In The News

(Toronto, ON) – With the financial support of the KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation, www.autismspeaks.ca was launched on April 1, marking the first day of Autism Awareness Month.

The website contains information on the early warning signs of autism, what to do if you suspect your child has autism, treatments and interventions, access to Family Services products and programs, news highlights from across Canada and the latest research findings. The information is currently provided in English with plans to translate to French in the near future.

One of the key elements of the website is the Family Services Database. Stakeholders, including families, educators, researchers, therapists, physicians and other service providers from across Canada, are being asked to submit information on local programs and services. Families and other stakeholders will then be able to search in one place for services, programs and supports in their area, saving valuable time, energy and resources. The database will also point out where gaps in services and programs exist in local communities, which will be a useful tool for local, provincial and federal governments to identify and address needs.

“Our goal is to make www.autismspeaks.ca a bilingual website where the most up-to-date information is provided to the autism community across Canada in an easy-to-access format. With the success of our founding organization’s website – www.autismspeaks.org – in bringing news, information, awareness and the latest in autism research to the U.S. stakeholders, we know what a valuable and needed tool this is for Canadians,” notes Suzanne Lanthier, Executive Director of Autism Speaks Canada.

“Our sincere appreciation goes out to Steven Wise and the KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation that funded the development of the site,” says Maureen Farrow, Chair of the Board of Autism Speaks Canada. “This is the next critical step in the growth and development of Autism Speaks Canada. We have only just begun and we have a lot more to do to make a positive difference in the lives of the autism community members across Canada – but it’s an exciting and necessary move forward.”