Family Services

Autism Speaks Canada is dedicated to providing information and resources to improve the lives of children, young adults, and adults affected by autism.

The Board of Autism Speaks Canada sees as one of its top priorities the establishment of a Family Services Department to set and implement a strategic plan in this critical area.

In the very short time that the Family Services Department at Autism Speaks (US) has been in place, an incredible array of programs and resources have been developed including: a Family Services Database, the Autism Video Glossary, First 100 Day Tool Kit, Community School Tool Kit, and Community Grants. Each of these has already made a significant difference in the day-to-day lives of families, educators, and service providers across the United States.

Many of these programs and products contain information that is universal to the global autism community. Many require minor adjustments to better suit the needs of our Canadian stakeholders.

With financial support and input from community partners, we hope to revise the products most needed by our stakeholders and make them available as soon as possible.

As a first step, Autism Speaks has launched a uniquely Canadian Family Services Database. We need the help of stakeholders across the country to fill in the information on local programs and services. Click here to submit a service and help us grow the database to include programs from coast to coast.

Until these Canadian programs and products are developed, we encourage you to download existing versions through the Autism Speaks (U.S.) site:

We also encourage you to check out the Autism Speaks Video Glossary – an innovative web-based tool designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

This glossary contains over a hundred video clips and is available to you free of charge. Whether you are a parent, family member, friend, physician, clinician, childcare provider, or educator, it can help you see the subtle differences between typical and delayed development in young children and spot the early red flags for ASD. All of the children featured in the ASD Video Glossary as having red flags for ASD are, in fact, diagnosed with ASD.

The Glossary is available to view at no cost. You simply need to register. Click here for more information.

Disclaimer

Autism Speaks Canada does not provide medical or legal advice or services. Rather, Autism Speaks Canada provides general information about autism as a service to the community. The information provided on this website is not a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal, or educational professionals. Autism Speaks Canada has not validated and is not responsible for any information or services provided by third parties. You are urged to use independent judgment and request references when considering any resource associated with the provision of services related to autism.