As we enter the New Year, we are filled with optimism for growth and opportunity. Your generous support and advocacy enables us to remain steadfast in our mission, continue to foster life-enhancing autism research, transform the standards of autism care and create a more accepting and inclusive world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.

Being a catalyst for life-enhancing research breakthroughs

Autism Speaks announces grant funding for early-career scientists
Autism Speaks recently opened applications for our Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The fellowship awards are available to current graduate students or researchers who have completed a graduate degree within 5 years of their application date. Last year’s grant recipients focused on community participation among autistic adults, delivering services in low resource communities, sex disparities in autism and more. We are excited to empower early career scientists as they innovate in the field of autism research.

Autism Speaks fall/winter 2021 research update
This fall and winter, Autism Speaks has made significant strides towards our science and public health priorities. Our PATH to Discovery program, a groundbreaking project linking discovery science and clinical research, continues to grow, and new advancements are being made with the help of our MSSNG and AGRE genomic databases. Learn more about this work in our research update.

Increasing early childhood screening and timely interventions

The Autism Care Network works to improve mental health among autistic youth
Research shows that people with autism are more likely to have other mental health conditions that affect their overall health and well-being. Careful assessment and treatment of these mental health conditions is essential to quality care for people on the autism spectrum. In this Q&A, Dr. Eric M. Butter, Ph.D., highlights how the Autism Speaks-supported Autism Care Network is working to improve treatment for mental health issues among autistic youth.

Improving the transition to adulthood

Autism Speaks publishes new employment resource for autistic adults
Research shows that nearly half of 25-year-olds with autism have never held a paying job, though many are willing and able to work. The Autism Speaks Roadmap to Meaningful Employment for Autistic Adults is designed to help adults with autism navigate their employment journey and offers guidance and resources at every stage of their career, whether they’re looking for their first job or preparing for retirement. 

Autism Speaks sponsors HeroX Employment Connection Challenge
Finding a job can be difficult for anyone, but for people with autism, navigating traditional employment websites has its own set of challenges. In an effort to develop a more accessible job search platform, Autism Speaks is sponsoring the Autism Employment Connector Challenge, a crowdsourcing competition on the HeroX platform where companies can submit innovative solutions and compete to win a prize. We are looking for a solution that will help autistic adults in the job search and application process while removing structural barriers to employment. Submissions will be accepted from January 18 to March 1, 2022. Click here to apply.

Ensuring access to reliable information and services throughout the lifespan

Autism Speaks shares its 2021 advocacy highlights
From Washington, D.C., to Zoom meetings with advocates across the country, the Autism Speaks Advocacy team pursued policy solutions throughout this year that protect the rights of people with autism and enhance their access to services and supports throughout the lifespan. We encourage you to read the policy milestones and accomplishments that your support helped us achieve in 2021.

Increasing global understanding and acceptance of people with autism

New episode of Adulting on the Spectrum podcast
On our latest Adulting on the Spectrum podcast, hosts Andrew Komarow and Eileen Lamb spoke with Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior who has been featured on national and international media for her incredible story. Dr. Grandin shares her experience growing up with autism in the 1970s and speaks about her decades of advocacy. Listen to her story here.