CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS AND COVER ARTWORK FOR 2025 ISSUE!

2024-05-14

Special Edition: Autism and Diagnosis

In the upcoming issue of the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity (CJAE), we would like to highlight submissions on the subject of the diagnosis of Autistic Canadians. This topic encompasses a wide variety of themes, including experience of diagnosis, and challenges in getting an autism diagnosis. Experience of diagnosis could include submissions around the use of different diagnostic assessments (different processes, types of professionals involved, etc.), misdiagnosis, outcomes related to diagnosis, the experience of being diagnosed as an adult or older adult. Challenges could include submissions around waitlist times, barriers to diagnosis (such as cost, lack of nearby professionals or resources, etc.). You can make submissions about any of the above and any other aspects of diagnosis as it affects Autistic Canadians and related to issues of equity. These can include discussions/reflections of personal experiences of undergoing or receiving a diagnosis. As usual, we accept a variety of formats of submissions, including experiential papers, poetry, audio/video submissions, letters, opinion pieces, artwork, original research, and more. Please submit your full piece for consideration by the deadline below via our online portal. You must submit two files:

  1. An anonymous version of your submission with no authors’ names or affiliation(s) listed in the submission, including a 200-500 word abstract and keywords
  2. A title page in a separate file with the names of all authors and their affiliations.

Works can be submitted in English or French and in a range of formats. Please refer to our website for further details about the submission guidelines.

Also note that we also accept submissions unrelated to the current theme as long as they fit the overall mission of CJAE, namely submissions that address an equity issue affecting the Autistic community or a subgroup thereof. Preference for the upcoming issue will be given to submissions fitting the theme of the issue.

CJAE is published once each year, in April, following World Autism Acceptance Day.

Important Deadlines:

Please note: Any submissions received after the deadline will be considered for the 2026 issue.

The Canadian Journal of Autism Equity (CJAE) is an open-access e-journal focused on critically engaging with various equity discussions within the autism community and public policy. Seeking authorship primarily by first-voice Autistic people or people with lived experience with autism and intersectionality, the Journal offers a platform to amplify marginalized voices and share these perspectives with decision-makers and Canadians alike. CJAE's authorship policy states that at least 50% of pieces published in each issue must be authored/created by an Autistic person. Further details about this policy can be found on our website under "Submission Guidelines." To be considered an Autistic person, you do not need to prove a formal diagnosis, if you identify as Autistic but lack a formal diagnosis you would also count as an Autistic person.

As a journal that aims to offer such a platform and one focused on equity within the Autistic and autism community, CJAE is dedicated to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Thus, the CJAE Editorial Board strongly encourages submissions from marginalized and underrepresented communities and populations within the Autistic and autism community. CJAE's commitment to EDI aligns with McMaster University's EDI Strategy. In addition, you can view the journal's Community Agreements, to which the Journal and its Editorial Board have further affirmed its pledge to equity. You can access them by clicking here.

Cover Artwork for the 2025 Issue

 CJAE is looking for submissions of original artwork by Autistic Canadian artists to be featured on the journal's 2025 issue cover.

Submissions will be accepted from all Autistic artists, regardless of professional experience. Submitted works should be suitable for reproduction for the cover of an online digital publication.

Submissions should include the following:

  • 1-5 digital images in JPEG format of original artwork.
  • A short biography, 100 to 200 words.
  • Title, date, and medium of the works.

Important Deadlines:

  • Submission deadline: 11:59 PM on October 1, 2024

Please forward submissions to cjae.board@gmail.com with your name and 'CJAE Cover Art' in the subject line.

CJAE will pay a one-time royalty fee for the work selected for the use of the work in accordance with CARFAC fees for the reproduction of original works for digital publications.

For questions or further information about this special issue, please contact the CJAE Editorial Board at CJAE.board@gmail.com.

CJAE Editorial Board