“Autism  Researchers  Without  Borders”    Autism  Speaks  and  the  International  Society  for  Autism  Research  (INSAR)  enlist  the  support  of  autism  researchers  who  wish  to  change  the  lives  of  

millions  affected  by  autism  worldwide  while  advancing  our  understanding  of  autism  risk  factors,  diagnosis,  and  treatments.  

   

Why?  Research   estimates   that   at   least   1%   of   the   global   population   has   an   autism   spectrum  disorder   –  more  than  70  million  individuals  around  the  world.    Even  in  places  fortunate  enough  to  have  well-­‐trained  providers  delivering  evidence-­‐based  services,  not  all  individuals  will  have  adequate  access  to   those   services.     In   fact   most   will   not.     And   many   more   will   experience   additional   challenges  related  to  stigma,  economic  hardship,  or  worse  -­‐  human  rights  violations.    Why  Else?  Keys   to   understanding   the   causes   of   autism   and   to   developing   new,   broader-­‐reaching   autism  services  may  lie   in   international  research.     It  has  been  said  that  90%  of  autism  research  has  been  conducted   across   only   10%   of   the   world’s   autism   population,   and   that   most   of   the   autism  population  resides   in   low  resource  settings.    Conducting  research   in  different  populations  around  the  world   creates   unique   opportunities   to   study   autism   in   various   socio-­‐cultural   and   geographic  conditions.    And  some  nations  have  special  resources  and  systems  that  may  generate  rich  datasets  for  autism  research.      How?  In  2007,  the  United  Nations  named  April  2nd,  in  perpetuum,  World  Autism  Awareness  Day.    Since  that  time,  as  autism  awareness  around  the  world  has  grown,  so  has  the  demand  for  support  -­‐  from  parents,  professionals,   and  governments.   In   response,  Autism  Speaks   launched   the  Global  Autism  Public   Health   Initiative   (GAPH)   -­‐   a   comprehensive   and   coordinated   strategy   to   increase   autism  awareness  and  build  capacity  for  services  and  research  by  facilitating  collaboration  and  building  on  local  success.        Who?  GAPH   is  custom-­‐made   to  meet   the  specific  needs  of   local   communities  with   full   consideration   for  culturally  sensitivity  and  significance.  Yet  the  success  of  GAPH  relies  on  guidance  and  training  from  international  experts  willing  to  share  the  latest  evidence-­‐based  autism  science,  while  also  willing  to  consider   innovative   approaches   to   disseminating   and   delivering   that   information.     Over   the   past  seven   years,   volunteer   autism   researchers   have   served   in   various   capacities   across   dozens   of  countries.    We  are  thankful  for  their  support,  but  the  demand  has  grown  and  so  must  our  collective  efforts.    Anyone  can  volunteer  as  long  as  you  are  willing  to  travel!    Second  (or  third)  language  skills  and  international  connections  are  especially  welcomed  but  not  necessary.    

What?  Volunteer  researchers  are  rewarded  with  opportunities  that  can  make  an  immediate  difference  in  the  lives  of  individuals  and  their  families  from  autism  communities  around  the  world.*    Experiences  vary  based  on  local  expectations  but  in  general,  allow  you  to:  

   

                 *Duration   of   term   and   level   of   commitment   are   variable   depending   on   the   specific   country   and  projects.    However,  volunteers  are  expected  to:  1)  make  at  least  one  international  trip  in  a  twelve-­‐month   period   (timing   at   mutual   convenience);   2)   attend   the   International   Meeting   for   Autism  Research  (IMFAR);  and  3)  be  willing  to  participate   in  at   least  quarterly  teleconferences  with  local  partners   and/or   Autism   Speaks   staff.     Individual   volunteers   may   be   asked   to   share   their  experiences  via  conference  presentations,  webinars,  and/or  blogs.    Where?  Autism  Speaks  is  actively  working  or  exploring  opportunities  in  more  than  50  countries  around  the  world,  including:  

Albania  Argentina  Aruba  Bahamas  Bangladesh  Bhutan  Bolivia  Bosnia  Brazil  Bulgaria  Canada  Chile  China  

Croatia  Dominican  Republic  Ecuador  England  Ethiopia  Hungary  India  Indonesia  Ireland  Jamaica  Japan  Kosovo  

Lesotho  Macedonia  Maldives  Mexico  Montenegro  Morocco  Nepal  Oman  Pakistan  Panama  Peru  Philippines  Puerto  Rico  

Qatar  Romania  Russia  Saudi  Arabia  Slovenia  South  Africa  South  Korea  Sri  Lanka  Taiwan  Thailand  Uganda  United  States  Vietnam

   When?  Today!     If   you   are   interested   in   learning  more   about   this   exciting   new   program,   please   contact  Michael   Rosanoff,   Autism   Speaks’   Associate   Director   of   Public   Health   Research,   at  mrosanoff@autismspeaks.org  or  visit  www.AutismSpeaks.org/global.    

Participate  in  a  National  or  International  Autism  Conference  and  present  your  work  to  a  diverse  group  of  stakeholders  and  international  agencies  (e.g.  the  

World  Health  Organization)  

Serve  as  a  member  of  a  country's  National  Advisory  Committee  on  Autism,  

along  with  advocates,  clinicians,  educators,  researchers,  and  government  representatives,  to  conduct  a  situational  

analysis  on  autism  and  develop  a  strategic  action  plan  to  design  and  implement  autism  programs  and  

policies;  

Develop  and  deliver  awareness  and  training  workshops  to  professionals,  para-­‐professionals,  teachers,  parents,  and/or  community  members  on  subjects  such  as  screening  and  early  detection,  diagnosis  

(e.g.  ADI-­‐R/ADOS  training),  early  intervention,  school-­‐based  intervention,  parent-­‐mediated  intervention,  adult  support  and  transition  services,  and  

community  inclusion  

Collaborate  with  and  provide  technical  guidance  to  local  and  international  research  teams  designing  and  implementing  

research  studies  on  topics  including  autism  prevalence,  risk  factors,  detection,  and  intervention  

Be  on  the  cutting  edge  of  autism  dissemination  and  implementation  science  involving  research  on  innovative  capacity  building  solutions  such  as  tele-­‐health,  

distance  learning,  community-­‐based  training,  open-­‐source  diagnostics,  

and  novel  technologies.