Empowering Connections: A National Support Line for Autistic and Neurodivergent Canadians

Autism Canada, with founding sponsor CN, is launching Empowering Connections, a National autism Support Line that will open during Autism Acceptance Month in October 2025. The first service of its kind in Canada, the Support Line will provide direct access to compassionate, peer-informed connection for Autistic people, neurodivergents, and their families and caregivers nationwide.

Meeting a National Need

Today, more than 1.8 per cent of adults in Canada are Autistic, yet only 16 per cent report very good or excellent mental health, compared to 70 per cent of the general population. More than half also live with co-occurring mental health conditions. These realities highlight the urgent need for a barrier-free, autism-informed support service that is accessible across the country.

“Empowering Connections, our National Support Line, will be a vital connection point for Autistic people and caregivers seeking informed, compassionate, and lived-experience guidance, no matter where they live in Canada,” said Jamie McCleary, Executive Director at Autism Canada.

Support for Every Moment

Empowering Connections is designed to be more than a crisis resource. It will also serve as a place to share life’s everyday moments—from navigating challenges to celebrating personal milestones or simply connecting with someone who understands.

The Support Line will offer multiple ways to connect, including phone, chat, virtual calls, video, and email. Services will be fully bilingual, available in both English and French, to ensure accessibility across Canada. These options are meant to respect diverse communication preferences and sensory needs, ensuring that each caller feels comfortable and supported.

Autistic-Led and Grounded in Lived Experience

At the heart of Empowering Connections is its commitment to being Autistic-led. Trained Autistic Support Line Navigators with lived experience will staff the line, offering empathy, active listening, and guidance. Their role is not only to provide connection and understanding but also to link families and caregivers with local community resources. This approach ensures authenticity, trust, and a deeper level of support that traditional services often lack.

Autism Support Line Launching October 2025

Miranda Pachal, Senior Manager, Employee Experience, Learning & Compliance at CN has high praise for the initiative. “As co-chair of CN’s A.D.A.P.T. (Allies of Diverse ABILITIES Partnering Together) Employee Resource Group, I’m thrilled about the launch of this helpline. For families, caregivers, and individuals on the autism spectrum, the promise of a dedicated resource—where understanding is always at the forefront—marks a transformative milestone in the landscape of social advocacy. The helpline is more than just a phone number; it is a symbol of inclusion and recognizes the challenges faced by people touched by autism…. I am proud to be part of an organization that values caring for one another.”

With CN as founding sponsor, Empowering Connections represents a new era of inclusion and community connection in Canada. CN’s support helps ensure this barrier-free service reaches people nationwide, affirming the importance of inclusion and community care.

By centring lived experience, the National Support Line affirms that every voice deserves to be heard.

For updates on the launch, visit autismcanada.org/empoweringconnections