Autistica
Encyclopedia
Autistica is a UK charity devoted to raising and investing funds into biomedical research and peer-reviewed studies on autism
. Autistica’s stated goals include determining the causes and biological bases of autism spectrum disorders, improving diagnoses of autism, and advancing and evaluating new treatments and interventions, with an eye towards improving quality of life for people affected by autism.
Autistica was founded in 2004 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley. Up until January 1, 2010 Autistica operated as the UK affiliate of US-based Autism Speaks
under the name Autism Speaks UK. Autistica is registered in and operates throughout England and Wales.
The mission and goals of Autistica are distinct from those of the UK-based National Autistic Society
(NAS). While Autistica concentrates its efforts on enabling and promoting scientific research on autism, NAS focuses on the rights and interests of individuals affected by autism.
, Autistica is concerned with continuing to fund studies into the factors behind the condition.
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
. Autistica’s stated goals include determining the causes and biological bases of autism spectrum disorders, improving diagnoses of autism, and advancing and evaluating new treatments and interventions, with an eye towards improving quality of life for people affected by autism.
Autistica was founded in 2004 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley. Up until January 1, 2010 Autistica operated as the UK affiliate of US-based Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization 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 by his wife Suzanne, a...
under the name Autism Speaks UK. Autistica is registered in and operates throughout England and Wales.
The mission and goals of Autistica are distinct from those of the UK-based National Autistic Society
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is a British charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders , including autism and Asperger's Syndrome. The purpose of the organisation is primarily to improve of the lives of people with Autism in the United Kingdom.Founded in 1962 as the Autistic Children's Aid...
(NAS). While Autistica concentrates its efforts on enabling and promoting scientific research on autism, NAS focuses on the rights and interests of individuals affected by autism.
Activities
Autistica considers autism the most serious challenge facing medical science today. The organisation notes that the condition imposes a large financial burden on individuals afflicted by it, their families, and society as a whole. The effects of autism have the potential to be extreme and life-long, and they are estimated to cost nearly £28 billion a year in the UK alone. Furthermore, as there remains a humbling lack of knowledge about the specific causes of autismCauses of autism
Many causes of autism have been proposed, but understanding of the theory of causation of autism and the other autism spectrum disorders is incomplete. Heritability contributes about 90% of the risk of a child developing autism, but the heritability of autism is complex and typically it is...
, Autistica is concerned with continuing to fund studies into the factors behind the condition.
Fundraising
In 2009, Autistica provided a total of £940,000 to its beneficiaries in autism research.Notable Members and Participants
- Professor Sir Michael Rutter
- Stephanie Shirley
- Michael Fitzpatrick
- David Morgan
- Bridget OgilvieBridget OgilvieDame Bridget Margaret Ogilvie, AC, DBE, FRS is an Australian and British scientist.Ogilvie was born in 1938 at Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia, to John Ogilvie and Margaret Beryl McRae...
- Dr. Ann OlivariusAnn OlivariusAnn Olivarius is an American-British lawyer.As an undergraduate at Yale, Olivarius helped bring forward the trailblazing case of Alexander v. Yale. While the other plaintiffs' cases related to direct sexual assault by various faculty members, Olivarius' case centered on Yale's failure to adequately...
- Dr. Ian Ragan
- Gordon Smillie
- Clare Thompson
- Hilary Gilfroy
- Jane AsherJane AsherJane Asher is an English actress. She has also developed a second career as a cake decorator and cake shop proprietor.-Early life:...