The Canadian Autism Intervention Research Network is a consortium of researchers, parents, professionals, and policy makers working together to develop effective early diagnostic methods and treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders.

The professional membership is composed of psychiatrists, paediatricians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, early childhood educators, and speech/language pathologists, all of whom have an interest in the well-being of children with autism spectrum disorders. A Steering Committee oversees the activities of the larger group and makes day-to-day decisions about CAIRN’s activities.

Because we want to be involved in the development of interventions and policies that meet the needs of children and families, we include in our membership the parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives of children with autism spectrum disorders. It is they who bring to our discussions the realities of life with a child with autism child and whose experience and insights influence the research we carry out so that it focuses on meaningful and useful outcomes.