Community
***NEW*** for the International Naturally Autistic ANCA Community: Autism Vancouver examiner.com join and subscribe now to daily columns by Leonora Gregory-Collura
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/autism-a-culture-an-overture-dec-21-review
Review and news columns December 05 – 18, read below:
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/single-mother-autism-advocate-and-hidden-hero
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/the-art-of-autism-1
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/autistic-people-suffer-from-autism-illness-or-disease-1
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/autistic-people-people-first-btr-radio-dec-9-11
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/positively-autistic-autism-speaks-radio-dec-7-8
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/disabled-differently-abled-and-a-shared-life
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/autistic-community-radio-dec-12-18
http://www.examiner.com/autism-in-vancouver/software-technology-shakespeare-and-autism-dec-10
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Jacynthe Geschke, ANCA team member, out in the community at Heather Hills Golf Course, Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada, meeting with the Premier of British Columbia, Christy Clark. And with Marc Dalton MLA and Randy Hawes Hon. Minister. September 01, 2011.
Premiere edition of Naturally Autistic magazine – online edition
Welcome to our Naturally Autistic® ANCA® Community pages. These pages are part of our ’2011 Autistic People Awareness Campaign” – APAC Global. 
Our Global Community Membership will share a kaleidoscope of personal experiences, expressions, lifestyles, accomplishments and how autistic people can interact effectively to gain self-esteem, confidence and a sense of purpose.
We look forward to sharing our personal journey with our local and now international Naturally Autistic® ANCA® Community via documented video footage, streamed interviews and community conversations in discussion via our daily radio shows.
***Upcoming 2011 international Naturally Autistic People AWARDS and CONVENTION, September 23-25, please click this link for submission and nomination forms to download
***NEW in our international community The sensory smart store please check this out – it is owned an operated by parents who have an autistic child.
About Us
We are a family business first. Our mission is to bring toys and products to families who want to develop their children’s five senses. The selection at Sensory Smart is a wide range of items that help children grow while having fun.
Our four year old son was diagnosed with autism two years ago. He has taught us so many wonderful lessons about life. One thing we learned is there is a great need for families with special needs to have a home for their shopping experience. We will provide this home. Our inventory has the latest and greatest toys, educational products and therapy items for moms, dads, teachers and therapists. If we can help relieve some of the burden you feel raising a child with special needs, then we have succeeded.
We also want to maintain a commitment to the Neuro-typical child. Many of our favorite children are the strong siblings of a child with a special need. Our eleven year old daughter is a great example of this kind of kid, but she needs to play and learn also. Therefore, we have items in our store that will encourage play between these siblings. The products we select are all handpicked by my wife and me with the hope that they will improve the lives of you and your children.
***Upcoming 2011 international Naturally Autistic People AWARDS and CONVENTION, September 23-25, please click this link for submission and nomination forms to download
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY EVENT APRIL 01, 2011 RAINBOW DAY – created by Allison Dix and her husband Shane 
of http://www.facebook.com/AutisticPeople#!/note.php?note_id=156216611101193&id=176162615747650
Autism Rainbow Day Patron & Ambassadors
DONNA WILLIAMS ~ Patron ~ Donna Williams is an Australian born artist who was diagnosed with autism in 1991.
She acquired functional speech in late childhood, experienced homelessness from an early age, but went on to resume education and became a qualified teacher with an honors degree in Sociology and a degree in Linguistics, a renowned public speaker in the field of autism and a professional autism consultant since 1996.
She is the author of two international bestselling autobiographies and has 10 published books including 4 text books. As a screenwriter, she wrote the screenplay to “Nobody Nowhere”, the first book in her 4 book autobiographical series. That screenplay is currently under option to become a Hollywood film. She is an professional artist, singer-songwriter and published poet. She now lives with her husband in Australia. www.donnawilliams.net
“As a person diagnosed with autism who has been an autism consultant since 1996, I have seen autism come to be seen as Autism and those autisms broken down into addressable ‘autism fruit salads’. I have seen autistic reduced to the adjective it once was and non-autistic people find their own relatable autistic moments. I have seen stereotypes busted and seen human beings inspired to be more than their condition. I have seen the miracles not just of what those once written off can teach us but also the miracles of those without autism who have learned so much from those with it.” Donna Williams
LEONORA GREGORY-COLLURA ~ Ambassador ~ Author of ‘Anthony’s Story, Leonora was diagnosed in the early 1990′s, and is a graduate Teacher from London’s Royal Ballet; a teacher, choreographer, writer, lecturer, consultant and co-founder of ANCA Consulting Inc. and the non-profit ANCA Foundation. Leonora’s writings and direct teaching on the cognitive development of autistic children have made her a sought after teacher and speaker. Her tireless support of autistic children and adults has impacted greatly on the lives of Autistic People throughout Canada and the U.S.A. Leonora has been teaching children and adults for over 30 years.
Leonora is quickly becoming a pioneer in a new and inspiring movement for the international autistic community, launching with her husband, Charlie Collura, many innovative and culturally changing products through her company Naturally Autistic ® ANCA ®.
Diagnosed in the early 1990′s, Leonora is a graduate Teacher from London’s Royal Ballet; a teacher, choreographer, writer, lecturer, consultant and co-founder of ANCA Consulting Inc. and the non-profit ANCA Foundation.
Charlie Collura Vice President, of the AWARD winning company, ANCA Consulting Inc.
“We must start ‘bridging the gap’ in our understanding of what it is to be autistic or to have autism and in doing so, raise the awareness for the children and families in the next generation to come, not with fear of the unknown but with knowledge of what is known – what is known from the autistic people themselves. Autistic children do grow to be adults. Isolation has proven not to work, inclusion with other children, peer interaction and learning through play – a right to be bestowed to all human beings – is a proven objective, for all children to grow, develop and learn to participate equally in society.” Leonora Gregory-Collura
TONY ZAPPIA MP ~ Ambassador ~ Tony began full-time work in 1969 with the ANZ Bank. From 1976 to 1980, Tony was employed as a research officer to Senator Jim Cavanagh. Between 1981 and 2007, Tony part-owned and operated a local fitness centre. He was also an Australian power lifting champion and an accredited fitness and weight training instructor.
Tony served as an elected member with the City of Salisbury between 1977 and 2007 and served on many different boards, committees and community organizations. From 1997 to 2007 Tony was Mayor of Salisbury. Under his leadership, the City of Salisbury became a world leader in environmental and water management.
“Children with autism have their individual personalities and unique abilities. Like other children they also have their dreams, hopes and aspirations. They need to be understood and given the support that they need to develop their skills and talents. A better understanding of autism by all will give hope to them and to their families. It will also ensure that they are not excluded from what life has to offer.” Tony Zappa MP
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Children Express
- Teen Talk
- Adults Speak
- Parents Corner
Our Global Community Membership will share a kaleidoscope of personal experiences, expressions, lifestyles, accomplishments and how autistic people can interact effectively to gain self-esteem, confidence and a sense of purpose.
We look forward to sharing our personal journey with our local and now international Naturally Autistic® ANCA® Community via documented video footage, streamed interviews and community conversations in discussion.
