Message from the Minister of Health – World Autism Awareness Day

April 2, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Well being Company of Canada

Immediately is a day to lift consciousness of autism worldwide. It’s a time the place all are inspired to enhance their information and understanding of the totally different experiences and traits of people on the autism spectrum. It’s also a day to showcase the worth that autistic views deliver to our workplaces, instructional areas and communities.

Today can be about recognition, and the sharing of tales to have a good time the successes of Autistic individuals. We are able to be taught a lot from listening to about life experiences. Sharing private tales fosters openness and inclusivity that are key to attaining true acceptance. Elevated consciousness and acceptance, in flip, create extra alternatives for Canadians on the autism spectrum to thrive and attain their full potential.

Our authorities is actively collaborating with the autism neighborhood in the direction of a shared objective of bettering the well being and well-being of Autistic individuals in Canada. Addressing the complicated and various wants of Autistic individuals requires a coordinated effort between all ranges of presidency and repair suppliers. Suggestions from these with autism, caregivers and households, Indigenous companions and different stakeholders will assist us as we collectively plan for the long run.

A 12 months in the past, the federal government handed vital laws that requires the event of a federal framework designed to help Autistic individuals in Canada, their households and caregivers. Within the coming months, this framework shall be launched outlining broad overarching ideas and finest practices to information the nationwide autism coverage, packages and actions in Canada in any respect ranges of presidency. The Public Well being Company of Canada (PHAC) continues to work on the event of an autism technique. It’ll complement the framework and can help its implementation. The technique shall be a multi-year motion plan that outlines particular quick and medium-term initiatives on the federal degree. It’ll embrace measures that deal with every of the important thing priorities shared final fall.

The technique will construct on current federal packages and initiatives, together with the Incapacity Inclusion Motion Plan led by Employment and Social Improvement Canada and disability-related tax measures supplied by way of the Canada Income Company, such because the Incapacity Tax Credit score. The technique may also be told by suggestions based within the ongoing analysis on autism by the Canadian Institutes of Well being Analysis, and its help of the Pediatric Autism Analysis Cohort (PARC). PARC was created to raised deal with the variety of autism, to assist develop care plans which might be geared to an autistic kid’s particular wants and to tell authorities packages and insurance policies in providing customized providers and helps for these youngsters and their households.

Engagement with Indigenous communities to establish autism priorities that mirror their wants in a means that’s self-determined and culturally applicable is ongoing. The outcomes of this engagement will inform future updates to the technique.

Collectively, the technique and framework will information Canada’s path by supporting Autistic individuals residing in Canada, their households and caregivers. Our authorities can be figuring out an method for this vital work to be carried out by a nationwide community of key stakeholders.

Each Autistic particular person ought to have the best to self dedication, and to attain their final potential with out pointless systemic obstacles. By working collectively, we will guarantee Autistic people in Canada are heard, understood and accepted.

The Honourable Mark Holland, P.C., M.P.