Fakhri Shafai, Ph.D.

Dr. Fakhri Shafai has been working with Autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities for over 20 years. She has a master's in education focused on best practices for teaching biology to neurodivergent youth. She then earned a PhD in neuroscience that focused on sensory processing differences in Autistic people. Dr. Shafai works as the Chief Science Officer of AIDE Canada, where she leads the content creation of knowledge translation resources for the neurodivergent community and their families. She is also the Director of Professional Training for the Pacific Autism Family Network, where she provides specialized de-escalation training to law enforcement officers and first responders. Her research interests include autism and aging in the senior years, sensory processing differences, and understanding child development through an Indigenous lens.