News
Release
November 22.2006
Conservatives Launch New Initiatives on Autism
OTTAWA
-
The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, announced recently
a package of initiatives to improve knowledge and research on Autism
Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to help individuals and families facing the
challenges of ASD.
“Canada’s New
Government recognizes that Autism Spectrum Disorders is an important
concern and is committed to working with our partners - provinces,
territories and other stakeholders - on this important issue,” said
Minister Clement.
No one knows
what causes ASD. There is evidence that genetics plays a role, but
more research is needed to better understand patterns of occurrence
of ASD and trends over time.
The federal
government already supports research on ASD through the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), - which has invested nearly
$15 million since 2000 - and knowledge dissemination through the
Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) investments in the Centres
of Excellence for Children's Well-Being. In addition to those
measures, the federal government intends to:
-
sponsor an
ASD stakeholder symposium in 2007 to further the development of
ASD knowledge and dissemination among health care professionals,
researchers, community groups, teachers, individuals and family
members;
-
begin
exploring the establishment of a research chair focusing on
effective treatment and intervention for ASD;
-
launch a
consultation process on the feasibility of developing an ASD
surveillance program through the Public Health Agency of Canada
(PHAC) to help shape appropriate ASD programming and research;
-
create a
dedicated page on the
Health
Canada Web site to guide the public to ASD
information available through the Canadian Health Network and
other resources;
-
designate
the Health Policy Branch of Health Cadnada as the ASD lead for
actions related to ASD at the Federal Health Portfolio level.
“We are
confident that these initiatives will help to better address the
many challenges individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their
families are facing,” said Minister Clement.
The Autism
Society Canada supports the Government’s announcement. Jo-Lynn
Fenton, President of Autism Society Canada (ASC) said: “We applaud
the government for initiating some of the elements that ASC believes
will help develop a comprehensive national autism strategy. We look
forward to working with government and our other partners across
Canada.”
