MAKING WAVES FOR AUTISM: A GROWING LEGACY OF IMPACT
Making Waves for Autism began with a simple but powerful idea: bring people together through meaningful challenges and raise critical funds to support autistic people and their families across Canada.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the first two years of Making Waves raised more than $110,000 for Autism Canada. These funds helped launch the Community Assistance Program (CAP) in October 2024, months ahead of schedule, providing direct financial support to families across the country.
Today, CAP helps autistic people and their families access essential services that are often not publicly funded or only partially covered. This includes behavioural therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, mental health supports, educational supports, assessments, and assistive or adaptive equipment.
The need for support continues to grow across the country. In just the first three months of 2026, Autism Canada received 102 requests for funding through the Community Assistance Program (CAP), reflecting the significant demand families face when trying to access essential services. At the same time, 539 service providers are now registered with Autism Canada, creating a growing national network that helps connect families to supports in their own communities.
While this progress is encouraging, it also highlights a difficult reality: services exist, but financial barriers often prevent people from accessing them. CAP plays a critical role in helping bridge this gap by providing direct financial support that allows autistic people and their caregivers to move forward with therapies, communication supports, and other services that improve quality of life. As demand continues to increase, programs like CAP ensure that families are not left navigating these challenges alone.
Every kilometre completed and every dollar raised helps ensure families are not turned away when they ask for help.
Honouring Tyler’s Vision
Making Waves for Autism was founded in memory of Tyler, the late cousin of founder Kim Inglis, who passed away in August 2023. Tyler was passionate about raising awareness and funds for autism, inspired by his young son on the autism spectrum. Before his passing, he had been planning a charity boxing event in support of Autism Canada.
While that event never came to be, Making Waves for Autism carries his vision forward in a new way.
While the event began on the water, its purpose has always been much bigger. Today, participants honour Tyler’s legacy in whatever way feels meaningful to them, coming together through movement, challenge, and community to support families across Canada.
A National Movement
Now entering its third year, Making Waves for Autism has grown into a national movement. Individuals, teams, and clubs across Canada are invited to take on their own challenge to raise awareness and funds for autism support.
While paddling remains at the heart of the event, participation is intentionally inclusive and flexible. Whether it’s paddling, rowing, walking, running, cycling, or any activity that feels meaningful and accessible, participants can get involved in a way that works for them.
Challenges can take place on the water, on land, or anywhere in between, making it easy for people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels to be part of the movement. Whether you’re completing a single activity, a multi-day challenge, or something entirely your own, every effort contributes to a larger impact.
Together, we are creating waves of hope, inclusion, and support for families who need it most.
Join the movement. Donate today and help make 2026 our most impactful year yet.
Making Waves for Autism began with a simple but powerful idea: bring people together through meaningful challenges and raise critical funds to support autistic people and their families across Canada.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the first two years of Making Waves raised more than $110,000 for Autism Canada. These funds helped launch the Community Assistance Program (CAP) in October 2024, months ahead of schedule, providing direct financial support to families across the country.
Today, CAP helps autistic people and their families access essential services that are often not publicly funded or only partially covered. This includes behavioural therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, mental health supports, educational supports, assessments, and assistive or adaptive equipment.
The need for support continues to grow across the country. In just the first three months of 2026, Autism Canada received 102 requests for funding through the Community Assistance Program (CAP), reflecting the significant demand families face when trying to access essential services. At the same time, 539 service providers are now registered with Autism Canada, creating a growing national network that helps connect families to supports in their own communities.
While this progress is encouraging, it also highlights a difficult reality: services exist, but financial barriers often prevent people from accessing them. CAP plays a critical role in helping bridge this gap by providing direct financial support that allows autistic people and their caregivers to move forward with therapies, communication supports, and other services that improve quality of life. As demand continues to increase, programs like CAP ensure that families are not left navigating these challenges alone.
Every kilometre completed and every dollar raised helps ensure families are not turned away when they ask for help.
Honouring Tyler’s Vision
Making Waves for Autism was founded in memory of Tyler, the late cousin of founder Kim Inglis, who passed away in August 2023. Tyler was passionate about raising awareness and funds for autism, inspired by his young son on the autism spectrum. Before his passing, he had been planning a charity boxing event in support of Autism Canada.
While that event never came to be, Making Waves for Autism carries his vision forward in a new way.
While the event began on the water, its purpose has always been much bigger. Today, participants honour Tyler’s legacy in whatever way feels meaningful to them, coming together through movement, challenge, and community to support families across Canada.
A National Movement
Now entering its third year, Making Waves for Autism has grown into a national movement. Individuals, teams, and clubs across Canada are invited to take on their own challenge to raise awareness and funds for autism support.
While paddling remains at the heart of the event, participation is intentionally inclusive and flexible. Whether it’s paddling, rowing, walking, running, cycling, or any activity that feels meaningful and accessible, participants can get involved in a way that works for them.
Challenges can take place on the water, on land, or anywhere in between, making it easy for people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels to be part of the movement. Whether you’re completing a single activity, a multi-day challenge, or something entirely your own, every effort contributes to a larger impact.
Together, we are creating waves of hope, inclusion, and support for families who need it most.
Join the movement. Donate today and help make 2026 our most impactful year yet.