Testimonials
"CHEO has been a beacon of light and support for our family as we’ve navigated the early years of an autism diagnosis and care. I wanted to be able to give back and provide guidance as the hospital modernizes service delivery for children on the spectrum and their families - particularly during big policy shifts."
- Mark Chapeskie
"CHEO continues to offer my son and our family a lifeline during this often challenging journey living with ASD. I am honoured to be a part of the AFAC where I am invited to share insights into planning within CHEO's Autism Program so that other parents like me can feel supported and understood, in turn helping to enrich and improve our children's lives."
- Lesley Robertson
"CHEO has been one of the few constants in our lives when it comes to Autism services. Throughout everything, they’ve provided thoughtful guidance and exemplary services. Being able to contribute to the AFAC feels like one small way to express my gratitude while having a positive impact on the CHEO Autism Program. "
- Ananda Nicholas
Who we are
CHEO’s Autism Family Advisory Committee (AFAC) is composed of family advisors who have a child with a diagnosis of Autism.
The AFAC is a sub-chapter of CHEO's Family Advisory council and is supported by CHEO resource staff from many disciplines, including the senior leadership team, all committed to advancing CHEO’s Partners in Health declaration of values.
What we do
- Partner with CHEO to provide advice and guidance from a patient and family perspective to CHEO’s administration, staff and physicians.
- Advise on changes that can improve the quality of care and services from the patient and family point of view.
- Teach the principles of patient and family-centered care by sharing personal stories during orientation of staff, physicians and students through our Family Faculty.
- Give voice to patient and family perspectives on hospital committees.
- Prepare and present an annual report of our activities to CHEO’s Strategy and Connected Care Committee which is a sub-committee of the Board of Directors.
Our ASD Journeys
CHEO’s Autism Family Advisory Committee (AFAC) annually hosts “Our ASD Journeys” — a virtual community building event for parents and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
2022
2021
How to join
In order to become a member you should:
- have experience with autism services within the past two years
- comfortable in speaking in a group with candour
- able to use their personal experience constructively to advise and not just advocate for one solution or view
- able to listen and hear different perspectives
- able to see beyond their own experience to think broadly for all families
- concerned about more than one issue or agenda