Project ECHO AuDIO is a Canada-wide research study that aims to improve autism care in communities by learning what works well and finding ways to expand those successful approaches. The study involves sites in six provinces: Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. As part of the study, the team has conducted more than 50 interviews with healthcare providers.

In this session, Melanie, Saebom, and Gabriela will share what they’ve learned, including the challenges physicians face when diagnosing and providing care to autistic children, and facilitators of healthcare improvements for this population of children. As well, they will share future plans for the study.

Dr. Melanie Penner is a Senior Clinician Scientist and Developmental Pediatrician at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Bloorview Childrens Hospital Foundation (BCHF) Research Chair in Developmental Pediatrics. Dr. Penner's clinical and research interests are in autism, specifically in service delivery for this population, including evaluating the impact of new care models. Dr. Penner has done research and educational work to expand Ontario's diagnostic capacity for autism diagnoses in the community setting, decreasing wait times and facilitating earlier access to essential therapy programs. Dr. Penner is the lead investigator on the ECHO AuDIO (Autism Diagnosis and Integrated care Opportunities) study.

Saebom Park is a PhD student at the Institute of Medical Scinece at the University of Toronto and has been working alongside Dr. Penner on the ECHO AuDIO study with a focus on analyzing data related to health care providers experience in providing integrated, ongoing care to their autistic patients, across Canada.

Gabriela Masri Ahmar is an undergraduate student entering her fourth year of the Honours Integrated Science program at McMaster University.  Gabriela has been working alongside Dr. Penner on the ECHO AuDIO study with a focus on analyzing data related to the experiences of health care providers conducting autism assessments across Canada specifically highlighting the barriers and facilitators associated with this work.

Healthcare providers have a critical role to play in supporting trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary (TTNB) youth, and increasing awareness of current research, practice, and how health mis/disinformation impacts gender-affirming care help providers be there for patients and their families. Ongoing research supports that gender-affirming care is safe and effective for youth who need it. Like in other areas of healthcare, a combination of research, evidence, clinical training, experience, ongoing consultation, and learning inform healthcare provision for TTNB youth. This session will explore the current state of research and practice in Canada with the goal of helping providers become more familiar with the care needs of TTNB young people and the care landscape as a whole. 

Dr. Daniel Metzger
Pediatric Endocrinologist, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia

Dr. Metzger is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, and a Pediatric Endocrinologist working on the Endocrinology & Diabetes Unit of BC Children's Hospital. Dr. Metzger and his colleagues—in collaboration with hospital- and community-based mental health professionals—began seeing transgender kids in 1998, and they have now seen nearly1200 trans and gender-diverse children and youth in the BCCH Gender Clinic, one of the busiest in Canada