19 Facts About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks Inc is an autism advocacy organization and the largest autism research organization in the United States.

Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and his wife Suzanne, a year after their grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism.

Since its founding, Autism Speaks has merged with three existing autism organizations.

Autism Speaks has combined organizations that funded peer reviewed research into genetic causes, promoted alternative theories and therapies, and advocated for people with autism.

In 2005, Autism Speaks merged with the Autism Coalition for Research and Education.

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In early 2006, a year after its founding, Autism Speaks merged with the National Alliance for Autism Research .

In 2019, Autism Speaks featured Julia from Sesame Street in PSAs promoting early autism screening.

In October 2021, Autism Speaks appointed Keith Wargo as its new president and CEO.

Autism Speaks believes that vaccines have been shown to be safe for most children, and are important for preventing serious diseases such as measles and mumps.

Since June 2014, Autism Speaks has partnered with Google on a project called Mssng .

Autism Speaks sponsored and distributes the 2006 short film Autism Every Day, produced by Lauren Thierry and Eric Solomon.

In January 2008, an autistic blogger, upset with the portrayal of autism at Autism Speaks' website, "Getting the Word Out", created a critical parody website titled "Getting the Truth Out".

Autism Speaks said the spoof could confuse people looking for information about autism.

In September 2009, Autism Speaks screened the short video I Am Autism at its annual World Focus on Autism event.

In October 2016, Autism Speaks removed curing autism as a goal in its mission statement.

Autism Speaks formerly assigned a high priority to research into the now-discredited claim that immunization is associated with an increased risk of autism.

Alison Singer, a senior executive of Autism Speaks, resigned in January 2009 rather than vote to commit money to new studies of vaccination and autism.

In March 2010, Autism Speaks said it would not completely abandon the idea that vaccines could cause autism and that it would support "research to determine whether subsets of individuals might be at increased risk for developing autism symptoms following vaccination".

Autism Speaks responded that Dawson's compensation was mid-range for executives with similar positions in the nonprofit health sector, and that Dawson's move benefited Autism Speaks because she would be more accessible to its offices, science divisions, government health agencies in Washington, D C, and her new position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.