Credible (and Uncredible) Sources
Articles about neurodiversity and disability can oftentimes be ridden with misinformation, ableism, and bias. We hope to share options for support and education that do not pathologize neurodiversity and disability and are equitable to people of all backgrounds. Constantly being updated, the following list of sources are backed by professional licenses and are supported by the disabled community.
Last Updated: August 15th, 2021
Credible Sources:
Support:
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre: Youth-focused information and resources for mental health conditions and other psychiatric diagnoses. https://keltymentalhealth.ca/mental-health-challenges-and-disorders
Wellness Together Canada: Free articles, courses, and more to support one’s own mental health. https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
HealthLink BC: Information about depression, anxiety, and related issues. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health (might be vague but there are a lot of hyperlinks for specific needs)
Education
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective: Collective and directory of therapists and professionals who are neurodiversity-affirming and opposed to the principles of ABA. They also have a wealth of free infographics about autism, neurodiversity, anti-ableism, and related topics. https://therapistndc.org/
LD@Home: resources and support for learning disabilities and ADHD. https://www.ldathome.ca/
International OCD Foundation: Provides information, resources, and a supportive community for those with OCD and related disorders, their loved ones, and health professionals. https://iocdf.org/
Canadian Mental Health Association: National organization promoting mental health and supporting people with mental illness. https://cmha.ca/
Autism BC: Provides information on autism, support groups, and other events. https://www.autismbc.ca/
The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity: A UK-based integrated health and education service offering strengths-based services for people with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourrette’s syndrome. https://adhdfoundation.org.uk/
Advocacy:
Autistics United Canada: Organization promoting autistic self-advocacy and leadership, creating connections by and for autistic people. https://www.autisticsunitedca.org/
Human Rights Legal Support Centre: Legal organization advocating for people who have been subject to violations of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. Website has resources about legal human rights and how to file a human rights violation complaint. https://www.hrlsc.on.ca/en/welcome
Sources that are NOT Trustworthy:
Autism Speaks: Has many controversies in its history, including:
Use of fear-mongering tactics against autistic people in their marketing
Seeking to ‘cure’ or eradicate autism, which is not what most autistic people want and has eugenicist implications
Reports that it only spends 4% of its budget on actual services for autistic people, with some reports, such as from 2018, as low as 2%
Wikipedia
Sources that promote Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA):