As we welcome the summer, Autism Speaks is proud to report on another impactful month in support of our community. This May, our science initiatives took center stage at the 2022 INSAR conference, where Autism Speaks-supported researchers and staff presented their most recent findings in the field of autism research. The Advocacy team also made significant progress helping to advance better access to services for autistic people and their families.

Being a catalyst for life-enhancing research breakthroughs

Autism Speaks supports research at INSAR 2022
The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, the world’s largest gathering of autism researchers, was held on May 11-14, 2022 in Austin, TX. Autism Speaks is a longtime sponsor of the conference and proudly supports a number of studies that were featured at the annual meeting. One of the most significant research studies presented at INSAR used the Autism Speaks MSSNG genomic database to identify 135 genes that increase the risk of autism. Click here to view this year's full INSAR coverage.

Ensuring access to reliable information and services throughout the lifespan

Autism Speaks celebrates advocacy wins
Autism Speaks was proud to support several efforts during this year’s legislative session to expand access to services and reliable information for people with autism in Florida, Iowa, Virginia and Georgia. We pledge to continue our efforts to ensure the proper implementation of these laws and will continue to advocate for new policies that improve the lives of people with autism across the spectrum and throughout the life span.

Autism Speaks educates communities about COVID-19 vaccines
Autism Speaks has partnered with the CDC to educate autistic people in Florida and their families about COVID-19 vaccines with the goal of reducing vaccine hesitancy. The public health team recently hosted a webinar sharing information about vaccination efforts in south Florida, as well as a podcast with a self-advocate about her vaccine experience.

Increasing global understanding and acceptance of people with autism

New Q&A improves understanding of autistic emotional regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to cope with situations that cause emotions like stress, anxiety or frustration. Sometimes, people with autism have a harder time regulating their emotions. They may rely on unique self-soothing strategies to deal with intense emotions, and either seek out or avoid sensory stimuli like bright lights, loud sounds and intense smells. In a Q&A, Arianna Esposito, BCBA and vice president of services and supports and life span programs at Autism Speaks, discusses emotional regulation in autism.