Scroll down to view the official program for CALS2022!
Hosting a variety of inspiring topics and ideas through a keynote address, stimulating panels, and opportunities for discussion, CALS2022 plans to bring together hundreds of attendees from all 10 provinces and 3 territories to learn, share and build effective strategies.
For the first time, both days of the conference will be translated, allowing attendees across Canada, whether their preferred language is French or English, to attend CALS2022.
With ample networking opportunities, you won’t want to miss this chance to connect with experts and leaders in the community!
Click here to see our CALS2022 presenters, guests, and panelists. Click here to read the full bios of our presenters, guests and panelists.
To register to #CALS2022 on April 4-5, 2022, visit: cals2022.eventbrite.com
Program
Click here for a printed version of our agenda.
Please note that this agenda is subject to change.
Themes
CALS2022 Presenters
All times listed below are in EST on April 4 & 5, 2022.
Click here to read the full bios of our presenters, guests and panelists.
CALS2022 DAY 1
April 4, 2022
Michael McCreary
Event host
Opening
April 4, 2022 at 11:30 AM (EST)
Opening ceremony
James Bird, M.Arch., MRAIC
Member of the Dënesųłiné Nation
Affiliated with the Northwest Territories Métis Nation
Opening remarks
Dr. Jonathan Lai
Executive Director, CASDA
The Honourable
Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
The Honourable
Leo Housakos
Senator
The Honourable
Peter M. Boehm
Senator
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:
April 4, 2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Pîtoteyihtam: A Nehiyaw Perspective on Autism
Grant Bruno
Keynote presenter
THEME:
PROGRESS IN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AND DISABILITY SUPPORTS
PANEL
April 4, 2022 at 12:40 PM (EST)
Employment initiatives across Canada
Presented by EY Canada
Don Gallant
Panelist
Ready, Willing & Able
Radha MacCulloch
Panelist
The Inclusive Workplace
Maureen Haan
Panelist
Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
Tanya McLeod
Panelist
Sinneave Family Foundation
Dr. Karen Bopp
Presenter
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism
Tammy Morris
Moderator
EY Canada
SHORT PRESENTATIONS
April 4, 2022 at 1:50 PM (EST)
Short presentations Bruno Wicker NeuroPlus: A unique opportunity to associate neurodiversity and high-level professional services Martin Prévost NeuroPlus: A unique opportunity to associate neurodiversity and high-level professional services Stephen Bedard Autism and Caring Professions: Susan Larke Build it up so you can give it away: Exploring the development of a community-based program for teaching employment readiness skills Shane Lynch Build it up so you can give it away: Exploring the development of a community-based program for teaching employment readiness skills Aaron Bouma Autism and Mental Health PANEL Healthcare Inclusion and Mental Health Yuji Oka Ken Robertson Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo Dr. Kira Vimalakanthan Kathi Cosgrove SHORT PRESENTATIONS Short presentations Arthega Selvarajan Diverging MINDS: Introducing Students & Healthcare Professionals to the Neurodivergent Community Minahil Khan Diverging MINDS: Introducing Students & Healthcare Professionals to the Neurodivergent Community Spandana Veeravalli Diverging MINDS: Introducing Students & Healthcare Professionals to the Neurodivergent Community Dr. Karen Bopp The CIRCA Professional Development Initiative – Inclusion for All: Autism & Neurodiversity in the Workplace Dr. Fabienne Samson Partners for Change: Community partnerships support through province-wide research network Dr. Olaf Kraus de Camargo How to be equitable within a spectrum of needs? WORKSHOP Shifting the Paradigm about Non-Speaking Autistics Damon Kirsebom Jordyn Pallett Orly Fruchter Dr. Deepa Singal Closing remarks Closing Remarks Don Davies The Honourable Virtual booths Posters and presentations The following presentations will be available throughout both days. Dr. Mackenzie Salt A New Method for Research Engagement with the Autistic Community Tanya McLeod EmploymentWorks: Janette T. Bundic Painting: Hurt People Hurt People Ken Robertson 4 Directions Coming Together Dr Mackenzie Salt Canadian Journal of Autism Equity Terri Robson Canadian Journal of Autism Equity The Honourable Canadian Journal of Autism Equity Michael McCreary Event host PANEL Snapshots of Autism Research in Canada Coming soon Opening Remarks Opening remarks The Honourable Carla Qualtrough The Jim & Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award Stay tuned as we reveal the inaugural recipient of the Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award on April 5, 2022 at 11:45AM Ginette Munson The Honourable Margaret Whelan Dr. Kim Ward INTERNATIONAL PANEL Towards a Canadian National Autism Strategy: Dr. Alistair de Gaetano Dr. Susan Daniels Sally Scott, Harald T. Neerland, Anna Bailey-Bearfield Dr. Deepa Singal WORKSHOPS Housing Stability Through Autistic Agency Over The Life Course Maddy Dever Courtney Weaver Pari Johnston Advocating with humility: Enhancing counseling and psychotherapy John Marquina WORKSHOP The Power of Movement To Help Kids on the Autism Spectrum: Stories From the Body Yuji Oka PANEL Gender and Underrepresented Populations Yasemin Tuncer Presenter Janette T. Bundic Presenter Carolyn Tinglin Dr. Amandine Catala Presenter Maddy Dever SHORT PRESENTATIONS Short presentations Andre Pereira Polaris Enterprise: Building Momentum Across an Industry Giant to Accelerate Inclusive Employment Seiun Thomas Henderson Forest School and Autism: Learning and Growing in Nature Dan Ten Veen Spectrum Creative Network in Action ‘Sierra Lynne’ Vanderdeen Spectrum Creative Network in Action PANEL Late diagnosis Terri Robson Tarra Shipman Presenter May Al Othman Corey Walker Cyndi Gerlach Closing Closing remarks Dr. Jonathan Lai, The Honourable Closing ceremony James Bird, M.Arch., MRAIC
Presented by Sinneave Family Foundation
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
Overcoming the Stigma
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
THEME:
EVOLUTION OF EVIDENCE-INFORMED SUPPORTS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
April 4, 2022 at 2:30 PM (EST)
Presented by Autism Speaks Canada
Panelist
Panelist
Panelist
Panelist
Moderator
April 4, 2022 at 3:00 PM (EST)
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
April 4, 2022 at 4:00 PM (EST)
Presenter
Presenter
Moderator
Moderator
April 4, 2022 at 4:30 PM (EST)
Member of Parliament 
Mike Lake
Member of Parliament
April 4-5, 2022
Presenter
Presenter
Enhancing Pre-Employment Supports
Presenter
Written poem: The Elephant in the Room
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
Wanda Thomas Bernard
Presenter
CALS2022 DAY 2
April 5, 2022
April 5, 2022 at 10:30 AM (EST)
The Jim & Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award
April 5, 2022 at 11:30 AM (EST)
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion 
Jim Munson
Former Senator 
Former Board Member, CASDA
Board Member,
CASDA
April 5, 2022 at 12:00PM (EST)
International Learnings and Lessons from around the World
Panelist
Chairperson, Autism Advisory Council, Government of Malta
Panelist
Director, Office of Autism Research, Chair of IACC, National Institute of Mental Health, United States
Panelist
Executive Director of the Division of Children and Youth,
Public Health Agency of Canada
Panelist
President,
Autism Europe
Panelist
Policy Lead on Autism and Neurodiversity,
Government of the United Kingdom
Moderator
Director of Scientific and Data Initiatives, CASDA
THEME:
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION IN POLICY DEVELOPMENT: “NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US”
April 5, 2022 at 12:40 PM (EST)
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter 
Presenter
April 5, 2022 at 1:50PM (EST)
Presenter
April 5, 2022 at 2:30 PM (EST)
Presenter
Moderator
April 5, 2022 at 3:00 PM (EST)
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
Presenter
THEME:
EVOLUTION OF EVIDENCE-INFORMED SUPPORTS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
April 4, 2022 at 4:00 PM (EST)
Presenter
Presenter
Moderator
Moderator
April 4, 2022 at 4:30 PM (EST)
Executive Director, CASDA
Wanda Thomas Bernard
Senator
Member of the Dënesųłiné Nation
Affiliated with the Northwest Territories Métis Nation