A world where autism is understood, accepted and everyone is living their lives fully.
Our Mission
We are a community-based organization that builds understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for Autistics/individuals on the autism spectrum and their families through leadership, advocacy, education, training, and programming across the lifespan.
Core Values & Guiding Principles
This area of the strategic plan introduces the values that direct the approach to our work and the guiding principles that illustrate how these values will be brought to life. Over the next five years, Autism Nova Scotia will incorporate inclusion, respect, collaboration, acceptance and courage into our day-to-day activities and our longer-term projects. These core values will inform how we work toward achieving our vision.
Strategic Priorities & Goals
Imagining a future where Autism is understood and accepted and all Autistic individuals are living rich, full lives would be a mere fantasy if we did not define the goals we will pursue to realize this vision. Through the 2020-2025 strategic planning process, Autism Nova Scotia arrived at five priority areas within which we developed a number of measurable goals that will help to serve as our scorecard as we progress through the plan.
For two decades, Autism Nova Scotia has collaborated with Autistic individuals, families, government and other stakeholders to build awareness, acceptance and inclusion for our province’s autism community. The 2020-2025 strategic plan is our re-commitment to helping the 30,000 Autistic Nova Scotians live full lives through improved supports and services.
History and Founders
Autism Nova Scotia (formerly the Provincial Autism Centre) was founded in October of 2002 by Joan and Jack Craig, parents of an adult son with autism. The prior year, the Craig Foundation endowed a medical research Chair in Autism at Dalhousie University in Halifax, the first of its kind in Canada. The establishment of the Jack and Joan Craig Research Chair in Autism was a vital first step towards fostering new knowledge, improved diagnosis, and improved services for people with autism in Nova Scotia and their families.
The vision that fostered Autism Nova Scotia is a personal one. The Craigs sought to reach out to parents and families in a practical way to help address their need for information, and equally important, to provide a supportive environment where parents and autistic individuals can find the resources, supports, and services they need.
The autism community in Nova Scotia lost one of its greatest advocates in October 2016. Together with his wife Joan, Jack Craig was not only our founder: he was at the very heart of Autism Nova Scotia.
Through the establishment of the Joan & Jack Craig Chair in Autism Research, the founding of Autism Nova Scotia, and many years of tireless advocacy in our province and nation, the Craigs have empowered the autism community by supporting access to information, best practice programs, and access to supports across the lifespan.
The autism community is forever changed by Jack Craig’s generosity, and his commitment to understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for people on the Autism Spectrum.
In working together to create a world where all individuals on the Autism Spectrum can live their lives fully, we will continue to honour Jack Craig every day.
Board of Directors
Catherine Rahey • Board Chair Autism Consultant • Complex Cases and Learning Centre Consulting Services
William Lahey • Vice Chair President & Vice-Chancellor • University of King’s College
Dave Nicholson, FCMA • Past Chair CFO • Atlantic Subway
Greg Smith, CPA, CA • Treasurer Director of Finance • Payzant Building Products Ltd
Joan M. Craig, C.M. • Founder & Honorary Member Autism Nova Scotia
Sarah Boyne, MSc. S-LP (c) • Member at Large Speech Language Pathologist
Allison Garber • Member at Large Owner • Allison Garber Communications
Ian Sutherland • Member at Large Partner • Stewart McKelvey
Janean Marshall • Member at Large Student Services Consultant • Mi’Kmaw Kina’matnewey
Dr. Robert Strang • Member at Large Parent
Dr. Abraham Rudnick, BMedSc, MD, MPsych, PhD, FRCPC, CCPE, CPRRP, MCIL, DFCPA, mMBA • Member at Large Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Bioethics and School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University • Clinical Director, Nova Scotia Operational Stress Injury Clinic, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Careers With Us
What can you expect from a career at Autism Nova Scotia? We understand the importance of enjoying your workday while doing meaningful work.
Autism Nova Scotia strives to foster a workplace where employees feel welcomed, supported, and included. We understand that our differences are what can make us stronger, and we work diligently to reflect that in what we do.
Many of our roles offer flexible options for work hours and location. Employees can work independently and collaboratively while contributing to a one-of-a-kind team atmosphere.
