Autism Alliance of Canada is proud to share findings from the second part of the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment Survey, an Autistic-led research project focused on understanding the real-life needs of Autistic adults in Canada.
During Phase one, Autism Alliance of Canada was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to run a national survey “Fostering Inclusion: Exploring the Needs of Autistic Adults in Canada.” The survey looked at important areas of need like health, housing, transportation, jobs, money, and access to services. Survey participants said their top two priorities for further research were mental health and social connections.
In Phase 2, Autism Alliance of Canada research team partnered with the Sinneave Family Foundation and McMaster University to take a deeper dive into the needs of Autistic adults through focus groups. We held focus groups with 64 Autistic adults across Canada. Recommendations from Autistic adults themselves emphasize the need for the expansion of adult-focused autism services, particularly in mental health and employment supports, alongside better financial assistance and greater social support networks. There is also a pressing need for inclusive pathways to care that do not solely rely on family physicians for referrals or a formal diagnosis.
Further, the findings from this report include a set of recommendations synthesized from those put forth by our participants that serve as a starting point to addressing the complex mental health and social connection needs of Autistic adults in Canada.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to those who have been integral in the journey of this project. To the Autistic people whose participation, insights, and leadership have shaped the very fabric of our initiative, we extend our deepest thanks. Furthermore, our sincere thanks extend to our partners, the Sinneave Family Foundation and the McMaster University Autism Research Team.
We invite you to click on the button below to read the report, “Autistic Adults in Focus: Understanding Mental Health and Social Support Needs and Barriers,” to learn how we can better support the health and well-being of Autistic adults in this country.