Walk Now for Autism

What it is

Autism Speaks is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing the awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and, most importantly, giving a voice to the millions of families around the nation who are affected by autism. The organization also includes the Autism Speaks initiative Autism Votes, which encourages lawmakers to continue the support of autism with legislation that advances additional research and affordable treatment for individuals with autism. The Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network has 17 clinical centers across North America providing high-quality, comprehensive and multidisciplinary care to 22,000 families annually.

Why it was founded

In February 2005, Bob and Suzanne Wright launched Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to funding scientific research about autism and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Now, seven years later, the organization started by the grandparents of a child with autism is the largest autism science and advocacy organization in the world.

How it is making a difference

Autism Speaks has made great strides in improving the quality of life for people with autism. In 2011, Autism Speaks joined President Obama when he signed the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act into law. The law authorizes $693 million over three years to autism epidemiology, science and services.

In 2010, Autism Speaks launched the Light it Up Blue campaign on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day. This is a global initiative that encourages homes, business, universities and even national monuments to light up blue to show their support for Autism. In 2012, iconic landmarks such as New York City’s Rockefeller Center, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt lit up blue for autism.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks’ signature fundraising and awareness campaign is Walk Now for Autism Speaks, a series of walks across the U.S. and Canada. In 2011, 400,000 walkers joined together in walks across 85 communities and raised $30 million for Autism Speaks to continue their impressive progress in combating autism.

SheKnows joined the 11th annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks event in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, March 4 as more than 7,000 people gathered to help raise awareness for autism. We'll also be at the Phoenix event on October 28, and we hope to see you there!

Sign up for a walk now and learn more about Autism Speaks here.