AutismBC Talks with Dr. Grant Bruno

Building Circles of Care: Community Approaches to Autism and Belonging with Dr. Grant Bruno 

Dr. Grant Bruno returns to share his insights in Building Circles of Care: Community Approaches to Autism and Belonging. This live, hour-long webinar builds on last spring’s session on Indigenous Understandings of Neurodivergence, exploring how kinship and natural community care support autistic people and their families.

Through examples such as the Sensory Tipi* in Maskwacîs and the Special Olympics** programs, Dr. Bruno highlights how connection, reciprocity, and belonging foster well-being. Participants will see how existing circles of care can be nurtured to create culturally grounded, inclusive, and supportive communities.

Virtual Webinar  |  FREE
April 17, 2026  |  12:00 to 1:00 PM PT 

This session will not be recorded or shared, and registration is required. Capacity is limited.

Registration closes Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at noon. Secure your spot now!

Registration is now closed.

Members-Only Event:

• This is a members-only event. Learn more about our free AutismBC Community Membership here.
• Our community membership provides access to our programs and events, and allows us to manage registrations and share updates. This is not an AutismBC Society Membership, which includes voting and governance participation. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your information remains private and is not publicly shared. Read our privacy policy.

Who Should Attend: 

• Parents and caregivers of children and youth 
• Educators and school staff 
• Mental health professionals 
• Anyone interested in understanding and supporting children’s social-emotional well-being and inclusive learning experiences 

Accessibility & Participation: 

• Live captions available 
• Pre-submitted and live Q&A questions welcome. 
• Submit your questions until April 15, 2026, at 4:00pm: AutismBC Talks with Dr. Grant Bruno – Fill out form
• This session will not be recorded or shared, and registration is required. We encourage live attendance where possible.

About Dr. Grant Bruno:

Dr. Grant Bruno is nêhiyaw (Plains Cree), a registered member of Samson Cree Nation, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. As both a researcher and a parent, Dr. Bruno’s work is rooted in the experiences of Indigenous caregivers raising children with diverse needs. His research seeks to create culturally responsive healthcare models that reflect the strengths, challenges, and hopes of families, particularly in the areas of neurodiversity and child and youth health. Drawing on nêhiyaw understandings of health and wellness, he weaves together Indigenous knowledge systems and Western frameworks to foster inclusive and decolonized approaches to healthcare. 

Dr. Bruno is currently the Academic Lead for Indigenous Child Health at the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI). He is the founder of the Ispimihk Awâsisak (Sky Children Program) and the Indigenous Caregiving Collective, both of which center the voices of families and caregivers in shaping programs and research. He also serves as the Scientific Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives for the Kids Brain Health Network, where he continues to advocate for caregiver-driven solutions that strengthen Indigenous child and youth health.

*The Sensory Tipi offers a relational, land-based space where sensory needs are met through cultural safety, ceremony, and kinship—reminding us that healing and regulation are collective experiences.

**The Special Olympics program fostered inclusion through shared movement, joy, and community pride.