Welcome to National Autism News, a newsletter by Autism Alliance of Canada.
View Recordings of Autism Alliance of Canada Presenting on Our Work Towards a National Autism Strategy
On November 22, 2023, Autism Alliance of Canada was invited to present an update on our work at the 6th Annual "Practical Tips for Living Successfully on the Autism Spectrum" event, organized by the Autism Research Centre.
Dr. Deepa Singal, Scientifc Director of the Alliance, presented an update on our work towards a National Autism Strategy. Dr. Mackenzie Salt, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Alliance, presented an overview of the findings of the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment Survey.
Thank you to Dr. Lonnie Zaigenbaum and the Autism Research Centre for the inviting us to showcase our work. We invite you to watch the recordings of the presentations by clicking on the videos below.
Practical Tips 2023: Update from the Autism Alliance with Dr. Zwaigenbaum and Dr. Singal
Practical Tips 2023: Survey of Support Needs of Autistic Adults in Canada - Dr. Mackenzie Salt
Participate in the Survey: "Bridging the Housing Data Gap for Autistic Adults in Canada" Deadline: January 15, 2024
Autism Alliance of Canada's Data-to-Policy Fellow, Alisha Stubbs, is currently leading a study to better understand how data on housing is collected by organizations. If you are an Organization Member of the Alliance, we invite you to complete a survey on if and how your organization collects data on housing.
The primary objective of this survey is to address a substantial gap in recorded housing data for Autistic adults in Canada. This concern has been consistently raised within the community, emphasizing the urgency of our collective efforts.
This survey aims to shape a National Autism Strategy by directing resources where they are most needed. By participating, you actively contribute to improving housing data collection and influencing positive changes for the Autistic community.
We're eager to gain your insights into the diverse living arrangements of Autistic people in Canada. Thank you for taking the time to take part in this initiative. Participate in the survey today
Take a Look at Three New Community Briefs, Summarizing Ideas Generated at CALS2023 and Outlining Future Steps for the Alliance:
What our Provinces and Territories need from a National Autism Strategy
Postsecondary Education Supports
International Learnings for Canada’s National Autism Strategy.
Autism Alliance of Canada is developing an exciting agenda for the 10th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2024)! The CALS2024 program builds on core conversations that took place at CALS2023 and explores new directions under three themes: Inform, Implement and Innovate.
At the 9th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2023), which took place in April 2023, Summit attendees participated in various group discussions to reflect on panel presentations and to exchange ideas with each other. Since then, Autism Alliance of Canada compiled those ideas into three community briefs, focusing on:
We are thrilled to share that the collection of community briefs from CALS2023 is now available to view and to share! These resources can be leveraged by advocates, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders, to inform their work and strengthen their advocacy.
We invite all to explore the content of these community briefs to get a glimpse of the discussions that took place at CALS2023. We hope they inspire you to join us at CALS2024!
Planning for the 10th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2024) is in full swing! We are delighted to welcome you to join us at CALS2024 from April 17-19, 2024, at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa and via livestream. Interested in participating? Take a note of the important dates below.
Call for submissions: Financial Support Program
Deadline: January 7, 2024
Click here to apply for the Financial Support Program.
Call for proposals: Community Showcase
Deadline: January 14, 2024
Click here to submit a proposal for the Community Showcase.
Call for artists: Third Annual Jim & Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award
Deadline: January 15, 2024
Click here to submit a piece of art to be awarded to recipient of the Third Munson Award.
Call for nominations: Third Annual Jim & Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award
Deadline: January 15, 2024
Click here to submit a nomination for the Third Munson Award.
Registration period for early bird rates
Early bird registration ends January 31, 2024
Click here to register to CALS2024!
Registration period for regular priced and one-day tickets
Regular rates and one-day tickets sales start February 1, 2024.
For more info check out our CALS2024 website
The Pediatric Autism Research Cohort (PARC) Study co-investigative team is pleased to invite you to register for their free live Zoom talk in a new series called the PARC Study Speaker Series. The PARC Study is a multi-site longitudinal study looking to explore factors that affect the developmental pathways of newly diagnosed Autistic children.
On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 11am-12pm EST, join the virtual Zoom session, designed for parents and caregivers of Autistic children. Anyone interested in this topic is welcome to join.
This talk will be delivered by study co-investigator Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, who is an Associate Professor with the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. He is also the Director of the Autism Research Centre at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, where he prioritizes supporting career paths for research trainees with lived experience, as well as patient-oriented, strengths-based research.
In this presentation, Dr. Zwaigenbaum will discuss how specialty and community physicians and teams can work together to improve health care for autistic children, including improving access to diagnosis and management of co-occurring conditions.
The livestream will be accessible through Zoom, fully open to the public, meaning that you do not have to be enrolled in the PARC Study to join and participate. Closed captioning will be available, and you will be able to participate in a Q&A if you choose.
Please note that registering for this event does not enroll you into the PARC Study!
Register for the PARC Speaker Series Webinar today
Help Shape Regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit Deadline: December 21, 2023
The Government of Canada is launching the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool!The Government of Canada is taking the next step in implementing the Canada Disability Benefit, with the launch of the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool, which will give all Canadians, but especially Canadians with disabilities, the opportunity to have their say in the development of regulations for the benefit.The tool will be open for comments until December 21, 2023.
Share your feedback on the Canada Disability Benefit