Fact Sheet – Autism spectrum disorders

[ Press Release 2012-58 ]

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental brain disorders with a wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels of impairment, or disability. A study by the National Epidemiological Database for the Study of Autism in Canada has found prevalence rates of 1 in 200 people to 1 in 300 people across Canada. There is a general agreement that the incidence of ASD is on the rise, but it remains undetermined if this increase is due solely to better diagnosis or other factors.

All children diagnosed with ASD demonstrate deficits in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as display repetitive behaviors or interests. In addition, they will often have unusual responses to sensory experiences such as certain sounds or the way objects appear to them.

While there is no demonstrated single best treatment regime package for all children with ASD, it appears that they respond well to highly structured, specialized programs. It is generally agreed that early intervention is important.

New chair in ASD treatment and care research

The Harper Government is partnering with organizations in the autism community to fund a new Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research with the aim of improving the lives of Canadian children and adults with ASD and their families.

Project description

Dr. Jonathan Weiss, a researcher and assistant professor at York University, is the recipient of the new Chair in ASD. He and his team will study innovative approaches to expand treatment and care research to address mental health problems in Canadians with autism across the lifespan. They will examine why people with ASD are prone to develop mental health problems, evaluate novel treatment strategies to help youth and young adults with ASD deal with these issues, as well as other stressful events like bullying, and find ways to improve access to care for all. To achieve these goals, they will work with people with autism, families, services providers, and government to share cutting edge research that informs mental health care policy and practice across the country. This collaborative research will also have a lasting impact by fostering the next generation of Canadian autism researchers and clinicians.

Funding

The Harper Government and its partners have committed $1M over five years to support the Chair.

York University has also committed matching funds to the research announced today, along with its community partner, the Spectrum of Hope Autism Foundation. CIHR encourages institutions to collaborate in the support of the best health research in Canada.

Partners

Government of Canada:

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • Health Canada
  • NeuroDevNet

Partners from the Autism Community:

  • Autism Speaks Canada
  • Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance
  • Sinneave Family Foundation