Learning the basics
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Autism fact sheetPublic health agency
A short global overview of autism, how common it is and the rights of autistic people to health care and inclusion.
World Health Organization
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Public health agency
Signs, screening, diagnosis and treatment, plus clear information on what does and does not cause autism.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Autism Spectrum DisorderResearch institute
A plain-language explanation of diagnosis, support at different ages and current research.
US National Institute of Mental Health
From autistic people
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Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)Autistic-led
Run by and for autistic people. Plain-language guides on rights, communication and self-advocacy, including writing for families.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network, USA
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Identity-First LanguageAutistic-led
Why many autistic people prefer "autistic person" to "person with autism", in their own words.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
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Practical guidance on terms, drawn from consultation with autistic people and families.
National Autistic Society, UK
Parent and family communities
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TACA (The Autism Community in Action)Parent-led non-profit
A large community of autism parents offering guides for newly diagnosed families, events, a podcast and sensory-friendly activities. Some of its medical and diet content goes beyond what research currently supports, so please talk with your child's doctor before trying any treatment.
The Autism Community in Action, USA
Early development
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Learn the Signs. Act Early.Public health agency
Free milestone checklists and the Milestone Tracker app for ages 2 months to 5 years, in several languages. The checklists make useful notes to take to a doctor.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In India
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Action For AutismNon-profit
A national non-profit based in New Delhi offering assessments, education programmes, parent training, family support and self-advocacy.
Action For Autism, New Delhi
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The National TrustGovernment body
A statutory body for the welfare of autistic people and people with cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities, with schemes for legal guardianship and health insurance.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
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Department of Empowerment of Persons with DisabilitiesGovernment body
Schemes, disability certificates (UDID) and the text of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which lists autism spectrum disorder as a specified disability.
Government of India
Learning apps and programmes
These are commercial products. We list them because families find them useful, not because we have tested them with every child. Try the free version or trial first.
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ASD ReadingReading programme
An online reading and comprehension programme designed for autistic learners, up to about a third-grade reading level. It needs no prior skills, and non-speaking children can use it.
Reading Kingdom (Mojo Learning Inc.) · Paid, with a one-month free trial
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TinyTapLearning games app
Short, interactive learning games made by teachers and parents. You can also make your own, using your child's photos, voice and favourite topics.
TinyTap · Web, iPhone/iPad and Android · Free, with an optional Premium subscription
Taking part in research
Some families like to help researchers learn more about autism. Taking part is always your choice, and you can stop at any time. These registries list studies that are looking for autistic children and their families.
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Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI)Government registry
The official public registry of clinical studies in India. Search for "autism" to see studies, the hospitals running them and who to contact.
ICMR, Government of India, with WHO support · India
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SPARKResearch registry
A large online autism study that families join from home, with optional saliva kits for genetic research. Members are told about other studies they can join.
Simons Foundation (SFARI) · USA only · Free
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Autistica NetworkCharity network
Autistic people, parents and carers can sign up to hear about research opportunities and help shape what gets studied.
Autistica · UK
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ClinicalTrials.gov: autism studies now recruitingGovernment registry
A worldwide database of clinical studies. This link shows autism studies that are currently looking for participants, and you can filter by country.
US National Library of Medicine · Worldwide
Autism research centres in the USA
These university and hospital centres run their own autism studies. Most studies need in-person visits, so they suit families living nearby or travelling there. Studies open and close often, so contact the centre to ask what is recruiting now.
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Kennedy Krieger Institute, Center for Autism and Related DisordersResearch hospital
A Johns Hopkins affiliate in Baltimore. Its research page lists current autism studies, including programmes for toddlers. Contact: Reach@KennedyKrieger.org or (877) 850-3372.
Kennedy Krieger Institute · Baltimore, Maryland
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Autism ResearchResearch hospital
CHOP's study finder, filtered to autism studies that families can join.
CHOP Research Institute · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Cleveland Clinic Children's, Center for AutismResearch hospital
Lists studies that are looking for children and parents, and has an online form to ask about current research. Contact: autismresearch@ccf.org or (216) 448-6392.
Cleveland Clinic · Cleveland, Ohio
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Research on early diagnosis and support, with services for families. Email to ask about studies: rucares@bhi.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers Brain Health Institute · Somerset, New Jersey
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UC Davis MIND InstituteUniversity
One of the largest autism research centres in the USA, with studies on development, genetics and family wellbeing.
University of California, Davis · Sacramento, California
Questions to ask before you join a study
- Has an ethics committee approved it? In India, look for a CTRI registration number.
- What will my child be asked to do, and how long will it take?
- How will my child's comfort and their own "no" be respected?
- Are there any risks or costs? A genuine research study should not ask you to pay to take part.
- Who will see my child's data, and how will it be kept safe?
- Were autistic people involved in designing the study?
Research on language
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Which terms should be used to describe autism?Peer-reviewed
A survey of over 3,000 people in the UK autism community on the words they prefer.
Kenny et al., Autism, 2016
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Avoiding ableist languagePeer-reviewed
Suggestions, written with autistic co-authors, for describing autism without deficit-focused language.
Bottema-Beutel et al., Autism in Adulthood, 2021
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"Special needs" is an ineffective euphemismPeer-reviewed
An experiment showing that people view "special needs" more negatively than "disability".
Gernsbacher et al., Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 2016
How we choose
A resource is listed only if it names who published it, gives information that matches the current scientific consensus, respects autistic people and does not promise a cure. Paid products are marked as paid. Inclusion is not an endorsement of every service an organisation offers.