuals in Cambridge and North Dumfries who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The clinic provides access to care, assesses patient needs, and helps connect patients with a permanent primary care provider.
Visit the Primary Care Connect Clinic online.
New to Waterloo Region? Connect with Local Services
Settlement, language, health, employment and francophone support all in one. Please visit the links below:
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
Fall Workshops/Groups at Camino Wellbeing+ Mental Health
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health’s groups and workshops connect people who share similar goals and experiences to learn about a variety of topics to foster their wellbeing and mental health.
Groups are weekly meetings over a certain length of time, on average 8-weeks long. Workshops are one-time events on specific topics.
To register for any group or workshop, please email groups@caminowellbeing.ca or call 519-743-6333.
Camino’s Fall programs run at no-cost to participants! Registration is now open at this link: Groups and Workshops · Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health.
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.
Caregivers’ Guide to Accessing Support for Students with Anxiety
Supporting a child or youth experiencing anxiety can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has developed a resource guide to help parents and caregivers better understand anxiety and access helpful supports and strategies.
The guide is available online at: www.wrdsb.ca/wp-content/uploads/WRDSB-Parent-and-Caregiver-Anxiety-Support-Resource-1.pdf
If you have concerns about your child or would like additional support, please reach out to your school. Your student’s Vice Principal or Guidance Counsellor can work with you to explore available resources and supports.
Developing Healthy Relationships and Sexual Awareness In-Person Fall 2026 Workshop
Date: 2-day workshop Monday, September 28, 2026 and Monday, October 5, 2026
Time: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Location: 53 Bond St., Oakville, ON L6K 1L8
Cost: $45
For more information and registration form email Casey Foote at cfoote@cwsds.ca
Online Registration is also available at this link:
Sexual Confidence: In person Workshop- Fall 2026
Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) of Waterloo Region
Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) of Waterloo Region was opened in May 2016. The CYAC collaborative is a best practice child and youth friendly model for investigating allegations of abuse and crime. Young victims, witnesses, and their families are supported through the investigation and beyond. They will support individuals who have been victims (willingly or not) with resources, teaching, court coaching, or even if charges are not laid. Their role is to provide oversight of the CYAC and services through their Child and Youth Advocate Program.
For more information, please see the website: www.childwitness.com/what-we-do/child-advocacy-centre
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
New Swimming Options – City of Kitchener
Inclusive Swim lessons joins Adapted Aquatics and Inclusion Support as the newest City of Kitchener’s swimming lesson option for swimmers with disabilities. Inclusive Swim lessons provide focused swim skill development in a low ratio setting, with 2 staff (1 Swim Instructor & 1 Inclusion Support Worker) to 3 swimmers. An Inclusion Membership is required to register.
Lessons are focused on skill development, with a strong emphasis on learning how to swim. Currently available for Kitchener Swims Child 1 and Kitchener Swims Child 2. Click here to sign up.
Extend-A-Family PD Teen Respite Days
Save the date! PD Teen Respite Days are returning this fall.
PD Teen Respite Days are all about giving caregivers a well deserved break while offering teens aged 13-17 a meaningful, engaging experience. Participants will enjoy:
• Hands on creative activities
• Social time with peers
• Opportunities to build confidence and new skills
• A safe, supportive, and fun environment on days when school is out
Registration will open on MyCommunityHub on September 7.
When: October 26, 2026
Where: Bingeman’s FunWorX
Cost: $35 (SSAH Fund eligible)
Questions? Please reach out to danny.chirilenco@eafwr.on.ca.
Extend-A-Family PD Teen Respite Days
Save the date! PD Teen Respite Days are returning this fall.
PD Teen Respite Days are all about giving caregivers a well deserved break while offering teens aged 13-17 a meaningful, engaging experience. Participants will enjoy:
• Hands-on creative activities
• Social time with peers
• Opportunities to build confidence and new skills
• A safe, supportive, and fun environment on days when school is out
Registration will open on MyCommunityHub on September 7.
When: October 26, 2026
Where: Bingeman’s FunWorX
Cost: $35 (SSAH Fund eligible)
Questions? Please reach out to danny.chirilenco@eafwr.on.ca
To better serve our community, we have moved to an online format in the fall of 2025.