National Alliance for Autism Research

National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR)

The National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) was a pioneering organization dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism. Founded in 1994 by parents of children with autism, NAAR was the first non-profit organization in the United States focused on supporting and accelerating biomedical research and scientific studies related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). NAAR played a crucial role in bringing autism to the forefront of scientific research and increasing public awareness of autism as a significant health issue.

History

NAAR was established by a group of parents who were driven by the need for more research and better understanding of autism, which at the time was a relatively under-researched condition. Their mission was to fund research that would uncover the causes of autism, develop effective treatments, and ultimately find a cure. Over the years, NAAR successfully funded millions of dollars in research grants, supporting studies worldwide and fostering a better understanding of autism and its complexities.

Research and Impact

NAAR's approach to funding research was comprehensive, supporting a wide range of studies including genetic research, neuroimaging, and clinical trials for new treatments. One of NAAR's significant contributions was its support for the development of the Autism Tissue Program, a post-mortem tissue donation program that provided essential resources for neurological studies on autism. NAAR also played a key role in promoting collaborative research efforts, such as the Autism Genome Project, which aimed to identify genes associated with ASD.

Merger with Autism Speaks

In 2006, NAAR merged with Autism Speaks, another leading autism advocacy organization. This merger combined NAAR's research-focused mission with Autism Speaks' broader goals of raising awareness, funding research, and advocating for individuals with autism and their families. The merger aimed to create a more powerful and efficient organization capable of making significant strides in autism research and advocacy.

Legacy

Although NAAR no longer exists as an independent entity, its legacy lives on through the ongoing work of Autism Speaks and the research it funded. NAAR's early focus on scientific research helped lay the groundwork for many of the advances in understanding autism that have occurred since its founding. The organization's commitment to funding innovative research and fostering collaboration among scientists has had a lasting impact on the field of autism research.