ANCA.Spring.2017.Sept.19.final

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WELCOME TO Spectrum Singles
A Dating Site For Those on The Spectrum
Founders, Kirsten Fitzpatrick & Olivia Cantu, an autistic
mother-daughter duo launch Spectrum Singles, a site to
connect those on the spectrum! USA
“Thinking of having a date or having new friends? This
workshop has its story to tell and it will tell you benefits
about the art of making friends and have dating more
convenient especially for us living in the spectrum.
I may not be a big fan of so called online dating myself
but I saw many dating sites online that scatters along
different websites. Dating sites are not bad, but needs
attention and such safety like sharing personal details (in
which it’s very basic in general). Speaking of this, not all
people especially our family members and friends who
have no idea about their fellow with “Autism” or lacking
awareness of it.
Their dating site played a major role in shaping the
relationships with many Autistic people who want to
make new friends and even date them for their search of
happiness and to relieve their anxiety in which is the main
goal. I did learn a lot from this mother-daughter team
about this interesting dating site!
—Vell Baria, 2016 INAP AWARD recipient, workshop
presenter & performance artist, Philippines
GENERAL REVIEWS
My description of my experiences with the ANCA
World Autism Festival Workshops from this past year:
“A number of the workshops at the ANCA World
Autism Festival are designed and given by autistics for
autistics, and this enables us to connect with each other
on multiple levels. They don’t have to guess about what
it’s like to be an autistic person, because they are a part
of the autistic community. Presenters who are not autistic
include professionals whose life work is to find ways to
improve quality of life and provide support especially in the
areas of physical activity, coordination, mindfulness, selfadvocacy,
and creative expression —also enhancing
self-awareness, which comes from all of these things.
Some examples of workshops I’ve attended
present excellent examples of creative expression, selfadvocacy,
mind-fulness, and self-awareness were at Vell
Baria and Joely Coelmer’s workshop on empowering
autistic women, and Kelly Green’s chalk art workshop
in which we created art together with chalk. Inna
Sergiyenko’s mindfulness work-shop was very insightful
too, and provided a positive approach in regard to body
and mind awareness and listening to your body.”
—Liz Pritchard, Rochester, NY-USA
Those workshops are so much good, they give me a
lots of ideas on my daughter’s therapy. I am really happy
to attend this festival. I appreciate the World Autism
Festival!
After my daughter diagnosed with autism, I was lost
for a while. Those was my hard times. However, I did work
very hard and my daughter started to change. I had
some hope after seeing the changes, but after attending
the World Autism Festival, I had so much confidence
and much more hope on my daughter’s future. I meet
so many successful Autistic people like Leonora, Charlie,
Tammy Klein, Kirsten, Olivia, Joshua and there was much
more; I couldn’t remember their names. Also, those
workshops are so much good, they give me a lots of
ideas on my daughter’s therapy. I am really happy to
attend this festival. I appreciate the World Autism Festival
—Omerjan Bore – AWAF delegate 2016, Canada
As a delegate myself, I attended amazing workshops
made by delegates who are experts, not only experts
in showing their skills of a single skill but also sharing it to
others like what I did in my performing. I attended four
workshops all in all and I’ll share to you the most important
pointers that I’ve learned from the workshop facilitators.
Vell Baria, Philippines
This event was an amazing opportunity to network
with Autistic professionals from all over the world. We look
forward to possibly collaborating with these individuals
on some projects in the future.
—Kirsten Fitzpatrick, Co-Founder at SpectrumSingles.com
and CEO at Spectrum Media, Inc.
I believe ANCA could help more people to fulfill their
dreams, especially the Autistic people and their families!
Thanks ANCA for providing the wonderful opportunity
for us. It was our honor to be one of this year’s festival
delegates. In the beginning, Danny felt very nervous
and uncomfortable, because he couldn’t adjust to the
jet lag, the weather, and the food in Vancouver. Luckily,
ANCA’s staff and delegates were very nice, friendly
and patient, so he almost got over in the final days. We
want to thank Ms. Leonora Gregory-Collura and ANCA,
who gave Danny an Honorary Award representing our
country (Taiwan) as a World Ambassador. Besides, they
helped Danny to hold a solo art exhibit at the Taiwanese
Canadian Cultural Society in Vancouver. ANCA helps
Danny to fulfill his dream. I believe ANCA could help
more people to fulfill their dreams, especially the Autistic
people and their families!
—Andy Chan, Taiwan (Danny Lee’s Brother)
Connection [2016 AWAF Theme] was experienced in
several fronts.
First, international speakers’ [workshops] from different
parts of the globe shared innovative practices and
programs with an overarching objective of helping the
audience better empower their loved ones with autism.
As a professional, I was certainly able to take with me
insights to further enrich my work at home. Likewise, it was
a privilege to be invited to share some of my work to my
international counterparts. The conference/festival has
demonstrated that a myriad of innovative and exciting
bodies of work spring from less traditional grounds which
are wanting to be fully harnessed and enjoyed.
—Archie David, Philippines •
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