Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

All members will receive Network updates and invitations to participate in ongoing engagement activities that help shape the Network’s recommendations for the implementation of Canada’s Autism Strategy. These activities may include in-person and virtual events, surveys, and the annual community report. All members will be notified when final Network reports are released to government.  

Members can also apply to join the Board of Directors, a Standing Advisory Council, or a Strategic Priority Committee.  

Yes, the Network hosts various virtual and in-person events throughout the year which are open to members and the public.

Coming Soon: We will be sharing a calendar of upcoming engagement activities that will be open to everyone. Stay tuned!

You don’t need to be a member to join in! 

Anyone can take part by attending an in-person or online session, filling out a survey, or sharing feedback in other ways. 

We welcome all perspectives and want to hear from you.

Yes, both non-profit and for-profit organizations can join the Network. 

Your organization only need to apply once and people that apply for membership on behalf of an organization are welcome to also join as individual members. 

“Lived and living experience” refers to personal, first-hand experience with an issue, in this case, autism. It is not the same as knowledge gained only through study, observation, or professional training. 

• Lived experience means someone has experienced something in the past. 
  For example: 
  • An Autistic person who has navigated the education or healthcare system in the past. 
  • A parent who has raised a young child with autism. 
• Living experience means someone is currently going through the experience. 
  For example: 
  • An Autistic person, or the parent of an Autistic person, who is currently using services, working, or involved in disability advocacy. 
  • An Autistic person who is working.

Using both terms, lived and living experience, indicates that we value both past and present experiences. This is important because it helps ensure that decisions are inclusive, relevant, and based on real-life understanding. 

The National Autism Network is different because it is Canada-wide, community-led initiative that is centered on lived and living experience. It was created to ensure that Autistic people, families, and caregivers are leading the conversation—not just being consulted after decisions are made.  

The Network is funded through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada; however, it is not a government department or program. It is an independent, not-for-profit organization guided by the people most impacted by autism-related policies and services.   

The role of the network is unique because it is mandated to ensure that Canada’s Autism Strategy is informed by what people actually need, based on their real-life experiences.  

The Network makes recommendations to the Public Health Agency of Canada based on what we hear from people with lived and living experience, professionals, researchers, systems experts, and a variety of interest-holders across the country.   

The Network also collaborates closely with federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as other sectors, to support the design, development, and implementation of initiatives within the five priority areas of Canada’s Autism Strategy.   

This work includes offering policy recommendations and advocating for systemic change, informed by the Network’s ongoing efforts to hear from all perspectives and represent the needs of its diverse membership.  

It’s important to know that the Network does not implement Canada’s Autism Strategy, that is the job of government. The Network’s job is to advise, support, and help guide the government based on what the community says is needed.  

The Network is committed to making sure that all Autistic perspectives are included and respected, including those who communicate in non-speaking ways and those with co-occurring intellectual or developmental disabilities (ID/DD).  

To do this, the Network: 

• Engages directly with families, caregivers, support persons, and trusted communication partners who can help convey the perspectives of people who communicate differently.  
• Strives to use a variety of communication methods and supports, including plain language, visual tools, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), to help people understand the content and express themselves in the way that works best for them.  
• Ensures that accessibility and inclusion are built into every stage of its work, following best practices in disability inclusion and GBA+ (Gender-Based Analysis Plus) to remove barriers related to language, technology, location, ability, income, and more.  
• Recognizes that lived and living experience comes in many forms and values different ways of knowing and communicating, not just spoken or written communication.  
• Seeks input through multiple formats (such as one-on-one conversations, audio and video options, visuals, and story-based input) to ensure participation is meaningful and flexible.  

The Network strives to design engagement opportunities that adapt to people’s needs, not the other way around. The Network works to ensure that non-speakers, those who communicate in non-speaking ways, and people with co-occurring ID/DD are actively included, respected, and reflected in all recommendations to government.  

We recognize that many people hold multiple important roles and perspectives, and we value all of them. If you are both Autistic and a parent of an Autistic child, you bring lived and living experience from more than one viewpoint, and that is incredibly valuable.  

We encourage you to learn more about each Standing Advisory Council and Strategic Priority Committee by visiting our participate page. From there, you can decide which group most closely reflects the experience you wish to contribute at this time.  

Because we expect to receive more applications than available spaces, we will ask each participant to serve on only one Standing Advisory Council or Strategic Priority Committee. This helps us ensure broad representation and allows more people across the community to have the opportunity to participate.  

If you’re unsure which council or committee is the best fit, you’re welcome to contact us—we’d be happy to help you think it through.  

We’re really glad you want to be involved in more than one way, that means a lot! 

Because we expect to receive more applications than there are spots available, we ask that each person take part in just one role. 

This helps make sure we have a wide range of perspectives and gives more people in the community a chance to participate. 

The National Autism Network is here to help improve the lives of Autistic people and caregivers by making sure their perspectives are at the centre of national decisions. 

In the past, Autistic people and families were often left out of the conversation or consulted too late. The Network is different. It’s built on the belief that Autistic people, and their families must lead the way in shaping how services, policies, and supports are designed and delivered in Canada. 

Here’s how the Network can make a difference:

1. Centering Real-Life Experience 

2. Making Participation Inclusive and Fair 

3. Turning Community Feedback into Action 

4. Supporting Change at Every Stage of Life 

5. Working With Government for Real Change 

In our first year, the National Autism Network is focused on building a strong, inclusive foundation and starting real action that reflects the priorities of Autistic people, families, and communities across Canada. 

We are making sure that Autistic perspectives and lived and living experiences are leading the way in how Canada’s Autism Strategy is put into action, not years from now, but starting right away. 

This is what we are doing:

1. Building the Foundation

2. Forming Committees and Councils

3. Listening, Learning, and Sharing What We Already Know 

4. Starting to Make Recommendations Right Away 

5. Building Strong Relationships 

6. Our Focus: Community First, Always 

Autistic people and their family members are deeply involved in the leadership of the National Autism Network at every level. The Network was created to centre lived and living experience, ensuring that the people most impacted by autism-related policy and services are the ones helping to shape recommendations and drive change. Here are the ways that Autistic people and their families take a leadership role in the Network: 

Lived Experience Leadership on the Board of Directors 

The Network’s Board of Directors is made up of 81% people with lived and/or living experience, including Autistic people, family members, and caregivers. This majority ensures that all decisions made at the highest level are informed by real-world insight, not just professional or system-based perspectives. 

Standing Advisory Councils  

Three Standing Advisory Councils that only include members who have lived and living experience provide ongoing advice, identify gaps and priorities, and ensure the Network’s direction reflects the full diversity of the autism community across Canada. 

Strategic Priority Committees Guided by Experience 

Autistic people and families will also serve on five Strategic Priority Committees aligned with Canada’s Autism Strategy. These committees combine lived and living experience with subject matter knowledge to offer clear, actionable recommendations to government partners. 

Inclusive Hiring: Lived and Living Experience is an Asset

We are actively hiring and strongly encourage Autistic people and family members to apply for staff roles. All job postings note that lived and living experience is considered an asset. We are excited to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community and supports leadership in multiple forms, not only professional credentials. 

Job opportunities are posted on our website, and adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process to support equitable access. 

Accessible and Inclusive Participation 

The Network is committed to removing barriers to engagement by using plain language, multiple communication options (including non-speaking supports), and flexible, accessible processes. This ensures that people who are non-speakers, those who communicate in non-speaking ways, people with ID/DD, and caregivers of people with complex support needs can participate fully.