Mission
Operating in the Greater Montreal area since 1981, the organization brings together people with ASD and their families, professionals, students, and many individuals and organizations interested in the cause of autism. Since its inception, its mandate has focused on supporting caregivers, for whom various forms of assistance have been developed over the years.
As part of its mission, Autism Montreal is called upon to intervene both at the social level and with individuals directly affected by autism. Through its many actions, it strives, in particular, to raise awareness among the general public about the various issues related to ASD and the diversity of these individuals, to contribute to research and skills development in this field, and to support actions undertaken to defend individual and collective rights.
In order to make a tangible contribution to the well-being of its members, Autism Montreal also offers them a wide range of services and activities. Whether it is moral support, mutual aid, respite, recreational activities, or any other form of support, the organization strives to respond as best as possible to the needs expressed. It thus endeavors to improve their quality of life, increase their autonomy and empowerment, and promote their integration into society.
Our Values
Openness: First value of Autisme Montréal, openness is at the heart of our mission. It evokes welcome, tolerance, acceptance of difference and invites one to question their beliefs and prejudices, to discover and recognize the true value in others.
Mutual support: Much more than a kind gesture, mutual support inspires solidarity, complicity and reciprocity. It refers to a shared intention to help, to do good while working closely to attain a common goal. It can take the shape of a common project or a verbal exchange where everyone feels listened to. A simple helping hand may enable to accomplish a major achievement. However, it also demonstrates consideration of others, the trust provided to them, and our will to unite our efforts for the well-being of all.
Courage : Courage is a value that gave birth to Autisme Montréal. Always present at the heart of Autisme Montréal, we owe its existence, its services, its determination in advocating for collective and individual rights of its members to courage. Courage is what permits one to undertake a difficult task, to surpass fears, to seek a better road regardless of risks, hardship, failure, and even contempt and rejection. Courage is what enables to go beyond appearances, to claim convictions, to give ourselves the power to act, to take charge of our destiny, and to be ourselves amongst others.
Perseverance : If courage leads to hope, it is because perseverance enables the realization of our aspirations. Made of patience, determination, and challenge, perseverance is what helps us go further, to take a step closer to our objective, to defy what may appear insurmountable, and to transform our intentions into realizations. Demonstrating perseverance means tolerating ambiguity, accepting to make errors, learning from them, and nonetheless being ready to begin all over.
Professionalism : Being professional, is choosing rigor, excellence, principles rather than ease, complacency, or excuses. It means accepting to invest all your personal resources to do good and to be of service to others. Being professional is taking the responsibility of the task at hand confided to us and ensuring ourselves of the quality of our contribution. It is choosing to evolve, to deploy all ones potential, to surpass oneself in order to offer to others the best of ourselves.
Autisme Montréal : a place that inspires and unites, carries hope, promotes growth and social solidarity.
History
The first board of directors of the Montreal chapter was elected at the first general meeting on September 21, 1981. This board was made up of parents who wanted to devote their time and energy to helping people with autism. They began by making themselves known and recognized among health care and social service professionals, as well as the general public. They also made themselves known to parents who were facing the same problems as them and who might need a sympathetic ear to share their stories and experiences. This service of welcoming and listening has always been a priority for all successive boards of directors.
Over the years, the chapter became involved in various issues that always aimed to improve the well-being of our autistic children in all areas: recreation, schools, health services, and respite for parents.
Since 1989, the chapter has occupied permanent premises and has permanent employees. In 1991, the chapter was legally incorporated as a non-profit organization under the name Société d’autisme de la région du Montréal Métropolitain (SARMM). From then on, SARMM began to expand to offer more services to parents of autistic children.
The SARMM became Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Montreal in 1998 to reflect the latest developments in the field of autism and PDD.
Over the past five years, Autism Montreal has faced a significant increase in demand for services and has therefore had to adjust by expanding its direct services and, at the same time, increasing its number of employees. Autism Montreal now has twelve (12) permanent employees and nearly 200 external employees working in direct services.
Thank you to everyone who has given and continues to give the organization some or all of their time and energy.
Autism Montreal has two main areas of focus: advocacy and direct services.
Because people with ASD have been relegated for many years to a gray area with little or no adequate services, Autism Montreal has had to develop several service components to respond to the urgent demands of parents and to try to alleviate the great suffering of all people with ASD and their families, who have been literally abandoned.
In order to meet a variety of needs, Autism Montreal has two main areas of focus: advocacy and direct services.
Over the years, Autism Montreal has acquired cutting-edge expertise and a vision for organizing services that is highly focused on responding to the needs and realities of ASD. Autism Montreal’s many years of lobbying have also provided a better understanding of the health and social services network, its requirements, constraints, and limitations. In short, this allows us to better understand how to propose more realistic solutions and suggestions.