New National Autism Network to help advance Canada’s Autism Strategy
March 21, 2025
Exciting news for Canada’s autism community! The Government of Canada has announced the launch of the National Autism Network (the “Network”), a significant step forward in implementing the country’s Autism Strategy. Autism Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) and The Sinneave Family Foundation (Sinneave) are honoured to work together to lead the co-creation of this new non-profit organization.
After years of advocacy and collaboration, this milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter—one focused on action. The Network will serve as a hub for engagement, collaboration, advocacy, and action. It will also bring together experts and community organizations across the country to help ensure that real needs are met with practical solutions.
“This is about making sure the perspectives and experiences of Autistic Canadians and their families are central to decision-making,” says Dr. Jonathan Lai, Executive Director of Autism Alliance of Canada. “The Network is an important step toward turning Canada’s Autism Strategy into meaningful change.”
The Network will focus on two key priorities:
- The Alliance will lead efforts to collaborate with governments and system leaders to inform the design and implementation of initiatives addressing the five priority areas of Canada’s Autism Strategy.
- Sinneave will lead the creation of the Network to facilitate inclusive and ongoing engagement, ensuring Autistic Canadians and their families play an active role in shaping policies and programs.
“Engagement is key,” says Tanya McLeod, President of The Sinneave Family Foundation. “We want to create opportunities for Autistic Canadians and families to share their insights to ensure that actions and policies reflect their real needs.”
While this is a significant step forward, challenges remain—including long wait times for diagnoses, barriers in education, and high unemployment rates. The Network will work to identify and share effective solutions nationwide, helping to build a more inclusive and supportive Canada.
To receive news about the National Autism Network and how you can get involved, visit the link below to sign-up to the Network email list:
Sign upFinancial Contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Autism #NationalAutismStrategy #NationalAutismNetwork #Inclusion #Canada #cndpoli #theNetwork
Le nouveau Réseau national de l’autisme soutiendra le déploiement de la Stratégie pour l’autisme au Canada
21 Mars 2025
Voici d’excellentes nouvelles pour la communauté autiste du Canada! Le gouvernement fédéral vient d’annoncer le lancement du Réseau national de l’autisme (le « Réseau »), ce qui représente une étape importante dans la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie pour l’autisme au Canada. Ll’Alliance canadienne de l’autisme (l’Alliance) et The Sinneave Family Foundation (Sinneave) sont honorées de pouvoir collaborer à la cocréation de cette nouvelle organisation à but non lucratif.
Ce jalon indique le début d’un nouveau chapitre d’action après des années de collaboration et de défense des droits. Le Réseau servira de portail d’engagement, de collaboration, de défense des droits et d’activité. Il regroupera des spécialistes et des organisations communautaires de partout au Canada afin de produire des solutions tangibles aux besoins bien réels de la communauté.
« On veut s’assurer que les points de vue et les expériences des personnes autistes et de leurs familles jouent un rôle fondamental lors de la prise de décisions, » précise Dr Jonathan Lai, directeur général de l’Alliance canadienne de l’autisme. « Le Réseau représente une étape importante pour mobiliser la Stratégie pour l’autisme et produire de réels changements. »
Le Réseau se donne deux priorités :
- L’Alliance mènera les efforts de collaboration avec les directions des systèmes et les paliers de gouvernement pour informer la conception et le déploiement d’initiatives abordant les domaines prioritaires clés de la Stratégie pour l’autisme au Canada.
- Sinneave participera à la création du Réseau en favorisant un engagement inclusif et continu, afin que les personnes autistes du Canada et leurs familles puissent jouer un rôle significatif dans la formulation des politiques et des programmes qui les concernent.
« L’engagement, c’est la clé, » explique Tanya McLeod, présidente de la Sinneave Family Foundation. « Nous voulons garantir aux personnes autistes et à leurs familles des occasions de partager leurs opinions afin que nos actions et politiques s’accordent à leurs besoins. »
Ce lancement représente un grand pas en avant, mais de grands défis demeurent présents sur le parcours des personnes autistes, notamment de longues périodes d’attente pour le diagnostic, des obstacles en éducation et des taux de chômage élevés. Le Réseau travaillera à produire des solutions pertinentes et à les partager à l’échelle du pays pour offrir un meilleur soutien et bâtir un Canada plus inclusif.
Pour recevoir des mises à jour du Réseau national de l’autisme et vous informer sur la façon dont vous pouvez y participer, suivez le lien ci-dessous afin de vous inscrire à la liste d’envoi du Réseau :
Contribution financière de l’Agence de la santé publique du Canada.
Autisme #StrategieNationaleAutisme # RéseauNationalAutisme #Inclusion #Canada #CdnPoli #leRéseau
—Le message en français précède—
September 26, 2024
The Government of Canada has officially launched the Framework for Autism in Canada, Canada’s Autism Strategy, and opened applications for a National Autism Network.
This announcement marks a key milestone towards ensuring Autistic people in Canada are accepted, included, and supported to live fully throughout their lives, from childhood through adulthood.
The release of the National Autism Strategy brings hope, and we want to congratulate and thank Canada’s autism community for their tireless advocacy, which has no doubt been a significant factor leading up to this announcement.
While this is an important milestone for Autistic Canadians and their families, we recognize there is still work to be done. Sinneave looks forward to working with governments and communities to translate this plan into meaningful action and tangible outcomes.
Below is a summary of key points from the announcement to help you understand what it means for you.
Canada’s Autism Strategy is a multi-year action plan to help the federal government implement the Framework. It focuses on short- and medium-term initiatives and builds on existing programs and measures to address key priorities. The Strategy is intended to be updated on a regular basis to meet the changing needs of Autistic people in Canada.
Developed collaboratively with Autistic people, their families, caregivers, provinces, territories, Indigenous organizations and other stakeholders, these initiatives will require coordinated efforts across all levels of government as well as many partners, organizations, and individuals whose work touches on autism-related initiatives. The Government of Canada will continue to work with provinces and territories to advance the needs of Autistic people in Canada.
Click on the image to learn more about the Strategy.
Cover artist: Raymund Gabriel Concon
The Framework for Autism in Canada outlines guiding principles and best practices to shape national autism policy, programs and activities in Canada. It builds on the Government of Canada’s leadership role to advance best practices that support Autistic people of all ages, their families and caregivers.
The goal of the Framework is to promote the health and well-being of Autistic people, their advocates, families, and caregivers throughout their lives.
Click on the image to learn more about the Framework.
The National Autism Network will unite autism organizations, stakeholders, and people with lived experience from across Canada to help carry out the Framework and Strategy and address key priorities.
The network will be established as a stand-alone, not-for-profit organisation grounded in inclusivity. This means that autistic people are meaningfully involved in implementing both the Framework and the Strategy, ensuring that initiatives are relevant, practical and effective.
Eligible organizations may respond to the call for applications for the Network by November 25, 2024.
Click on the image to learn more about the Network.
Sinneave is dedicated to working with governments and communities to ensure this strategy is not just a promise, but a pathway to positive impact for Autistic individuals and families.
If you would like to read the official Government of Canada news release, you can find that HERE.
Staff Reflections
Sinneave staff shared what they wish to celebrate when reflecting on our work, our organization, and our impact in the community.
Watch the video (click on the play button) to hear their reflections.
Grants from 2009 to 2023
Since incorporation, Sinneave has braided funding from public, private, and philanthropic sources to provide 259 grants totaling $27 million. These grants aim to identify and share promising practices, build community capacity and generate evidence to enable system change.
Click on the button below to view the data.