Caring for Autistic Children: Understanding, Connection, and Regulation

Workshop Description:
A practical, story‑rooted, emotionally safe session designed to help childcare teams understand autism, build trusting relationships with autistic children and their families, and use
the 3Rs (Regulate, Relate, Reason) in everyday care moments.

Key Concepts
– Autism as a neurotype, not a behaviour problem
– Strengths‑based framing: pattern recognition, deep focus, creativity, honesty, sensory attunement
– Invisible disabilities and why many autistic children are misunderstood
– Barriers to assessment and why many families struggle to access support

Presenter Bio: A Woman’s Counsellor with a focus on neurodiversities, DEI Consultant & Presenter, TEDx speaker, Disabilities Advocate and previous School Trustee, Suzanne Perreault also identifies as Autistic. She draws from lived and professional experience to support the lives of families with neurodiversities and anti-oppression. She is a strong local and international advocate for children facing barriers of inclusion. Suzanne has been an active participant in community development and mentorship for over 20 years. As parent of three children diagnosed Autistic, Suzanne knows first-hand the importance of holding tender the experiences of community and their loved ones walking the path of intersectionality and disabilities. She works alongside School Districts across the province on the important conversation of Inclusion and Trauma Informed Practices, while supporting these same conversations with SFU & FVU teacher and Youth and Childcare candidates.
Her primary focus is fair and equitable access for students in education. Having been nominated for the Community Impact Award for Autism BC, a two-time Diversity Award nominee with the
Fraser Valley Cultural & Diversity Awards, and the Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award she demonstrates steps reflecting a strong passion for both equity and community
relationships.