Autism: What Canada is doing
On this page
- The Framework for Autism in Canada and Canada’s Autism Strategy
- How we monitor autism
- Related initiatives
The Framework for Autism in Canada and Canada’s Autism Strategy
The Framework for Autism in Canada and Canada’s Autism Strategy were released on September 26, 2024. The framework and strategy reinforce one another and share many similarities. They both share the same priorities and guiding principles, and are informed by the same sources. However, they have different purposes and scopes.
The purpose of the framework is to:
- give all sectors a common direction to work towards
- promote the health and well-being of Autistic people, their families and caregivers
- legally commit to the Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Act
Its scope includes:
- guiding future work on autism
- explaining national policy direction for autism initiatives in Canada
- explaining federal measures that the Minister of Health will carry out
- highlighting opportunities, best practices and important points from stakeholder consultations
The purpose of the strategy is to:
- help implement the Framework for Autism in Canada
- help us advance autism priorities with our partners
Its scope includes:
- regular updates as needs and priorities change
- building on existing federal programs and measures
- outlining short- and medium-term initiatives over several years
You can compare them in more detail by reading our infographics:
Learn more:
- Framework for Autism in Canada
- Canada’s Autism Strategy
- Call for applications: National Autism Network
- Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Act
- News release: Government of Canada launches Framework for Autism in Canada, Canada’s Autism Strategy, and National Autism Network call for applications
- Autism in Canada: Considerations for future public policy development (Canadian Academy of Health Sciences)
- Key themes from the 2022 National Autism Conference
How we monitor autism
The Public Health Agency of Canada monitors autism (also known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD) using various data sources. This helps us build an overall picture of the health and well-being of Autistic people across the country.
Our monitoring priorities are:
- collecting data on Autistic people of all ages
- reporting on indicators beyond prevalence, such as:
- demographics
- diversity and equity
- co-occurring conditions
- diagnostic pathways and health care services
- wider health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
- expanding surveillance to include all provinces and territories
We achieve this by working closely with:
- researchers
- stakeholders
- federal partners
- Indigenous partners
- provincial and territorial partners
Publications and statistics
These publications have the latest information and statistics on autism in Canada:
- Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in autistic children and youth: Highlights from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (factsheet)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Highlights from the 2019 Canadian Survey on Children and Youth (report)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder - Highlights from the Canadian Survey on Disability (infographic)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children and Youth in Canada 2018 - A Report of the National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (report)
Related initiatives
These Government of Canada initiatives also benefit Autistic people, their families, and caregivers in Canada.
Autism and Intellectual Disabilities Knowledge Exchange Network (AIDE Canada)
AIDE Canada gives Autistic people, their families and caregivers access to:
- online resources
- local programming
- employment opportunities
- an inventory of services and supports
There are 6 AIDE Canada locations across the country where you can access resources and supports in person.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategic Fund
This fund provided $9.1 million over 5 years for community-based projects that supported people in the autism community by:
- addressing needs across a person's life
- integrating health, social and educational components
- pursuing innovative and community-based program models
- focusing on times of transition from youth to adult and from adult to senior
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategic Fund
Previously funded projects
Projects were funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada through 2 different rounds under the Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategic Fund.
| Date | Organization | Project title | Project description | PHAC funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Autism Ontario | Mental Health Matters Project | Mental Health Matters adapted 2 evidence-based mental health promotion programs from the Canadian Mental Health Association for Autistic adults and their caregivers. The project aimed to help Autistic adults and their caregivers gain the skills and knowledge they need to cope with the various challenges they face. | $524,431 |
| 2019 | Autism Resource Centre | Building Block Program | The Autism Resource Centre developed and delivered pre-employment and life skills activities for Autistic people in Indigenous populations and Indigenous communities. The centre also created a resource guide to increase awareness and knowledge of autism in those communities. The program included core workplace skills and independent living and social skills, and components of mental health and wellness services. | $518,964 |
| 2019 | Jake's House for Autistic Children | The Legends Mentoring Program Adult Expansion (LMPAE) | The Legends of Mentoring Program Adult Expansion supported young Autistic adults to transition from high school to adulthood and employment by matching them with a trained mentor. Mentors provided support to develop social, behavioural and employment-related skills. | $600,000 |
| 2019 | York University | The Autism Mental Health Promotion Project | The Autism Mental Health Promotion Project took a 2-step approach to mental health promotion. York University developed and distributed mental health literacy materials for older Autistic adolescents and adults , as well as their families and caregivers. This project also implemented evidence-based online and in-person interventions to improve the ability of Autistic people and their families to cope with stressors. | $599,300 |
| 2019 | Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal | La danse pour le mieux-être | "La danse pour le mieux-être" aimed to improve the wellbeing of Autistic people through the benefits of dance. The National Centre for Dance Therapy offered recreational dance classes adapted to the specific needs of Autistic people. The classes were offered by dance professionals with the assistance of health professionals. | $184,167 |
| 2019 | McGill University (Royal Institute for the Advancement of Learning) | Caregiver Skills Training Program : Scaling up to underserved communities | The Caregiver Skills Training Program aimed to provide evidence-based skills training for caregivers who work in community settings with Autistic children. McGill University directly trained master trainers and facilitators, who in turn delivered the program to families within their own communities. | $600,000 |
| 2019 | Giant Steps School (Canadian Institute for Neuro-Integrative Development) | Next Steps: Industry-Based Adult Education and Employment Initiative | Giant Steps School has developed programs in partnership with George Weston Limited. and the English Montreal School Board. The programs focus on helping Autistic people gain employment knowledge and skills, and access to resources. This project included bilingual employment readiness programs that prepared Autistic people for general employment. | $597,242 |
| 2022 | Autism Ontario | Community Care Project: Resource Kits for Culturally Diverse Families of Autistic People | Autism Ontario curated and disseminated 3,300 culturally inclusive resources to marginalized and racialized families with Autistic loved ones across Ontario, Alberta, and the Yukon. The resource kits included culturally inclusive resources and access to autism-based professionals. | $361,374 |
| 2022 | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | Coping with COVID | The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s project aimed to address the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Autistic Canadians and their caregivers. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health provided online forums for Autistic adults and their families to offer and receive peer support through social connection. | $468,817 |
| 2022 | McGill University (The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning) | The Caregivers Skills Training Program (CST): Building Back Better | McGill University created an online platform where caregivers of Autistic children can acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to improve their well-being and child functioning. The project aimed to reach low-income populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19. | $470,000 |
| 2022 | Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-Justine | AUTISME 5 SSE : Soutien social, soins sans stigma et savoir expérientiel | The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ste-Justine delivered the AUTISME 5SSE (Social Support, Stigma-Free Care, and Experiential Knowledge) project. This project addressed the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on the determinants of health of Autistic people and their families. The project aimed to reduce stigma and develop social support for Autistic people during a pandemic. | $469,485 |
| 2022 | Centre d'innovation sociale en agriculture (CISA) | L'insertion socioprofessionnelle des jeunes adultes présentant un trouble du spectre de l'autisme par l'agroalimentaire | The "Centre d'innovation sociale en agriculture" developed and tested the "L'insertion socioprofessionnelle des jeunes adultes présentant un trouble du spectre de l'autisme par l'agroalimentaire" program. The program aimed to support young Autistic adults to enter the workforce in the agrifood industry. If successful, this project will serve as a model that could help thousands of Autistic people to enter the workforce and become financially independent. | $442,020 |
| 2022 | Spectrum Productions | Spectrum Creative Network: Capacity Building for Nationwide Impact | Spectrum Productions adapted its in-studio programs and services into a national virtual hub. The hub allowed Autistic creatives of all levels to engage with an inclusive, diverse and supportive community. Users were also able to access various social, educational, training and employment opportunities. | $464,945 |
Related links
Page details
- Date modified: