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Autism Society of America

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Autism Society of America
Founded1965
FoundersBernard Rimland,[1] Ruth C. Sullivan, and others
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
HeadquartersRockville, Maryland, United States
Lori A. Ireland[2]
Christopher Banks
SubsidiariesAutism Society of America Foundation[3]
Revenue$2,396,020[3] (2013)
Expenses$2,378,089[3] (2013)
Endowment$50,000[3]
Employees27[3] (2013)
Volunteers20[3] (2013)
Websitewww.autismsociety.org
Formerly called
National Society for Autistic Children[4]

The Autism Society of America (ASA) was founded in 1965[5] by Bernard Rimland[1] together with Ruth C. Sullivan and a small group of other parents of autistic children. Its original name was the National Society for Autistic Children;[4] the name was changed to emphasize that autistic children grow up. The ASA's stated goal is to increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by autistic people as well as their families and the professionals with whom they interact.[6] Although the group has promoted the pseudoscientific belief that vaccines cause autism in the past, it has more recently affirmed that there is no link between vaccination and autism, without acknowledging previous actions to the contrary.[7] In 2021, the ASA announced new branding, including a logo consisting of textured multicolor lines and the slogan, "The Connection Is You".[8] In the past, the ASA has utilized controversial puzzle-piece imagery, including a trademarked puzzle-piece ribbon and a graphic of a boy's head interwoven with puzzle pieces.[9][10]

Founders

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Bernard Rimland

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Main article: Bernard Rimland

Bernard Rimland (November 15, 1928 – November 21, 2006) was an American research psychologist, writer, lecturer, and influential person in the field of developmental disorders who is known for promoting autism-related pseudoscience. In 1964, Dr. Bernard Rimland wrote a book, Infantile Autism, that convinced others working in the field that autism is a physiological disorder, not a mental or emotional problem.[11] Rimland was a founder of the Autism Society of America in 1965, but left to create the Autism Research Institute in 1967.[12] He later promoted several theories, which have since been disproven, about the causes and treatment of autism, including vaccine denial, facilitated communication, chelation therapy, and claims of a link between secretin and autism.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Some Key Dates in Autism History". The Washington Post July 1, 2008. p. F5.
  2. ^ "[1]". Autism Society of America. Accessed on March 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Autism Society of America. Guidestar. December 31, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Campbell, Susan. "A place for miracles? Institute offers option for autistic children". St. Petersburg Times. April 13, 1988.
  5. ^ "About the Autism Society". Autism Society. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  6. ^ "Autism Organizations". Autism Key. January 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  7. ^ "Statement of the Autism Society of America on Vaccine Safety". Autism Society. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  8. ^ "Autism Society's New Brand Launch". 15 November 2021.
  9. ^ Gernsbacher, Morton Ann; Raimond, Adam R.; Stevenson, Jennifer L.; Boston, Jilana S.; Harp, Bev (February 2018). "Do puzzle pieces and autism puzzle piece logos evoke negative associations?". Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 22 (2): 118–125. doi:10.1177/1362361317727125. ISSN 1461-7005. PMC 6085079. PMID 28823194.
  10. ^ Stevenson, Jennifer L.; Harp, Bev; Gernsbacher, Morton Ann (2011). "Infantilizing Autism". Disability Studies Quarterly. 31 (3): dsq–sds.org/article/view/1675/1596. doi:10.18061/dsq.v31i3.1675. ISSN 2159-8371. PMC 4266457. PMID 25520546.
  11. ^ Krause, Audrie. "Authority on Autism Speaks from Experience: Doctor Began Research After His Son Was Diagnosed with Disorder 30 Years Ago". The Fresno Bee. November 18, 1987.
  12. ^ Carey, Benedict (November 28, 2006). "Bernard Rimland, 78, Scientist Who Revised View of Autism, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
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