LaSalle man with an uncanny ability to know dates grateful for Autism Acceptance Month | CBC News Diagnosed with autism when he was a toddler, 26-year-old Ahmed Al-Mahamid of LaSalle can accurately identify the day of the week when given any random date since 1900. His parents say he's been having...

"The misconception is that autism is one sort of thing. They're not aware of the whole spectrum."

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

#autism

Disney Reimagines Animated Hits In Sign Language Disney is releasing new versions of musical sequences from "Frozen 2," "Encanto" and "Moana 2" in an effort to better connect with the disability community.

#Disney is releasing new versions of musical sequences from "Frozen 2," "Encanto" and "Moana 2" in an effort to better connect with the disability community. #disabilities #Frozen2 #Encanto #Moana2 #SignLanguage

Please apply to join our new Circle of Care Advisory Group

We are seeking individuals who are parents/guardians and/or caregivers, including siblings, of an Autistic child or adult, as well as researchers who are part of the circle of care.

Contact:
research@autismalliance.ca
autismalliance.ca

Absenteeism is not the crisis

The crisis is students not getting the support & resources they need to learn & feel safe

#OntEd #ONpoli #EduSky

Siblings are holding up a broken disability system Canada is propping up its disability system on the unpaid labour of siblings, and pretending this is not a crisis.

"Canada is propping up its #disability system on the unpaid labour of #siblings, and pretending this is not a crisis.

We say this both as researchers focusing on sibling experiences and as siblings ourselves," say our clients, Dr. Pamela Block and Helen Ries:

#cdnpoli #disability #accessibility

Smiling woman and child sitting on a couch next to text about the impact of Social ABCs on family life. Logo reads 'kids brain health network.'

 Une femme et un enfant souriants sont assis sur un canapé à côté d’un texte sur l’impact du programme ABC sociaux sur la vie familiale. Le logo indique « Réseau pour la santé cérébrale des enfants ».

Projects supported by Kids Brain Health Network focus on improving everyday experiences for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.

Learn about the Social ABCs here: buff.ly/AfgtjwC

buff.ly/CyoeZoG

Women have the same rates of autism as men – but get diagnosed less A new study on autism prevalence in both genders suggests that ‘clinical biases contribute to under-recognition of women and girls’

New research finds that women and girls have similar rates of autism as men and boys. The study found that the reason why girls are less likely to be diagnosed is because of clinical biases. www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...

Attendance policies are ableist because they isolate children who may have a legitimate reason why they have missed school (appts, illness, etc)

They rarely bolster meaningful student engagement. Instead, they compromise student health & act as an unnecessary stressor

#OntEd #ONpoli #HamOnt

What Ontarians need to know about ‘student achievement’ reforms that will run school boards like businesses All students and families will be impacted by cuts and provincial reforms being imposed on Ontario schools, and those who are already disadvantaged will bear the brunt.

What Ontarians need to know about ‘student achievement’ reforms that will run school boards like businesses

📢 Deadline approaching: Reminder to apply for the Anne Stafford Light Up the Future Bursary!

🎓 Bursary Amount: Up to $1,000 to help recipients achieve their goals.

📅 Deadline: Monday, April 27th at 5:00 PM EDT.

🔗 Apply Now: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Christine Hoos of the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation saw how vital emotional expression is for people with Down syndrome, supporting both mental and physical health.

Read more: cdss.ca/resources/pu...

3.21 Magazine is co-published with @dsrfcanada.

#MentalHealth #DownSyndrome

Tylenol in pregnancy not linked with autism, Danish study finds The use of Tylenol by women during pregnancy was not associated with autism in their children, according to results of a nationwide ​study in Denmark published on Monday.

#CrucialFactFriday
Another study finds no link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism https://reut.rs/4mriWGK

Awareness and acceptance are strongest when they are grounded in facts—credible, evidence-based facts.
#AutismAwareness #AutismAcceptance #HealthInformation

Newspaper article in The Hill Times, April 13 on Canada's Disability Benefit. Written by Inclusion Canada CEO Krista Carr

Thank you @hilltimes.com for sharing our CEO Krista Carr's thoughts on Canada's inadequate Disability Benefit.

If the federal gov't is serious about building a strong Canada, it must include people with disabilities in that vision.

Read more:

www.inclusioncanada.ca/post/op-ed-b.... #cdnpoli

This article highlights the second phase of a sequential exploratory research study that identified what supports and services Canadian children living with disabilities/health conditions and their parents/caregivers need and want, now and into the future.

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/hky650YH5j7

Issue 6 is now live!

The latest issue of the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity (CJAE) explores stigma about autism and discrimination against Autistics is now live!

Read Issue 6: mulpress.mcmaster.ca/cjae/issue/v...

“As a Person of Colour, I Was a Misfit Anyway”: Barriers to Autism Identification According to Ethnically and Racially Minoritized Adults - Imane Kostet, 2026 Background: Ethnic and racial disparities in autism diagnosis have prompted growing interest in the role of “culture” in shaping these inequalities. However, mu...

“As a Person of Colour, I Was a Misfit Anyway”: Barriers to Autism Identification According to Ethnically and Racially Minoritized Adults. A qual study by Kostet illuminates intersectional experiences of minoritized #autistic persons navigating exclusionary environments.

NEW FREE shorturl.at/lDr56

An image of a white woman with a prosthetic leg sitting on a couch on a laptop. The text on the left reads: “Learn more about the Accessible Canada Act”.

Accessibility is a right. The Accessible Canada Act works to remove barriers in federally regulated spaces, enabling full participation. Creating a barrier-free Canada requires ongoing action from organizations and institutions.

www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/resources/pu...

Autism summit in Ottawa puts AI inclusion in focus Canada autism summit to explore how AI and inclusive public services can better support Autistic people, families and policy reform.

Canada autism summit to explore how AI and inclusive public services can better support Autistic people, families and policy reform. itbrief.ca/story/autism...

#technews #tech #AI #autism #cdnpoli #Ottawa

Autism Alliance of Canada | Alliance canadienne de l'autisme

Attendance policies tied to grades are ineffective, punitive, archaic & irrelevant to success

They rarely bolster meaningful student engagement. Instead, they compromise student health & act as an unnecessary stressor

#OntEd #ONpoli #HamOnt

This is ABLEIST

It isolates children who may have a legitimate reason why they have missed school (appts, illness, etc)

One size does NOT fit all, flexibility on the schools part is essential for the education & well being of students

#OntEd #ONpoli

A quote by Dr. Naomi Fisher on a piece of torn paper that reads: Attendance (and behaviour) isn't the real problem. It's the signal that something is wrong.

Attendance (and behaviour) isn't the real problem. It's the signal that something is wrong. By Dr. Naomi Fisher

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #ymhc

Clinicians must put more effort into autism-specific medical care Without it, autistic adults with high support needs like my son are missing out on treatments that could reduce their suffering and improve their quality of life.

With #INSAR2026 coming up, a reminder that autistic and neurodiversity advocates are NOT against research, if it improves autistic quality of life—in fact, we want more of that! Especially for chronic pain & GI issues that can present differently in autistics:

www.thetransmitter.org/spectrum/cli...

Event poster for a talk by Kelsey Seguin on children's disability programs in Canada. Includes logos of Kids Brain Health Network, CHILD-BRIGHT, and Implementation Community. Scheduled for April 16, 2026, from 12 to 1 p.m. ET on Zoom. Features a smiling person with glasses and a blue hat.

Affiche d’événement pour une conférence de Kelsey Seguin sur les programmes pour enfants en situation de handicap au Canada. Comprend les logos de Kids Brain Health Network, CHILD-BRIGHT et Implementation Community. Prévue le 16 avril 2026, de 12 h à 13 h HNE sur Zoom. Présente une personne souriante portant des lunettes et un chapeau bleu.

Kelsey Seguin, MSc (PhD Candidate) brings both research expertise and lived experience to her work analyzing wait times in children’s disability programs across Canada.

📅 April 16 | 12 - 1 P.M. ET
🔗 bit.ly/KBHNIC-regis...

"Echolalia is a natural part of autistic communication. It means 'echo speech,' and it can be either immediate or delayed. For many autistic people with limited speech, delayed echolalia is a primary way to communicate." Video from @assistiveware.bsky.social:

www.assistiveware.com/blog/what-is...

In this week’s edition of Update Friday, Community Action Projects Grant applications open, conference session proposals deadline extended, and more! Read the full edition: zurl.co/Yu4zF

Sign up to our newsletter: zurl.co/1PhR5

Life Through an Autistic Lens: All Those Steps Discover how everyday tasks like eating and showering involve overwhelming steps for autistic individuals seeking simplicity.

For many autistic people, even simple tasks like showering can feel overwhelming due to the many steps involved, underscoring the need for greater understanding and inclusion.

#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth

Press release from the Autism Alliance of Canada

Read more:
quoimedia.com/12th-annual-...

#autism #Ottawa #cdnpoli #AI #AIandautism #ASD

Smiling person wearing sunglasses and a conference lanyard holds up a white bag with "ICAN" and "Autism Connect" logos, conveying a cheerful mood.

Audience sitting in rows facing a stage with a large screen displaying a presentation at the "International Conference for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders."

Last week, our CEO Sarah attended #iCanConference2026 in Niagara Falls

It was a great day of learning, sharing & connecting

Thanks to everyone involved for putting on such great event!

We need more than #autism awareness. Let's work on acceptance, inclusion & action!

#AutismAcceptance #HamOnt

On left side of square Canva image, light blue graphic with blue text reads "Did you know? Triple C Farm is a fully functional animal sanctuary and petting farm that provides a volunteer program for adults with developmental disabilities? Families of exceptional children are encouraged to visit this inclusive place in Ancaster!". On the right side is a picture of a horse and colt walking with trees in the background

Triple C Farm in Ancaster is run by Tricia, Pascal & their 3 autistic sons. It is an animal sanctuary, petting zoo & volunteer program for adults with developmental disabilities.

Check them out! For more info, go to www.triplecfarm.ca

#HamOnt #autism #disability #neurodiversity #inclusion