In high-income countries like Canada, surgery to fix cleft conditions is common and is usually done before a child is 18 months old. In low and middle-income countries, where we conduct our missions, it can take years to receive treatment. Children and their families face enormous hurdles that prevent them from getting the surgical care they need. Many people have to travel great distances for care and most simply have no money to pay for surgery or healing medications. Sometimes people just don’t know that help is available. Sometimes there is simply no care to access.

Autism Ontario (legally incorporated as Autism Society Ontario) is a charitable organization with a history of over 49 years representing the thousands of people on the autism spectrum and their families across Ontario. Made up of knowledgeable parents, professionals, and autistic self-advocates who can speak to the key issues that impact autistic individuals and their families, Autism Ontario is the province’s leading source of information and referral on autism, and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community. There are seven regions across the province of Ontario. The work we do helps all autistic individuals and families in their communities have access to meaningful supports, information, and connections so they are equitably and seamlessly supported across their life course. Autism Ontario is guided by the board of directors, composed of parents, people on the spectrum, and respected professionals, who provide governance, expertise, and guidance to the organization on a volunteer basis. Autism Ontario aims to support and advocate alongside all autistic individuals across the province, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, religion, or gender identity. Now more than ever, we must be active and deliberate in listening to and including all autistic voices across the province. We will continue to expand our reach to neglected segments of our community. We will work to provide spaces of support and advocacy for our Black and Indigenous communities. And we will work together to dismantle the systems of oppression that prevent many autistic individuals from realizing their potential and living meaningful lives. As we do our work, we will also reflect on the systems of oppression that prevent many autistic individuals from realizing their potential and living meaningful lives.