April 2, 2015
As Minister of Health, I am proud that Canada remains committed to supporting Canadians who struggle with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as their families, friends and caregivers.
ASD can affect people from all walks of life. It is a complex condition with a wide range of symptoms that can affect an individual's behaviours, communication skills and social interactions. These symptoms may occur in combinations and in degrees of intensity that vary among individuals. Those who live with ASD can also have extraordinary abilities.
Since coming into office, the Government has invested over $1 billion to Genome Canada to support cutting edge research into areas like autism. Through the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Government is building a National Autism Surveillance System. This system will help us better understand the impact of ASD on Canadians through reliable information that will help us estimate the number of Canadians affected by ASD and how many new cases are emerging.
The Government is also supporting a Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment and Care Research with partners at CIHR, Autism Speaks Canada, the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance CASDA, NeuroDevNet and the Sinneave Family Foundation. This Chair supports research and innovation in the treatment and care of children and adults with ASD. An ASD Mental Health Blog created by the Chair features research summaries, editorials, news articles, and videos - all focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder and mental health.
Finally, the Government is focussed on helping individuals with autism reach their potential. The 2014 Economic Action Plan committed $15 million over three years to support the Ready, Willing and Able initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living and CASDA to connect persons with developmental disabilities with jobs. An additional $11.4 million over four years was pledged to support the Sinneave Family Foundation and Autism Speaks Canada as they move to expand a network of vocational training programs in centres across Canada that will help to create employment opportunities for individuals with ASD.
Taken together, these initiatives hold the potential to dramatically improve the lives of those with ASD.
I encourage all Canadians to observe World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, by making an effort to learn more about autism spectrum disorder and how to support people and families living with ASD.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
