Our mission is to fund and disseminate evidence-based research that identifies causes, effective interventions, and supports for individuals with Asperger Syndrome and similar conditions.

In pursuit of this mission, the Foundation

• Organizes and supports targeted research efforts through scientific panels, conferences, and funding.
• Provides information about research, practices, legislation, news and resources on Asperger Syndrome.
• Disseminates, promotes, and evaluates state of the science information for researchers, professionals, and the public through our website, publications, training, and conferences.
  

Our vision is to promote a full, integrated and meaningful life for every individual with Asperger Syndrome.

What Asperger Foundation International is doing to help

• Conducting a state-by-state, nationwide survey of U.S. governmental agencies, individuals on the spectrum, and their families to identify the availability of support services for adults with AS.
• Promoting and supporting promising state-of-the-art research in applied and biomedical sciences to benefit children and adults with Asperger Syndrome.
• Developing evidence-based models for successful community programs for individuals on the spectrum. Many organizations are willing to provide these services but lack successful models and curricula. AspFI, utilizing creative and new programs, can provide these mechanisms.
• Increasing awareness among professional communities of autism spectrum diagnostics and treatment.
• Developing a model for bringing individuals on the spectrum and their families together for social connections with new friends. This model, called Common Connections™, helps individuals connect through shared interests and gives families an opportunity to learn about community supports and available evidence-based expert treatments. Common Connections can be reproduced in communities everywhere as an important support and learning model for families so in need of accurate information and social development opportunities.
• Participating in collaborative discussions with like-minded organizations.
• Bringing together organizations to develop social opportunities for children and teens with AS.

Our History

The Life Sciences Foundation was founded in 1963 by Irving Schwartz, M.D. with the mission of promoting collaborative research to foster fundamental progress in the life sciences and medicine. After nearly forty years of successful support of a variety of important biological research projects, the Board chose to redirect its support toward Asperger Syndrome, an area in which collaborative, interdisciplinary work is absolutely critical to progress. In 2004, the Foundation was renamed Asperger Foundation International.