April, 2015
CASDA Holds First Ever Leadership Summit
The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA)
held their Inaugural Leadership Summit this past March in
Ottawa. The overriding goal of the conference was to call for a
National Autism Strategy - “One Voice. One Goal.”
My name is Alana Shields Barker and I was one of 150
delegates there, representing “ImprovAbility”. My
organization’s focus is Social Learning through Improv and
Drama. I am also a member of the York ASD Partnership
Communications Working Group.
The two day CASDA Summit was packed with ideas and
possible solutions shared across provinces, agencies,
professions and community representatives.
The centerpiece was the National Needs Assessment Survey,
published in November 2014. A summary pulled several
sobering facts into focus about the current level of service vs
need across the country. Under Barriers to Service, three of
the four sectors polled put lack of resources and services at the
top of the list. (Caregivers of children - 80%, caregivers of
adults - 73%, and professionals - 95%) Self-Advocates, the
fourth segment polled, cited not being able to afford services as
their top barrier. Capacity building, serving hard-to-reach
areas such as the north and reaching new Canadians were
some of the major challenges discussed throughout the
conference.
Senator Jim Munsen spoke sharing an encounter he had on
Parliament Hill with a man whose son had Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD). This emotional meeting inspired the 2007
CASDA Inaugural Leadership Summit 2015
York ASD Partnership
April, 2015
paper “Pay Now or Pay Later”. That paper put the employment
problems of adults with ASD on the government table.
The Honourable Mike Lake spoke about life with his 17-yearold son, Jaeden, who has ASD. Mike challenged parents in
audience to “Introduce your son or daughter with autism to
your MP” and put a face on ASD. Kudos to MP Lake for sharing
openly and publicly, the reality and the joys of having a son like
Jaeden. It’s no wonder that MP Lake was given a Lifetime
Membership to CASDA in recognition of his advocacy on behalf
of those with ASD.
MP Mike Lake receives a Lifetime Membership to CASDA.
Several times through the conference, the work of the York
ASD Partnership was brought to mind. Over the last 8 years it
has seen agencies, providers and parents come together to
achieve a common goal – streamlining access to services in
York Region. When many committed players put their agendas
aside to create change, it will happen.
Other conference highlights included:
CASDA Inaugural Leadership Summit 2015
York ASD Partnership
April, 2015
 A Health Canada presentation about their National
Surveillance Project in development and slated to roll
out sometime later this year. It will finally give us the
Canadian numbers on ASD that we still don’t have. To
date, we rely on US based statistics to shape our practices
and policies.
A mock of up the National ASD Surveillance System
 Dr. David Nicholas, from The Ability Hub in Calgary
speaking on the state of employment supports for Adults
with ASD.
 Autism Speaks announcing new grant structures, with
increased awards and more opportunities for
partnerships between private sector and not-for-profits.
 A reception in the Senate Block of Parliament Hill
hosted by Senator Munsen, who welcomed all delegates
and once again voiced his commitment to working for
increased funding and opportunities for youth and adults
with ASD.
CASDA Inaugural Leadership Summit 2015
York ASD Partnership
April, 2015
Senator Jim Munson addresses CASDA members and delegates
 “Promising Practices” - 10 minute presentations given
by those who have innovative social enterprises,
businesses or projects to share. Among these were
o Integrated Autism Consulting’s Transition to Life
Program. Created by educator Patricia O’Connor, it
is now being offered at colleges in three Ontario
cities.
o Special Needs Roadmap.ca created by two Ontario
parents. This is a website guide to navigating the
school system.
o Meticulon, a Calgary based company offering
employment opportunities to people on the autism
spectrum.
CASDA Inaugural Leadership Summit 2015
York ASD Partnership
April, 2015
o HALE Consulting from Selkirk Manitoba markets
autism consulting services by Kristian Hook, who
has ASD.
o Ask Anthony! – an Edmonton delivery company
employing people with ASD.
o Pacific Autism Family Centre a multidisciplinary
centre in Richmond B.C. slated to be built in the fall
of this year.
o Spectrum Productions a Montreal organization
offering film production training to those with ASD.
They presented a series of short films, each
introduced by its creator. They brought the room to
its feet with their creativity, humour and honesty.
o iSand, Dr. Wendy Roberts’ integrated services
delivery model, based in Toronto.
The next day I attended “Autism on the Hill”, an annual
gathering of the families, children and adults with ASD on the
steps of Parliament Hill.
After speeches by Candice Bergen, Senator Munsen and MP
Lake, we heard a young man named Tony speak. He looked
like one of the Blues Brothers, but taller. His was a perfect
message to close the event. He told the gathered crowd:
“ I read. I am learning to drive. I am writing a novel (please
buy it when it’s out – It’s called “The Dark Side of the Moose”),
I work out. I have a job. And I have autism.”
CASDA Inaugural Leadership Summit 2015
York ASD Partnership
April, 2015
For information on CASDA, and to join this organization, visit
their website: www.autismalliance.org
Alana Shields Barker, Director ImprovAbility!, York ASD
Partnership, Communications Working Group.
CASDA Inaugural Leadership Summit 2015
York ASD Partnership