In partnership with the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) Evidence Alliance and Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN), Autism Alliance of Canada is conducting a scoping review to identify all national level autism policies for countries that have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention).
Objective
After identifying all national-level autism policies, we will evaluate their alignment with the Convention’s articles and their incorporation of a human rights perspective. Additionally, we will pinpoint priority areas and identify any gaps, providing valuable insights to inform the formulation of future national autism strategies for policymakers.
Our Approach
This review will adhere to Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews. We will conduct a focused internet search for policy documents in grey literature. Screening will be conducted both in pairs and independently. The Convention’s articles will guide our analysis. We will use an integrated knowledge translation approach, involving end users, such as individuals with lived experience, researchers, and policymakers, throughout the research process. This approach ensures that our results directly influence advocacy, research, and policy development efforts.
Our Team
The research team consists of:
- Autistic persons
- Autism Alliance of Canada-Kids Brain Health Policy Development Practicum Fellows
- Research leads from Autism Alliance of Canada, SPOR Evidence Alliance and Kids Brain Health Network
Results from this project will be used to inform the process of developing international policy recommendations through the International Autism Policy Initiative.