• Welcome to the McMaster Autism Research Team (MacART)!

    We are the McMaster Autism Research Team, a group of researchers, clinicians, clinician-scientists, and other experts who foster collaboration among the families, researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers whose lives and work are touched by autism.

    MacART held its 3rd Autism Research Symposium on May 26, 2023, with the theme, “Autism and Mental Health: Towards an Ecological Lifespan Approach”.

     

  • MacART at INSAR 2023

    MacART members attended the 2023 International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) annual meeting. This year, our members contributed to 26 posters, 2 oral presentations, and 2 panel sessions.

  • 2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment

    MacART is proud to partner with Autism Speaks Canada and Autism Alliance of Canada to develop, implement, and analyze the Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment – a survey where respondents can share their experiences to help inform the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Through this partnership’s work, we expect to be a catalyst for meaningful enhancements to policy and programs across Canada, to better the quality of life for Autistic Canadians and their families during a time of uncertainty.”

    Jill Farber // Executive Director // Autism Speaks Canada

    The 2023 survey was recently launched and the data is being analyzed. Results from the 2020 survey are available.

  • MacART at the 2023 Kids Brain Health Network Conference

    MacART and colleagues attended the 2023 Kids Brain Health Network Conference that took place in Ottawa, Ontario. This year, our members contributed to a number of poster presentations and oral presentations. Dr. Peter Rosenbaum gave a keynote presentation titled “Childhood Disability in the 21st Century: Can We Create a Canadian Model for the World?”

  • Research informing public policy and programming

    “We are thrilled to work with the McMaster Autism Research Team, whose research helps to inform public policy and programs locally and provincially for the families of Autistic children and neurodevelopmental disorders.”

    Marg Spoelstra // Executive Director // Autism Ontario

  • Collaboration is key

    “Through our partnership with the McMaster Autism Research Team, we are able to collaborate on meaningful research that can be used to inform the day to day clinical practice that supports children, youth, and families.”

    Bruce Squires // President // McMaster Children’s Hospital

Recent News

MacART at McMaster Child Health Research Day – 2025

On March 26, 2025, more than 400 McMaster Health Sciences students, faculty, patients, family members, and special guests gathered at the McMaster University Student Centre to commemorate ongoing research projects. A grand total of 160 research studies were presented at this annual event, spanning a wide range of topics including basic science, autism, climate change

MacART at McMaster Child Health Research Day – 2025 Read More »

MacART at McMaster Child Health Research Day – 2025 Read More »

National Autism Network Launched – a Partnership Between Autism Alliance of Canada and Sinneave Family Foundation

March 21, 2025: MacART is thrilled with the recent announcement of our close collaborators, Autism Alliance of Canada and the Sinneave Family Foundation, being awarded the honour of leading the creation of the non-profit National Autism Network (NAN). The NAN will help inform the implementation of Canada’s National Autism Strategy, and will give Autistic Canadians

National Autism Network Launched – a Partnership Between Autism Alliance of Canada and Sinneave Family Foundation Read More »

National Autism Network Launched – a Partnership Between Autism Alliance of Canada and Sinneave Family Foundation Read More »

About MacART

A wheel of icons with Policy Engagement in the center. The 6 surrounding icons depict: Community Engagement, Translational Models of Care, Population Health Research, Training & Education, Biomedical & Basic Research, and Clinical Research. There are arrows pointing between all the icons to Policy Engagement, as well as in a circle linking to each other.

We are the McMaster Autism Research Team, a group of researchers, clinicians, clinician-scientists, and other experts who foster collaboration among the families, researchers, clinicians, educators, and policymakers whose lives and work are touched by autism.

Our members are leading and participating in a variety of projects with provincial, national, and global impacts, aligning our work with the assessment report on autism released by the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2022, which aimed to inform development of a National Autism Strategy.

Our Membership

members
departments
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Our Impact

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