A number of naming opportunities exist for donors within the Maier Centre for Autism Services, including:
- Daily Living Skills Wing
- Treatment Wing
- Sensory-Motor Room
- Family Lounge
- Distance Treatment Centre
- Gymnasium
- Boardroom
- Research Area
- Pre-School Classroom
- Outdoor Garden
- Professional Area
- Library
Daily Living Skills Wing
Daily living skills are the things we normally do everyday in order to look after ourselves. Daily living skills include self-care activities (such as feeding ourselves, dressing, grooming) as well as activities such as work, homemaking and leisure. Many people with autism have difficulty with one or more daily living skills. Acquiring independence in daily living skills can reduce the level of care required and increase the quality of life of adolescents and adults with autism. This wing will be equipped as a typical home to help train independence and practice important daily living skills such as cooking, laundry, self-care, support with feeding and nutrition, etc. The wing will also provide space for young adults and adolescents to meet in support networks and/or teen groups in a comfortable casual setting.
Goal: $100,000
Treatment Wing
The treatment wing will contain many other rooms and spaces used specifically in the provision of treatment services. It will include rooms for individual treatment in the areas of communication, behaviour, and social skills. It will also have space for large and small group sessions targeting a variety of skills. The space will also provide the opportunity to develop demonstration classrooms to build community capacity and support. This area will have high traffic by staff, parents and children, and will be the central focus of this treatment facility.
Goal: $500,000
Sensory-Motor Room
Evidence shows that many children with autism have sensory and motor challenges. These challenges include problems with motor planning, difficulty processing sensory input, and challenges with levels of focus and attention. Using a variety of sensory motor equipment can help children learn these skills in a playful way. Equipment trials will be done in this space to determine the most useful tools to incorporate into the child’s community and home. A sensory motor room is often the favourite room in the centre because of the fun and exciting games and equipment (e.g. swings, ball pits, balance beams, bean bag chairs, etc…).
Goal: $75,000
Family Lounge
Autism affects a whole family. The stress that families feel is difficult to imagine. Children’s Autism Services understands that effective treatment means supporting parents and giving them a warm, comfortable space to speak to each other and to our treatment professionals. The Family Lounge will provide opportunities for families to share stories of challenges and triumphs, to listen and to learn from each other, and to enjoy time with friends. Most important is the chance to develop these supports in a safe, welcoming environment.
Goal: $120,000
Distance Treatment Centre
Equipped with telecommunications equipment including audio/video and web link, this area will allow our professionals to reach out to families and other professionals across Northern Alberta. Many families with children affected by autism who do not live in major metro centres face a significant disadvantage. They simply can’t access treatment services. We need to develop capacity in local communities by providing outreach services and support. With your help, we can bridge the gap.
Goal: $500,000
Gymnasium
Physical activity and movement are critical elements of the overall treatment package. In addition to physical health, a gym allows the kind of specific motor therapy that children with autism need. Cooperative group games like “Red light, green light” or “Duck Duck Goose” are also important to develop social skills and interaction among children. Plus, this is where they can let loose and have fun. The gymnasium will also serve as presentation space for training and in-services seating up to 100 participants. Sharing knowledge and bringing in both local and international experts helps us stay current and continue to improve services for children with autism. Parent training will continue to be an important component of our program and the gymnasium will allow for large presentations to parents across Edmonton and area.
Goal: $150,000
Boardroom
The Boardroom will be the hub of the Professional Centre. It will provide space for collaborations with community partners, support among professionals, small training sessions, team meetings, case conferences and strategic planning. This space will also provide the opportunity to maximize efficiency of quarterly clinical team meetings through the use of state of the art technology and equipment.
Goal: $100,000
Research Area
Clinical research in the field of autism is critically important. Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton strives to continually question, evaluate, observe, and improve. As we develop and implement clinical research we will positively impact the knowledge and understanding of best practice in autism treatment. Innovative projects will contribute to our ongoing understanding of how best to support children and families.
Goal: $100,000
Pre-school Classroom
Small specialized pre-school classrooms are important for some children to provide them with the strong foundation they need to move into their community school setting. Regardless of any specific diagnosis, all children have unique needs and a small supportive environment can help meet those needs in the early years. In addition, toddler programs where families are involved in actively providing treatment in small group settings have been shown to be effective forms of early intervention. The Pre-School Classroom will meet several needs and provide a fun and exciting space for very young children.
Goal: $50,000
Outdoor Garden
Research has shown that natural spaces and gardens can have a powerful positive effect on children with special needs. There is a growing movement to create natural schoolyards including mini-forests, ‘wild habitats’, ponds and streams, insects, animals and gardening areas. In addition to beautifying the building, the outdoor garden will become a place of daily outdoor activity, and therapy. Natural environments stimulate social interaction between children and can have a positive impact on attention, motor skills, and imagination. The Outdoor Garden will be a safe and calming space for development and learning.
Goal: $50,000 plus development cost
Professional area
One of the important benefits of a treatment centre will be the ability to bring together the best minds in autism treatment under one roof, and allow them to interact and work together to provide treatment for children with autism. Autism is complex and demands strong interdisciplinary teams of professionals working closely together. The professional centre will be a meeting place and work spaces for those professionals. In order to provide high quality services to children, the professionals and staff need the proper tools to do this important work. This area is ideal for sponsorship by a professional services corporation.
Goal: $100,000
Library
Knowledge in the field of autism continues to grow at a staggering rate. When families face the initial diagnosis of autism, the shock and grief can be overwhelming. The struggle to find information can be a huge challenge. Families need access to current, high quality resources to help them navigate the complex world of autism. The Library will provide families with the opportunity to borrow and purchase the resources they need. It will be a base of knowledge where the best of the best resources are accessible when needed for treatment.
Goal: $50,000 plus resources
