Autism Society of America
| Founded | 1965 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Bernard Rimland,[2] Ruth C. Sullivan[3], and others |
| 52-1020149[1] | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[1] |
| Headquarters | Rockville, Maryland, United States[1] |
| Tracey Staley[4][5] | |
| Vacant (since July 4, 2025)[6] | |
| Subsidiaries | Autism Society of America Foundation[1] |
| Revenue | $3,404,989[1] (2021) |
| Expenses | $2,808,051[1] (2021) |
| Endowment | $50,000[1] (2021) |
| Employees | 22[1] (2021) |
| Volunteers | 50[1] (2021) |
| Website | www |
Formerly called | National Society for Autistic Children[7] |
The Autism Society of America (ASA) is an American non-profit organization whose stated goal is "to improve the lives of all affected by autism."[1] It was founded in 1965[8] by Bernard Rimland[2] 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;[7] the name was changed to emphasize that autistic children grow up. 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.[9]
Branding
The ASA and its state and regional chapters have historically utilized controversial puzzle-piece imagery in their branding, including a trademarked puzzle-piece ribbon (introduced in 1999) and a graphic of a boy's head interwoven with puzzle pieces. Critics claim these types of symbols stigmatize autistic people because they portray them as incomplete, mysterious or a problem in need of fixing and evoke brokenness and bafflement.[10][11][12]
In 2021, the ASA announced it was removing puzzle-piece imagery from its branding and had chosen a new logo consisting of interwoven, multicolored lines ("threads"), which the organization believed would emphasize "connection" and "create a calm, visual stimulation."[13][14]
Founders
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.[15] Rimland was a founder of the ASA in 1965, but left to create the Autism Research Institute in 1967.[16] 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.
Ruth C. Sullivan
Ruth C. Sullivan (April 20, 1924 – September 16, 2021) was an American organizer and advocate for the education of autistic people. Sullivan was a founder and the first president of the ASA, but later left to start the Autism Cervices Center in Huntington, West Virginia.[17]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Autism Society of America Inc. Internal Revenue Service. December 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Some Key Dates in Autism History". The Washington Post July 1, 2008. p. F5.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (2021-09-30). "Ruth Sullivan, Advocate for People With Autism, Dies at 97". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ Joyce, Carissa (2022-02-03). "Tracey Staley Selected as Chair of the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America". Autism Society. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ Allred, Delancy (2025-07-08). "Autism Society of America Disheartened by Passage of Budget Reconciliation Bill". Autism Society. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ Geddie, Becky (2025-05-16). "Autism Society of America Announces Leadership Transition". Autism Society. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ a b Campbell, Susan. "A place for miracles? Institute offers option for autistic children". St. Petersburg Times. April 13, 1988.
- ^ "About the Autism Society". Autism Society. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ "Statement of the Autism Society of America on Vaccine Safety". Autism Society. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Grant, Aimee (2025-04-10). "Why the autism jigsaw puzzle piece is such a problematic symbol". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Autism Society's New Brand Launch". 15 November 2021.
- ^ Roth, Kristyn (2021-11-15). "New Brand Launch FAQ's". Autism Society. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Carey, Benedict (November 28, 2006). "Bernard Rimland, 78, Scientist Who Revised View of Autism, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
- ^ Roth, Kristyn (2021-09-17). "Passing of the Autism Society's Co-Founder and First Elected President Ruth Sullivan". Autism Society. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
