NEWS
Kenny Robertson receives Meritorious Service Medal from the Government of Canada
July 1, 2020
Ottawa – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, today issued, on the recommendation of the Civil Advisory Committee, the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) to Kenny Robertson. “For creating Four Directions Autism, and for highlighting gaps in autism spectrum disorder advocacy and the need for culturally relevant services.” Four Directions Autism is a parent support group that works one-on-one with off-reserve First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Non-Status children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) celebrate Canadians who have performed an exceptional deed or activity that brings honour to Canada. They recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services to research and humanitarian efforts. The contributions can be innovative, set an example for others to follow, or improve the quality of life of a community.
The Meritorious Service Medal is an important part of the Canadian Honours System and highlights remarkable achievements that are accomplished over a limited period of time.
Kenny Robertson is the Chair of Four Directions Autism, Board Member (Treasurer) of Autism Ontario and part of the Ontario Autism Program: Implementation Working Group. He is a father of four and is a member of the Neskonlith Indian Band (Secwepemc). His continued goal is advocating for all autism parents and addressing the challenges each family faces.
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Additional Information
Autism Ontario
https://www.autismontario.com/who-we-are
Ontario Autism Program: Implementation Working Group
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-implementation-working-group#section-1
Media information
Four Directions Autism
fourdirectionsautism @ gmail.com
Ottawa – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, today issued, on the recommendation of the Civil Advisory Committee, the Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) to Kenny Robertson. “For creating Four Directions Autism, and for highlighting gaps in autism spectrum disorder advocacy and the need for culturally relevant services.” Four Directions Autism is a parent support group that works one-on-one with off-reserve First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Non-Status children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) celebrate Canadians who have performed an exceptional deed or activity that brings honour to Canada. They recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services to research and humanitarian efforts. The contributions can be innovative, set an example for others to follow, or improve the quality of life of a community.
The Meritorious Service Medal is an important part of the Canadian Honours System and highlights remarkable achievements that are accomplished over a limited period of time.
Kenny Robertson is the Chair of Four Directions Autism, Board Member (Treasurer) of Autism Ontario and part of the Ontario Autism Program: Implementation Working Group. He is a father of four and is a member of the Neskonlith Indian Band (Secwepemc). His continued goal is advocating for all autism parents and addressing the challenges each family faces.
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Additional Information
Autism Ontario
https://www.autismontario.com/who-we-are
Ontario Autism Program: Implementation Working Group
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-implementation-working-group#section-1
Media information
Four Directions Autism
fourdirectionsautism @ gmail.com
Ontario Autism Program: implementation working group
Four Directions Autism is proud to announce that our Chair has been asked to join the Ontario Autism Program: implementation working group. The mandate of the group as per the Ministry websites includes “providing input on the implementation and operationalization of the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP)".
As part of the Implementation Working Group, our Chair will be able to work alongside "clinical experts, including autism service providers, self-advocates, individuals with autism and parents, and representatives from Ontario’s northern communities.”
For more information, please refer to the Government of Ontario’s Website.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-implementation-working-group
As part of the Implementation Working Group, our Chair will be able to work alongside "clinical experts, including autism service providers, self-advocates, individuals with autism and parents, and representatives from Ontario’s northern communities.”
For more information, please refer to the Government of Ontario’s Website.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-autism-program-implementation-working-group
Autism Ontario
Autism Matters by Michael Cnudde
We are proud to have our Chair, Kenny Robertson featured in the Winter 2020 issue of "Autism Matters"
The Autism Mental Health Promotion Project
Four Directions Autism is proud to announce that our Chair has been asked to join The Autism Mental Health Promotion Project.
"The Autism Mental Health Promotion Project will take a two-step approach to mental health promotion. York University will develop and distribute mental health literacy materials through online and print resources for older adolescents and adults with ASD, the families of people with ASD, and service providers. This project will also implement evidence-based online and in-person interventions to improve the ability of individuals with ASD, and of their family members, to cope with stressors associated with ASD. An online mindfulness intervention will be accessible nationally through multiple partner hosting websites". via Canada.ca
"The Autism Mental Health Promotion Project will take a two-step approach to mental health promotion. York University will develop and distribute mental health literacy materials through online and print resources for older adolescents and adults with ASD, the families of people with ASD, and service providers. This project will also implement evidence-based online and in-person interventions to improve the ability of individuals with ASD, and of their family members, to cope with stressors associated with ASD. An online mindfulness intervention will be accessible nationally through multiple partner hosting websites". via Canada.ca
Drop-In Listening event with the
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
Drop-In Listening event with the Hon. Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
Fort York Pow Wow 2019
Co-designing Autism Socio-cultural Research Panel
Thursday, May 23, 2019
The Co-designing Autism Socio-cultural Research Workshop as part of an expert panel to guide our research directions. The workshop will take place at the University of Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2019, between 10 am and 3 pm. The
attendants include clinicians, autistic adults, and families of autistic people, representatives from Autism Ontario, Surrey Place Centre, the Gifted People Services, the South Asian Autism Awareness Center, and the Four Directions Autism.
attendants include clinicians, autistic adults, and families of autistic people, representatives from Autism Ontario, Surrey Place Centre, the Gifted People Services, the South Asian Autism Awareness Center, and the Four Directions Autism.
CASDA | ACTSA – Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Association 2019
Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton
January 24th & 25th, 2019
UPDATE: E-697 (HEALTH CARE SERVICES)
42nd Parliament
PETITION TO THE MINISTER OF INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS
Whereas:
Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive disorder, which affects one in sixty-eight people;
The goal is to acquire a report of Urban Aboriginal Children with Autism and details of the wait list of care for off-reserve children;
It would be helpful for the Trudeau government to work with the provinces and territories and stakeholders to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for Autism spectrum disorder, including, awareness and education campaigns, child, and adolescent and adult intervention innovative funding arrangements for financing therapy, surveillance, respite care, community initiatives, and research.
We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to present findings to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
Whereas:
Autism spectrum disorder is a pervasive disorder, which affects one in sixty-eight people;
The goal is to acquire a report of Urban Aboriginal Children with Autism and details of the wait list of care for off-reserve children;
It would be helpful for the Trudeau government to work with the provinces and territories and stakeholders to develop a pan-Canadian strategy for Autism spectrum disorder, including, awareness and education campaigns, child, and adolescent and adult intervention innovative funding arrangements for financing therapy, surveillance, respite care, community initiatives, and research.
We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens, call upon the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to present findings to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
Government response tabled on September 15, 2017
(Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-24)
The Government of Canada recognizes that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has a significant and lifelong impact on
Indigenous individuals and families. Federal investments in research, data improvements, and training skills are
supporting those with autism and their families.
Our Government believes all children should have access to the same health, social and educational supports and
services without gaps, delays or denials.
Through the Jordan’s Principle: Child First Initiative, our Government is working side-by-side with First Nations, and the
Provinces and Territories to make sure every child receives the service they deserve. The Child First Initiative was
announced on July 5, 2016, to help meet the immediate health, social and educational services and support needs of
First Nation children, while at the same time acquiring better knowledge about their needs.
Through this proactive Initiative, to-date, Canada has approved coverage for over 13,348 requests for health, social and
educational services and supports needed, despite the First Nations child’s health or social condition and place of
residency. These requests include assessments for suspected autism and therapies for autistic children.
While our Government continues to address the immediate needs of First Nation children, information is also being
collected to better inform the support structures currently in place. This includes looking at health gaps, assessing what
is needed to address the gaps, directing investment to where it is needed, and providing lasting solutions by 2019, to
ensure that all First Nations children enjoy the health they deserve.
In addition, between 2011-12 and 2015-16, the federal government invested $39.4 million in research related to ASD
through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This investment contributes to the ongoing efforts to advance the
research knowledge about the underlying causes of ASD and to translate this knowledge into better diagnostic tools and
treatments for patients.
Finally, the Public Health Agency of Canada is working with Provinces and Territories to establish the National Autism
Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS). The NASS will collect and track, over time, reliable information to: (1)
estimate how many Canadians are living with these disorders (prevalence) and how many new cases are emerging
(incidence); (2) describe the population of children and youth living with ASD in Canada; and (3) compare patterns within
Canada and internationally. Where available and agreed upon with Provincial and Territorial partners, data on ethnicity
for ASD cases will be collected and options to identify as Indigenous (unspecified), First Nations, Métis and Inuit are
available.
Using data from the NASS, the first public report of ASD prevalence in Canada is planned for release in 2018. This initial
report will not include ethnicity or any information on Indigenous children affected by ASD. However, plans moving
forward are to include information on ethnicity for all ASD cases in the NASS surveillance system.
First Nations families with children who have an immediate need are encouraged to contact the Government of Canada
via the general inquiries line at 1-800-567-9604 or visit the Jordan’s Principle website at www.canada.ca/jordansprinciple.
Indigenous individuals and families. Federal investments in research, data improvements, and training skills are
supporting those with autism and their families.
Our Government believes all children should have access to the same health, social and educational supports and
services without gaps, delays or denials.
Through the Jordan’s Principle: Child First Initiative, our Government is working side-by-side with First Nations, and the
Provinces and Territories to make sure every child receives the service they deserve. The Child First Initiative was
announced on July 5, 2016, to help meet the immediate health, social and educational services and support needs of
First Nation children, while at the same time acquiring better knowledge about their needs.
Through this proactive Initiative, to-date, Canada has approved coverage for over 13,348 requests for health, social and
educational services and supports needed, despite the First Nations child’s health or social condition and place of
residency. These requests include assessments for suspected autism and therapies for autistic children.
While our Government continues to address the immediate needs of First Nation children, information is also being
collected to better inform the support structures currently in place. This includes looking at health gaps, assessing what
is needed to address the gaps, directing investment to where it is needed, and providing lasting solutions by 2019, to
ensure that all First Nations children enjoy the health they deserve.
In addition, between 2011-12 and 2015-16, the federal government invested $39.4 million in research related to ASD
through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This investment contributes to the ongoing efforts to advance the
research knowledge about the underlying causes of ASD and to translate this knowledge into better diagnostic tools and
treatments for patients.
Finally, the Public Health Agency of Canada is working with Provinces and Territories to establish the National Autism
Spectrum Disorder Surveillance System (NASS). The NASS will collect and track, over time, reliable information to: (1)
estimate how many Canadians are living with these disorders (prevalence) and how many new cases are emerging
(incidence); (2) describe the population of children and youth living with ASD in Canada; and (3) compare patterns within
Canada and internationally. Where available and agreed upon with Provincial and Territorial partners, data on ethnicity
for ASD cases will be collected and options to identify as Indigenous (unspecified), First Nations, Métis and Inuit are
available.
Using data from the NASS, the first public report of ASD prevalence in Canada is planned for release in 2018. This initial
report will not include ethnicity or any information on Indigenous children affected by ASD. However, plans moving
forward are to include information on ethnicity for all ASD cases in the NASS surveillance system.
First Nations families with children who have an immediate need are encouraged to contact the Government of Canada
via the general inquiries line at 1-800-567-9604 or visit the Jordan’s Principle website at www.canada.ca/jordansprinciple.
