The Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network (CAIRN) is a network of researchers and stakeholders from across Canada interested in early intervention in autism. The membership of CAIRN includes parents, scientists and front-line clinicians from several different disciplines including psychiatry, pediatrics, psychology, education, health policy, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy and early childhood education. The purpose of CAIRN is to develop a research agenda in early intervention in autism based on community input. This includes conducting high quality research studies, disseminating the evidence, developing evidence-based policy and advocating for more services and better training in early intervention in autism.

The impetus behind the development of CAIRN is a recognition that the delivery of services for young children with autism spectrum disorders in Canada is in crisis. The number of children coming to clinical attention has mushroomed but diagnostic and treatment services have not kept pace with this increased demand. Agencies and governments have been inundated with requests for services but there is little guidance in the field or the research literature as to the most effective and efficient forms of early intervention. It is clear that early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders works but it is also true that the quality of that evidence is weak and many unanswered questions remain. Key questions that require answers include the size of the treatment effect, the identification of the active ingredients in treatment and some knowledge about which form of early intervention works for what type of child with autism. A second generation of research studies in early intervention in autism is desperately needed but we believe that the research agenda must be based on input from parents, service providers and health policy analysts from provincial governments. Otherwise the results of these research studies have little chance of being implemented in communities across Canada and of improving the life chances of young children with autism spectrum disorders.

An initial meeting was held in November 2000. CAIRN provided a forum in which individuals from different areas in the autism community involved in early intervention came together to discuss research issues and ideas in an open and collegial atmosphere. Researchers genuinely listened to suggestions from members of the group and incorporated new ideas into their current projects.

Three important outcomes emerged from that initial meeting: 1) a consortium of researchers was established that will submit research proposals on early intervention to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the federal research funding agency; 2) a partnership of stakeholders was established to advocate for the provision of high-quality early intervention services for children with autism, and 3) some priorities for immediate action were identified. These priorities included advocating for more research in early intervention, promoting better education and training for physicians, front line clinicians and the general public about the benefits of early intervention, and demanding better early intervention services across Canada for children with autism/PDD that incorporate practices based on the best available evidence.

The working group held a second meeting in February 2002 to assess the progress being made with respect to priorities identified. A number of scientists gave brief presentations on their research projects and received very useful feedback from parents, clinicians and other scientists. The format of this meeting consisted of several presentations in four key areas: community screening for autism, measurement of the benefits of treatment, types of early intervention and education for professionals. The possibility of setting up sub-committees of CAIRN was discussed, and 6 key areas were identified: 1 – screening; 2 – measurement; 3 – intervention; 4 – training and education; 5 – policy, advocacy; 6 – website. Each sub-committee would be a knowledge-sharing group that will define their own objectives to be discussed at the next CAIRN meeting.

This meeting was very successful, and the progress being made in research was substantial and promising. CAIRN is motivated and energetic, and the possibility of becoming the voice of “evidence-based” care in early intervention in autism is within reach. A web site will soon be set up, please check our web address for updates.