Fun and learning in Eskasoni
for the whole family 

Since 2014, Hearing and Speech Nova Scotia (HSNS) has provided audiology and speech-language services to clients in Eskasoni, a Mi’kmaq community in Unama’ki (Cape Breton). HSNS staff in Eskasoni—Erin Burke, Speech-Language Pathologist, Patricia Babin, Audiologist, and Adele Lawrence, Communication Disorders Technician—ensure children and families can access services. They accomplish this by providing services at various community locations, including at home, daycare, preschool or the Old Health Centre to meet their varying needs.

A significant part of their work is empowering parents and caregivers through training and education to help improve their own children’s communication skills. In recent years, families have expressed a desire to meet other families in the community, with similar communication needs, and to attend play groups together. They also expressed interest in learning more information about autism and how to support autistic children at home.

In the fall of 2023, the Provincial Preschool Autism Service—a partnership between HSNS, IWK Health, Autism Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health—developed and released the Autism Education Series. This video series is designed to help caregivers learn about autism and build skills to support their preschool-aged children's engagement, establish daily routines, explore play, improve peer interactions, and develop language. Erin, Adele and team members from Nova Scotia Early Childhood Developmental Intervention Services (NSECDIS) saw an opportunity to bring this learning to Eskasoni and fulfill the requests of parents, and so the Family Autism Group was created.

Focusing on the first four videos of the series, HSNS and NSECDIS invited 10 families of children and caregivers to come together at the Eskasoni Elder Centre. The caregiver group watched one of the videos together and discussed learnings regarding their own children. The children then joined the group to develop their play and communication skills while parents practiced strategies they learned, with HSNS staff guidance and assistance as needed. Food and snacks were available, and caregivers had a chance to talk with each other and form connections.

As one parent expressed, “I'm very happy, and even relieved, that we've got a chance to attend autism family play support group. As an ‘older’ parent whose child has been diagnosed early with autism, I felt a little lost and even overwhelmed as this is all new to us. Being a part of this wonderful and educational environment has helped us realize there is a huge support group out there for our family.”

The Family Autism Group in Eskasoni grew out of direct feedback from community members and had a positive impact on both families and staff. “By also being a part of this, we have opportunities to make friendships, getting educated on how to manage and support in a fun and interactive environment," said one caregiver. "We will always be forever grateful and thankful for the opportunity, love and patience from all of the wonderful people who made this group grow and help us better lead our lives. You're always in our hearts. Welali'oq.”

Ensuring ongoing responsiveness to feedback and consistently offering valuable opportunities like this will enhance meaningful client access to HSNS programs and other community services. As the HSNS and NSECDIS team members shared, “It was a very motivating experience to be a part of this team. Not only for us to watch our mutual families make connections with each other, but for the NSECDIS and HSNS teams to continue supporting each other, with our like-minded goals and commitment to family-centred service.” Staff are looking forward to future programs based on feedback from this series, including virtual access to similar programs.