On March 28th, 2023, the Government of Canada passed Bill S-203, which legislates the development of a national autism strategy to help and support all Autistics and their caregivers. At the same time, a government commissioned report reported significant gaps in information about Autistic adults.
To fill some of these gaps, Autism Alliance of Canada, partnering with McMaster University, began a project focused on better understanding the needs of Autistic Adults (age 30 years and older) across Canada.
The first phase of this project was a survey funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada from which results were used to inform the recently released National Autism Strategy.
This was a survey by Autistics for Autistics. The survey was led by our postdoctoral Health System Impact Fellow, Dr. Mackenzie Salt. Dr. Salt is an Autistic self-advocate and autism researcher. He worked with and consulted with lived experience partners of various ages and abilities, in developing the survey. This is also a chance for Autistic adults to inform policy being made to support them and have their experiences and perspectives heard by the federal government.
We invite you to click on the button below to read the report, published on April 2, 2024, “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.
More recently, the second phase of the project, funded by the Sinneave Family Foundation, was completed. Over 60 Autistic adults were involved in a series of focus groups that discussed their needs and barriers to mental health servicse and community-social support. Participants also provided a series of recommendations to be followed by policymakers and researchers that would help improve service provision for Autistic adults in Canada.
For the full report on phase 2 of this project, “Autistic Adults in Focus: Understanding Mental Health and Social Support Needs and Barriers”, click the button below.
We also encourage you to explore our study summaries, where you can see the needs, barriers, and recommendations for better supporting Autistic adults at a glance.
This project couldn’t come at a better time. There’s very little information out there on Autistic adults and what they go through. This is an opportunity to try and fill some of those gaps, inform policymakers, and let the Autistic community have a say in policy that will be affecting them.
