Autism Speaks
 |
|
| Founded | February 11, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Bob Wright, Suzanne Wright |
| Merger of | National Alliance for Autism Research, Cure Autism Now |
| 20-2329938 | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Coordinates | 40°44′52″N 73°59′04″W / 40.7477494°N 73.9843983°WCoordinates: 40°44′52″N 73°59′04″W / 40.7477494°N 73.9843983°W |
| Services | Research, awareness, family services, advocacy. |
| Brian Kelly | |
|
Executive V.P. – Programs and Services
|
Lisa Goring |
| Gareth Thomas | |
| Subsidiaries | Delivering Scientific Innovation for Autism LLC, Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism, Autism Speaks Canada |
|
Revenue (2013)
|
$63,786,909 |
| Expenses (2013) | $62,401,349 |
|
Employees (2013)
|
291 |
|
Volunteers (2013)
|
450,000 |
| Slogan | Autism Speaks. It's Time to Listen. |
| Mission | To change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorder. |
| Website | www |
Autism Speaks is an autism advocacy organization in the United States that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and his wife Suzanne, a year after their grandson Christian was diagnosed with autism.
In January 2008, child clinical psychologist Geraldine Dawson, PhD., became Autism Speaks's chief science officer. In April 2010, the organization named Yoko Ono its first "Global Autism Ambassador." Since its founding, Autism Speaks has merged with three existing autism organizations raising millions of dollars for autism research.
Since February 2009, Autism Speaks has used the "Wubbzy" character from Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! as a mascot.
An Autism Rights advocate named Elizabeth Picciuto accused the organization of treating autism as a disease that needs to be cured, rather than a difference that needs to be understood and accepted.
On May 1, 2015, Bob Wright resigned as chairman of the organization. He was succeeded by Brian Kelly who had served as Chair of the Audit and Family Services Committees for the organization, and is co-founder of Eastern Real Estate LLC. Bob Wright remains on the board as a co-founder.
Suzanne Wright took a leave of absence on November 2, 2015 following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, due to which she fell gravely ill and died on July 29, 2016.
Autism Speaks is an autism organization that, along with its predecessor organizations, has been a source of funding directed towards the causes and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; it also conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments and the public. In a 2006 press release, Autism Speaks stated its goal: "to accelerate and fund biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism spectrum disorders; to increase awareness of the disorder, and to improve the quality of life of affected individuals and their families". In 2016, however, Autism Speaks removed curing autism from its mission statement.
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Wikipedia