Autism Awareness Centre

01/12/2026

01/07/2026

Declarative language has no right or wrong answer – it doesn’t even necessarily require a response. Instead, it invites a person to share in an experience, helps them to pay attention to what may be important, and to observe what is going on around them.

Declarative language is a comment or a statement that shares what one knows, observes, or thinks. It emphasizes shared observations, thoughts, and experiences rather than directives or demands. A lot of communication approaches rely heavily on questions (who, what, where, when, why or how) or instru...

12/23/2025

Moving Away from "Mild" and "Severe":

1. **Oversimplification:** Labels like "mild" or "severe" oversimplify a complex spectrum. They can obscure the nuanced needs and abilities of each autistic person, leading to misunderstandings.

2. **Dynamic Nature:** An autistic person's abilities and challenges can fluctuate based on context, such as the environment or specific situations, making static labels inadequate.

3. **Focus on Support:** Describing autism in terms of support needs rather than severity helps tailor interventions to each individual's circumstances, fostering more effective and respectful assistance.

4. **Avoiding Value Judgments:** Terms like "mild" and "severe" inherently suggest a value judgment, which can contribute to bias, either downplaying someone's needs or reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Overall, these shifts reflect a broader movement toward recognising autism as a rich, varied experience. The goal is to honour personal identities, enhance understanding, and ensure that support and communication are as meaningful and effective as possible.

12/18/2025

Dalhousie University / IWK Health Center are conducting a national research project, called Tooth Fairy, investigating the relationship of mental and dental health.

They are looking for participants across Canada. Check out their poster for more info and email JoinPed@dal.ca for more info!

12/13/2025

12/07/2025

Types of Autistic Catatonia
1. Excited Catatonia
Individuals may experience heightened motor activity and emotional intensity. Characteristics include:
• Increased energy and restlessness
• Enhanced repetitive movements and vocalisations
• Intense sensory experiences and responses
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2. Inhibited Catatonia
This subtype is characterised by a significant decrease in motor activity and responsiveness. Key features include:
• Periods of immobility or reduced movement
• Reduced verbal communication or selective mutism
• Muscle stiffness and preference for certain postures
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3. Mixed Catatonia
Mixed catatonia involves alternating features of both excited and inhibited catatonia, showcasing the individual’s dynamic responses to their environment and internal states.
• Fluctuation between hyperactivity/agitation and immobility/ mutism.
• Unpredictable changes in motor activity and responsiveness.
• Shifts between intense anxiety/agitation and withdrawal/ apathy.
• Disruption of daily activities, social interactions, and routine tasks
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4. Periodic Catatonia
Periodic catatonia is marked by episodic occurrences, with periods of typical functioning between episodes. This reflects the individual’s fluctuating experiences, which can be influenced by external stressors and changes in routine.
• Distinct episodes of catatonia with periods of typical functioning in between.
• Episodes can be triggered by stress or changes in routine.
• Symptoms such as immobility, mutism, and rigidity fluctuate during episodes.
• Episodes can last from hours to weeks, with varying lengths of time between episodes.
• Significant effect on the ability to perform routine activities and maintain independence.
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5. Paranoid Catatonia
Although less common, this subtype includes heightened sensory and perceptual experiences. Characteristics may include:
• Intensified sensory perceptions and responses
• Experiences of heightened vigilance and awareness
• Episodes of both motor excitement and immobility

12/03/2025

10 tips for the holiday season.

The Christmas holidays are a time of great excitement and anticipation. Holidays also mean changes in routines, visitors, crowds, line-ups, noise, bright lights, and socializing. For many autistic children and adults, the Christmas holidays can be a stressful and anxious time as well as taxing on se...