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  5. Autism Speaks Canada joins disability groups calling for priority access to COVID vaccine for people with autism
  • News
    • Autism Speaks Canada joins disability groups calling for priority access to COVID vaccine for people with autism
    • Autism Speaks Canada's statement about the Alek Minassian case and its misrepresentation of autism
    • ASC, CASDA, and MacART come together to present the Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey Report
    • SickKids researchers find new genes and variations linked to autism using Autism Speaks' MSSNG data
    • Toys R Us Canada in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada is proud to launch discounted play packs
    • Olivier, Our Dog Walk Ambassador Is in the News
    • Covid-19, We Are in This Together
    • Advocates and researchers discuss solutions to reduce autism health care disparities
    • Justin Trudeau Announces Endorsement for Development of a National Autism Strategy
    • Join Us in Creating a Brighter Life on the Spectrum
    • Media Advisory: Trudeau Is Only Major Party Leader Not Committed To A National Autism Strategy
    • Large family-based study finds 80 percent of autism risk is from inherited genes
    • Autism Speaks Canada is excited to announce their new partnership with MKM group and Shattered Dreams Esports
    • Autism Speaks awards more than $4.7 million for autism research
    • Autism Speaks Canada is excited to announce their new partnership with bubly sparkling water beverage
    • Six Autism Speaks studies on 2018 list of top advances in autism
    • Senator Munson's Visit to McMaster May 21, 2019
    • Community Connections Inspire Samsung Canada and Autism Speaks Canada
    • Autism Speaks Canada's annual Walk comes to Waterloo this Sunday
    • Autism Speaks Canada's annual Walk comes to Toronto
    • Autism Speaks' MSSNG project reaches 10,000-genome milestone
    • The Canada Council for the Arts Reveals the 2019 Killam Program Winners
    • Light It up Blue With Autism Speaks Canada
    • Response to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
    • DNAstack and Autism Speaks® Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Scientific Discovery on One of the World's Largest Autism Genome Databases
    • Autism Speaks launches $1.5 million funding opportunity for treatment studies
    • Whole genome sequencing reveals new type of genetic influence on autism
    • Understanding the 2018 National Autism Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS) Report
    • Autism Speaks releases new strategic plan for science
    • World's largest autism genome databank adds more than 2,000 sequences
    • Support Rooted in Desire to Improve Lives
    • Samsung Canada, Silken Laumann and Autism Speaks Canada Invite Canadians to Learn the Love Spectrum
    • Your ATN@Work: Treating anxiety in children and teens with autism
    • Your ATN@Work: Recognizing anxiety in children and teens with autism
    • Expanding Service Options for Children and Youth with Autism
    • Tracing autism's trajectories could help explain its diversity
    • Gathering MSSNG Insights on Autism
    • Thomas Frazier to join Autism Speaks as Chief Science Officer
    • Study Aims to Crack Autism Code
    • Ontario Ombudsman has released the report, Nowhere to Turn
    • The Autism World: Choosing In
    • The Government of Canada wants your input as they develop accessibility legislation
    • The University of Windsor is looking for fathers across Canada
    • Autism Speaks MSSNG study expands understanding of autism's complex genetics.
    • Choices Markets to Host Fundraiser to Raise Awareness and Funds for Autism Speaks Canada
    • The Sinneave Family Foundation and Autism Speaks Canada Partner With Organizations Across Canada to Improve Employment Futures for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
    • Ontario Providing More Supports For Children With Autism
    • Autism Speaks ATN/AIR-P researchers present studies at IMFAR
    • More than 5,000 whole genome sequences now available for research into autism subtypes and personalized treatments
    • Spokesperson for the Minister answers FAQ's regarding Ontario Autism Program

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COVID-19 Information and Resources

Autism Speaks Canada joins disability groups calling for priority access to COVID vaccine for people with autism

January 22, 2021

As government health agencies coordinate distribution plans and priority access for newly approved COVID-19 vaccines, Autism Speaks Canada joins other disability groups in advocating for the autism community to be among those prioritized to receive access to this critical protection.

"Research suggests that autistic people, who have a higher risk for other health conditions and are more likely to live in group or supported living facilities as adults, are at greater risk of contracting COVID and developing severe disease,” said Thomas W. Frazier, Ph.D., chief science officer at Autism Speaks. “Priority access to the COVID vaccine for autistic individuals and the health care and direct care professionals who work with them, will allow autistic people to safely get the services and supports they need, so many of which have been limited as a result of the pandemic.”

Today’s statement acknowledges that the autism community has been more severely affected in many ways by the pandemic. Examples of the challenges resulting from the outbreak include:

  • Many public health measures can be very challenging for people with autism, depending on each individual’s support needs, as evidenced by reported difficulty wearing masks and social distancing.
  • In addition to school and work closures, many children and adults with autism have been unable to get the medical care, therapies and education services they need to reach their full potential.
  • Many autism diagnosis appointments, which had long waitlists before the pandemic, have been delayed, potentially impacting access to therapies and services to children.
  • Direct service providers and health care personnel who assist people with autism, have encountered shortages of personal protective equipment and a higher risk due to their working environment.

Further, a recent survey by Autism Speaks Canada, CASDA and the McMaster Autism Research Team (MacART) found that over 75% of respondents reported feeling stressed, anxious and worried amidst the pandemic. 79% of families reported negative effects of disruptions to education and learning. Overall, the survey indicated multiple barriers to accessing necessary services and supports for autistic people and their caregivers. Highlighting that the autism community was struggling to have their diverse needs met.

“Its about equity – priority should be given to more vulnerable populations – notably people with developmental disabilities including autism, people with other co-existing health concerns, and those living in supportive living facilities. Prioritization in getting the COVID 19 vaccine would restore participation in community life, and most importantly enable access to vital services and supports,” said Jill Farber Executive Director of Autism Speaks Canada.

Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada has not independently verified the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is important to note that the weight of scientific evidence indicates that vaccines do not play a role in the development of autism. As with any other medical decision, families and individuals should work with their healthcare providers to make decisions that are right for them. Please reference the Government of Canada website for vaccine roll out details.

Autism Speaks Canada urges federal public health officials and policy makers to prioritize the health of the most vulnerable Canadians, including those with autism spectrum disorders, for access to any approved COVID-19 vaccine.

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