Autism Resources for Parents, Caregivers and Loved Ones
Making Kawartha Lakes a more accessible, supportive,
and welcoming place for people with autism — and the
people who love them.
Who We Are
Autism Resources Kawartha (ARK) is a local autism advocacy and awareness group committed to creating helpful, relatable content for you: the parents, caregivers and loved ones of people with autism.
What We Do
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to caring for a child or loved one with autism. Each family will have to learn as they go— but you don’t have to do it alone.
ARK provides free high-quality, plain-language resources to the parents, caregivers and loved ones of people with autism in order to help them:
Build new skills
Try new approaches
Gain (and share) a deeper understanding of autism
Find comfort in shared experiences
Confront the fears and challenges that come with parenting or caring for someone with an autism diagnosis
Find language to help them talk about their experiences with friends and family
And more
We are committed to helping parents and caregivers like you build safer, more inclusive home and community environments for the people we love with autism.
Who Does ARK Support?
If you care for someone with an autism diagnosis, ARK is here for you.
You are the parent, caregiver or loved one of a person with autism.
You aren’t sure how to support your child or loved one and need resources to get you started.
You want to learn more about your autistic child or loved one and the way they experience the world.
You want to learn more about your role as the parent or caregiver of a child or loved one with autism and the challenges you may face.
You feel alone and need access to stories and lived experiences that validate the way you feel.
Whether your loved one just received an autism diagnosis or you have been walking this path for years, ARK’s resources are available to help you take your next steps knowing that you are not alone.
Resources
ARK’s resources are created by local people for local people — not experts or medical professionals. They offer education, validation, inspiration and perspective to help you chart your own path of caring for a loved one with autism.
Our resources are:
Based on lived experience
Written in simple, accessible language, and
Inspired by a deep commitment to helping parents and caregivers build a safe, more understanding environment for their autistic children and loved ones in the Kawartha Lakes area.
Congratulations! Your Kids Was Diagnosed With Autism. Now What?
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can feel like a turning point—one that stirs up a lot of emotions. This guide is here to help you pause, take a breath, and let go of the pressure to have all the answers. It's about finding your footing and beginning to shape a life that supports your autistic child and you.
A Loved One’s Guide To Autism
There’s no script for loving an autistic child—but this guide is a good place to start.
Whether you’re a grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, or caregiver, this short and heartfelt guide offers down-to-earth insights to help you support your autistic loved one in a way that feels meaningful for both of you.
WHAT YOU WON’T FIND:
✗ Medical jargon
✗ A black & white approach to parenting or caring for a loved one with autism
WHAT YOU WILL FIND:
✔ Real, honest, carefully written resources written by local people for local people
Topics ARK’s resources will explore include:
Different approaches to parenting and caring for someone with autism
Communicating with family and friends about your autistic loved one and what they need from the people in their circle of support
Myth busting
Reflections on the challenges and emotions parents and caregivers may face when caring for someone with autism
Tips for helping your autistic child or loved one live more comfortably in your home and community
And more
Subscribe to our mailing list and receive updates when new resources become available.