Senate Shines Light on Autism Awareness
Photo : Senators are joined by MP Mike Lake, Dillon Roberts, CASDA Chair Cynthia Carroll, and MP Matthew Dubé.
Senators Jim Munson and Leo Housakos welcomed autism leaders from across the country to the Senate Foyer this week for a special reception highlighting the importance of Autism Awareness.
Impacting 1 in 68 Canadians, autism touches the lives of many families and communities and the challenges are often immense.
A 2007 Senate committee report on autism, Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism families in crisis, outlined hard-hitting recommendations such as stable-funding for autism therapy throughout the country and a nation-wide public awareness campaign.
Those recommendations still ring true today, especially the call for a National Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategy. The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA) was created shortly after the release of the report, bringing together organizations and individuals from the autism community who are working on the development of this strategy.
“We commend the Senate's role in championing Autism awareness and acceptance through historic initiatives like the Pay Now or Pay Later report, and recognition of World Autism Awareness Day in Canada,” said Cynthia Carroll, chair of CASDA.
Addressing the assembled crowd of over one hundred people, Senator Munson reminded them that although many Parliamentarians are working on issues at the federal level, it is the daily work of parents and caregivers which needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.
“It’s my view that we have to have more involvement from the federal government, working with the provinces in establishing more programs for those who are being left behind,” said Senator Munson.
“I just feel, from the inside of my heart, that we need a National Autism Disorder Strategy,” he added.
Senator Housakos urged parliamentarians to offer more support to Canadians who suffer from autism, as well as their families and caretakers. Schools who are trying to deal with the growing number of autistic individuals are “cracking at the seams,” Senator Housakos explained.
“We need to be doing a lot more than we have. We must come together to try to find a solution for families across this country.”
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Senate Shines Light on Autism Awareness
Photo : Senators are joined by MP Mike Lake, Dillon Roberts, CASDA Chair Cynthia Carroll, and MP Matthew Dubé.
Senators Jim Munson and Leo Housakos welcomed autism leaders from across the country to the Senate Foyer this week for a special reception highlighting the importance of Autism Awareness.
Impacting 1 in 68 Canadians, autism touches the lives of many families and communities and the challenges are often immense.
A 2007 Senate committee report on autism, Pay Now or Pay Later: Autism families in crisis, outlined hard-hitting recommendations such as stable-funding for autism therapy throughout the country and a nation-wide public awareness campaign.
Those recommendations still ring true today, especially the call for a National Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Strategy. The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance (CASDA) was created shortly after the release of the report, bringing together organizations and individuals from the autism community who are working on the development of this strategy.
“We commend the Senate's role in championing Autism awareness and acceptance through historic initiatives like the Pay Now or Pay Later report, and recognition of World Autism Awareness Day in Canada,” said Cynthia Carroll, chair of CASDA.
Addressing the assembled crowd of over one hundred people, Senator Munson reminded them that although many Parliamentarians are working on issues at the federal level, it is the daily work of parents and caregivers which needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.
“It’s my view that we have to have more involvement from the federal government, working with the provinces in establishing more programs for those who are being left behind,” said Senator Munson.
“I just feel, from the inside of my heart, that we need a National Autism Disorder Strategy,” he added.
Senator Housakos urged parliamentarians to offer more support to Canadians who suffer from autism, as well as their families and caretakers. Schools who are trying to deal with the growing number of autistic individuals are “cracking at the seams,” Senator Housakos explained.
“We need to be doing a lot more than we have. We must come together to try to find a solution for families across this country.”