Autism Collaboration presents The A+ Research Initiative

Statement of Problem

Parents are feeling disenfranchised with regard to the glacial pace of autism research
Their efforts raise millions of dollars annually for research, but parents have little or no say as to where and how the money is spent
Those decisions are typically made by a scientific advisory board whose members often lack knowledge of the real issues encountered by the autism community
Parents and their children should be considered stakeholders with regard to autism research and therefore deserve a voice in determining the direction of autism research

Contribute unique personal and community experiences adding passion and urgency to the discussion
Ensures that the human dimensions of disease are incorporated into scientific considerations, investment strategy and research focus
Provide a critical and informed panel of consumers of autism science who have the capacity to integrate multiple disciplines and identify a research path which will help the most children the quickest

The Autism Collaboration creates the perfect opportunity and structure for embracing and executing a parent driven research agenda
The Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program provides the necessary framework for such a collaborative initiative

Autism Collaboration brings together the most experienced autism advocacy organizations in the country
The autism community needs a new research paradigm that embraces the knowledge and expertise of parents who live with this disease on a daily basis
The A+ Research Initiative would serve to inform, solicit, review and fund autism research initiatives following the guiding principal of helping the most kids the most quickly!

Panel members meet initially to decide the program’s mission and goals for the year
By panel member consensus, specific areas are identified that are in need of research
Research budget is established and mechanisms for funding decided
Request for proposals announced to the research community
Panel reconvenes to review proposals and vote on funding

Funding and research initiatives are determined by parent advocacy organizations who are part of the Autism Collaboration and elect to participate in the initiative
Participation in the initiative does not preclude an organization from fundraising or funding their own specific organizational research initiatives
Each year new panel members, directions and initiatives are solicited and funded in an effort to keep the science constantly moving forward for our children