As outlined in Bill S203, the Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Act, establishing a research network is a component of advancing the Federal Government’s National Autism Framework and Strategy. At Autism Alliance of Canada, we bring together our membership  to engage in meaningful conversations to inform the development and implementation of the Autism Strategy, which supports the National Autism Framework.

Across the country, world-class research on autism and neurodevelopmental conditions is being conducted by national experts and institutions. These efforts are a strong foundation that can be leveraged to develop a national autism network. This network would aim to advance data collection to fill evidence gaps, address priorities identified by autistic people and their families, and aim to understand what programs and services are working for Autistic individuals – unpacking for whom, why, and how. Such knowledge is essential for spreading and scaling successful initiatives, ultimately creating more equitable systems of care and support for autistic people.  

Autism Alliance of Canada is committed to ensuring that the implementation of the Autism Strategy is inclusive, evidence-based, and involves Autistic people and their caregivers. The Alliance, with its extensive network of Autistic people and their families, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, service providers and organizations from across Canada, is uniquely positioned to identify the needs for a national autism research network that will advance high-quality research that reflects community priorities. By convening its members, the Alliance calls on a wide range of expertise and lived experience to guide the development of a national research network.

This work has aimed to gather input from individuals to help guide and shape the development of such a network, ensuring it supports coordinated, lifelong services, equitable delivery, and the integration of research into policy for Autistic Canadians across the country.

This report presents the findings of an exploratory survey that Autism Alliance of Canada conducted to gain insight into the expectations and priorities of both the autism community and the research community for a national autism research network. These insights provide a foundation that can guide the effective development and implementation of the network in alignment with Canada’s Autism Strategy.