Mission
Autism Society Alberta (ASA) is a grassroots organization within the Autism community connecting its provincial members to a regional collective of autism serving societies 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. Our mission is to provide information, education, and support research and programs 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 Chair for the Autism Alliance of Canada . She is a 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 Edmonton, 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.
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
Operations & Family Support Lead
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.
Dr. Pearl Yellow Old Woman-Healy
Indigenous Relations Circle Project Lead
Dr. Pearl Yellow Old Woman-Healy is a member of the Siksika Nation and is a mother of an adult child with Autism. She is a PhD graduate of the Community Health Sciences Program specializing in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from the University of Calgary. Pearl was the graduate representative for the AIM-HI Network that provides mentorship for Indigenous scholars to pursue and build capacity in health research. Her community-based research focused on Siksikaitsitapi informed health and wellness for Siksika children with disabilities. Her recent accomplishments, life experiences, advocacy work and community engagement have influenced her leadership skills and demonstrate her passion in building relationships, fostering connections, and deepening understandings that will enhance culturally competent health care for Indigenous children.
Emily Coombs
Autistic Alliance Liaison
Emily Coombs is a Queer – Autistic PhD student in Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. Her doctoral research explores how autistic individuals understand gender and sexuality, using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach grounded in neurodiversity and self-determination. Emily is also affiliated with the University of Calgary and the University of Victoria, and she works to build bridges across these institutions when shared research priorities arise. In addition to her academic work, Emily is a provisional psychologist serving a remote First Nations community on Treaty 6 territory. She honours all her ancestral roots and is actively engaged in reconnecting with the cultures and communities in which she was not raised.
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.
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
Stella Varvis – Edmonton
Paula Swift – Calgary
Nicole Burnett – 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
