Mission
Autism Society Alberta (ASA) is a grassroots organization within the autism community connecting to its provincial members through regional partners and networking with agencies and associations throughout the province and nationwide.
ASA is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by autistic individuals, their families and the professionals with whom they interact. The Society and its partners share a common mission of providing information and education, as well as supporting research and advocating for programs and supports for the autism community.
Our Team
Shino Nakane
Provincial Director
Shino Nakane has volunteered on a variety of boards and committees over the past decade and is currently co-vice chair for the Autism Alliance of Canada . She is a current member, and past Vice Chair, of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities, an advisory body for the Government of Alberta. Shino is the mother of a young autistic adult who communicates uniquely without words to the people he loves and the world around him. Shino continually strives to spearhead efforts so that all people are able to live in accessible and inclusive communities.
Amanda Downey
Alliance & Policy Strategist
Amanda Downey is a registered social worker, graphic designer and mom to three young adults. Her eldest is autistic with ADHD and her youngest has a rare genetic disorder called Smith-Magenis Syndrome and has high support needs. Currently living in Fort McMurray, Amanda is passionate about equity and quality of life for neurodiverse people and their loved ones throughout their lifespans. In her not-so-spare-time Amanda loves knitting with soft, squishy yarn, caring for her forest of house plants and other creative pursuits that strike her fancy.
Emily Coombs
Autistic Alliance Liaison
EC is a racially ambiguous autistic researcher studying autism and specifically working alongside Dr. Maroney at the University of Calgary. Together they are working on research pertaining to the intersectionality of LGBTQ+ identities and autism, with a focus on autistic women. EC also is affiliated with the University of Alberta and the University of Victoria and aims to bridge these three institutions as similar research is being spearheaded.
Rina Kalra
Administrative Assistant
In May 2016, Rina started as an Administrative Assistant at Autism Alberta. She has an Autistic cousin In India. She manages office administration tasks such as triaging emails to the right people in our office or throughout the province, and otherwise ensuring that the day-to-day functions of Autism Alberta run smoothly. In her spare time she enjoys working out, cooking, reading, going on day trips, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
Kitty Parlby
Communications & Community Strategist
When Kitty’s younger son was diagnosed with autism and intellectual delay in 2000, she fully plunged in, researching, taking courses, and attending seminars. Before long, she was speaking at P.D. days, and eventually, at many teachers’ conventions. Kitty also worked as a one-on-one special needs Educational Assistant for years, and in her spare time wrote many articles on autism. She started her own business, Autism Inspirations, presenting workshops throughout the province, and later consulting in schools. A long-time volunteer board member of Autism Society Alberta, Kitty left our board in June 2020 to begin working with us.
Stephanie Williams
Stephanie is the parent of an AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) young adult, and an AuDHD teen. They all make their home in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She has previously worked as an Early Childhood Educator and an Educational Assistant. Stephanie is also a co-founder and board member of the Medicine Hat Autism Society (MHAS). She enjoys helping to spread education, awareness, and acceptance through presentations with other members of MHAS. Stephanie is also an active member in her teen son’s school, sitting on the school council and district council of councils. In her spare time, she enjoys camping with her family and training her new puppy.
Board of Directors
2024-2025
President:
Jason Scheyen – Central Alberta
Vice President:
Lyndon Parakin – Calgary
Secretary:
Morine Rossi – Edmonton
Treasurer:
Corinna Pitzel-O’Hanley – Fort McMurray
Directors:
Tina Delainey – Fort McMurray
Brooklyn Martin – Grande Prairie
Melinda Noyes – Edmonton
Stella Varvis – Edmonton
Paula Swift – Calgary
Nicole Burnett – Medicine Hat
Iris Plain Eagle – Medicine Hat
Alex Hill – Lethbridge
Autism Society Alberta is a collective of autism serving societies in Alberta
Calgary
Edmonton
Grande Prairie
Medicine Hat
Lethbridge
Fort McMurray
