## Study Description Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties with communication, social deficits as well as restricted repetitive behaviors and interests (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is widely recognized that ASD occurs in all populations, including Indigenous populations. Canada’s 1982 Constitution recognizes three distinct Indigenous groups, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit. The prevalence of ASD in Indigenous communities is currently unknown and there is minimal academic literature on lived experience related to ASD in cultural contexts. ## Design Plan ## Scoping reviews are used to identify the types of available evidence in a given field; to clarify key concepts definitions in the literature; to examine how research is conducted on a certain topic or field; to identify key characteristics or factors related to a concept; as a precursor to a systematic review; to identify and analyze knowledge gaps (Munn et al., 2018). For this review we will be using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) ## Sampling ## A health sciences librarian was consulted to assist in developing a search strategy, as well as identifying keywords and databases relevant to our research question. As suggested by Arksey and O’Malley (citation), we were flexible and iterative in the use of search terms and in the creation of our final search strategy. The aim was to capture the widest possible selection of papers in this area of study. The search terms used represent associated keyword combinations of autism, Indigenous communities, and Canada (see Table n). Both authors performed an extensive systematic search to find articles within the specified criteria. Databases searched include: MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Additionally, authors included North American Indigenous research databases: iPortal (Indigenous Studies Portal - University of Saskatchewan), Circumpolar Health Bibliographic Database, Bibliography of Native North Americans, and Native Health Database. Each database was queried using Boolean or database-specific operators. Database searches were limited to articles published in English between 2000 and 2022. ## Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria ## Articles that have a component that is specific to Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) and disability with some focus on autism. Studies located in Canada or have substantial findings on Canada and Indigenous peoples and autism. Publications relating to Indigenous people in Canada and disability more generally which mentioned autism in one or more sections were also included. Publications that focussed on Indigenous disability but not autism. Articles that studied autism but without substantial focus on Indigenous populations. Studies where autism participants that could not be differentiated from non Indigenous and Indigenous were excluded. Publications that mentioned Indigenous populations in Canada and autism but do not go into detail on the context were excluded. ## Analysis ## We will summarize the current state of the literature about Indigenous Peoples and autism y conducting a descriptive, thematic analysis of existing literature. We will present themes and identify gaps in the literature to set an agenda for future research and policy.