A Statement from Autism Alliance of Canada | April 2025

Autism is not an epidemic. It is not a disease. It is not caused by vaccines. And it is certainly not something to be feared.

Yet recent discourse — influenced by misinformation circulating in the United States — has reignited harmful myths and outdated narratives that threaten to undermine decades of advocacy, scientific progress, and community building. 

Facts matter. And in a time where trust in our public institutions is already weakened, facts matter now, more than ever. So here are the facts.

Autism is a complex and diverse neurodevelopmental condition. It affects how people communicate, learn, and experience the world. No two individuals are alike. Support needs can range significantly — from those who are non-speaking and require lifelong care to those who live independently with the right supports. A significant proportion of autistic people also experience co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or intellectual disability. 

Over the last decade, the scientific definition of autism has expanded to encompass a broader spectrum of neurodevelopmental presentations, reflecting advances in our understanding of its cognitive and behavioural heterogeneity. At the same time, our systems have improved in their ability to identify and support those who have long been overlooked: girls, gender-diverse individuals, and racialized communities.

These are some of the reasons why we are seeing the numbers rise. 

In Canada, based on an estimate from a 2019 Public Health Agency of Canada report, about 1 in 50 children are diagnosed with autism; but this is likely an underrepresentation, due to methodological limitations and lack of data from several provinces. Our true prevalence may be closer to recent estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which report 1 in 31 children. In some provinces, the rates are even higher — for example, the British Columbia ministry of Child and Family Development reports that 1 in 25 children are receiving services for autism support. These numbers reflect real progress in awareness, inclusion, and early identification as well as a broadening of how the medical community defines autism. And they point to a simple truth: nearly everyone in Canada knows or loves someone who is autistic.

More importantly, these numbers do not indicate a problem. They indicate a responsibility. A responsibility to ensure that our education, healthcare, and social systems are prepared to support autistic people — across all ages and stages of life. And not just support them, but to include them. To build systems that are equitable, responsive, and reflective of the diversity within the autism community. 

What we need now is not fear. We need action.