Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Autism Speaks Canada, very simply, raises money and gives out money. We raise money and we give out money to research communities through family services grants. It's our goal, through the resources we provide, our website, and the information we provide, to make the path a little straighter.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  I really don't have much to add. From our perspective, really it all comes down to research. Without knowing what causes autism we don't have an understanding of treatments and preventions that are unique to every child in every situation. We'll continue to focus on our need for research and for the equality of services, access to services and diagnosis.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  I'll start off by saying that a lot needs to happen before we reach that point, obviously. It doesn't solve the problem of the family in crisis on Christmas Eve, and we all know that happens and it's going to happen. We're going to get the same calls you get, and I'd be interested to know what you say, what the constituency office actually says to them.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  It's not very different. When my son was diagnosed about seven or eight years ago, I faced the same challenges that other families are facing today. I said the same things that other families are saying. I think the explosion of prevalence--and the enhanced awareness--has just meant significant stress.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Well, the situation in Canada is very similar to other countries. We often look to the States. We get a lot of information from the United States, and the U.S. has done some great work. As an example, they've lobbied their insurance industry very successfully in certain states to provide access to medically necessary treatment--to ABA therapy, for all intents and purpose.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  It's almost as if the grass is always greener on the other side. You have families in Alberta, for instance, and Alberta is often held as the shining star in terms of services and the level that's provided, but then you have families in Alberta saying, “You know what? It's not that great.”

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Okay.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Sure. I'm pretty much done anyway, so I will stop right here.

Subcommittee on Neurological Disease committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank you and all of the members of the subcommittee for including autism on your agenda today. To have autism formally and finally recognized as a health issue, and one that needs to be included in the neuroscience agenda, is indeed a significant step in the right direction.