Autism Alliance of Canada is proud to share findings from the first 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.
Most autism research focuses on children, leaving big gaps in understanding Autistic adults. We need to know more about their lives, how they experience quality of life, independence, daily activities, and feelings of loneliness, mood, and mental health. By better understanding the needs and lived experience of Autistic adults, we can focus research and policy actions on the areas that are most important to this population, in turn improving the lives of Autistic Canadians and their loved ones. Findings from this survey will be used to inform a national autism strategy and bring value to policymakers, community leaders, researchers, and advocates.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in our efforts to understand and address the needs of Autistic adults in Canada. It represents the first survey tailored specifically for Autistic adults, with the design and leadership being spearheaded by an Autistic researcher, Dr. Mackenzie Salt, alongside members of the Autistic and autism communities. This collaborative approach underscores the success of community-driven research, showcasing our collective ability to generate evidence that authentically captures the multifaceted experiences within the Autistic community.
We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional people 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 gratitude extends to our partners and generous funders, especially the Public Health Agency of Canada and the McMaster University Autism Research Team.
We invite you to click on the button below to read the report, “Fostering Inclusion: Exploring the Needs of Autistic Adults in Canada,” to learn how we can better support the health and wellbeing of Autistic adults in this country.
To learn more about this initiative, join us at the 10th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS2024)! On April 19, Autism Alliance of Canada’s Postdoctoral fellow and research lead of the Adult Needs Survey, Dr. Mackenzie Salt, will be presenting during the parallel session, “Autism Across the Lifespan: Aging Perspective.”
To register for CALS2024, in-person in Ottawa or via livestream, visit: event.fourwaves.com/cals2024/registration