Sensational Futures

04/27/2026

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

Understanding Online Gaming for Caregivers
Thursday, April 30th, 2026
1 pm to 2:30 pm

Online gaming is more than just entertainment. It is a social space, a cultural community, and for many young people, an important part of how they connect with others.

This workshop is designed to help caregivers communicate more effectively with their children about online gaming while supporting safe and healthy participation. Together, we will explore both the benefits and the risks of gaming and the broader online community.

In this session, caregivers will discover:
• The social, cultural, and cognitive benefits of online gaming
• How gaming communities influence connection and identity
• Potential risks and how to recognize warning signs
• Practical strategies to support safe and balanced gaming habits
• Ways to open positive, ongoing conversations about gaming at home

The goal is not to eliminate gaming. It is to better understand it so you can guide your child with confidence and clarity.

Join us to build knowledge, strengthen communication, and support healthy digital engagement.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/understanding-online-gaming-for-caregivers-tickets-1983622569503?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

04/27/2026

Have you heard about Caregiver Connect, our referral network that supports health professionals, caregivers, and the healthcare system? Here’s how it helps everyone involved and strengthens care for those who need it most:

For Health Professionals & Providers 🩺
Focus on your patients while Caregivers Alberta provides caregivers with ongoing support, education, and navigation. This holistic approach helps reduce caregiver stress and burnout, allowing caregivers to feel more confident and engaged, which ultimately benefits the care recipient and improves overall patient outcomes.

For Caregivers 💛
Access resources, services, and guidance early. Receive ongoing support and intentional follow-up from Caregivers Alberta staff, helping you feel more knowledgeable, capable, and confident in your caregiving role. Reduce the frequency and intensity of caregiving crises and gain peace of mind knowing support is just a call or referral away.

For the Healthcare System 🏥
Connects caregivers to local services for a community-based continuum of care. Early support can reduce caregiver burnout, help care recipients remain at home longer, and lower system costs, strengthening the healthcare system as a whole.

🔗 Learn more or refer a caregiver: https://www.caregiversalberta.ca/caregiver-connect/

04/27/2026

Help Improve Mental Health Support for Autistic Youth!

(written by the researchers)

Our research team is working to develop neurodiversity-affirming mental health supports for Autistic youth who have experienced suicidality. We believe that the best supports are created with input from people with lived and professional experience, and we are inviting community members to share their perspectives to inform a brief su***de intervention designed for and with Autistic youth.

We are seeking input from Canadian:
• Autistic youth (ages 16-24 years) who have experienced suicidality.
• Caregivers or parents of Autistic youth (ages of 16-24 years) who have experienced suicidality.
• Clinicians who support the mental health of Autistic youth. For example, psychologists, counsellors, physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers.

Your perspectives will help us design supports that are relevant, respectful, and meaningful for Autistic youth.

What participation involves
Participants will take part in a one-hour interview about what support is most helpful for Autistic youth after a su***de attempt or mental health crisis. Interviews can be completed in a way that works best for you:

• Zoom
• Phone
• In person (Calgary, AB)
• Written responses (if preferred)

We aim to make participation as comfortable and accessible as possible. If there are communication or accessibility accommodations that would help you participate, please let us know.

Interested in participating?
To see if you are eligible and to express your interest, please complete our contact form: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_4Zz0I7aXNg7ugWa

Please note that Autistic youth below 18 years will require consent from a legal guardian to participate in this study.

04/27/2026

✨ 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮, 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 & 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘁 ✨

We are thrilled to shine a light on Liesel Wierenga, a beloved and foundational member of the Dreamcatcher™ team! 💙

Liesel's journey with Dreamcatcher™ began in 2017 as a volunteer having grown up around horses and farm animals her whole life. Over the years, she became our Volunteer Coordinator and Behaviour Interventionist, and is now our Recreational Therapist after completing her Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation through the University of Lethbridge. At Dreamcatcher™ she provides individuals with skill building and runs various recreational programs including our PD day camps and fur and fun days!

Liesel's practice is grounded in the Flourishing Through Leisure Model — a strengths-based framework and client-centred approach that centres a client's abilities, aspirations, and environment to support overall wellbeing and meet her clients where they are. In her sessions, she integrates mediums such as Behavioural Interventions, and Recreation and Leisure Therapy where she includes sports, games, and art into her sessions. She supports individuals with social, emotional, and cognitive skill building, behavioural concerns, ADHD, anxiety, depression, developmental disabilities, stroke survivors and those with dementia.

She works primarily with Animal and Nature-Assisted Therapy, believing deeply in the unique healing these modalities offer that clinical settings often can't replicate.

🌟 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨! Reach out today to get connected.

04/27/2026

I’m excited to share that I will be the opening keynote speaker at the Alberta Adapted Physical Activity Summit on May 7(Hopefully this does not plummet ticket sales 🤣).

I’m going to be talking about advocacy, but more importantly, we’re going to have some real conversations about what’s actually happening right now and what needs to change.

If you’ve ever felt like you want to speak up or get involved but don’t know where to start, this is exactly the kind of space for that.

The lineup this year is incredible, and tickets are almost sold out,

Please join if you can! 💚
uab.ca/tsc.

04/27/2026

The Alberta Adapted Physical Activity Summit 2026 is almost sold out! If you’ve been planning to register, now’s the time - secure your spot by Friday, April 24!

Alt text: Graphic with a blue background and bold text reading “closing soon!” and “AAPA 2026 is almost SOLD OUT! register now to secure the final spots.

04/24/2026

04/22/2026

Sibling Experience - Madison and Jordan Fankhanel

04/22/2026

1 like. "Autism : Multilayered Reality by Dr. Lori Sacrey"