VISION STATEMENT:

To see the quality of life improved for individuals living with the challenges of Angelman syndrome.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of ASF Canada is to provide support to individuals with Angelman syndrome, their families and caregivers through specific and personal educational experience and opportunity for social support with a view to mitigate stressors and challenges that families and caregivers experience daily. In doing so, ASF Canada will contribute to the quality of life for persons with Angelman syndrome and their families and build acceptance and support of persons with Angelman syndrome

ANGELMAN SYNDROME:

Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a rare neuro-genetic disorder first described by pediatrician Dr. Harry Angelman in 1965. He noted that these children had some traits in common: an unstable gait, unusually happy demeanor, variable and severe developmental delays, lack of speech, small head size, abnormal electroencephalograms, and seizure disorder.

Other noted features are sleep disturbances, flattened back of the head, excessive drooling, chewing, and other oral behaviours, hyperactivity, hypopigmentation, wide-based gait, and feeding problems in infancy.

AS is most often diagnosed in children between the ages of two and five years old. It is often misdiagnosed as Autism or Cerebral Palsy. With increasing public awareness of the condition and improved diagnostic tests, more children are being diagnosed.

Children and adults with AS will need lifelong care.