Request for Information: Names of Autism Advocacy Organizations in the State of California

We are a group of social scientists at Columbia University studying autism. Our research, under the supervision of Peter Bearman, is funded by the 2007 National Institute of Health Pioneer Award.

Project Background

There has been a staggering increase in the incidence of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in California in the past decade--- with comparable increases nationally. Three competing theories have been advanced to account for the rise in autism cases: expanded criteria for diagnosing autism, increased environmental degradation/toxicity, and increased genetic risk.

Our research is aimed at disentangling the various purported drivers of the autism epidemic. We believe that a comprehensive understanding can not be arrived at without examining the social, environmental, and genetic factors that may be driving the autism and ASDs epidemic.

Information Requested

Since 1965 advocacy and nonprofit organizations have played a critical role in propelling autism into the public eye through working with local communities, lobbying on national legislative levels, and pushing for funding of autism research.

We would like to compile a list of autism advocacy and nonprofit organizations in the state of California into a comprehensive list for research purposes. We are interested in organizations of all sizes, types and locations. In addition to helping us answer some of our research questions related to understanding the social determinants of the autism epidemic, this list will also serve as a resource available upon request.

Responses

If you work for or participate in an organization or group in California we would very much appreciate it if you could send us the name of the group and any contact information you may have.

To write us, please send an email to autism-iserp@columbia.edu or mail your information to:
Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP)
814 SIPA Building
Columbia University
New York, New York 10027

For further information on the project please visit our website at http://www.iserp.columbia.edu/centers/autism.html. Thank you in advance for your time and assistance in accomplishing this project.

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