Fundraiser to support respite, camp programs offered by Children's Autism Services of Edmonton
For the second year in a row, a local salon is leading an autism fundraising and awareness campaign.
The money raised by Beaners, a brand that specializes in children's hair cuts, will benefit Children's Autism Services of Edmonton, which offers respite support for parents and a summer camp for kids with autism.
"These types of programs are not funded through traditional sources," the agency's Scott Wilson told CTV News Edmonton.
"So this allows us to have the funding that we need to be able to go and buy the equipment, create the programs and give those kids that little bit of a step into the community."
Beaners says it became involved with the advocacy and fundraising work because it understands that parents sometimes need a helping hand.
"With my son being on the spectrum as well, I can understand where they’re coming from," Fallon Grant, a stylist at Beaners Fun Cuts in St. Albert, said.
"I play with the kids. I just get it."
"You can tell she knows what she's doing," commented Bryan Rubio, whose son Max was diagnosed with autism at three years old.
Hair cuts can be a stressful experience for people with autism, given the sensations of the clippers and wet hair, Wilson explained.
"She’s got more experience with kids like this so it’s a perfect place for them," Rubio said of Beaners.
Rubio uses the respite services provided by Children's Autism Services of Edmonton and says the program is a great relief.
"We have a respite that comes in three hours a week. Three hours a week is a big difference to take a breather," he told CTV News Edmonton.
The campaign runs until the end of April, which is Autism Awareness Month.
Children's Autism Services of Edmonton estimates one in 66 children will be diagnosed with autism.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What slowdown? Economy outperforms, raising odds of a rate hike
The Canadian economy grew faster than expected in the first three months of the year and likely expanded again in April, fuelling speculation that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates again.

Woman who accused Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993 defects to Russia
A former staffer who accused Joe Biden of sexual assault has defected to Moscow and spoken to Russian state media in a news conference that lasted several hours.
'Get out or be in the fire': Nova Scotians detail the moments when they fled their homes
Wildfires in Nova Scotia have burned thousands of hectares across the province, forcing many to flee their homes. Halifax-area residents tell CTV News what it was like for them when they had to evacuate.
Toronto blogger warns of 'seismic shift' in SEO amid AI advancements
As text-generative artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT change the tide of web surfing, one Toronto blogger warns of a “seismic shift” in search engine optimization.
WATCH | Falling weaponry narrowly misses moving car on Kyiv road
A dashcam caught the moment falling debris from a missile nearly hit a moving vehicle on a Kyiv road on Monday.
'This is going to be a prolonged operation': Halifax-area wildfire grows to 837 hectares
Officials say the wildfire burning in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area has grown to 837 hectares.
Personality changes, confusion could be key signs your liver is failing
Imagine being struck with a sudden onset of confusion, struggling to think of words or to recognize your surroundings — and even ending up in the emergency department because of it. No, this isn’t a description of dementia, but of a common complication that can arise from serious liver disease.
Who are the bride and groom in Jordan's royal wedding?
He's heir to the throne in one of the oldest monarchies in the Middle East and a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. She's a Saudi architect with an aristocratic pedigree of her own.
Quebec firm to pay $10M to avoid charges over bribes promised to Philippine officials
A Quebec forensics company promised millions of dollars in bribes to officials in the Philippines, including a cabinet minister and his brother, as it sought lucrative police contracts, according to a statement of facts attached to a deal the firm struck to avoid prosecution in Canada.