Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. We are fully committed to investing in our mission objectives. More than 71 percent of every dollar spent has funded programs and services in science, family services, awareness and government advocacy, exceeding Better Business Bureau guidelines each year.

 

Our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and a cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of the disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals. Autism Speaks aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to our concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. It is our firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle.

 

Science Autism Speaks has committed more than $560 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. This investment includes the funding of more than 700 cutting edge research projects, fellowships and initiatives as well as the world’s largest open access genomic database on autism stored in the Google Cloud. The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network is a collaboration of 14 medical centers pioneering high-quality, coordinated healthcare and support for children and adolescents with autism and their families.

 

Family Services Autism Speaks provides families with actionable resources to address the challenges associated with autism. Autism Speaks Tool Kits have been mailed and downloaded nearly 400,000 times - including the 100 Day Kit for newly
diagnosed families and tool kits for family support, transitioning and employment. Autism Speaks has awarded 966 grants to local service providers, camps and other programs across the U.S., totaling $7.63 million in funds, for the development of community programs and scholarships for individuals with autism. Autism Speaks has donated 2,961 iPads to enhance individuals’ communication skills and, through the AutismCares program, over 900 financially disadvantaged families affected by autism have received funds to assist with unplanned hardships.

 

The Autism Speaks Autism Response Team connects families, individuals with autism, as well as professionals, to important tools and resources. and responded to 48,000 calls and emails in 2014.
Advocacy National advocacy has resulted in more than $3 billion in federal funding
dedicated to autism research, monitoring and professional training through the Combating Autism Act in 2006, the reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act in 2011 and the Autism CARES Act in 2014. Autism Speaks also led efforts for the passage of the 2014 ABLE Act that enables people with disabilities to create tax-free saving accounts. In addition, 42 states plus the District of Columbia have enacted state autism insurance laws.

 

Awareness As a result of the award-winning Autism Speaks “Odds” campaign in partnership with the Ad Council, there has been a 50 percent increase in awareness of the prevalence of autism among parents of young children. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. In 2014, more than 10,000 buildings, landmarks and communities on seven continents joined the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue campaign in support of UN-sanctioned, April 2nd “World Autism Awareness Day”. Walk Now for Autism Speaks In 2013-2014, more than 887,000 individuals attended our annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks events in support of the autism community. The Walks took place in nearly 100 cities across North America