LANGLEY- Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley and Langley MLA Mary Polak say families of children with autism have had their request answered by the creation of a National Chair in Autism Research and Intervention, at Simon Fraser University. The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia have each contributed $1 million.

“In Langley, we have worked very hard to help families with children with autism. Parents in Langley have been vocal about asking for a National Chair and we are very happy to be able to provide that,” says Warawa.

In the spring, Mark Warawa and MLA Mary Polak held a joint forum on the issue of resources and funding for autism.

“We heard loud and clear that they advocated and supported a National Chair in Autism Research in BC,” says Warawa. “New discoveries about autism treatments are happening every day,” says Langley MLA Mary Polak. “By working together with the federal government to establish this research Chair, BC can lead the way in providing hope for families caring for an autistic child.”

“Lots of work remains to be done to help parents with children with autism,” adds Warawa. “We are confident the appointment of this national Chair in Autism Research and Intervention will help to better address the many challenges individuals with ASD and their families are facing."

This support for a national chair on ASD research and intervention is in keeping with the key federal role as a facilitator of knowledge development and dissemination on this important issue.

"This partnership between Canada and British Columbia is an important step toward improving treatment and intervention options for children and youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder," said Warawa. "It will contribute significantly to the body of research on the most effective ways of helping children reach their own unique potential."

ASD affects individuals of all ages and from all walks of life, as well as their families, friends and caregivers. It can be characterized along a spectrum, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and often including repetitive behaviour and difficulties with social interaction and communication. International studies suggest that autism affects six out of every 1,000 children.

Though much progress has been made through research, we still do not know what causes autism nor the most effective treatments and interventions. This is why the Government of Canada continues to work with partners and stakeholders and to invest in activities which support a stronger ASD evidence base and an enhanced understanding of this condition.

The Government of Canada is confident that an Autism Research Chair, focussing on effective treatment and intervention, will complement existing federal initiatives to enhance the knowledge base for this condition and improve Canada's capacity to address the many issues that individuals with ASD and their families are facing.

The announcement comes during Autism Awareness Month, which aims to promote dialogue on autism and to increase
Canadians' awareness and understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).