What if I have an Autistic Child that I will tag along?

If you're planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada, you should also know that it may cause refusal of your application.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada, an individual may be denied a visa, or refused entry to Canada for health reasons on the following grounds:

1.if their condition is likely to endanger public health or public safety

2.if their condition might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demands on health or social services

These are the guidelines being considered by a Visa Officer in making a decision whether an applicant is admissible to Canada or not. This, of course, shall be based on the evaluation of the Medical Officer conducting the medical examination. Any member of the family, accompanying or not, to be determined inadmissible to Canada may cause refusal of the application.

Autism may fall under the 2nd guideline and may be the basis for refusal. There are cases being refused because of autism and down syndrome. On the other hand, there is this case whose application was approved after an appeal was made. Bottomline is, it's the visa officer who will make the final decision.

If your looking for references, articles and discussion about autism and Canada Immigration, the following links may be of help.

'Autistics': We don't want a cure
The Autism Crisis
Autism Letter
Autism Society Canada
Autism's Edges