The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), based in
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a municipality with a borough form of government in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It was established on January 1, 2013, through the consolidation of the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township, both of whi ...
, was a
non-profit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
advocacy organization, founded by parents of children with
autism concerned about the limited funding available for research.
Origins and activities
NAAR was founded in 1994 as an attempt to stimulate biomedical research and science-based approaches to understanding, treating, and curing
autism spectrum disorder
The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...
s. The founders comprised a small group of parents, including two
psychiatrists, a lawyer, a CPA and a chemistry professor.
NAAR raised money to provide research grants focusing on autism, and has committed an excess of $20 million to over 200 autism research projects, fellowships and collaborative programs - more than any other non-governmental organization. NAAR focused intently on its role in establishing and funding the
Autism Tissue Program
Autism Speaks Inc. is a controversial autism advocacy organization and the largest autism research organization in the United States. It sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, an ...
, a post-mortem brain tissue donation program designed to further autism research studies at the cellular and molecular level. Other major programs included the 'High Risk Baby Sibling Autism Research Project' and the 'NAAR Genome Project'. NAAR also published the ''NAARRATIVE'', a newsletter on autism biomedical research. In early 2006, NAAR merged with
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks Inc. is a controversial autism advocacy organization and the largest autism research organization in the United States. It sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, an ...
.
See also
*
Interactive Autism Network
References
External links
PsychiatricTimes.com- 'A Psychiatrist's Journey from Parent to Founder of Research Advocacy Organization', Eric London, MD, ''Psychiatric Times'', vol 14, no 11 (November, 1997)
Neuroscience.Columbia.edu
Autism-related organizations in the United States
Mental health organizations in New Jersey
Non-profit organizations based in Princeton, New Jersey
Organizations established in 1994
1994 establishments in New Jersey
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