Announcement of a Comprehensive Canadian Federal Initiative on ASD

ACT congratulates the Autism Society of Canada and others for their impressive advocacy on behalf of Canadians with ASD. Several years of hard work culminated on November 21, 2006 with an announcement of the federal minister of Health, Tony Clements, that the Government of Canada is committing to develop a comprehensive National Initiative on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The promised initiatives are focused on improving knowledge and research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to help individuals and families facing the challenges of ASD.  For details see http://news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=257179

For background on the work of the Autism Society of Canada in advocating for a comprehensive national autism strategy to address lifespan issues of individuals with ASD, see www.autismsocietycanada.ca/pdf_word/pr_CallForAction_11_07_06_e.pdf. 

The Canadian Association of Speech Language and Audiologists are also to be congratulated for their advocacy work at the federal level.  They have recently submitted a brief to the Federal Government's Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology outlining the need for a national autism strategy and funding for treatment across the lifespan along with comprehensive research.  The brief can be viewed at http://www.caslpa.ca/PDF/SenateCommittee_bried_nov2006.pdf 

Other professional associations which have advocated at the federal level before the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology for a comprehensive national strategy for children with ASD include the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.  CAOT recommendations before the Senate can viewed at www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=2098

For the those interested in a powerful American initiative involving major US autism organizations, focused on advocating for the US government to increasing research and intervention funding, see: www.combatautism.org/site/c.adJCKONvFoG/b.1316355/k.FBBC/Current_Legislation/apps/nl/newsletter2

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