Autism Speaks appoints author with Asperger's, John Elder Robison, to its board

The Autism Speaks news release:

NEW YORK, N.Y. -– Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced the appointment of autism advocate and author John Elder Robison (pictured) to its Scientific Advisory and Scientific Treatment Boards, which form the core of Autism Speaks' grant review process.

Robison serves as an adjunct professor in the department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Elms College in Chicopee, Mass. He has also served on the public review board for the National Institutes of Mental Health, and is currently involved in TMS autism research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is the author of Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's. His writing has been translated into 18 languages and is sold in more than 60 countries. Robison's next book, Be Different!, will be published in the spring of 2011.

“It's a great honor to be selected for this role in autism science and advocacy, first by the government and now by Autism Speaks,” said Robison. “I'm aware that my vote is only one among thirty, but the fact that I myself am on the spectrum will make a difference, and I certainly believe in speaking up for whatever I support.”

“It is essential that our grant funding reflects the needs and perspectives of the community we serve, namely, people with autism spectrum disorders,” said Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., chief science officer at Autism Speaks. “We are very pleased to welcome John to our scientific review boards. His insight and skills will prove invaluable.”

Advisory Board members – who include research professionals as well as representatives with a family member diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder – review the research applications submitted to Autism Speaks, ranging from basic to clinical to treatment research. They are responsible for ensuring each proposal has scientific rigor, innovation and relevance to the mission of the organization. Robison will participate in the grant review meetings and provide insight on the relevance of each grant application to the needs of the autism community.