In this month's Monthly Mission Spotlight, we celebrate the
arrival of new tools and resources for autistic adults as well as
provide updates on our ongoing science activities.
Increasing global understanding & acceptance of people with autism
Autism Speaks hosted virtual international autism advocacy conference
On April 27-28, 2021, Autism Speaks hosted autism advocates and
stakeholders from 46 countries to discuss their efforts to promote greater autism awareness, acceptance and understanding and improve the lives of families
affected by autism throughout the world. Participants at
the Autism Speaks Advocacy Leadership Network 4th biennial
conference included families, professionals and
government representatives from autism advocacy organizations
worldwide: [link removed]
Being a catalyst for life-enhancing research breakthroughs
Autism Speaks Science at INSAR 2021
This year's International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) ([link removed] ) annual meeting, the world's largest gathering of autism
scientists, healthcare professionals, and autistic people and their
advocates, more than 20 research studies were featured were supported
through funding and technical support from Autism Speaks. Check
out our INSAR news page ([link removed] ) for highlights from each day of the conference, held virtual May 3-7.
Autism Speaks and Royal Arch Masons fund 3 researchers in auditory
processing disorder
Autism Speaks, with the support of a Royal Arch Research Assistance
grant, is funding two pilot studies and one Fellowship ([link removed] )
to understand central auditory processing disorder and
sound-processing difficulties and potential treatment targets. The
disorder can lead to difficulty using, understanding and remembering
information conveyed through speech and other sounds.
Autism Speaks announces pilot sites for groundbreaking project
Autism Speaks announces pilot sites for groundbreaking project linking
discovery science and clinical research
With the selection of six sites across North America to pilot a bold
new research program, Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada announced
the launch of PATH to Discovery (Precision Autism Treatments for Health), a research program to build a roadmap to personalized medicine for people across the autism
spectrum: [link removed]
Increasing early childhood screening & timely interventions
New North Carolina law will improve access to autism therapy
On May 17, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law a bill that will help people with ASD in the state more easily access medically necessary behavioral therapy. SB 103 creates a professional license for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Before this law, BCBAs were required to operate under the supervision of licensed
psychologists which led to fewer ABA providers, long wait lists,
higher costs and reduced access to treatment particularly in rural
areas. Autism Speaks is proud to have championed this effort to
expand access to treatment and reduce costs for children with autism
in North Carolina: [link removed]
Autism Speaks urges the DOD to expand, not restrict, services for
military children with autism
Autism Speaks urged the Department of Defense to reconsider changes it recently announced that would make it harder for children with autism to access needed care. These changes would make applied behavior analysis (ABA), an evidence-based treatment that helps reduce challenges with social communication and repetitive
behaviors, less available in school and community
settings: [link removed]
Improving the transition to adulthood
Workplace Inclusion Now program aims to increase employment
Workplace Inclusion Now program aims to increase employment
opportunities for autistic workers
Autism Speaks is working with several employers across the country to
encourage hiring of autistic workers. As highlighted in Forbes ([link removed] , the Workplace Inclusion Now (WIN) program brings together autistic job seekers and employees, companies and communities to create inclusive, welcoming workplaces. We are also spreading the word with community service providers, employers and
industry champions, including the National Association of
Manufacturers, Stanley Black & Decker, Center for Energy Workforce
Development, the Office of Naval Intelligence, and Iowa Voc-Rehab
Services, about WIN and the benefits of hiring
autistic employees ([link removed] ). Follow your local Autism Speaks chapter ([link removed] )
on social media to learn about upcoming Pathways to Employment events
coming to your area to learn more about WIN: [link removed]
Transition planning bill passes Nebraska legislature
A bill to lower the age at which transition planning begins to age 14 passed the Nebraska legislature in May to go to the
governor for signature. This was an Autism Speaks-led initiative which
other groups joined and the Department of Education also supported: [link removed]
Ensuring access to reliable information & services throughout the
life span
Guidance for autistic adults on housing choices
Our latest digital resource, the Housing Roadmap for Autistic
Adults is now live! Built by and for autistic adults, the Housing Roadmap
can help you decide what housing situation works best for you and what
supports you may need. You can also use the Housing Roadmap with a
trusted support person:
[link removed]
ICYMI: Recent news from Autism Speaks
* Record number of U.S. House Members call for increase in autism
research funding: [link removed]
* Study reveals long-term language benefits of early intensive
behavioral intervention for autism: [link removed]
* Autism Speak elects Zumper Chief Marketing Officer Darren Goode
to national board: [link removed]
Sign up for My Autism Guide: [link removed]
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