Making A Difference
The Autism Science Foundation was founded in 2009 to advance autism research and improve lives. We are proud to have funded more than $5 million in research that has resulted in breakthroughs that have enhanced treatments and brought us closer to understanding the causes of autism.
Our leadership teams include many family members of people with autism, so we are intimately familiar with the challenges our families face—and how best to advocate on their behalf. Our goal in funding autism research is to improve the real lives of real people.
Read on to learn more about how ASF is helping autism families, and please reach out and let us know how ASF is making a difference in your life. We’d love to hear from you.
Case Studies
How ASF Has Played a Key Role in Understanding Gender Differences in Autism
The autism community has long known that boys are four times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but for many years the reasons why have eluded scientists. The Autism Science Foundation is proud to have played a key role in funding and supporting efforts to understand gender differences in autism and learn more about a suspected “female protective effect”… Continue reading here.
How ASF-Funded Research Led to a Better Understanding of Early Predictors of ASD
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to better long-term outcomes for people with autism, which is why the Autism Science Foundation has led the way in funding scientific research that unlocks early predictors of autism in very young children. This important work has led to young children getting diagnosed earlier and more quickly receiving the treatments they need to thrive… Continue reading here.
How ASF-Funded Research Has Changed School-Based Interventions
Autism Science Foundation funding has helped change the interventions students with autism receive in school and has also made treatment accessible to more families. It is critical that interventions designed in a lab be tested in public school settings, where many children with ASD learn… Continue reading here.
Testimonials
“ASF is the best of all worlds: parents and scientists coming together to support research that stands the best chance of making a difference.”
Dr. Paul Offit, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
“The Autism Science Foundation is my go-to organization for credible, comprehensive autism research that is not only evidence-based but also explained in an accessible manner for a wide audience. I love Dr. Alycia Halladay’s podcasts that review and synthesize current ASD research findings.”
Dr. Jill Harris, Director of Research Development and Coordinator of Autism Services, Children’s Specialized Hospital
“I have worked with the Autism Science Foundation on several projects and they are extremely knowledgeable, professional, absolutely 100% on top of autism research, and paving the way for new advances. They are also passionately committed to engaging with the broader autism community. For example, the Day of Learning and the wonderful ASF podcast. This nonprofit punches way above its weight, and is one of the most impressive organizations in autism today.”
Jill Escher, President of the National Council on Severe Autism
“ASF is one of the best resources for the autism community. I have had the pleasure of working with the organization and its Executive Director Alison Singer over the past several years and am impressed by their strong use of science to guide their policies and decisions. And more impressively, ASF has been a remarkable leader in raising funding to continue to drive that so-important research into the causes, and management, of autism.”
LJ Tan, Chief Strategy Officer of the Immunization Action Coalition
“ASF is an outstanding organization seeking to fund groundbreaking, scientifically based autism research. They are a crucial resource in an arena that is oftentimes muddied by false and unproven claims. I have been honored to work with ASF and their amazing team.”
Tracy Pugh
“ASF provides quality, science-based information, so I don’t have to question the validity of what they are telling us. We can trust it.”
Kate Weitz, parent/advocate
“ASF’s Day of Learning helps families because they are getting up-to-date information from the experts themselves in lay terms about some issue and/or research in the field that’s of great importance at the time.”
Dr. Celine Saulnier, Founder, Neurodevelopment Assessment & Consulting Services
“This foundation provides the leadership that we as a scientific community require to ensure that we address the most important topics to the families that we all are committed to serve.”
Dr. Ami Klin, Director, Marcus Autism Center at Emory University
“As we attempt to understand the causes of autism and develop optimal treatment programs, it is critical that parents have access to information that is based upon the best medical evidence. The Autism Science Foundation’s work helps to improve the lives of children diagnosed with autism.”
Dr. Judy Palfrey, Former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
“The proliferation of autism groups offering questionable advice over the internet is staggering. We feel confident referring our families to the Autism Science Foundation.”
Dr. Fred Volkmar, Former Director of the Yale Child Study Center
“New discoveries in neuroscience, genetics, and epigenetics offer hope for improving the lives of people with autism. The Autism Science Foundation has emerged as a leading voice as we all strive to follow where the science leads.”
Dr. Ed Trevathan, Formerly of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
“The Autism Science Foundation plays an important role in moving the science forward. It has quickly become a valued collaborator in the public-private partnership described in the federal strategic plan for autism research.”
Dr. Tom Insel, Former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and Co-Founder and Adviser to Mindstrong