ASA, 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.

ASA was founded in the year1965 by Doctor Bernard Rimland, Doctor Ruth Sullivan and many other parents of children with autism. ASA is and always has been the leading source of trusted and reliable information about autism.

ASA’s website is one of the most visited websites on the theme of autism all around the world and its quarterly journal, Autism Advocate, has a broad national readership. ASA also hosts the most comprehensive national conference on autism, attended by more than 2000 people each year. The information and their referral team, their program staff, and their strong chapter presence serve thousands of families each year who are searching for help in their journey with autism.