Autism Speaks is a major U.S.-based nonprofit focused on autism research, advocacy, services and public awareness, founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright after their grandson was diagnosed with autism[2][3]. The organization mobilized substantial private funding at launch (including a $25 million gift) and merged with three established autism groups—ACRE, NAAR and Cure Autism Now—creating one of the largest autism-focused organizations in the world[2][1]. Early work emphasized large-scale biomedical research into causes and treatments, high-profile awareness campaigns (notably the “Light It Up Blue” initiative and a UN-recognized World Autism Awareness Day), and national policy advocacy to expand insurance coverage and federal funding for autism services[3][4]. Autism Speaks used the founders’ media and donor networks to scale quickly and to influence legislation and research funding; the organization notes it and predecessor groups helped shape federal investments now totaling billions for autism research, services and training since 2006[4]. Key achievements include raising global awareness of autism, driving state-level insurance reforms for autism care, funding genetics and clinical research that advanced understanding of autism heterogeneity, and building family support resources and toolkits for diagnosis, transition, employment and housing[2][4]. The group also launched signature communications and fundraising platforms that broadened public engagement with autism issues[3]. Autism Speaks’ history is marked by controversy: critics from autistic self-advocates and some researchers challenged early messaging (including language suggesting a “cure”), representation of autistic people, and program priorities—pressures that led the organization to remove “cure” from its mission language and to revise outreach and research priorities toward quality-of-life and inclusion[1][4]. Today Autism Speaks positions itself on lifespan supports, adult services (employment, housing, health), equity and community collaboration while continuing to fund research and