ASO (non-profit)

Autism organization in Ontario, Canada

ASOFormation| 2000

|

Location|

* Ontario

Executive Director

| Alexandra Prefasi
Website| www.asontario.org

ASO, formerly the Asperger's Society of Ontario, is a not-for-profit organization based in Ontario, Canada that was created to support those with Level 1 autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their families and caregivers, and other relevant parties. Founded by in 2000 by parents of children with ASD and psychiatric professionals, ASO also seeks to spread educational information about autism and, as stated on their website, "enable individuals with Level 1 ASD to realize their potential as fully contributing members of their community".[1]

The services offered by ASO include a toll-free action line called "AsperLink", which connects callers to resources and services. In the past they have also offered an adult social group, which is currently paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

A "puzzle" ribbon to promote autism and Asperger's awareness

## 2020 name change

[edit]

In 2018, the society considered changing its name from the "Asperger's Society of Ontario" after revelations of Hans Asperger's links to the Nazi euthanasia program. An internal poll of members found that 86 preferred to say they had Asperger syndrome, while 19 preferred the term "autistic".[3] In November 2020, the organization was rebranded to ASO.[4]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "About ASO". ASO. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
2. ^ "Support Services". ASO. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
3. ^ "Asperger's advocates face branding crisis after revelation of namesake's Nazi ties". National Post. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
4. ^ "Asperger's Society of Ontario rebrands to ASO". ASO. 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-03-31.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website