The Sinneave Family Foundation (SFF) is a national organization dedicated to building successful futures for adolescents and adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Established in 2008, it has gained rapid recognition as an important funder and partner with leading autism service and research organizations across North America.

Autism diagnosis rates have risen dramatically from 1 in 10,000 two decades ago to one in 110 today, with diagnoses typically occurring in early childhood. Children with ASD become adolescents and adults with ASD, underscoring the critical need to focus on adults with autism now.

In Alberta, only 60 per cent of the estimated 37,000 adults with ASD have funding and program availability to provide the best opportunities and support systems for their adult lives.

Sinneave Family Foundation has been addressing these critical needs and gaps, and is working with well-established collaborators to support policy, innovative program development and funding for adolescents and adults with ASD beginning with the following key focus areas:

• Developing life skills and, where possible, skills that allow for meaningful work;
• Supporting appropriate accommodations;
• Improving the skills of caregivers;
• Being a centralized Resource Centre of credible information about ASD.

The Foundation’s continued commitment to bring together expertise and disseminate information has resulted in the creation of its Resource Centre; a professionally-run Navigation program for families; an e-newsletter for families following diagnosis; development of a website with a fully searchable online Alberta ASD services database; a workshop series on transitions for families living with ASD; and a research strategy leading to a broader understanding of ASD.

Building on those initiatives, the April 2011 opening of a purpose-built Centre in Calgary focusing on new support and service programs, training, and applied research for adolescents and adults with ASD will create a strong blueprint for success for this growing population of adolescents and adults with ASD. This unique hub of innovation and best practices is already beginning to shape new vocational, educational, recreational, and wellness opportunities for individuals with ASD that can be replicated in communities everywhere.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
The Sinneave Centre
3rd Floor, 3820 24th Avenue NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Tel: (403) 210-5000
Toll Free 1-888-733-7976
email: info@sinneavefoundation.org