Science

Raising funds to support Canadian and global research will always be the priority of Autism Speaks Canada.

The Canadian research community is represented on the Autism Speaks Scientific Advisory Committee, which sets the strategic direction for science and research for the organization. Canadian researchers and scientists also play pivotal roles on the Autism Speaks Scientific Review Panel through its various Advisory Boards, which review the proposals submitted and make recommendations for funding support.

Since 1998, Autism Speaks (and formerly NAAR and CAN) has granted over US$6 million to the Canadian autism research community from coast to coast. Funds raised in Canada support those initiatives directly.

To read more about Canadian grants awarded, please click here.

Autism Speaks funds the best research in the world, regardless of where the funds are raised.

Some of the best research in the world takes place here, in Canada, and some of the most respected scientists in autism research work in hospitals, labs and universities in Canada, not only leading their own research studies but mentoring young researchers in the field through mentor-based fellowships offered by Autism Speaks.

To document the progress made toward our mission to discover the causes and treatment for autism spectrum disorders, the Autism Speaks Science Program has compiled a list of the most important research events having had an impact on autism in 2008. This year's list contains several surprising results in metabolism, immunology, brain development and treatment research, together with advances in translational research, clinical trials and DNA technology that have all combined to shape the direction of autism research for 2009 and beyond. Click here to read more about the Top-ten Research Events for 2008.

Autism Speaks is dedicated to facilitating global research into the causes, treatments and an eventual cure for autism by:

Promoting cross-disciplinary cooperation
Funding research
Organizing research summit meetings
Establishing standards for data collection and management to benefit the scientific community

In any disease or disorder, there are four basic questions that can be investigated to improve our understanding of it: What causes it? (Etiology); What is it? (Biology); How do you know if someone has it? (Diagnosis); and most importantly, How do we make it better? (Treatment).

Autism demands answers for each of these questions. All are priorities. Autism Speaks has garnered its resources and organized its research program to pursue each of these avenues simultaneously.

Science Portfolios:

Etiology (Causes): Why does someone get autism?

Goal: Understanding the triggers and susceptibilities to autism
Focus: Developing and managing grants and initiatives in the areas of genetics, environmental sciences and epidemiology

Biology: What are the biological problems associated with autism?

Goal: To understand the underlying biological mechanisms of autism
Focus: Developing and managing grants and initiatives in the areas of neurosciences, physiology and molecular biology

Diagnosis: How do we know if someone has autism?

Goal: To refine existing diagnostic tools and develop new diagnostic approaches to aid in early detection
Focus: Developing and managing grants and initiatives in the areas of behavioural and biological methods of diagnosis as well as characterization of the autism phenotypes

Treatment: How can we help individuals with autism?

Goal: To increase the efficacy and range of treatment options available
Focus: Developing and managing grants and initiatives in the areas of behavioural, biomedical and technological methods of treatment and intervention services

To read more about the Autism Speaks science programs and some of the latest research findings, please click here.