BOTHWELL, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 30, 2012) - October is Autism Awareness Month and Autism Canada has raised the bar in their commitment to advance science into potential underlying factors contributing to the disorder.

Last August, Autism Canada co-hosted a Scientific Symposium, with the Autism Research Institute, in Toronto. The purpose of the symposium was to examine the growing evidence for the association between the gut microbial community and the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Delegates from across Canada, the United States and Scandinavia, including Dr. Tore Midtvedt, came together to listen to four key presentations and discuss next steps.

Autism Canada is proud to announce the release of these four key presentations to the public. They are now available on their website www.autismcanada.org.

Featured leading researchers include:

• Dr. Derrick MacFabe, Director of the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, University of Western Ontario;
• Dr. Emma Allen Vercoe, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph;
• Dr. Richard Frye, Director of Autism Research, University of Arkansas;
• Dr. Sidney Finegold, Department of Microbiology, University of California.

"We are encouraged by recent studies examining the gut brain connection and will continue to support this research," says Autism Canada Chair, Don Blane.

With autism now believed to be affecting 1 in 88 children in Canada, there is a real urgency to fund research into the potential underlying causes and more effective treatments.

Autism Canada's belief is autism is a whole body disorder, not just a brain disorder. Recognition of this notion addresses many factors not yet thoroughly explored through other philosophies and could not only provide better outcomes, but also hope through better understanding and support.