Raising money for research into autism spectrum disorders

 

 

YOU ARE READING ABOUT: AUTISM SPEAKS

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OUR HISTORY

Autism Speaks was founded by Dame Stephanie Shirley in 2004 to act as a catalyst in increasing the funds available for biomedical autism research in the UK. Through The Shirley Foundation, Dame Stephanie has already committed over £35m to autism projects and has successfully established and then spun off a number of charities providing educational and supported living services for children and adults with autism.

The Shirley Foundation is funding the core costs of Autism Speaks in the UK until 2012.

Dame Stephanie was prompted to establish Autism Speaks as a result of the success of parent led charities in the US, first founded in the 1990’s.  Autism Speaks in the US (Autism Speaks Inc) represents the coming together of four of these charities: the  National Alliance for Autism Research, Cure Autism Now, the Autism Coalition for research & Education and Autism Speaks.

Autism Speaks’ guiding principles have been to raise public awareness about autism and its impact on individuals, families, and society, and to raise funds to support effective biomedical research in autism.

Since its launch Autism Speaks has raised more than £50m for research in the United States and over £2m for research in the UK.

Grants have been to over 70 institutes worldwide, including all the leading research institutes in the UK.