My Outlet Issue #1 | 2026
- audriechad
- Jan 16
- 5 min read
We’ve started the year with strong momentum!
Founder’s note
We started the year strong with lots of activities, fresh ideas, and meaningful engagement from our followers, ambassadors, clients, and prospective partners. It’s been energizing to see how many people are leaning into the My Outlet mission and contributing to the conversation.
To kick things off, we had a wonderful experience on set with What’s Buzzin with Chris & Cam. Chris and Cam were not only outstanding hosts — making the experience easy, welcoming, and genuinely fun — but they also took a sincere interest in the work My Outlet does, becoming strong advocates in the process. Collaborating with organizations and the incredible people behind them to help elevate this work means so much to us, especially as a small and growing organization.
That spirit of collaboration carries directly into our upcoming March 19th webinar, where we’ll be hosting a focused and engaging panel on neurodiversity across post-secondary education and the early working years. We’re grateful to be joined by Steve Elliot, Aleem Nasser, Rob Austin and Andrea Zians, whose passion for supporting students and whose partnership with My Outlet is truly special. As we’ve been developing this panel together, we’ve intentionally centered real issues and topics that students themselves have shared with us. We’re excited to bring this collective expertise, from a variety of perspectives, to the table in a complimentary webinar designed to inform, challenge, and inspire.
The momentum continues across our kids and schools programming. We’re thrilled to be kicking off a new session of My Outlet Signature this Sunday, January 18th, along with launching a new series of afterschool enrichment programs across Mississauga and Brampton later this month. As our programs grow, so does our facilitator community. We’re meeting more students who are deeply aligned with our work and eager to grow their experience, expand their perspectives, build their networks, and support their career goals through engagement with our cross-disciplinary ecosystem of students and professionals. It’s incredibly meaningful to create opportunities that support both students and the broader community.
Beyond our local work, we’re encouraged by global efforts advancing neurodiversity and inclusion. One such example is the Davos Neurodiversity Summit, taking place alongside the World Economic Forum Annual Event. I’ll be cheering on my fellow ION board member, Chair, and Summit panel moderator Kim Shah, along with my friend and Summit founder Maureen Dunne, as they lead future-facing discussions at the intersection of neurodiversity, systems change, and human potential. The Summit brings together a global coalition of leaders committed to inclusive progress — a reminder that this work is both local and global.
Virtual registration for the Summit is free and open to the public.
To close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our advocates, ambassadors, clients, friends, family, and the My Outlet team. Your engagement, questions, insights, and support continue to shape and strengthen this ecosystem. We are just getting started — and we’re incredibly excited for what 2026 has in store.
Audrie
News and upcoming events
Winter Session Begins January 18th
We’re excited to kick off a new session of the My Outlet Signature Program this Sunday, January 18th.
Each session is intentionally designed to support 5 core skills we build: emotional regulation, confidence, resilience, awareness and self-advocacy — helping kids show up as their full selves.
Whether families are returning or joining us for the first time, we’re looking forward to another season of learning and growth together.
OCA Connects 2026 Conference
My Outlet will be speaking at the Ontario Camps Association Connects 2026 Conference on February 4th at the Hilton Markham Suites Conference Centre.
Our session focuses on how to lead with a culture of neuroinclusivity, translating research and best practices into practical leadership tools camps can apply immediately.
Participants will leave equipped and inspired to infuse their camp culture with the ingredients of neuroinclusion, strengthening teams and creating more supportive, inclusive experiences for campers this summer.
The Beacon Expert Panel: Live Webinar
On March 19th, from 6:00pm-7:30pm, in celebration of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, My Outlet is hosting the inaugural Beacon Expert Panel - collaborative discussion bringing together subject matter experts who are shaping the future of learning and employment opportunities for neurodivergent university students.
Held as a live webinar, this panel is designed to create space for dialogue, insight-sharing, and collective problem-solving.
Theme: Setting neurodivergent students, their peers and allies up for success by building their university and early career toolkit
Moderator: Steve Elliot, Co-founder and Lead Facilitator of e3 Public Speaking
Panelists:
Aleem Nasser, President and Founder of The Art of Being Smart. Tedx Speaker, Author and 4.0 GPA Academic Coach
Andrea Zians, Educational Consultant | ADHD Coach | Assistive Technology Specialist | Author
Rob Austin, Professor, Information Systems and Evolution of Work Chair at Ivey Business School | Affiliated faculty member at Harvard Medical School.
Each of our panelists bring different and very complementary skill sets to the table, all of which are grounded in supporting university and other post-secondary students with their work.
Join us for an online event on March 19th to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Share your story
Have a story or insight to share? We’re collecting — and we’d love to learn together. This year, we’re expanding our Share Your Story initiative to include video interviews.
Throughout Q1 (January–March), we’ll be collecting your lived experiences and insights to better understand how neurodiversity is experienced in the workplace.
This is an opportunity to share your story — anonymously, if you wish — to help improve understanding of the neurodivergent experience and highlight the kinds of workplace changes that allies and leaders often want to support, but may not realize are needed.
By listening, learning, and sharing responsibly, this initiative aims to raise the bar, deepen societal understanding, and create space for honest, constructive dialogue — leading to real, practical improvements in workplace culture, without requiring disclosure of diagnoses or personal information.
If you’re interested in contributing your perspective or experience, we invite you to reach out and be part of this collaborative initiative.
My Outlet on TV: What’s Buzzin with Chris & Cam
Audrie Chad with Chris and Cam on What’s Buzzin with Chris & Cam | Rogers TV
Our Founder, Audrie Chad, recently joined What’s Buzzin with Chris & Cam on Rogers TV to share the My Outlet story, our mission, and how families and organizations can access services or get involved.
The conversation focused on neurodiversity, inclusion, and the importance of creating environments where strengths are recognized and supported — at school, at work, and in the community.
Huge thank you to Chris and Cam for such a welcoming, thoughtful experience from start to finish. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to talk about the work we do and the community we’re building.
📺 Stay tuned for air date details.
The Hidden Disability Sunflower
Did you know that In 2020, Pearson became the first airport in Canada to formally recognize and adopt the Hidden Disability Sunflower initiative, helping make travel more accessible and dignified for passengers with hidden disabilities.
When you’re travelling, this can translate into advance boarding, support through the disability screening line, or enhanced accommodation and support with changing a flight.
Knowing the protocol, staff members are able to offer guidance and support when needed without questions, assumptions, or explanations required.
At My Outlet, we see initiatives like this as meaningful steps toward normalizing difference, increasing awareness, and building kinder environments — through openness, training, and respect.
Sometimes, small symbols can spark big conversations and real change.
Quick Tip
Encouragement vs. Praise
Instead of “I’m proud of you,” try “You must be proud of yourself.”
Encouragement builds self-reliance, while praise can create dependence on outside approval.
Looking Ahead
As we move deeper into the year, we’re excited to continue building programs, partnerships, and conversations that support people through childhood, education, work, and community.
Thank you for learning with us, collaborating with us, and helping support neurodiversity, everywhere life happens.
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