Autism Speaks

As an actual autistic person, I would give them a 0 out of 5 stars if I could.

Autism Speaks has provided countless resources and, most importantly, hope to families like mine over the years. When my brother was diagnosed with autism in 2005, the same year when Autism Speaks was founded, they were one of the first organizations my parents turned to for information and assistance. 20 years later, they continue to serve as a central resource for information about autism advocacy, research, and services and supports. As discussions about autism evolve, the organization has evolved as well, and I am excited to see how the organization continues to progress in the coming years to make the world a better place for individuals with autism and their families.

Great organization that has provided resources, services, and supports for millions of individuals on the Spectrum and their families and caregivers for almost two decades now. Autism Speaks has shown a real ability to adapt with the community over the past decade, more heavily involving voices from the community on its team, on its Board, and as its partners; bringing in an amazing team that is dedicated to making a difference; and, after meeting with hundreds of community members, bringing an updated mission statement and strategic direction to bear. Really exciting stuff!

Participated in their annual Advocacy Forum and Hill Day in DC. It was exciting and invigorating to be around such a diverse group of advocates. We discussed all things autism advocacy - learned about the billions of dollars that have gone toward autism research and services because of their federal advocacy work. There are so many state policy issues that we got to not only discuss but provide community feedback on. It gave us the chance to actually inform the direction of their advocacy work and feel like part of the solution. My favorite part of this event though was hearing from members of Congress and self-advocates. One of the leads for autism issues in Congress credited them for being known for their accuracy and actionable information - I'm so glad to hear of that reputation among some of our top policymakers. The real memories I'll keep with me are the individuals with autism - from the 7 year old boy who dreams of being President one day to the autistic adults who served as panelists, speakers, and participants. There were accommodations and time taken so that even those who take longer with verbal communication or those who used AAC devices to communicate could make sure their voice was heard. Those self-advocates were the individuals for whom I was there advocating for, and it was an honor and delight to spend a few days learning from and with them, and making a difference for our community.

Yo, gotta give a shoutout to Autism Speaks! As someone who's passionate about supporting causes that matter, I've gotta say, these guys are doing some seriously awesome stuff. First off, they're all about spreading awareness and acceptance for folks on the autism spectrum. No judgment, just understanding - and that's something I can totally get behind. But it's not just talk with them. They're out there making a real difference, organizing events, and programs that bring people together. It's not just about education; it's about building a community where everyone feels accepted and supported. And let's not forget about the research they're funding. That's some game-changing stuff right there. By backing innovative studies, they're helping us understand autism better and find ways to improve lives. So yeah, big ups to Autism Speaks for being absolute legends in the autism community. Keep doing what you're doing, guys - you're making the world a better place, one step at a time!