When Cochrane resident David Huh was diagnosed with autism at just three years old, his parents wasted no time securing support.
“We did it right away,” said David’s father, Brandon Huh. “We had people come to our house: an aide, occupational therapists and psychologists. There’s been lots of help since his diagnosis.”
What the family didn’t anticipate, however, was the lack of long-term social programming for individuals like David. This was a gap they came to recognize as he grew older.
“In the earlier years, it was just him,” Brandon recalled. “We’ve realized there are a lot of kids who need that social aspect with peers on a similar level. They need a place where they can go, enjoy themselves, and just be free.”
Now 18 and freshly graduated from Cochrane High School, David is described as a happy and loving young man who seeks social connection. But autism often makes it difficult to integrate into mainstream environments.
“I think he wants to be typical, just like every other child,” his father said. “People accept him at school, but it’s hard to connect. He doesn’t quite fit into the regular crowd.”
That’s where the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society (AAFS) comes in.
Founded in Calgary and expanded to Cochrane in 2017, AAFS is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating inclusive, social environments for individuals with autism. For David, it has made a world of difference.
“The program hits on everything he needs,” Brandon noted. “There are so many kids out there with similar challenges. To be part of something where everyone supports each other-- it’s just incredible.”
AAFS Rural Branch Coordinator Sophie Morrish says the impact is evident among all members, including Isaac Pollard, a 17-year-old incoming senior at Cochrane High, and one of David’s closest friends.
Isaac was diagnosed with autism at age four after becoming non-verbal around age two. His mother, Lisa Pollard, remembers their early days with AAFS fondly.
“He started in the Calgary branch when we lived in Chestermere,” she said. “When we moved to Cochrane three years ago, he joined the local group and became fast friends with David.”
Now fully verbal, Isaac thrives in AAFS’s fun, structured activities.
“I love making friends at the clubhouse,” he shared. “We go to the Wolfdog Sanctuary, swim at Spray Lakes, and watch movies.”
For Lisa, the program offers more than social interaction, it provides a sense of purpose and independence.
“He sees his younger sister going out and doing things on her own,” she said. “Going out with AAFS gives him a version of that independence too.”
According to Morrish, the Cochrane branch currently connects with about 45 members, but attendance at different events has been declining, a trend she hopes to reverse through increased awareness.
“Some families don’t even realize we’re here,” she explained. “For many of our members, this is the only time they get to go out and hang out with others.”
One of AAFS’s key strengths is its inclusive, no-age-limit policy, allowing members like David and Isaac to continue participating into adulthood.
“Our youngest participant was five, and our oldest is over 30,” Morrish explained. “While the Calgary branch runs age-specific programming, we do occasionally host some of those right here in Cochrane too.”
AAFS operates year-round, offering an invaluable support to families navigating life with autism-- whether it’s about making friends, gaining independence, or just finding a place to belong.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.aafscalgary.com
