History

Autism Alliance of Canada (formerly Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance – CASDA) forms after the “Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism Families in Crisis” Senate Report is released. The final recommendation was for a National Autism Strategy.

Autism Alliance of Canada forms its mandate: To call for the development and implementation of a National Autism Strategy.

Autism Alliance of Canada holds the first Canadian Autism Leadership Summit.

The Government of Canada invests in Ready, Willing & Able (RWA), a national employment program, jointly sponsored by Inclusion Canada and Autism Alliance of Canada, designed to increase the labour force participation of job seekers with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.

Autism Alliance of Canada develops the Blueprint for a National Autism Strategy. This resource focuses on three components: (1)Pan-Canadian collaboration, (2) Immediate action on priority areas of jurisdictional responsibility (3) An integrated cross-departmental federal government approach.

The Prime Minister announces that the development and implementation of a National Autism Strategy has been added to the mandate letters of the Ministers of Health and of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

Autism Alliance of Canada launches the Roadmap for a National Autism Strategy. This resource proposes a timeline for the government to work together with the autism community to develop and implement a robust National Autism Strategy.

Autism Alliance of Canada publishes the 2020 Policy Compendium, developed by Autism Alliance of Canada-Kids Brain Health Network Policy Development Working Groups.

This Policy Compendium was developed to support the federal government in taking steps towards the development of a National Autism Strategy in the areas of:

1. Research and Governance
2. Affordability and Access
3. Employment
4. Housing
5. Information

Autism Alliance of Canada publishes the 2021 Policy Compendium, developed by Autism Alliance of Canada-Kids Brain Health Network Policy Development Working Groups.

This Policy Compendium built on the 2020 Policy Compendium to develop a collection of policy briefs aligned with the 3 areas of focus defined by the government:

1. Social inclusion
2. Diagnosis, supports, and services
3. Economic inclusion

Bill S-203, “An Act respecting a federal framework on autism,” is introduced in the Senate of Canada.

The proposed legislation calls on the federal government to act on “Pay Now or Pay Later,” the Senate report published in 2007, by implementing a federal framework on autism, including measures such as financial supports and accountability in the use of federal funds, research and improved data collection, awareness campaigns and online resources.

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences publishes the report: Autism in Canada: Considerations for future public policy development.

This report was prepared for the Government of Canada in response to a request from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). It quotes a number of resources developed by Autism Alliance of Canada, namely the National Needs Assessment Survey (2014), the Language Guide (2020), the Roadmap for a National Autism Strategy (2020).

Autism Alliance of Canada and its members appear as witnesses before the Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology to share their support and perspectives on Bill S-203, “An Act respecting a federal framework on autism.”

Bill S-203, “An Act respecting a federal framework on autism,” receives Royal Assent on March 30, 2023.

This legislation outlines a commitment for the development of a federal framework designed to support Autistic Canadians, their families and support persons.

The Government of Canada announces funding for the Autism Alliance of Canada to address gaps in knowledge about the needs and experiences of Autistic adults over the age of 30.

Findings from the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment will be used to inform future research and policy priorities, including the National Autism Strategy.