About

At Autism Society 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 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.

The Alliance was established in 2018 to drive province-wide initiatives like the existing Communities of Practice: Autism Diagnosis, Early Childhood, Education, Post-Secondary, the Indigenous Relations Circle and Economic Inclusion.

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.

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.

Economic Inclusion

To better harness collective knowledge and drive progress, housing and employment have recently merged to form under Economic Inclusion. Planning has begun to determine the direction of this new pillar.

Guiding Principles

  • Center people with lived and living experience (PWLLE)
    • Ensure PWLLE are in leadership roles
    • Consider lived and living experience as evidence
    • Value both lived and living experience with other forms of empirical research
  • Prioritize: equitable access, inclusion, neurodiversity affirmation, strengths-based practices, Universal Design for Learning, trauma-informed strategies, cultural awareness, open access, community-driven initiatives
  • Incorporate Indigenous perspectives from the outset
  • Circle Method: emphasizes equality, respect, sharing perspectives in a safe and supportive environment, inclusivity, collaborative thinking
  • Responsive to the needs of Autistic Albertans. Be meaningful, relevant and ever-evolving.

Documents from 2017-2019

Planning Committee

Champions and other members of our dedicated planning committee are:

  • Diagnosis in Children – 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 – Dr. Grant Bruno, PhD; caregiver; Samson Cree Nation
  • Adults – Adam Glendon, Autistic Advocate
  • Economic Inclusion – Tanya McLeod (she/her), President, The Sinneave Family Foundation
  • Post-Secondary Education – Dr. David Nicholas, MSW, PhD, RSW, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Partnerships, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
  • Early Childhood – Dr. Kim Ward, PhD, RPsych, Executive Director, Society for Autism Support and Services
  • Community/Families – Lyndon Parakin, Executive Director, Autism Calgary; Vice President, Autism Society Alberta
  • Aging Adults – Morine Rossi, BEd, Programs Manager, Autism Edmonton
  • President of ASA – Jason Scheyen
  • Committee Facilitators – Shino Nakane & Amanda Downey