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 has black hair with bangs and is wearing a white blazer

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 is standing infront of trees. She has long light brown hair and is wearing a teal shirt.

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

Smiling at the camera, a selfie of Kitty with short grey hair, glasses, and a dark blue top

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 has medium length brunette hair and is wearing glasses.

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.

Pearl Yellow Old Woman Healy stands infront of a medicine wheel with her long dark hair in braids.

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 with long blond hair wearing a tan sweater

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.

A side view of Rina wearing a pink sari and dangling pink earrings

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

2025-2026

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

Go to Autism Calgary's Website

Calgary

Go to Autism Edmonton's Website

Edmonton

Go to Peace Autism Society's Website

Grande Prairie

Go to Autism Medicine Hat's Website

Medicine Hat

Go to Chinook Autism Society's Facebook Page

Lethbridge

Go to Autism RMWB's Website

Fort McMurray

Go to Connecting Community's Facebook Page

Red Deer

FAQs

Yes, we are both a non-profit and a charitable organization. Our Charitable Registration number is 891015190RR0001. 

We have proudly served our community for over 40 years! Autism Society Alberta was incorporated on January 9th, 1984. 

Autism Alberta does not provide one-on-one advocacy support. However, we offer resources to help you build your own advocacy skills and can connect you with advocacy-focused organizations across Alberta. You can find these resources in our Advocacy toolkit, HERE.

Autism Alberta’s Alliance is an initiative of Autism Society Alberta bringing together Autistic individuals, caregivers and loved ones, professionals and stakeholders across diverse sectors to address various opportunities to improve experiences, services and care within and for the autism community. You can learn more HERE.

No, we are not a service provider. For ideas about service providers in your area, contact your local autism society (see the list in the next section).

This refers to the regional autism societies throughout the province. Here is a list of them: