Western Canada’s largest autism conference back in Edmonton

Teaching materials can be seen at the Jim Jiwani Autism Academy in Edmonton on June 5, 2025. The specialty school offers programming for children with autism. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)

A conference that deals with issues on autism and mental health is returning to Edmonton this week.

The largest autism conference in Western Canada, the Annual Autism Conference, will take place at the Fantasyland Hotel for its 18th anniversary.

This year’s event will take on new issues including Indigenous understandings of autism and aging with autism, according to a news release on Tuesday.

Edmontonians can expect the executive director of Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton, Terri Duncan, to be onsite and available to discuss the importance of the conference to the autistic community.

According to Canadian data, one in 50 kids will be diagnosed with autism, with the number being even higher in the U.S.

The three-day event will feature two different break settings – one for stimulation and one for calming. Olympian Clara Hughes will also be in attendance to share her story on mental health and stigma.

The Annual Autism Conference begins Wednesday and runs until Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.