Funding research into the causes and treatment of autism is the primary goal of Autistica. While fifteen years ago there was only a small number of scientists working on autism research across the world, now there are several hundred. The focus of Autistica is to use research to bring benefits to individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to raising funds, and investing funds, to support high-quality peer reviewed research which focuses on determining the causes and biological basis of autism spectrum disorders; improving diagnosis; and advancing and evaluating new treatments and interventions. We are committed to ensuring that increased understanding and new scientific knowledge will improve the quality of life for all those affected by autism spectrum disorders.
Autistica’s key science objectives are to discover:
- What causes autism spectrum disorders and how can we use that knowledge to ease the burden for families?
- What are the specific characteristics of ASD that are amenable and relevant to treatment?
- How can we improve early screening and diagnosis, and our understanding of how autism changes over time, in order to achieve timely and effective intervention?
For further information see Autistica's Science Strategy 2009-2014.
There is still much work to be done, as despite strikingly high prevalence, autism research remains one of the lowest funded areas of medical research by both public and private sources.
'NHS Choices' provides a detailed analysis of the science behind the newsheadlines
