History of Autism Nova Scotia

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Autism Nova Scotia (formerly the Provincial Autism Centre) was founded in October of 2002 by Joan and Jack Craig, parents of an adult son with autism. The prior year, the Craig Foundation endowed a medical research Chair in Autism at Dalhousie University in Halifax, the first of its kind in Canada. The establishment of the Jack and Joan Craig Research Chair in Autism was a vital first step towards fostering new knowledge, improved diagnosis, and improved services for people with autism in Nova Scotia and their families.

​The vision that fostered Autism Nova Scotia is a personal one. The Craigs sought to reach out to parents and families in a practical way to help address their need for information, and equally important, to provide a supportive environment where parents and autistic individuals can find the resources, supports, and services they need.