Welcome to Autism Society Canada's Website
Whether you are a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a parent or caregiver of a child with autism, a family member, a volunteer, an educator, a health or social service professional, or an interested researcher, this site will provide you with reliable information on autism and referrals to many helpful services and resources. You will also find news of our recent activities and publications.
ASC puts special focus on providing information, referral and resources for parents and other family members who are seeking support for children with autism. This site also provides news, resources and links for youths and adults on the spectrum. An exciting feature of our new site is Autism Junction – a searchable Canada-wide Directory of ASD services and related supports.
Whether you are looking for the latest news, people in the community to connect with, information on university/college supports, or just for general information and links to interesting places on the web, we hope the ASC site will be helpful to you. Please feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it your comments and suggestions.
ASC is working to ensure that people with ASDs can reach their full potential as participating members of their communities.
Autism Society Canada
Recognizing 34 outstanding Canadians as recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal...
World Autism Awareness Day News
Autism and the Need for Change. Victoria Brewster, Social Justice Solutions, May 15, 2013: Imagine being the mother of an autistic child. Imagine raising and providing for this child for 19 years and not being able to do so anymore. Amanda Telford and her husband Alex from Ottawa, Canada spent almost two decades caring for their son the best way that they could ...
Advocacy Group Demands Politicians Talk about Care for the Autistic. Jessica Barrett, Vancouver Sun, May 5, 2013: When Ottawa’s Amanda Telford made the heartbreaking decision to turn her 19-year-old autistic son over to a social services agency last week, West Vancouver’s Jean Lewis understood her motivation.
Resource List — Autism Support Networks in Canada. CTVnews.ca, May 4, 2013: A list of some of the organizations in Canada that provide support to families dealing with autism.
Temporary Solution for Parents who Gave Up Autistic Son. CTVNews.ca, May 3, 2013: A 19-year-old Ottawa man with autism has been found a home for the next few weeks after his parents dropped him off at a government office and sparked a national discussion about the lack of support services available to such families.
Public Cry for Help: Telford Family Not Alone in Dealing with Autism Challenges. Angel Mulholland, CTVnews.ca, May 3, 2013: Amanda Telford's family is not alone ... That has been the reaction from many who watched the story of Ottawa mother, who felt so overwhelmed caring for her 19-year-old, severely autistic son Philippe that she decided to drop him off at an Ontario government agency office and ask them to take over his care.
Parents of Autistic Children 'Exasperated' by Financial Costs. Andre Mayer, CBC News, May 2, 2013: Amanda Telford’s decision to leave her severely autistic son at a provincial developmental services office in Ottawa this week was a drastic step for a frustrated parent.
As Autism Rates Rise in Canada, Doctors Search for Answers. CTVNews.ca, May 2, 2013: The number of children with autism has increased significantly in Canada and the United States, but the cause – whether it’s environmental, genetic, or a result of better diagnostic tests – remains an elusive mystery.
World Autism Awareness Day Marked by Opening of New Adult Training Facility in Regina. Pamela Cowan, Leader-Post, April 3, 2013: When Kellie Garrett's son was diagnosed with autism 16 years ago, she was told all the things he would never do. These days, the focus is on everything Connor Stevens can do.
In honor of April 2 and Autism Awareness Month, we at Amber Alert GPS, are providing a special promo code, "aagpsautism", that provides the Autism Community 50% off a GPS device. Visit http://www.amberalertgps.com/ to learn more.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Announces $1-million Donation from RBC Foundation to Support the Hospital's Autism Research Centre. heraldonline.com, April 2, 2013: Ground-breaking research in autism in support of children's mental health celebrated at Holland Bloorview on World Autism Awareness Day.
Seeking Cures and Busting Myths: 'Living with Autism is Just Reality for a lot of People.' Grant LaFleche, The Standard, April 2, 2013: Flags will be raised. Programs and activists praised. The courage of those who struggle admired. But when the first World Autism Awareness Day to be celebrated in Canada ends Tuesday, Maureen Connolly hopes it will do more than just briefly shine a light on the disorder.
Families, Communities Mark Sixth Annual World Autism Awareness Day. Staff, CTVnews.ca, April 2, 2013: Fundraising and awareness-raising events are being held across the globe Tuesday, to mark the sixth annual World Autism Awareness Day.
Local Resident Receives Queen's Jubilee Medal. The Shaunavon Standard, April 2, 2013: Autism Society Canada is proud to have partnered with the Governor General of Canada to assist in recognizing a group of outstanding Canadians as recipients’ of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Among those receiving the honour was Arden Fiala of Shaunavon.
Gregory Desrosiers' new e-book "The Asperger Computer" now available online! An author with Aspergers explores his unique reality by taking on the persona of a computer!
Toronto Marks World Autism Awareness Day. Shawne McKeown, CityNews Toronto, April 2, 2013: People in the GTA and across the country are marking World Autism Awareness Day for the first time Tuesday, with several events planned to highlight the developmental disorder and to raise money.
The award winning, bestselling novel Autism Goes to School is free April 2nd to honour World Autism Day. The book can be accessed from Amazon.ca, or at Amazon.com.
Autism Day Raises a Flag for Awareness — A Key to Building Support for Autistic People. Laurie Monsebraaten, thestar.com, March 29, 2013: As a parent advocate and then a Toronto school board co-chair, Shelley Carroll worked fiercely behind the scenes to ensure her autistic daughter got the right support.
The Amazing Lakes. Steve Paikin, The Agenda, TVO, March 26, 2013: Last April, the Lake family visited us at TVO, in advance of World Autism Day, to talk about how autism has affected their lives.
Ontario Marks World Autism Awareness Day by Raising the Flag in 444 Communities Across the Province. Autism Ontario Press Release, Market Watch, March 6, 2013. April 2nd, 2013 will mark an historical day in Canada for the Autism community. For the first time, Canadians will recognize World Autism Awareness Day.
The Redpath Centre Releases New Research Report. Diversity in Ontario's Youth and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Complex Needs in Unprepared Systems. Download PDF | Visit the Redpath Centre's website
Congratulations to Kristian Hooker on Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal! [Read coverage from the Selkirk Journal by Donna Maxwell, PDF].
Ontario's Auditor General to Review Autism Services. Andrea Gordon and Laurie Monsebraaten, thestar.com, February 8, 2013: Ontario’s Auditor General will launch an unprecedented review of children’s autism services at a time when huge public interest has focused attention on services for a growing number of children with the neurodevelopmental disorder.
Families Deeply Impacted by Autism Aggression, Study Finds. Shaun Heasley, Disability Scoop, January 23, 2013: Though aggression is not typical of everyone with autism, new research suggests that it affects many with the developmental disorder and brings significant and often lifelong challenges.
Private Sector Signals Strong Support for Labour Force Inclusion of People with Disabilities. Canadian Association for Community Living Press Release, January 17, 2013: Federal Ministers Diane Finley and Jim Flaherty released the Report of a panel of private sector leaders and disability experts appointed by both Ministers, and titled Rethinking DisAbility in the Private Sector. Laurie Larson, President of the Canadian Association for Community (CACL) Living said, “The report marks a very positive step toward securing greater labour market access and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. CACL congratulates Ministers Finley and Flaherty, and the panel who prepared the report. If more employers could take the leadership portrayed in this report, people with intellectual disabilities would begin to make much needed headway in Canada’s labour market.” [Read More ...]
Autism Ontario Media Release, December 17, 2012 [PDF]: Autism Ontario and The Redpath Centre join millions of people worldwide in expressing our deepest sympathies to those affected by the tragic shooting of innocent children and their teachers that occurred in Connecticut on Friday. Our prayerful thoughts are with the community of Newtown as we try to understand what led to this horrific event and how we move forward. In media descriptions of the 20 year-old shooter it has come to the attention of the police and the media that Adam Lanza had “Asperger syndrome and a personality disorder”. At the time of this press release these conjectures have not been verified by authorities; however it has been reported nonetheless. [Read More]
Announcing Knowledge Base
Autism Ontario is pleased to launch Knowledge Base, an on-line, searchable database of brief, easy-to-understand documents that are relevant to the lives of youth and adults on the autism spectrum and their families. Explore the resource.
Jeanette J.A. Holden (1947–2012)
Autism Society Canada is deeply saddened to mark the passing of our long-time Board Member, Dr. Jeanette Holden. An acclaimed ASD researcher and leader in the field of genetics, Dr. Holden has supported ASC and the entire autism community in Canada and abroad by sharing her tremendous energy, her extensive scientific knowledge, and her unbridled optimism in our ability to create a better future for people living with ASDs and their families. Jeanette’s interest in breaking down the barriers for those living with autism was sparked early in life by her beloved brother Jim who has an ASD. Her first hand knowledge of life with ASD and the family challenges that can bring translated into a deeply compassionate and caring approach to her life-long scientific investigation.
At Autism Society Canada Dr. Holden provided ongoing advice and support for our information and referral services, enthusiastically answering every request for advice, no matter how busy she was. She had a strong understanding of the need for grass-roots community support across the country. She will be deeply missed here at ASC and in the autism and scientific communities she was such an important part of. The legacy she has left is one of hope and shared optimism for the future of ASD research and for Canadians living with ASDs and their families. A full description of Jeanette’s contribution to autism research and messages from her colleagues and friends can be found on a memorial page dedicated to her on the ASD-CARC website.
Individuals living with ASDs from across Canada share their stories:
Spreading Autism Acceptance – Chris' Story [PDF]
Giving Voice to those who are Silent – Kristian's Story [PDF]
Just a Mom – Michelle's Story [PDF]
Defying the Odds – Jason's Story [PDF]
Being Committee Chair Means Being a Positive Role Model for Others – Tom's Story [PDF]
No Chance for University Graduate – Danny's Story [PDF]
A Canadian Plan for Autism – Vicki's Story [PDF]
A Message of Hope – Cynthia's Story [PDF]
Being Supportive in a Small Community – Larry's Story [PDF]
Strides in Ontario – Leah's Story [PDF]
A Woman's Fight for Recognition – Martine's Story [PDF]
A Fight for Healthcare – Vic's Story [PDF]
Aspergian Love – Georges' Story [PDF] | Un amour de type Asperger – L'histoire de Georges [PDF]
Frustration in Rural Saskatchewan – Arden's Story [PDF]
I Am My Own Success – Leland's Story [PDF]
Finding Hope in Yukon – Karen's Story [PDF]
Bringing Autism to Parliament – Jerome's Story [PDF]
