ACT News and Resources

Visit the Autism Research Hub! Your Gateway to Autism Research

Every year, thousands of researchers from around the world dedicate their time and effort to produce scientific papers on autism. These papers are a testament to the unwavering commitment of the scientific community to understand and address the challenges faced by individuals with autism.

ACT’s team is dedicated to curating a selection of the most insightful and impactful papers focusing on specific topics and local researchers. We believe that this approach will help us to better understand the nuances of autism and develop more effective interventions. Stay up-to-date with the latest findings and insights.

Areas of Autism Research you can explore

Thank you to everyone who has made 2023 a success!

Our gratitude goes to everyone who donated to us in 2023! We are very grateful for our volunteers who spent their time to support ACT’s work – we could not have done it without you!

A special thank you to our board of directorssupporters, event speakers, our members, and newly formed Autistic Advisory Committee and Indigenous Advisory Committee. 

The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.

“I appreciate the concerted effort of the many individuals at ACT that organize events and keep a key role in advocacy in our community. It is a well done job!”

-Community Professional
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.
ACT’s Executive Director Dr. Michelle Schmidt at Dr. Ross Greene’s Event.
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.
ACT’s event with Dr. Ross Greene at the Sheraton Airport Hotel.

“I value ACT conferences and workshops that address pertinent issues and provide opportunities to meet with others facing similar challenges.”

-Professional & Parent / Caregiver
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.
The ACT Team after two-days with Dr. Ross Greene (our biggest in-person event in years!)

“I appreciate ACT not forgetting about the broad spectrum of needs by children on autism spectrum.”

-Parent / Caregiver
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.
ACT Events with Odin Books, CART Captioning, ASL Interpreters and Fidget Toys. 
Thank you to Still Interpreting and Accurate Realtime for making our Events this year’s more accessible.
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.
The ACT Team with Dr. Greg Hanley, Tina Gunn and Dr. Claire Egan at our October 2023 Event.

“Thank you for all your hard work!”

-Parent / Caregiver

Your donations support our free events & resources

We are so grateful for your support as a donor or a volunteer. ACT’s supporters are the reason we can continue our work throughout the year.

We know that many of you are facing challenges due to the economic situation, and we want to make it easier for you to join us. That’s why we are offering:

  • Free events
  • Free videos
  • The AID Search
  • More access to bursaries.

Thank you for being part of our community!

Donate to ACT

Giving Tuesday is just around the corner, and we’re eager to hear from you!

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It is difficult to believe that it has been one year since I began the role of Executive Director. Since then, our small but mighty team has accomplished great things and achieved many milestones.

In 2023, we hosted several presenters including Amy Weatherby; Michelle Garcia Winner & Pamela Crook; Ross Greene; Sarah Ward; Greg Hanley; Amy Gravino, Landa Fox and Jessica Cauchi; and our annual Focus on Research event with keynote presentations by Connor Kerns and Tiffany Woynaroski, as well as research presentations by Nichole Scheerer, Patrick Dwyer, Elina Birmingham & Siamak Arzanpour.

Many of our events have included panel presentations highlighting lived experiences and we have offered three ACT Chats – one of which was in collaboration with Kids Physio Group. In addition, we have made improvements to our website and the AID Search. We are proud of our work to break down barriers by providing American Sign Language (ASL) translation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services for our events as well as having volunteers able to provide support in languages other than English. During the past year, we have provided bursaries totalling almost $55,000.

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Early last year, ACT sent out a survey seeking input on the direction ACT should take moving forward. In response to your valuable feedback, we will be hosting more neurodiversity affirming content focused on Autism acceptance, and tackling sensitive topics such as the prevalence of mental health needs and suicide among Autistic people and how to provide support.

As we plan further into 2024, we will be guided by your responses to our current survey, as well as our Autistic Advisory, and Indigenous Advisory Committees.

Please take the time to complete the survey here.

As a small Not-for-Profit organization, we rely on the generosity of our donors as well as our volunteers who give of their time in many ways throughout the year. We realize that the current economic climate has made for tough times for many of you, so we are making every effort to ensure registration costs are reasonable by offering “ACT Chats” free of charge, and by broadening our reach in promoting bursaries.

With Giving Tuesday around the corner, and as we near the end of the year, please consider offering your financial support—every amount is appreciated.

As always, if you have any thoughts, suggestions or concerns, please always feel free to reach out to me—my door (virtual or otherwise) is always open.

With sincere gratitude,

Michelle Schmidt, PhD
Executive Director, Autism Community Training

Your Voice Matters!  2023 CYSN Check-in

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The Representative for Children and Youth is asking for your response to a survey that will inform a report that will be released in early 2024. Many families across BC have not yet had a chance to complete the check-in. The survey is being kept open until November 30.

The Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) of B.C. is mandated to monitor the child-and youth-serving systems in this province and to make comments and recommendations on how these systems can be improved.

The purpose of this 2023 CYSN Check-in is to do a “temperature check” and hear from families about their recent experiences accessing services and supports for children and youth with disabilities through the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s (MCFD) Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) Programs and other government funded services.

This check-in is for ALL parents and families who are care for children with support needs no matter if they are currently receiving government services or not. We want to hear from biological, foster and adoptive parents, and extended family caregivers (e.g. grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, etc.).

Your input is critical and will be used to inform future RCY reports so that we may provide decision-makers with up-to-date information and evidence to inform actions and accountability. 
Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth
B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth
View the survey

Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as Orange Shirt Day. It recognizes the painful history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system, honouring the children who survived and those who did not.

ACT encourages our community to use this day to learn about and reflect on the devastating legacy of forced assimilation and abuse of Indigenous Peoples, as well as learning what you can do to contribute to truth and reconciliation.

If you are interested in learning online, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is offering virtual programming and resources all week for Truth and Reconciliation Week 2023.

There are many in-person events happening across B.C. See B.C. Event Listings to learn about events in your area.


Support Indigenous-Led Organizations

Here are some organizations that aim to raise awareness about the history of residential schools and their impacts, or provide support for survivors, their families and communities.


ACT’s Support for Indigenous-Focused Research

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This one-day informal gathering was held to discuss how Indigenous communities can be better served by meaningful research into the needs of their children affected by developmental disabilities in British Columbia. The presentations featured research projects that have been developed in partnership with Indigenous communities including the research Simon Fraser University has done in collaboration with the Nzen’man’ Society and ACT, in the Lytton area, prior to the fire. The benefits of collaborative partnerships, in the context of chronically under-resourced Indigenous programs, are discussed as a necessary step in the process of genuine reconciliation. 


ACT Bursary Program for the Indigenous Community

ACT offers free registration for our events to individuals who self-identify as Indigenous and those who are employees of Indigenous organizations. It does not matter what the diagnosis of the children or adults they work with is. We see this as a small but practical way of building capacity in chronically underserved First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities. Please visit our website for more information about ACT’s Indigenous Bursary Program. We welcome donations to support this initiative.

Choose the Indigenous Bursary fund from the dropdown menu on the donate page.