vermontsavant wrote:
what is the ASA,is that different than the ASAN
The ASA "Autism Society of America" is a nationwide organization that has been around since 1965. Almost 40 years before ASAN or Autism Speaks started their efforts.
It is an advocacy organization for Autism like Autism Speaks, however they do not focus on research in as strong a manner as Autism Speaks does.
The founder Dr. Bernard Rimland, also founded one of the oldest autism research organizations, the Autism Research Institute, ARI, as well as the Defeat Autism Now organization that has consolidated itself recently with the Autism Research Institute. The ARI researches alternative means of treating autism.
Dr. Bernard Rimland is credited as playing a big part, in his early research, in dispelling the "Refrigerator Mother" theory of Autism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_RimlandHe lost favor with the medical community, during the last part of his career, because he supported the theory that vaccines could be behind the increase of the prevalence of Autism.
http://www.autism-society.org/about-autism/causes/environmental-health.html ASA, still questions mercury in the environment as well as other environmental factors as potential factors associated with autism.
The ASA, has accomplished noteworthy goals described in Wiki, per link below; the organization has approximately 50,000 members and 200 chapters across the country, and is in part, responsible for new legislation assisting autisitic individuals, through their advocacy efforts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_Society_of_AmericaASAN has joined forces with ASA, in concern over the DSMV revision. ASA appears to be the one of the few advocacy organizations that ASAN has worked in cooperation with. It appears like the organization is viewed favorably by the ASAN organization.
Maybe one day ASAN will work together with Autism Speaks as well, considering that Autism Speaks is also supporting the concerns over the DSMV, and funding research in an attempt to ensure that all autistic individuals are treated fairly with the DSMV revision.
Autism speaks and ASA have had a cooperative working relationship, supporting many common initiatives in the past.
As with most advocacy organizations ASA has a unique mission, and unique goals; that they fundraise for to meet that mission and goal. They don't receive nearly the funds that Autism Speaks does. And the funding of ASAN is not even high enough to be reported by 3rd party watchdog groups that monitor charities.
ASA appears to be as good an autism advocacy effort as any other, if one agrees with their mission below. However, overall, their mission is not that different than Autism Speaks as they focus on awareness of autism. The ASA organization does not focus much funding on actual research.
The ARI, founded by Dr. Rimland, focuses on complementary research, although some of the research is more controversial in the scientific community than the research that Autism Speaks focuses on.
Autism Speaks receives a level of funding for marketing, along with marketing expertise, that sets them apart in their ability to reach people in the general population.
Description of the organization from their site below:
http://www.autism-society.org/Quote:
About the Autism Society
[
b]The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.[/b]
Founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, Dr. Ruth Sullivan and many other parents of children with autism, the Autism Society is the leading source of trusted and reliable information about autism. Through its strong chapter network, the Autism Society has spearheaded numerous pieces of state and local legislation, including the 2006 Combating Autism Act, the first federal autism-specific law. The Autism Society's website is one of the most visited websites on autism in the world and its quarterly journal, Autism Advocate, has a broad national readership. The Autism Society also hosts the most comprehensive national conference on autism, attended by 2000 people each year. Our information and referral team, our program staff, and our strong chapter presence serve thousands of families each year who are searching for help in their journey with autism.
The Autism Society's national office is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. We are proud to be one of the few organizations to have members with autism serving as active board directors. The Autism Society's Panel of Professional Advisors sets the standards for our Options Policy that governs our practices, and we are proud to count the top professional experts in autism on our PPA. The Autism Society's Advisory Panel of People on the Spectrum of Autism is a first-of-its-kind advisory panel comprised solely of individuals with autism, who help Autism Society staff create programs and services that will advocate for the rights of all people with autism to live fulfilling, interdependent lives.
Each year, people with autism, families and professionals volunteer thousands of hours to help the Autism Society achieve its mission of serving all those affected by autism. To each and every one of you, thank you.
11 Apr 2012, 8:50 pm
