Autism Alliance of Canada conducts and supports autism health services and policy research in priority areas identified by Autistic people and those who support them. Our research and data initiatives will generate evidence that can shape inclusive policies that address the diverse needs of Autistic persons and their loved ones.
These initiatives fall under five pillars:
Within each pillar, we strive to center the experiences of Autistic people and their loved ones, with community-identified priorities guiding us. We work towards the production of high-quality evidence and data that can inform system-level policy change and guide the development and implementation of the National Autism Strategy. We do this by:
• Partnering with Autistic people and their families, researchers, clinicians, and service providers, to develop research projects guided by community priorities.
• Advancing pan-Canadian collaborations.
• Leading and supporting multi-regional grants and national studies.
• Connecting policymakers and researchers to conduct research that can inform system change.
• Building training capacity for neurodiverse research trainees to be equipped to lead autism research.
• Generating community-based data.
Autism Alliance of Canada, partnering with McMaster University, is conducting a survey of Autistic adults (age 30 years and older) across Canada to better understand their needs. This information will be used to inform rights-based autism policy that prioritizes the lived-experience of Autistic adults.
The Autism Data Collaborative consists of individuals with personal experience, researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders from all over Canada. Together, they aim to utilize and create Canadian health, social, and education data to influence improved policies and enhance systems, ultimately making the lives of Autistic people in Canada and their families better.
Autism Alliance of Canada, partnering with McMaster University, is conducting a survey of Autistic adults (age 30 years and older) across Canada to better understand their needs. This information will be used to inform rights-based autism policy that prioritizes the lived-experience of Autistic adults.
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Autism Alliance of Canada has partnered with Trent University on the Examining Criminal Justice with Autistic Adults in Canada project to achieve a better understanding and appreciation of how the criminal justice system is experienced and perceived by Autistic adults in Canada.
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This project is composed of community members and researchers who work as a team to understand the difficulties faced by Autistic people who speak minority languages. The findings will help decision-makers improve healthcare access and fairness for both majority and minority-language speakers all over Canada.
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Autism Alliance of Canada is partnering with the McMaster Autism Research Team on the Pediatric Autism Research Cohort (PARC) study. The PARC study aims to understand how children on the autism spectrum grow and develop. The insights gained from this study can help advocate for supports that can help Autistic children reach their full potential.
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Part of: Autism Data Collaborative
The Data-to-Policy Fellowship is an opportunity for research trainees to inform autism policy and practice in Canada. Trainees will apply their skills to support the Autism Data Collaborative working groups in promoting the use of Canadian data assets.
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