News
Release
October 22.2007
Federal & B.C. Governments Announce
$2 Million for Autism Chair at SFU
VANCOUVER – A national Chair in Autism Research
and Intervention will be established at Simon Fraser University,
thanks to a $1 million provincial grant and a $1 million federal
contribution.
The announcement was made today in honour of
Autism Awareness Month by Tom Christensen, Minister of Children and
Family Development, and James Moore, Member of Parliament for Port
Moody-Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, on behalf of the Honourable Tony
Clement, Minister of Health and the Minister for the Federal
Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.
“This Canada/British Columbia partnership is an important step
toward improving treatment and intervention options for children and
youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” said Christensen.
“It will contribute significantly to the body of research on the
most effective ways of helping children reach their own unique
potential.”
"Autism is a complex condition
that has a tremendous impact on those affected and their families,
which is why
the Government of Canada is proud to work with
our provincial partners and stakeholders on initiatives like this
that will make a difference,”
said MP Moore. "We are confident that the appointment of the first
national Chair in Autism Research and Intervention will help to
enhance the understanding of the condition, and to improve our
country’s capacity to help Canadians impacted.”
In British Columbia, more than 4,700 children and youth with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are receiving services through the Ministry
of Children and Family Development and Community Living B.C. this
year. ASD interferes with normal brain development, affecting
reasoning, social interaction and communication. There is no single
medical test for ASD and the causes are not fully understood.
“Simon Fraser University is committed to taking a leadership role in
building and improving Canada’s capacity for ASD services and
interventions,” said SFU President Dr. H. Michael Stevenson. “This
new Chair in Autism Research and Intervention will provide
much-needed research that leads to optimal behavioural and education
intervention strategies for autism spectrum disorders.”
In addition to the Chair, SFU is dedicating a full-time faculty
position to increase the number of qualified autism behaviour
consultants who develop individualized intervention plans to help
children with social, language and early academic skills.
“This commitment to both researching effective treatment and
training more practitioners is a tremendous boost for the treatment
of children with autism,” explains Deborah Pugh, Director of
Research and Training with ACT - Autism Community Training Society.
“Families are desperate for highly trained behaviour consultants as
there is a severe shortage internationally.”
Today’s announcement coincides with Autism Awareness Month,
proclaimed by the Province of British Columbia and across Canada
each October to increase public awareness and professional
understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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For more
information, email
moorej0@parl.gc.ca or call 613.992.9650
