As technology has grown in society and the world, so too have autism organizations. With increased awareness over the past decade and more resources for people to help themselves come forward, it is easier than ever to find a support network. Here are eight of the best autism organizations worth joining or supporting.,
The “good autism organizations” are 8 different autism organizations that are worth joining or supporting.
Autism, a prevalent developmental disease that affects one out of every 54 children, poses a variety of obstacles for parents and families.
There are several organizations that help persons with autism spectrum condition (ASD). Charities, NGOs, support groups, and governmental organizations all contribute to the advancement of autism research, advocacy, and assistance for families and people affected by the disorder.
Autism’s Leading Organizations
These eight autism groups provide crucial information and support to people with autism:
1. The Autism Society Speaks
Autism Speaks is a non-profit organization that supports people with autism and their families. It was created in 2005. Autism Speaks intends to achieve the following five key objectives:
- Increase worldwide acceptance and understanding of people with autism.
- Provide credible autism information and assistance to people at all phases of their lives.
- Increase the number of early intervention programs and autism screenings for children under the age of five.
- Encourage autism research discoveries.
- Improve autistic children’s transition to adulthood.
The Autism Speaks website has a plethora of information and resources for people with autism and their families, including current news, research, opportunities to get involved, and contact information for local chapters that provide direct assistance to communities.
The primary headquarters of Autism Speaks are in New York and New Jersey, although there are field offices and chapters all around the country. Here is where you may get contact information.
2. Autism Society of America (NAA)
The National Autism Association helps autistic people and their families via six key areas of focus:
- Advocacy
- Research
- Education
- Tools that are direct
- Hope
- Conscious awareness
The NAA has a number of programs that support these areas of interest.
- Big Red Safety Box: This initiative gives resources to assist families in preventing straying.
- The Big Red Safety Toolkit is a free resource sent to teachers, administrators, and aides to help them prevent unsafe wandering.
- Give a Voice: This initiative gives communication equipment to autistic people who are either nonverbal or have limited language abilities.
- Autism ATRIUM: This initiative provides free education and training, such as toolkits, webinars, and instructional resources, to people with autism.
You may donate to NAA in a variety of ways, including via Amazon SMILE.
NAA’s contact information is as follows: One Park Avenue, Suite 1 Portsmouth, RI 02871 National Autism Association
Local chapters of the NAA link families with autism support groups.
Autism Society of America is number three (ASA)
For more than 50 years, the Autism Society has been campaigning for autistic people and their families. Bethesda, Maryland is the location of their national headquarters.
The Autism Society’s website for autism news, information, and resources is one of the most credible and well-trafficked on the internet. Autism Speaks was the driving force behind the first federal legislation addressing autism, the 2006 Combatting Autism Act. The organization fights for persons with autism and educates the public about the illness.
The Autism Society holds the nation’s largest and most comprehensive autism conference each year. Through the Autism Source, they provide a comprehensive library of online resources as well as a national contact center (the Autism Society National Helpline: 1-800-3-Autism) that may provide service recommendations and information.
The group has local affiliates around the United States that can give information on community resources and assistance to families.
Autism Research Institute, No. 4 (ARI)
Since 1967, the Autism Research Institute has been a non-profit institution that has operated without the support of special interest organizations. ARI wants to be a leader in research that supports the premise that autism can be treated.
ARI advocates for persons with autism and offers outreach and autism education via collaborations with other organizations throughout the world.
ARI is a totally online platform that provides instruction and assistance for the following topics:
The Autism Research Institute’s contact information may be found here.
5. Autism Research Initiative of the Simons Foundation (SFARI)
The Simons Foundation for Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), based in New York City, finances and conducts scientific research to aid in the treatment, diagnosis, and understanding of autism. SFARI aims to improve autism research science by offering funding, tools, and opportunities to scientists and researchers, as well as education and assistance to families and persons affected by autism.
SFARI is a non-profit organization that offers autism researchers with a wealth of scientific materials. SFARI also produces the online journal Spectrum, which covers the latest autism research and news.
SFARI may be reached at Simons Foundation, 160 Fifth Avenue, 7th floor, New York, NY 10010 (646) 654-0066.
6. Self-Advocacy Network for Autistic People (ASAN)
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a grassroots disability group managed by and for autistic persons. ASAN promotes equality and allows autistic persons to make decisions about their own lives. The organization gives a venue for autistic people’s views to be heard.
ASAN:
- Advocates for government policies.
- Assists autistic people in becoming self-advocates by providing leadership.
- Creates cultural events for autistic people.
- Organizes initiatives to give advocacy, disability rights, and cultural development education.
For autistic people and their families, the ASAN website has policy papers, publications, and a wealth of resources. Individuals may join the organization, contribute, and look for other ways to become active in the autistic community.
The national headquarters of ASAN is in Washington, D.C. Here is where you may get contact information.
7. Autistic Treatment Science Association (ASAT)
The Association for Science in Autistic Treatment (ASAT) offers information and resources on science-based autistic therapies. The group promotes scientific method usage and provides truthful information to parents and the broader public.
ASAT disseminates information about evidence-based autism treatment options via a newsletter, social media presence, and website. The organization teaches educators, caregivers, and parents how to distinguish between autism research and misconceptions. The company’s headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey.
ASAT offers the following services:
- A comprehensive website for parents and educators, medical professionals, and the media providing information and tools.
- A newsletter that is released once a month.
- An externship program aimed at encouraging and promoting research in the treatment of autism.
- A Media Watch program that checks the most recent autism news in order to distinguish between fact and fiction.
- The organization sponsors and cosponsors conferences that present current scientific autism treatment knowledge.
Volunteering, contributing, or fundraising for ASAT are several ways to become involved with the organization. Externships and public awareness initiatives are also available to you.
ASAT’s contact information may be found here.
8. Autism Is Crucial
Autism Key is a news-focused online resource developed by parents of autistic children to provide information and support to parents of autistic children.
To provide support and education for the autistic community, the Autism Key website includes discussion forums, news, and multimedia content from a range of perspectives.
If you’d like to get in touch with Autism Key for more information or to learn how you can help, go to their website.
State, Local & Governmental Resources
State, county, and municipal agencies offer local autism resources in person. Support groups for families coping with autism and other special needs are often held by local health departments and hospitals.
Family physicians, pediatricians, and mental health experts may assist parents connect with local autism support groups or organizations.
Enterprises to Avoid
There are several autism-related organizations, some of which do not give reliable or fact-based information.
Several organizations, for example, are founded on the widely held misconception that autism is connected to vaccinations. Scientific study has debunked this fallacy several times. Autism is a developmental disease with no relation to vaccinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite this repeated refutation, some groups continue to hold on to this and other incorrect beliefs about the origins of autism. Any autistic group that promotes material that isn’t based on research should be avoided.
Avoid any organization or organisation that promises to be able to treat autism. Autism has yet to be identified as a disease with a recognized cure. The condition will always be there, even if the symptoms can be properly managed and diminished. The good news is that with the right treatment, such as ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, many persons with autism may lead full and independent lives.
Stick with organizations that are supported by scientific research and are well-respected by medical experts, such as the eight listed above. These autistic groups are deserving of your membership and support. They’re doing important work in the sector, giving autistic people and their families the knowledge and support they need.
References
The “organization for autism research review” is an organization that has been around for a while. It supports 8 different autism organizations worth joining or supporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Organization for Autism Research good?
A: Yes.
Is NEXT for Autism a good organization?
A: Yes, NEXT for Autism is a very good organization.
What are three of the top autism charities?
A: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Speaks, and Cure Autism Now.
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Janice is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Queen’s University, Belfast. She has worked with and case managed children and youth with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in home and residential setting since 2013.