Science and Research committee  There is a tremendous opportunity to embrace citizen scientists in all of the work that comes through that is supported by the federal government and that is supported by NGOs like ours. I think if the tri-council put in a requirement around citizen engagement like they are doing right now towards EDI and other areas, that would go a long way to supporting the work that is being done.

Science and Research committee  We are aware of it. We're aware of all the brain research centres across the country. KBHN is a very large network. It wouldn't surprise me if there are multidisciplinary researchers out of that institute who are involved as collaborators in many of our projects, because they are multidisciplinary and they are across Canada.

Science and Research committee  I hope they would apply to come and join the family engagement in research program, to get certified and to go through the course. It's a commitment. It's 30 hours of time online. It would give them tremendous insight, knowledge and skills to then apply those lessons to the work they do.

Science and Research committee  I think that's the role of knowledge mobilization and knowledge translation. I think that's where the peer-review process comes in, in terms of the sharing of the results of science and the acceptance of that high academic standard of the research that's conducted. I know with Kids Brain Health we look at research that's leading-edge in this country around neurodevelopmental disability and how that can go forward.

Science and Research committee  I would like to answer that by talking about families, parents and trainees, because the program is a matched program. We have an equal number of parents and caregivers and an equal number of junior scientists and trainees, typically, taking the program. They work together in the shared safe space to complete the course and the certification.

Science and Research committee  I think you're asking me a question there on the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disabilities worldwide.

Science and Research committee  There are a lot of similarities right across the world in terms of prevalence. I don't think that Canada is leading the way specifically in prevalence across many neurodevelopmental disabilities. In Canada the figures for prevalence we're seeing are the same as those we are seeing in the U.S. and Europe.

Science and Research committee  The parent partners are part of the course. When they graduate, we have a match-making service through which they can get involved in research programs that are of interest to them. They're involved in the research right from the get-go, from the very question that's asked and whether that is a question that is relevant and that will provide a solution that will impact our families and children.

Science and Research committee  Thank you for the question. In those 14 countries we've had two cohorts that were part of our commercialization efforts. One was in the Netherlands at Utrecht University and the other was in Australia through the University of Melbourne. Those cohorts have happened just in the last year.

Science and Research committee  Good morning, and thank you to the committee for inviting me to speak with you today. My name is Nicky Lewis and I am the chief executive officer of Kids Brain Health Network. Kids Brain Health is a Canadian national network that puts science to work for children with neurodisabilities and their families.