OTTAWA? New Democrat MP Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) introduced a private member’s bill today to create a national autism strategy. If passed, the bill would provide significant relief to all families and their loved ones living with autism.

“Autism doesn’t discriminate based on geography,” said Thibeault. “It’s time for federal leadership to ensure that no matter where a child is born with autism, they receive equal treatment and services of the highest caliber.”

The current prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) nationwide is estimated to be more than 1 in 200 people. The rate of occurrence is even higher when you look exclusively at children; roughly .6% or one in 165 will be diagnosed with some form of autism.

The high incidence of autism has lead many autism groups to call for a National Autism Strategy.

Thibeault’s New Democrat colleague Peter Stoffer, who has been working with the autism community in Canada for some time, will be seconding the bill. “I’m very pleased that my colleague has done this,” said Stoffer. “We’ve been asking for many years for the federal government to work with the provinces to develop a national autism strategy. I hope this will become a reality in the near future.”

Later today, Thibeault and Stoffer will co-host an autism awareness event on Parliament Hill where other MPs, Senators and their staff have an opportunity to learn more about the different types of autism and meet members of the steering committee of the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance.