April 2, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Public Well being Company of Canada
Right now 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 is usually a day to showcase the worth that autistic views carry to our workplaces, instructional areas and communities.
Today can also be about recognition, and the sharing of tales to rejoice the successes of Autistic individuals. We are able to study 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 group 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 longer term.
A yr in the past, the federal government handed necessary laws that requires the event of a federal framework designed to assist Autistic individuals in Canada, their households and caregivers. Within the coming months, this framework can be launched outlining broad overarching ideas and finest practices to information the nationwide autism coverage, applications 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 should complement the framework and can assist its implementation. The technique can be a multi-year motion plan that outlines particular brief and medium-term initiatives on the federal degree. It should embody measures that deal with every of the important thing priorities shared final fall.
The technique will construct on present federal applications and initiatives, together with the Incapacity Inclusion Motion Plan led by Employment and Social Growth Canada and disability-related tax measures supplied by way of the Canada Income Company, such because the Incapacity Tax Credit score. The technique may even be told by suggestions based within the ongoing analysis on autism by the Canadian Institutes of Well being Analysis, and its assist of the Pediatric Autism Analysis Cohort (PARC). PARC was created to higher deal with the variety of autism, to assist develop care plans which are geared to an autistic kid’s particular wants and to tell authorities applications and insurance policies in providing personalised providers and helps for these youngsters and their households.
Engagement with Indigenous communities to determine autism priorities that replicate their wants in a method 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 dwelling in Canada, their households and caregivers. Our authorities can also be figuring out an strategy for this necessary work to be carried out by a nationwide community of key stakeholders.
Each Autistic particular person ought to have the appropriate to self willpower, and to attain their final potential with out pointless systemic obstacles. By working collectively, we are able to guarantee Autistic people in Canada are heard, understood and accepted.
The Honourable Mark Holland, P.C., M.P.