AQST - Association Québécoise Du Syndrome De La Tourette

What AQST - Association Québécoise Du Syndrome De La Tourette does

The Association québécoise du syndrome de la Tourette (AQST) is a non-profit charitable organization incorporated in 1994 that serves as the only province-wide French-language service provider for Tourette Syndrome (TS) in Quebec, Canada. Headquartered at 14115 rue Prince-Arthur, local 146 in Montréal, AQST operates 16 regional support groups spanning most of Quebec's administrative regions and delivers a portfolio of programs including specialized youth summer camps (Camp Scarabée for ages 8-17 and Camp J'M Épanouis), respite services (Les Journées POP day respite and weekend respites), the Saturday "Samedi de m'amuser" activity program, professional training, and an annual awareness campaign (Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month, May 15 – June 15). AQST also produces French-language educational content including the quarterly Info-SGT magazine, the annual SGT Awareness Kit, and topic-specific leaflets such as "Quand l'émotion déborde" on explosive episodes, alongside a resource directory and a moderated Facebook community ("Tourette Friends Club") for peer support.

AQST's core "technology" is its community-based service delivery model and accumulated French-language content library, not a software platform. The organization's revenue model is multi-stream: Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) core operational funding through the Programme de subvention aux organismes communautaires; project-specific grants from foundations such as FFMSQ and the Telus Foundation; tax-receipted charitable donations (CRA charity #886482397 RR0001) including the Tourette Friends Club annual membership tier; corporate sponsorships (e.g., Caisse Desjardins Mercier-Est-Anjou); and fee-based activities with member and non-member pricing. AQST serves individuals living with TS, families and caregivers, youth aged 7-17, and health/education professionals, with primary segments being affected individuals and their families.

The organization is led by CEO Nathalie Pételle and supported by a 5-person staff team (including administrative, psychosocial, volunteer coordination, and IT support functions) and a multi-member board of directors headed by President Gabrielle Tremblay Delisle. AQST is independent, with no parent company or subsidiaries, and operates as a registered charity under Quebec law. Key institutional partners include CHU Sainte-Justine's Clinique Tourette, the Fondation de la Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FFMSQ), and the Telus Foundation, with cultural outreach extending to organizations like IMMINA Films.

Name

AQST - Association Québécoise Du Syndrome De La Tourette

Legal name

Association québécoise du syndrome de la Tourette

Website

https://aqst.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AQST is a Quebec-based non-profit founded in 1994 that provides province-wide French-language support groups, specialized youth camps, respite services, and educational resources for individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAF

Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

Keywords

• Tourette syndrome support
• Non-profit health advocacy
• Caregiver respite services
• Youth disability camps
• Neurological disorder resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AQST is a Quebec-based non-profit association that provides support, information, training, and awareness services for individuals living with Tourette Syndrome (Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome), their families, and the professionals who support them. Its core offerings include a provincial network of regional support groups, specialized youth camps, respite programs, an awareness kit and resource directory, the Info-SGT member magazine, and training/conferences for health and education professionals.

Product overview

AQST provides a comprehensive suite of support services for people with Tourette Syndrome and their families across Quebec. The core offerings include regional support groups operating in 15 regions throughout the province, specialized youth camps (Camp Scarabée and Camp J'M Épanouis), and respite services. The organization also produces educational resources including the annual SGT Awareness Kit, the Info-SGT magazine, and the 'Quand l'émotion déborde' explosive episodes leaflet. Services are complemented by training, conferences, workshops, and a directory of resources on Tourette Syndrome. Membership provides access to these services and special member-only activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Support Groups (Groupes de soutien) Regional support groups enabling exchange, information sharing, and experience sharing among parents, relatives, and persons interested in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome. Active across 15+ Quebec regions including Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Capitale-Nationale, Mauricie, Estrie, Montréal, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Chaudières-Appalaches, Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides, and Montérégie.
• Camp Scarabée
• Camp J'M Épanouis
• Respite Services (Répit)
• Info-SGT Magazine
• Samedi de m'amuser
• SGT Awareness Kit (Trousse de sensibilisation SGT)
• Quand l'émotion déborde (Explosive Episodes Leaflet)

Quantifiable outcome

• 55 young people from 8 to 17 years old participated in the 2021 edition of Camp Scarabée
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fondation de la Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FFMSQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Supports respite projects including Les Journées POP (day respite in multiple cities) and Camp Scarabée (specialized vacation camp for youth with SGT). Described as 'A respite today... For life!' with mission alignment on supporting families.
• Telus FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports virtual support group project for parents and caregivers of people living with GTS, as well as age-specific groups for 7-12 year olds, 13-17 year olds, and adults living with GTS.
• Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociauxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Quebec ministry supporting AQST's overall mission through the Programme de subvention aux organismes communautaires, providing core operational funding.
• Caisse Desjardins Mercier-Est-AnjouminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal credit union that supported Camp Scarabée 2021 edition.
• CHU Sainte-Justine / Clinique TourettecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on open letter regarding the I SWEAR film, involving professionals Pre Leclerc, Dr Morand-Beaulieu, and Marc Lavoie, sharing expertise on Tourette Syndrome for public awareness.
• IMMINA FILMSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized the Montreal premiere of the I SWEAR film on April 20, 2026, after which AQST issued a collaborative open letter to promote accurate TS representation.
• Camp Scarabée Partners 2021minorStrategic or Co-development Partner55 young people aged 8-17 attended Camp Scarabée 2021 in two sessions at Air-Eau-Bois (Outaouais) and Le Saisonnier (Quebec City region). Supported by FFMSQ, MSSS, and Caisse Desjardins.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tourette Association of America: Tourette Association of America is the largest U.S.-based nonprofit serving the Tourette Syndrome community with support, research funding, awareness, and medical-professional training. It is directly comparable to AQST on mission and programming mix (support groups, awareness, professional education), differing only in geographic market (U.S. vs. Quebec).
• Tourette Canada (Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada): Tourette Canada is the national organization dedicated to supporting individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families across Canada. It is the closest direct peer to AQST given the same disease focus, advocacy mandate, support-group programming, and member-based nonprofit structure, though it operates federally versus AQST's Quebec provincial scope.

Emerging players

• Parkinson Quebec (Parkinson Québec): Parkinson Quebec is a Quebec nonprofit delivering information, support groups, and awareness for people with Parkinson's disease and their families. Comparable to AQST in province-wide Quebec focus, MSSS funding model, support group network, and family/caregiver emphasis — differs only in the underlying neurological condition.
• ALS Society of Quebec (Société SLA du Québec): ALS Society of Quebec is a Quebec-based nonprofit providing support services, respite, equipment, and awareness for people living with ALS and their families. Comparable to AQST as a small province-wide Quebec health nonprofit with similar headcount scale, government grant reliance (MSSS), and mix of support groups, respite, and family services — though focused on a different neurological condition.

Regional players

• European Tourette Association (Tourettesyndrome Europe): European Tourette Association is a federated network of TS organizations across Europe that coordinates awareness, research, and policy advocacy. It is comparable to AQST on disease-focus and nonprofit governance, but serves a multi-country constituency rather than a single province.
• Tourettes Action (UK): Tourettes Action is the UK charity supporting people with Tourette Syndrome through helplines, online communities, awareness campaigns, and youth programs. Highly comparable mission and service mix to AQST, with comparable programmatic emphasis on support groups and youth, but operating in the UK rather than Quebec.
• Tourette Association of Australia: Tourette Association of Australia supports Australians living with Tourette Syndrome through information, advocacy, and community programs. Comparable to AQST in scope (single-country, community-led, member-supported) but operating in a different geography.

Others

• Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation: CNSF is a Canadian federation of neurological professional societies that advances neurological science, education, and patient care. It is an adjacent peer — comparable in its Quebec/Canadian footprint and neurological focus, but represents clinicians rather than patients, so it functions as a referral and professional-education partner for AQST rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TicsetTourette
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqst-association-quebecoise-du-syndrome-de-la-tourette

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AQST - Association Québécoise Du Syndrome De La Tourette