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Autistica is a United Kingdom-based charity that funds research and campaigns related to autism. The organisation focuses its research on the physical health, mental health and social barriers experienced by autistic individuals.[1]
| Founded | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dame Stephanie Shirley |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Revenue | 3,593,349 pound sterling (2017)  |
Number of employees | 15 (2017, 2018) |
| Website | www |
History
editEntrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley[2] founded the organisation in 2004.[3][4] It originally operated as the UK affiliate to the US charity Autism Speaks.[5] In March 2007, the charity became a fully independent entity. In January 2010, the organisation officially changed its name from Autism Speaks UK to Autistica.[6] This name change was made to distinguish the British charity from the US organisation, and to reflect its specific focus on scientific research. Autistica is registered operates in England and Wales.[7]
Research Approach
editAutistica partners with scientific and academic institutions to fund studies. They often utilise participatory science models, meaning autistic individuals are directly involved in designing and contributing to the research.[8]
Activities
editAutistica funds medical research to understand the causes of autism, improve diagnosis, and develop new treatments and interventions. They are the UK's leading autism medical research charity.
Their current scientific priorities are to:
- Bring down the average age of diagnosis and develop early interventions that can improve the outlook of autistic people.
- Improve the quality of life for young people and autistic adults by understanding the additional physical and mental health issues that many individuals experience and ensure the development of effective treatments.
- Support autistic adults by improving the understanding of how autism changes over the lifespan and making sure that adult-specific needs are addressed.[citation needed]
Fundraising
editIn 2009, Autistica provided a total of £940,000 to its beneficiaries in autism research.[9]
Notable members and participants
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Our research - Autism". 30 August 2017.
- ↑ Shirley, Stephanie (2019). Dame [From Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist]. Penguin Books Ltd (published 4 April 2019). ISBN 9780241395493.
- ↑ "Autism Speaks UK Founder Appointed as Philanthropy Ambassador". 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
- ↑ "Autism Speaks". Dame Stephanie Shirley. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ↑ "Autism Research". Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- ↑ "Whose Planet Is It Anyway?: Autism Speaks Loses UK Affiliate". Whose Planet Is It Anyway?. Autisticbfh.blogspot.com. 3 January 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- ↑ "Autistica - Charity number: 1107350". Register of Charities - Charity Commission for England and Wales. 27 May 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Citizen science platform with Autistica". The Alan Turing Institute. 27 May 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Autistica - Charity overview". Charity Commission. Retrieved 26 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Jane Asher becomes an Autistica Vice President" (PDF) (Press release). Autistica. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2011.