Autism Organizations in the U.S.
The Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, ARI, and TACA
Funding for autism research, increased autism awareness, and support for biomedical approaches to autism spectrum disorders are the goals of these US-based organizations.
Several organizations have taken the lead with regards to autism research in the United States. These organizations are partially responsible for breakthroughs in autism treatments, raising autism awareness, and pushing forward with more biomedical research.
Autism Society of America
The Autism Society of America (ASA) was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland, Ph. D. With chapters across the United States, the “ASA is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with autism, their families and the professionals with whom they interact.”
The Autism Society of America created the ASA Foundation in 1996. The ASA foundation focuses on autism research by inspiring scientists and researchers to study all of the aspects of autism. Whether it is research into the causes of autism, or biomedical approaches to autism treatment, the ASA Foundation is leading the push for expanded autism research in the United States.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is one of the most recognized names in the United States when it comes to autism spectrum disorders. Autism Speaks was founded on February 25, 2005 and in its short existence has merged with two of the largest autism associations in the United States. The National Alliance for Autism Research and Cure Autism Now have both merged into the Autism Speaks organization.
From the Autism Speaks mission statement, “we are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society.”
Autism Research Institute
In addition to founding the Autism Society of America, Bernard Rimland, Ph. D. also founded the Autism Research Institute (ARI). ARI hosts an international database containing over 40,000 case studies of autistic children and publishes the Autism Research Review International. The publication focuses on autism education and biomedical research.
Another well-known product of ARI is the Defeat Autism Now! project. Defeat Autism Now! (DAN) “is dedicated to educating parents and clinicians regarding biomedically-based research, appropriate testing and safe and effective interventions for autism.” DAN! clinicians use a more holistic and natural-based approach to autism treatment.
Talk About Curing Autism
Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) has seen a rise in publicity after actress and author Jenny McCarthy stepped in as the organization’s official spokesperson. McCarthy, author of the book Louder than Words, has stepped up fundraising efforts for TACA. TACA’s efforts are focused on effective autism treatments as well as decreasing the time between diagnosis and treatment. The organization’s efforts originated in California but TACA is quickly becoming a national resource for autism.
These four organizations not only lead autism research in the United States, but are at the forefront of investigating autism treatments, educational resources for autism, and raising autism awareness worldwide.
Sources:
Autism Society of America
Autism Speaks
Autism Research Institute
Talk About Curing Autism
