Autism advocate and MP Mike Lake visits Social Psychology class

On Tuesday March 4, Edmonton-area Member of Parliament (MP) Mike Lake spoke with fourth-year social psychology students in SOCPSY 4G03 (Child Clinical Psychology) about his lived experiences as a father of an autistic son.

A dedicated autism advocate for approximately two decades, Mike even addressed the UN in 2012. Showing those in attendance media clips of him and his son Jaden and focusing on personal anecdotes, Mike discussed the many barriers his now 29-year-old son faces, particularly regarding meaningful employment.

Jaden, an incredibly bright and affectionate person, is considered non-verbal, severely limiting employment opportunities. These difficulties are despite Jaden’s love for what he does as a volunteer at the school library and his ability to do specific tasks very well.

In collaboration with experts and advocates in this field, Mike shared six key policy areas that need attention across someone’s lifespan: diagnosis, early intervention, education, housing, employment, and support when caregivers are gone. Regarding education, he emphasized maximizing inclusion efforts for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, moving beyond just making space and allowing for genuine contribution.

The class was grateful to Mr. Lake for taking the time to share his insights!