Registration opens Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 PM!
Facilitated by: Dr. Grant Bruno
Indigenous peoples remain significantly underrepresented in autism research, policy, and practice. Drawing from his lived experience as a parent and a member of Samson Cree Nation, Dr. Grant Bruno will explore how Indigenous worldviews, knowledge systems, and community strengths can inform more meaningful and culturally grounded support for Indigenous families with autistic children in the classroom. This session will highlight the vital role of culture, connection, and land-based teachings in fostering healthy environments, and will offer practical strategies for integrating (w)holistic Indigenous approaches within Western service, clinical, and educational systems.
Learning Objectives:
Learners will be able to describe Indigenous cultural and social perspectives on autism.
Learners will be able to apply Indigenous knowledge and (w)holistic approaches to better support Indigenous families with autistic children
Pedagogical Focuses: Belonging - Expression - Well-being
Standards of Practice: Standard I: Caring and Responsive Relationships, Standard III: Safety, Health and Well-Being in the Learning Environment
Dr. Grant Bruno is nêhiyaw (Plains Cree), a registered member of Samson Cree Nation located on Treaty 6 Territory, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. As both a researcher and a parent to neurodivergent children, his research seeks to create culturally responsive models of wellbeing that reflect the strengths and challenges of families, particularly in the areas of neurodivergence and child and youth health. Drawing on nêhiyaw understandings of health and wellness, he weaves together Indigenous knowledge systems and Western frameworks to foster inclusive and decolonized approaches to support children and youth with neurodevelopmental differences through community-centred research.
Dr. Bruno is also the current Program Director for Indigenous Child and Youth Health for the Department of Pediatrics and the Academic Lead for Indigenous Child Health Research at the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI). He is the lead for the Ispimihk Awâsisak (Sky Children Program) and the Indigenous Caregiving Collective, both of which centre the voices of families and caregivers in shaping programs and research focussed on supporting neurodivergent children and youth. He is currently the co-chair of the Indigenous Advisory Council for Canada’s National Autism strategy and also serves as the Scientific Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives for the Kids Brain Health Network, where he continues to advocate for community-driven solutions that strengthen neurodivergent Indigenous child and youth health.
To access the printable poster, please use the following link:
Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Zoom
Cost
London/Middlesex: Pay What You Can
*Restricted to London/Middlesex Participants
Registration closes on Wednesday, September 16 at 12:00 PM
*Ticket types are based on the county you WORK in.
**An access link and password will be emailed out prior to the event
Registration opens on Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00 PM