Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity today to speak to the issue of autism in light of Bill S-206 by the hon. Senator Jim Munson, to institute a World Autism Awareness Day.
This bill draws attention to a major problem that affects all layers of society, from Canadians with autism, to their families, their friends or their caregivers.
The government has designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to mark the importance of better understanding this disease and its repercussions on Canadian families.
It is essential that we become aware of the major challenges facing people with autism, that we understand the exceptional devotion of the caregivers and that we recognize the remarkable work of those who contribute to enhancing our scientific knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
I am going to pick up on what others have said and emphasize that, although autism is often considered a problem that affects children, we must not forget the Canadian adolescents and adults who have not benefited from early diagnosis and quick treatment.
Teenagers are all too aware of their limitations and differences, which can make them feel marginalized, vulnerable and isolated.
Easy access to reliable information can make all the difference in how families react to the situation.
If Canadians know which treatments have been deemed effective and can get results from the most recent studies on what works and what does not, they will be able to understand and choose the treatments that best suit their needs.
The federal government wants Canadians to have access to the same high-quality, evidence-based information on autism.