Mission: To connect individuals in the Autism community by providing resources and support to help them live fully, with dignity, equity, and inclusion.
The Autism Society was founded in 1965 by Dr. Bernard Rimland. Inspired by his book Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior, Dr. Rimland set out to create an organization that would provide support for individuals with autism and their families. The organization began as a small group of parents, but under the leadership of Dr. Ruth Sullivan, the Autism Society grew into a huge organization!
As the oldest and largest autism organization, it continues to be a voice in advocating for policies that improve access to services, education, and opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum.