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  • What is ALS?
        • Learn About ALS

        • Overview
        • About ALS
        • Symptoms
        • Diagnosis
        • Treatments
        • What if I might have ALS?

        • How to get diagnosed
        • Find an ALS Clinic near you
        • View ALS FAQ
        • View ALS Resources
  • Managing ALS
        • How to manage ALS

        • Living with ALS
        • ALS Canada Gene Hub
        • ALS Clinics
        • Additional Information

        • Canadian Best Practice Recommendations
        • Available resources
  • Get Support
        • Support and Services

        • Register with Your Provincial ALS Society
          • Ontario Registration ONTARIO
        • Get Equipment ONTARIO
        • How Your ALS Society Can Help
          • Support Groups
          • Community Leads
        • Webinars and Education
        • ALS Canada Children and Youth Resource Hub
        • National Bursaries and Awards
        • Additional Information

        • Information for Healthcare Professionals
        • Get guidance on living with ALS
  • Take Action
        • Ways you can help

        • Ways to Give
          • Become A Monthly Donor
          • Give A Gift In Memory
          • Leave A Legacy Gift
          • Create a Free Will
          • Gifts of Securities
          • In Lieu Of Gifts
          • Workplace Giving
          • Donate Equipment In Ontario
          • Donate Your Old Car
          • Give By Phone Or Mail
        • Join an Event
          • Walk to End ALS
          • Revolution Ride
          • Pull to End ALS
          • Buck a Puck for ALS
          • ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
          • Create Your Own Event
          • Lou Gehrig Day
        • Volunteer
        • Other ways to help

        • Participate in Clinical Trials
        • Participate in ALS Advocacy
        • Become a Corporate Partner
  • Research
        • Learn About ALS Research

        • Our Research Program
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          • Funding Programs
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        • The Canadian ALS Research Network (CALS)
        • Funding Opportunities
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        • Information for Researchers
        • View Research FAQ
        • View Research News
  • Advocacy
        • Learn About ALS Advocacy

        • Our Advocacy Priorities
          • Equitable, Timely, and Affordable Access to Therapies
          • Improved Home And Community Care
          • Research Funding to Create a World Free of ALS
        • ALS Canada’s Canadian ALS Learning Institute (CALI)
        • Advocacy Campaigns
        • Additional Information

        • Download our Advocacy Toolkit
        • View Advocacy News
  • About Us
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        • View our Financials
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  • What is ALS?

What is ALS?

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. There are few effective treatments for ALS and no cure.

Overview

ALS causes progressive paralysis by disrupting brain-muscle communication, impairing movement and essential functions.

View ALS overview

About ALS

ALS progressively paralyzes, impairing voluntary muscle movement, with no cure and limited treatment options, leading to rapid progression.

About ALS

Symptoms

Symptoms are what you experience or feel, whereas signs are what can be seen or measured. Symptoms and signs of ALS, and the order in which they occur, vary from one person to another.

View ALS symptoms

Diagnosis

ALS is difficult to diagnose because symptoms can be similar to other diseases. A neurologist will typically diagnose ALS by reviewing symptoms and eliminating other possible diseases.

View ALS diagnosis

Treatments

Treatment for ALS is a multidisciplinary approach that includes education, monitoring, and timely interventions along with regular communication with your family doctor and community healthcare providers.

View ALS treatments

What if I might have ALS?

If you suspect ALS, prioritize getting a diagnosis. Early detection is important for managing symptoms and planning care effectively.

How to get diagnosed Find an ALS Clinic near you

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

View ALS resources View ALS FAQ
Doctor consulting with a patient

Do you think you may have ALS?

If your family doctor suspects ALS or another neurological disease, you will be referred to a neurologist, which is usually located at an ALS clinic.

Find an ALS Clinic near me

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Our Financials

More than 97% of donated funds are used for what matters most: supporting people with ALS.

See the Impact of Donations

Have questions? We’re here to help.
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Accredited Imagine Canada

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under licence by the ALS Society of Canada. Registration No. 10670-8977-RR0002.

2025 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Canada

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