About

At Autism Alberta we see a future in which autistic children and adults can look forward to lives full of opportunity. A community in which people with autism are included and supported throughout their lives.

Autism Alberta’s Alliance is an initiative of Autism Society Alberta bringing together stakeholders from a diversity of sectors: education, employment supports, health professionals, researchers, housing, intervention specialists, sports/recreation, parents, self advocates and others. In November 2017, we hosted our first stakeholder engagement in Red Deer and our vision for the alliance came to life.

The Autism Alberta’s Alliance is a collaboration. A knowledge hub. An advocate. An educator. It speaks with a unified voice to raise awareness about autism, cultivate acceptance and foster accommodation across the lifespan and across all areas of Alberta in order to enhance the lives of individuals and families with autism.

On October 15, 2018 we officially launched Autism Alberta’s Alliance! As we forge ahead we look forward to working with stakeholders from all over Alberta.

Together we can shape and influence Alberta’s future for our community and bring more hope to Albertans living with autism.

Planning Committee

The Autism Alberta’s Alliance’s Planning Committee addresses various opportunities to improve experiences, services and care within and for the autism community. The members of the planning committee are:

President of Autism Society Alberta

Jason Scheyen

Committee Facilitator

Shino Nakane, Provincial Director, Autism Society Alberta

Diagnosis in Children

Champion: Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, MD, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Chair in Autism; Director, Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta

Indigenous Relations Circle

Champion: Grant Bruno, Ph.D. Candidate; caregiver; Samson Cree Nation

Adults

Champion: Adam Glendon, Autistic Advocate

Employment / Vocational

Champion: Tanya McLeod (she/her), President, The Sinneave Family Foundation

Post-Secondary Education

Champion: Dr. David Nicholas, MSW, Ph.D., RSW, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

Early Childhood

Champion: Kim Ward, Ph.D., R.Psych., Executive Director, Society for Autism Support and Services

Housing

Champion: Melinda Noyes, MA, Executive Director, Autism Edmonton

Community / Families

Champion: Lyndon Parakin, Executive Director, Autism Calgary; Vice President, Autism Society Alberta

Seniors

Champion: Morine Rossi, B.Ed., Programs Manager, Autism Edmonton

Working Groups

Autism Diagnosis Community of Practice

The Autism Diagnosis Community of Practice will develop a shared understanding of the critical issues that we are facing as a clinical community in providing timely and equitable assessment and meeting the needs across the province.

Early Childhood Community of Practice

The Early Childhood Community of practice officially launched in the fall of 2022 with a focus specifically on innovative solutions to address the service gaps/barriers that exist for children with autism or at risk for an autism diagnosis, age 0 to 6 years.

Education Community of Practice

The Education Community of Practice is a trusted resource for individuals, families, educational professionals, and policy makers on how to best meet the educational needs of autistic students in Alberta.

Indigenous Relations Circle

The circle is a central concept to Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and the Indigenous Relations Circle will listen, learn, share, connect and advocate for Indigenous autistic people and families.

Post-Secondary Community of Practice

The primary objective of the Post-Secondary Community of Practice is to create a supportive and collaborative environment where people from the post-secondary educational system can come together.

Housing Community of Practice

The primary objective of Autism Alberta’s Alliance Housing Community of Practice is to create a supportive and collaborative environment where people from Alberta’s housing system can come together meet specific goals.

Documents

2024 Connecting Communities Event

Early Childhood Community of Practice

Post-Secondary Community of Practice

2017-2019