Autism project: Ontario moves to strengthen autism services

York University Professor Jonathan Weiss is one of eight experts from across Canada who have been selected to help Ontario further develop its autism programs and services, and guide its next steps in treating a growing number of people with the brain disorder, reported the Toronto Star Dec. 12. Read full story.

York’s Appiah, Ottawa’s Ward take home players of the week
Cynthia Appiah, a track and field star from York University, has been named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) female athlete of the week for the period ending Dec. 2, reported TSN Dec.11. The fifth-year history and psychology student broke a school record and claimed two gold medals at the Xmas Open meet in Toronto last Saturday. Read full story.

Time-based transfer system sought for TTC
Having the ability to travel on the entire TTC system without limit, on the same fare, within a fixed timeframe, would greatly benefit women who disproportionately rely on public transit, said York University Professor Patricia Wood to the city’s budget committee this week, reported the City Centre Mirror Dec. 11. Read full story.

Guest column: Commitment key to reaching goal
“Assuming a goal is attainable, managers would be wise to help their employees find examples of similar people in similar situations who have reached goals. This modeling effect can go a long way in boosting a person’s confidence,” wrote Kevin Tasa, professor of organization studies at York’s Schulich School of Business, in the City Centre Mirror Dec. 11. Read full story.

Ikea monkey needs a large social group to thrive, expert says
Although Darwin, the rhesus macaque monkey found at a Toronto Ikea store recently, was obviously loved by his owner, his life in a Toronto home was completely unnatural and potentially harmful to him in the long run, said Suzanne MacDonald, a professor of psychology and biology at York University, who studies animal behaviour. The defining feature of rhesus monkeys is that they live in social groups with 20 to 200 others, she said in the Toronto Star Dec. 11. Read full story.

Have your say: How can I have Christmas without the clutter?
“It’s about balance and motivation. Give more to organizations that need it, and give presents to those who don’t expect it – then that crass commercialism around us doesn’t appear quite so exploitative,” said Alan Middleton, professor of marketing at York University and executive director of the Schulich Executive Education Centre, in The Globe and Mail Dec. 11. Read full story.