Peer Advice Videos
Evan Noble
Kelowna
Self-Advocate
Evan Noble lives in Kelowna, BC., and works as an intern as part of the Business Risk Management Branch at the Ministry of Agriculture. Evan has always felt that it is important to teach others about the strengths and challenges of living with autism. He is an active community volunteer, having spoken about his life with autism on several occasions. Evan sits on the advisory council for the Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism. In his spare time, he enjoys sports such as running, cycling, skiing, and hockey, as well as playing video games and watching movies. He also has an interest in photography and loves to travel.
Rebekah Kintzinger
Kelowna
Self-Advocate
Rebekah Kintzinger is a mentor for autistic members of her community in Kelowna, BC, working with those who have specific needs or goals, and range from child to adult. As well as being on the board of directors for the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance, she is also an Okanagan Advisor for the Pacific Family Autism Network’s Voices of Autism. She also offers her time as a volunteer in a literacy program and with a community Christmas hamper program to keep her busy. She once helped to organize a rally for teachers, and her speech at the rally was posted on YouTube in addition to being in a Vancouver Sun article. Rebekah is very creative, and aside from loving to draw and write she also appreciates cooking for her two boys, and acting out scenes from Monty Python with them.
Sylvère Moulanier
Edmonton
Self-Advocate
Sylvère was born in France and grew up there. Undiagnosed as a kid, he was selectively mute until the age of 15. He moved to Canada as a young adult in the late eighties. He was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 2013. His friends know him as a sailor, a watchmaker, a geek, passionate about technology and always willing to help with renovation and construction work! His professional career is eclectic and goes from boat building, to electronics and robotics for leading multinational corporations. After being diagnosed, he moved to Alberta, and got involved with Autism Edmonton and with diverse projects for the community. In 2019, he was appointed as vice-president with AILA (Autism Independent Living Association) to help move forward a project to build a multi-unit adapted building for autistic adults in Edmonton.
Juliani Kusmanto
Burnaby
Self-Advocate
Juliani Kusmanto is a self-advocate from Vancouver, BC. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2010, while in her early 40’s, and since then she has been profoundly involved with autism community. Juliani participated in several autism-focused
research studies for various universities and served as a Family Services Community Grants (FSCG) Community Review Panel with Autism Speaks Canada from 2017 to 2019. Shaping the future of autism community and empower people with autism to thrive
are her passion. She believes the world needs Asperger’s brains. There is no innovation without people with autism. Juliani as a Bachelor degree in accounting and currently works for PayPal as an Operational Reconciliation Lead. When she
is not working, Juliani can be found on the trails with her bike, reading books, surfing the internet, and napping. She is also an avid learner.
Nicole Provost
Chilliwack
Self-Advocate
Nicole Provost is a young entrepreneur, voice actor, pilot, radio host, and activist in the neurodiversity movement. She is best known for her work as founder of the Mayday Club Youth Choir, as host on the weekly broadcast 'Neurodiversity Now' on Vancouver Coop Radio, and for her role in the Netflix film 'Mune' as 'Glim'. Nicole is currently studying aviation in Abbotsford BC, and intends to become the first airline pilot with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome.
Munira (Minnie) Jiwani
Coquitlam
Self-Advocate
Minnie Jiwani is a well-spoken, energetic young lady who shares openly and eloquently her lived experience and has an extensive roster of accomplishments. She graduated from Richmond High School and began her employment journey from there. So far,
Minnie has worked mainly in the hospitality industry: McDonalds, the Pantry, White Spot as well as the Stay and Save hotel in Vancouver, BC. She also volunteers for a number of organizations: helping to prepare food as well as recycling. Minnie
has experience in delivering workshops called Welcome Workshops with Allan Bishop of Community Living British Columbia.
Josh Scheller
Ladner
Self-Advocate
Joshua Scheller is a representative of the Pacific Autism Family Network. Josh can be found running reception like a pro. As well as learning about himself and his journey, Josh is an advisor for the Voices of Autism. Josh has many talents but he’s our resident Dad-jokes guy. Joshua has been an active member of the Voices of Autism since 2018 and has been creating and delivering public workshops and presentations as well as running booths and tables at events. Josh has presented to groups of up to 200 people and engages people in conversation with wit and a cheeky grin. Josh has a companion, Wabi, who is his support dog. Wabi is a big part of our team as well. He’s not so big on contributing to our conversations but it’s nice to have him there for moral support.
Kayla Tellier
Surrey
Self-Advocate
Kayla Tellier has been a member of the Voices of Autism since 2018. Kayla brings positive energy to every interaction. Outside of the Voices of Autism, Kayla is quite involved in the community; she creates and delivers acting classes and workshops with Autism BC and the Canucks Autism Network. Kayla is also on the Canucks Autism Network Training Team. Kayla participated in the Pacific Autism Family Network police training videos. Other passions for Kayla include acting, writing, filming and does a lot of work with small screen productions. Kayla can be seen in some of your favourite tv shows. Which ones? You’ll have to connect with her to find out.
John Appleby
Vancouver
Self-Advocate
John Appleby is an advisor with the Voices of Autism from Burnaby, British Columbia. Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at age 12, John brings a unique perspective of life on the spectrum. John has gained confidence and become open to new experiences
in his adult life. He participated in a Q&A panel with other autistic people and enjoys offering insights and reassuring words to parents. John desires to see other young autistic people grow with independence and self-determination. He hopes
to see autistic people confront the challenges they face while simultaneously ensuring non-autistic people offer their support. In his pare time John enjoys studying, playing video games, watching YouTube as well as skiing and walking. For him
there are always new lessons in trying to make sense of life.
Lucas Gates
Vancouver
Self-Advocate
Lucas Gates is a proud advocate, helping those with autism and making the community even stronger. Lucas is a born-and-raised third-generation Vancouverite and is proud to live in a city and province that makes diversity even stronger, and plans
on staying here for the long-haul. Lucas’s position with the Voices of Autism is Community Liaison and VOA advisor. In his work with the Voices of Autism Lucas has played a key role in community outreach. Lucas in his spare time, enjoys
taking time to the fullest by enjoying Vancouver weather, plays video games either privately or streaming and just generally enjoys life!
SF Walker
Vancouver
Self-Advocate
SF Walker is an autistic self-advocate and is the Manager of the Voices of Autism (VOA), a group created to advise the Pacific Autism Family Network. She has an extensive teaching background and has worked with students of all ages and skill levels. In addition to her role with VOA, SF also works with AIDE Canada and helps to create self-advocate programs, increase access to resources across Canada, and develop course content for online learning. She has a team of advisors from across British Columbia who help to define and determine the best methods for affecting positive change in our communities.
Andrew
Toronto
Self-advocate with speaking partner Susan
Smith is 14 years old and lives in Toronto with his family. He loves music, basketball, time outdoors, hanging out and riding his bike. Andrew is nonspeaking, autistic, and uses a variety of communication tools to interact with his world. He inspires
others through his insights into nature, people, love, spirituality and life in general. His words and his family's journey have been chronicled in the blog, Life, Love & Autism. When he's not busy spelling out his thoughts, he can be found
out in nature listening to the sounds. wordsfromandrew@gmail.com
Erica Machtinger
Toronto
Self-advocate
Erica Machtinger is a 33-year-old who lives in Toronto, Ontario. She lives independently for 5 years. Her parents also live in Toronto. Erica likes to colour, cook & draw for fun, and keep in shape. She has an intellectual disability and is also on the autism spectrum. Erica chose to participate in this project because she wants her voice heard in the community and, she wants to represent one of the many other people in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and society who live on the spectrum. The communication differences that Erica faces in everyday life and have become better at are not understanding what people say, learning to ask for clarification, has learned to write things down and picking up on if people/ and or friends of hers are being serious or sarcastic. Also, if her friends are joking or being serious. Furthermore, how she explains herself or doesn’t explain herself and the last thing is the comprehension of understanding bigger words. Erica is a Special Olympics athlete, and she competes in swimming, and track and field.
Mike
Toronto
Self-advocate
Michael Cnudde is an autistic self-advocate who was diagnosed late in life. He is the Managing Editor of Autism Matters, the quarterly member publication of Autism Ontario, and is also a Communications Specialist with that organization. He is an experienced writer, editor, corporate communications professional, and a former educator. Since his diagnosis, Michael has worked to understand its role in his life and advocate on his behalf and of others on the spectrum. He is also the author of two works of fiction, War Plan Crimson, A Novel of Alternate History (2010), and Elvis Saves JFK! (2011). Michael holds an Honours B.A. in Communications from the University of Ottawa, a Diploma in Journalism from Sheridan College, and a B.Ed from the University of Windsor.
Jordyn
Mono
Self Advocate with speaking partner Kelli
Jordyn Pallett is an 19-year old non-speaking autistic from Mono, Ontario. Gaining access to genuine self-expression at 13 years of age, by pointing letter by letter on an alphabet board, he committed to making a difference for his peers through sharing his experiences of life in an impulsive sensory sensitive body. Conventional therapies have not been his family’s route, and this allows Jordyn to contribute some alternative perspectives to what has been prescribed as the standard of care for non-verbal autistics. As a blogger, a speaker, and the subject of a mini-documentary, Jordyn has impacted families across the globe. Joy, Peace, and Love are brought forth when interacting with him. Jordyn is homeschooled with a hope to attend an institute of higher learning in the future. Jordyn enjoys an adventurous life filled with amazing people committed to supporting his goals and dreams, including his beautiful girlfriend Graciela. Lover of rock climbing, creating with clay, hiking, and bringing joy to every interaction, Jordyn hopes he can be of service to professionals, peers, educators and the medical system in the years to come. To find out more go to www.jordynsrockyjourney.wordpress.com.