The Honourable Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose announced the members of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Working Group, an important first step towards fulfilling the Government of Canada's 2015 Economic Action Plan commitment to develop a plan for a Canadian Autism Partnership.
The Minister of Health will lead this working group and Cynthia Carroll, Chair of the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) and Executive Director of Autism Nova Scotia act as vice-chair. The ASD Working Group brings together a broad range of stakeholders across Canada, including key autism organizations that are on the front line in providing services and support to those living with autism and their families; health professionals dedicated to care and treatment; and researchers whose discoveries are answering complex questions about ASD.
Members of the ASD Working Group include:
- Cynthia Carroll, Chair of the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance and Executive Director of Autism Nova Scotia
- Dr. Margaret Clarke, Senior Vice-President, Sinneave Family Foundation
- Jill Farber, Executive Director, Autism Speaks Canada
- Dr. Stelios Georgiades, ASD Researcher, McMaster University
- Warren Greenstone, CEO, Miriam Foundation
- Laurie Mawlam, Executive Director, Autism Canada
- Dr. Stephen Scherer, Director, Centre for Applied Genomics, Hospital for Sick Kids
- Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Public Health Officer, Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
- Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Research Chair, Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment and Care, York University
- Margaret Whelan, Member, CASDA
- Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, Co-Director, Autism Research Centre, Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
This Working Group has been tasked with consulting stakeholders broadly to develop a plan for a Canadian Autism Partnership. Consultations will address important topics such as information sharing and research, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and ways to support Canadian families affected by ASD.
QuickStart is a member of CASDA. Suzanne Jacobson, President of QuickStart, is a Director on CASDA's Board.