Mission: The Autism Science Foundation supports autism research by providing funding and other assistance to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and disseminating autism research. The organization also provides information about autism to the general public and serves to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism.
Results: ASF has awarded nearly $3 million in funding to scientists doing autism research since our founding in 2009.
We provide travel awards for autism stakeholders to attend the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting (formerly, International Meeting for Autism Research or IMFAR) each year.
We launched an awareness campaign to encourage brain tissue donation so scientists can investigate the neural underpinnings of autism spectrum disorders, registering over 1,000 new individuals in 2017 alone.
ASF advocated successfully for a new medical classification code for autistic wandering, which became possible after the ASF-funded wandering study published in the journal Pediatrics.
ASF board members and staff are frequently sought after by major national media (CNN, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, etc) to comment on autism related issues.
Target demographics: The Autism Community
Direct beneficiaries per year: In 2017, ASF provided nearly $1 million in funds through autism research fellowship grants and autism science initiatives.
Geographic areas served: United States
Programs: We provide funding directly to scientists doing cutting-edge autism research to discover the causes of autism and develop better treatments. We also provide information to the general public and support the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
An organization devoted to letting science guide it, the Autism Science Foundation serves as a critical facilitator of research in the autism community. Not only does ASF strive to fund proposals asking interesting questions, it brings science to the community. Through their podcasts and talks, ASF is playing an important role in keeping the autism community scientifically minded.
lonniez
Professional with expertise in this field
05/22/2018
Rating: 5
05/22/2018
Autism Science Foundation is a welcoming, inclusive and supportive research and advocacy organization that exemplifies 'partnership' - with autistic individuals and their families, and with the research community. They have brought the human touch to autism research funding, fostering positive relationships and building capacity by focusing on trainees and new faculty. As a pediatrician and autism researcher, I am extremely grateful to this wonderfully supportive and passionate organization and its leaders.
mdlerner
Professional with expertise in this field
05/21/2018
Rating: 5
05/21/2018
ASF has quickly become the premier nonprofit for trusted, empirically-sound information on current knowledge about autism. It is remarkable that such a small and dedicated (read: efficient!) team can operate so comprehensively at the front lines of autism science. More than any other autism-focused nonprofit, ASF has a strong and well-recognized commitment to young scientists (including undergraduate students) with an interest in studying autism. Truly, ASF is seeding the future of the field with their work now! A truly outstanding - in every sense of the word - organization!
The ASF is an incredible organization run by some amazingly selfless, dedicated individuals. I have been involved with the Autism Science Foundation for a few years now, participating in a soccer tournament called Scoring Goals for Autism. And our family was selected to represent the Recipe for Hope 2017 campaign so I got to work closely with some of the staff and they were just terrific.
schw0539
Professional with expertise in this field
04/02/2018
Rating: 5
04/02/2018
The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is exactly what I look for in a nonprofit. It has clear goals and a great team of dedicated individuals. I know my donations are well-spent and care for with ASF. Thank you for all that you do!
Writer
Professional with expertise in this field
03/22/2018
Rating: 5
03/22/2018
ASF is really one of the most well run, rigorous and impactful non profits I have worked with, and they have become a leader in the autism field. Alison Singer brings together experts in advocacy, science and education in autism, and through her work the organization has funded cutting edge research studies, hosted dynamic symposia on autism research and has inspired students to pursue careers in autism through their fellowships. With very limited funds and manpower, ASF has accomplished more in the autism field than organizations with 10x the budget and staff. This success speaks directly to the excellent personnel that they employ and the leadership of Alison Singer. I have sat ( and still sit) on the board of many non profits, so I understand the challenges around running these organizations, which makes me even more impressed by ASF's success.
rkgreene
Professional with expertise in this field
03/15/2018
Rating: 5
03/15/2018
The Autism Science Foundation has been a wonderful organization to work with professionally. It funds meaningful and groundbreaking translational research within the field of Autism that will enable us to better understand the condition and develop interventions to better serve those with ASD.
Writer
Professional with expertise in this field
02/05/2018
Rating: 5
02/05/2018
This nonprofit is so amazing! They gave me the opportunity to conduct my own research study as an undergrad. It ended up being the best experience. I am so thankful for everything they have done for me!
I am thankful to have received a grant from ASF that allowed me to engage in a summer research project focused on autism. I have been a strong advocate for research fellowships like the one I received, since it absolutely helped to foster an interest in different aspects of the field, particularly from a neurological perspective.
This is the only autism charity that shares my values. I believe that the greatest hope for progress in treatment and understanding of autism is through supporting science. I also believe in following the advice of leading scientists, and the ASF is a great resource - the only one like it.
As a parent of a child with autism, I am grateful for Autism Science Foundation for providing sound, credible, research-supported information on everything from causation to treatment. Educated caregivers are better equipped to help their loved ones in effective ways. Thank you, ASF!
When our son was diagnosed with autism, we were desperate for sound, credible, research-supported answers. Autism Science Foundation was the source of information we needed to make responsible treatment planning decisions.
psiper
Professional with expertise in this field
03/21/2017
Rating: 5
03/21/2017
ASF funds cutting edge-research, while supporting investigators at all stages (students, fellows, early investigators) . A truly excellent organization!
carolinefund
Professional with expertise in this field
03/21/2017
Rating: 5
03/21/2017
I have worked with the Autism Science Foundation for several years and their genuine commitment to autism research is inspiring. The entire team at ASF has an unwavering dedication to funding the best science that will result in improvements in the lives of those affected by ASD.
The Autism Science Foundation is my go-to source for the latest information on autism. I particularly enjoy reading the science updates and look forward to continuing to learn from them.
