Autismspeaks.org

Autism Speaks

Many people have worked to fund research to find the cause(s) of autism and they have done a good job helping researchers pay for expensive studies. The organization that has so far done the best work of fund raising has been Autism Speaks. This group has worked to fund autism research through sales of donated articles and group specific merchandise. It is a nonprofit that works to donate all of their time and energy to the funding of autism research.

How was autism speaks founded

The site was started in 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright who have a grandson with the dread disease. They worked with a friend to start the organization initially and have since grown exponentially. Their friend, Bernie Marcus, donated the initial $25 million that gave them the funds to start the site and begin fund raising efforts. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness and helping both those who suffer from autism and their families gain some kind of hope in a world that often seems hopeless.

The color of the website is a royal blue and they have made that the color of choice for the organization. With their “Light it up Blue” campaign, they are hoping to raise money to fund further research and to assist families of children who have autism.

The site is a constant fount of news for those family members looking for an oasis in the desert. The news articles include fundraising efforts and where people can gather to help raise money, talk of cures that may show promise as they are developed, and other news of interest to the ever broadening community.

This shows that the dedication of a small group of people can genuinely make a difference in the lives of people with a debilitating condition. It is through efforts like these that autism will finally be cured and people released from its bondage.

Difference between high functioning autism and Asperger’s

5 comments

  1. Hello, I am a grandmother of a 5 year old boy with Autism. I recently left my job to care for him full time. I stay with him through ABA, take him to Dr. Apts, make sure he is safe and just about everything else for him so that my daughter can work full time to support herself and her daughter. I was just wondering if there are any programs in Fairfield Ca. that will support me financially?

  2. Autism $peaks only puts 4% of their budget towards actually helping autistic people and their families, with the majority going towards advertising and research for a cure: so many autistic people will tell you that we don’t want a cure (and for God’s sake don’t call it a disease).
    Out of 31 individuals on their board of directors, ony 2 are autistic.
    If you want to talk about groups that actually support us, I would reccomend ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network, US based), Altogether Autism (New Zealand group), National Autistic Society (UK organisation, website has a list of other charities and groups around the world) & World Autism Organisation.
    This site has some good stuff and does emphasise treating autistic people like people, but in the name of all that’s sacred, stay away from Autism $peaks. They do not speak for us.

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