A BOLD RIDE FOR NEURODIVERGENT
CHILDREN

A planned 10,000-kilometre cross-Canada awareness expedition

In September 2026, Jacob  Blaettler plans to travel across Canada on a Honda three-wheeler to raise awareness of autism and advocate for family-justice processes that better
understand neurodivergent children.

P.A.P.A. Canada is proud to serve as the Official
Awareness Partner.

Planned Departure: September 2026   -   Estimated journey: Approx. 10,000 km in 40 Days
Cross-Canada - Full Route to be Announced

A personal mission with a national purpose

Jacob’s mission is grounded in lived experience. As a father who has navigated a difficult
custody dispute, a parent of children affected by autism, and a person recently identified as
neurodivergent, Jacob understands how overwhelming family change and legal processes can
become when neurological and sensory needs are not fully understood.
The expedition began as an autism-awareness initiative. With P.A.P.A. onboard, It is now also carrying a call for practical, evidence-informed family-law reform that protects children’s safety, stability and
individual developmental needs.

Built for Difficult Terrain - Driven by Determination

The planned journey will test rider, machine and support network across approximately 10,000 kilometres. As the route is developed, this section will be updated with confirmed stops, safety planning, community events, mechanical preparation and a public map.
 Route: to be announced
 Community stops: invitations coming soon
 Campaign video: coming soon
 Sponsor opportunities: coming soon

Preparing for Canada's Rugged Trails Ahead

A journey of approximately 10,000 kilometres across Canada will demand more than determination. The primary Honda three-wheeler—and a backup trike—must be carefully prepared for long distances, changing weather and the wide range of terrain the expedition may encounter.

P.A.P.A. Canada’s contribution to the mission extends beyond serving as its Official Awareness Partner. Christopher Rauch, Executive Director of P.A.P.A. Canada, is also a licensed technician and powersports specialist. Christopher will provide the labour and technical expertise needed to inspect, service, prepare and upgrade both trikes for the planned cross-country journey.

Christopher is donating this work at no cost as a personal contribution to the campaign. The goal is to give Jake reliable, properly prepared machines capable of meeting the extraordinary demands of the route and to help give the mission the strongest possible foundation for a successful journey across Canada.

Preparation will focus on reliability, durability, serviceability and the particular demands of extended travel. As the route and support plan are finalized, additional details about the trikes, upgrades and mechanical preparations will be shared through campaign updates.

Christopher Rauch, Executive Director of P.A.P.A. Canada, and Jacob Blaettler mark the beginning of their awareness partnership beside the "PAPA-VETTE"

Family-justice decisions must see the whole child.

Neurodivergent children are a diverse group. Communication style, sensory processing, need for predictability and responses to transitions vary from child to child. The campaign calls for individualized decisions, accessible procedures and appropriately qualified evidence when neurodevelopmental needs are relevant to a child’s best interests.
- Do not treat a meltdown, shutdown or communication difference as having only one possible explanation.
- Plan parenting arrangements and transitions around the individual child’s safety, development, sensory needs and stability.
- Use professionals whose training matches the clinical and communication questions before the court.
- Investigate credible allegations of family violence or abuse carefully and on their evidence.
- Avoid using a diagnosis either to manufacture a narrative or to dismiss a child’s genuine concerns.

The proposed Neurodivergent Child Protection Act

 

The proposed Neurodivergent Child Protection Act aims to amend the federal Divorce Act to ensure that the specific sensory, neurological, and cognitive needs of neurodivergent children (such as those with autism) are explicitly prioritized and accommodated during family law proceedings.

Key Provisions:

  • Official Definition: It establishes a clear legal definition for a "neurodivergent child"—including children who are either formally diagnosed or actively undergoing evaluation for a neurological, developmental, or sensory condition that requires specific accommodations.

  • Prioritizing Specialized Experts: When determining the child's best interests, courts must give primary weight to evidence and assessments from professionals with specific, verified clinical training in neurodevelopmental conditions, rather than general practitioners.

  • Interim Support During Wait Times: Recognizing long healthcare waitlists, the bill allows courts to issue temporary orders to adapt parenting time, routines, and environments based on preliminary clinical evidence, before a formal diagnosis is finalized.

  • Accurate Representation of the Child: Anyone interviewing the child to determine their custody preferences must be trained in neurodivergent communication. This ensures the court accounts for traits like "masking" (hiding traits to fit in) or literal interpretation, preventing the child's true feelings from being misunderstood.

  • Spotting Real Support vs. Parental Alienation: The bill requires courts to use objective medical evidence to distinguish between two things: a parent taking necessary, protective steps to keep a child out of overwhelming environments, versus a parent maliciously weaponizing the child's condition to alienate them from the other parent.

  • Sensory-Friendly Custody Orders: Any court orders regarding parenting time, handovers, or supervised visits must be strictly tailored to the child's sensory thresholds and need for routine, explicitly avoiding highly stimulating or disruptive environments.

Training and Timeline

  • System-Wide Education: The Minister of Justice must consult with health experts to create federal guidelines and training materials to help lawyers, judges, and court professionals understand neurodivergence.

  • Coming into Force: The Act would officially become law 12 months after receiving Royal Assent.

Route announcements:
Start, finish and community stops will be posted when logistics are confirmed.
Campaign videos:
A short introduction to Jacob, the ride and the proposed reform is in development to come.
Partners and sponsors:
Organizations, businesses and individuals interested in supporting awareness,

logistics or community events can contact
info@papaorg.com. and will be posted on our "sponsors" page once confirmed.

Help turn a cross-country journey into practical reform
Follow the campaign, share the article, invite friends to a community stop, or contact Jacob or P.A.P.A. Canada about media and partnership opportunities.