With the ever-increasing number of children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, several organizations have been created to help promote autism awareness, provide parents with the tools to advocate for their autistic children, provide funding for research projects and more. Autism Speaks is one such organization. In its short existence, Autism Speaks has surged to the front of the line and is one of the most recognizable autism organizations both in the United States and around the world.
History
Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright after their grandson, Christian, was diagnosed with autism. Christian’s mother, Katie Wright, shares part of her story in the Autism Speaks video, Autism Everyday. Christian was a typically-developing child and experienced a period of severe regression which ultimately led to an autism diagnosis. Regressive autism can be devastating to parents as they watch their once vibrant child withdraw as he loses language, self-care abilities and more.
Mergers
As Autism Speaks grew to become one of the most vocal organizations, it merged with the Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE), the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) and Cure Autism Now (CAN). The result was a larger organization with more resources at its disposal. Autism Speaks is now one of the largest autism organizations in the United States.
Autism Speaks’ Mission
From the Autism Speaks website, “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; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.”
Walk Now for Autism
Autism Speaks’ premiere fundraising event is the "Walk Now for Autism" series. "Walk Now for Autism" hosts walks not only in the United States but also in Canada and the United Kingdom. A few examples of the power of these walks: in 2007 the Arizona Walk Now for Autism event raised over $550,000, the Washington DC event gathered $825,000 in donations, and the Boston walk raised $1.1 million with 16,000 walkers participating.
Autism Information
Autism Speaks’ website is a wealth of resources for individuals looking to research the autism spectrum of disorders. A video glossary of autism’s red flags is the highlight of the many parent resources available on the site. Not only are visitors told what these red flags are, they can see a video clip demonstrating exactly what is meant by the description. Autism Speaks partnered with the First Words Project and First Signs in producing this wonderful resource for parents and professionals alike.
As autism diagnoses continue to rise, organizations like Autism Speaks will continue to play an important role in raising autism awareness, providing support to parents, and raising money for important autism research projects.
Source: Autism Speaks
Melissa Hincha-Ownby - Melissa is a life-long writer. She started her freelance writing career in the 8th grade when the editor of her small town’s ...
