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 adult who is on the autism spectrum 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 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.
Board of Directors
2022-2023
President:
Jason Scheyen – Central Alberta
Vice President:
Lyndon Parakin – Calgary
Secretary:
Morine Rossi – Edmonton
Treasurer:
Kristen Schalin – Red Deer
Directors:
Nicole Collison – Grande Prairie
Kim Fox – Central
David Jardine – Edmonton
Melinda Noyes – Edmonton
Corinna Pitzel-O’Hanley – Fort McMurray
Tina Delainey – Fort McMurray
Alex Hill – Lethbridge
Paula Swift – Calgary
Nicole Burnett – Medicine Hat
Iris Plain Eagle – Medicine Hat
Regional Partners
Calgary
Edmonton
Grande Prairie
Medicine Hat
Lethbridge
Fort McMurray
