GLOBAL RESEARCH
Several ongoing research projects around the world focus on neurodivergence, neurodiversity, and autism, with an emphasis on understanding these conditions and improving the lives of neurodivergent individuals.
North America
Canada
Autism Research at McGill University
McGill University in Canada has several research initiatives focused on autism and neurodivergence. One example is the Azrieli Centre for Autism Research (ACAR), which supports interdisciplinary research into the causes of autism and develops personalized treatment strategies. Projects include understanding the genetic basis of autism and studying how different neurological pathways affect behaviors in neurodiverse individuals. Their studies have a strong focus on autism across the lifespan and the role of environmental factors in shaping neurodevelopment.
Director: Guy Rouleau (https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/guy-rouleau-oc-oq-md-phd-frcpc-frsc)
Website: https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/research/acar-1
Location: The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), 3801 University Street, Room 033, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4
Contact: Telephone: 514-398-8653, Email: acar.neuro@mcgill.ca
United States
Stanford Neurodiversity Project
This initiative, led by Dr. Lawrence Fung, aims to harness neurodiverse strengths and promote the well-being of neurodivergent individuals. It includes various programs such as the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit and the Neurodiverse Candidate Registry, which focuses on enhancing employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals. The summit is an annual event that brings together experts, educators, neurodivergent individuals, and professionals to discuss strengths-based approaches for neurodiversity.
Director: Dr. Lawrence Fung (https://profiles.stanford.edu/lawrence-fung)
Website: https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity.html
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
Contact: https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity/alliances/contact.html
SPARK for Autism
This large-scale study conducted by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) aims to collect genetic and clinical data from individuals with autism and their families. Its goal is to accelerate autism research by identifying genetic markers and improving understanding of the condition. The project has recruited over 100,000 participants and is one of the largest autism research initiatives in the world.
Director: Kelsey C. Martin, M.D., Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Autism and Neuroscience (https://www.sfari.org/about)
Website: https://www.sfari.org/resource/spark/
Location: New York, NY
Contact: Communications Department, Simons Foundation, 160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10010, T: 646.654.0066, F: 646.654.0220, info@simonsfoundation.org
Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE)
Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the ACE program supports a variety of interdisciplinary research projects focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These centers are involved in large-scale studies of the causes and treatments for autism. Current research includes examining the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autism and developing new interventions tailored to neurodiverse needs. Each center has a different focus, with topics ranging from brain development to early interventions.
Director(s): Nancy Minshew at the University of Pittsburgh (Information processing and learning); Susan Bookheimer at the University of California, Los Angeles (Communication deficits); Fred Volkmar at Yale University (Behavioral, brain, and molecular studies); Edwin Cook at the University of Illinois at Chicago (Insistence on sameness); Bryan King at the University of Washington (Protective versus risk factors); Eric Courchesne at the University of California, San Diego (Early brain development)
Grantors: NICHD’s Intellectual and Developmental Disorders Branch, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Website: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/ace
Location: At various universities and research facilities in the United States
Contact: Alice Kau (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/der/branches/iddb/kau)
The Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials (ABC-CT)
Supported by the NIH, this initiative aims to develop reliable and objective biomarkers to aid in autism diagnosis and help assess the efficacy of clinical trials. Biomarkers can improve the precision of ASD diagnoses and treatment outcomes by identifying specific brain patterns, behaviors, and genetic traits associated with autism.
Director: James McPartland, PhD, Principal Investigator, Collaborating Implementation Site Co-Director (https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/faculty/)
Website: https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/clinicaltrials/categories/children/autism-biomarkers-consortium/
Location: Yale School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Contact: 1-877-YSTUDIES or email helpusdiscover@yale.edu
The Center for Autism and the Developing Brain (CADB)
Located at Weill Cornell Medicine, CADB conducts both clinical services and research aimed at better understanding ASD across the lifespan. The center engages in projects that explore early brain development, sensory processing, and behavior to create more effective interventions for individuals with autism.
Director: Stephen Kanne, PhD
Website: https://www.nyp.org/psychiatry/center-for-autism-the-developing-brain
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Contact: (212) 746-5454
Neurodiversity at Work (Stanford Neurodiversity Project)
This initiative focuses on employment for neurodivergent individuals, with programs designed to foster inclusive work environments. It partners with companies to develop policies that accommodate and celebrate neurodiverse talents, aiming to shift corporate culture around hiring neurodivergent employees.
Director: Dr. Lawrence Fung (https://profiles.stanford.edu/lawrence-fung)
Website: https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity/NaW.html
Location: Stanford University School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
Contact: https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity/alliances/contact.html
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Dyslexia Center
While this center primarily focuses on dyslexia, it contributes to the neurodiversity research landscape by studying neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism in conjunction with dyslexia. UCSF researchers are exploring brain-based learning differences and how tailored educational environments can be designed to support diverse neurocognitive profiles.
Director: Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini, MD, PhD. (https://dyslexia.ucsf.edu/center-leadership)
Website: https://dyslexia.ucsf.edu/
Location: Sandler Neurosciences Center, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Suite 190, San Francisco, California
Contact: dyslexia@ucsf.edu
Diverse Brains Research Network (DBRN)
This network collaborates with universities, clinicians, and advocacy groups to explore the intersectionality of neurodivergent conditions. It promotes inclusive research practices, encouraging neurodivergent individuals to participate in shaping studies on conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.
Director:
Website: https://x.com/diversebrains?lang=en
Location:
Contact:
Central/South America
Multiple Countries
Red Espectro Autista Latinoamérica (REAL)
La Red Espectro Autista Latinoamérica (REAL) es una organización que realiza investigaciones sobre el autismo en la región latinoamericana. La REAL está conformada por investigadores de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, República Dominicana, Uruguay y Venezuela.
REAL is a research network that collaborates across multiple countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Brasil, Chile, República Dominicana, Uruguay and Venezuela, to explore autism and neurodivergence in diverse cultural contexts. One major focus of the network is developing culturally appropriate diagnostic tools and interventions. They are working on a large-scale study comparing autism diagnoses across Latin American populations and the effectiveness of early interventions in these countries.
Website: https://www.canalautismo.com.br/numero/013/red-azul-latinoamerica/
Argentina
PANAACEA (Programa Argentino para Niños, Adolescentes y Adultos con Condición del Espectro Autista)
La MISIÓN de PANAACEA mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con condiciones del espectro autista y de sus familias. Nuestra VISIÓN es una sociedad inclusiva y respetuosa de la diversidad. Los VALORES que inspiran nuestro quehacer cotidiano son: Compromiso con nuestra mission, Optimismo para conectar con la potencialidad de las personas, Respeto y humildad en relación a las creencias, visiones, valores y sentimientos de otras personas, Generosidad con nuestro saber y nuestro hacer, Horizontalidad que se refleja en el trabajo en equipo dentro de la organización, con otras organizaciones y con las familias.
PANAACEA’S MISSION to improve the quality of life of people with autism spectrum conditions and their families. Our VISION is an inclusive society that respects diversity. The VALUES that inspire our daily work are: Commitment to our mission, Optimism to connect with people’s potential, Respect and humility in relation to the beliefs, visions, values and feelings of other people, Generosity with our knowledge and our actions, Horizontality that is reflected in teamwork within the organization, with other organizations and with families.
Director: Sebastián Cukier
Website: https://www.panaacea.org/
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Contact: info@panaacea.org T: +54 11 4792-8798
Brazil
Universidade de São Paulo (USP) Autism Research Program
At USP, researchers are studying environmental and genetic factors contributing to autism, especially in underrepresented populations. They are working with local communities to assess how socioeconomic status affects the availability and effectiveness of interventions for neurodivergent individuals.
São Paulo School for Advanced Science
The São Paulo School for Advanced Science: Advances in Research and Treatment of Autistic Behavior brings together researchers, educators and students, from Brazil and from around the world, to learn and share experiences and discuss evidence-based state-of-the-art research and treatment practices for individuals with autism. The idea is that this conference functions as a mechanism to increase the amount and quality of autism research and treatment by creating interest, expertise and opportunities for collaboration.
Director:
Website: https://espca.fapesp.br/school/sao_paulo_school_for_advanced_science:_advances_in_research_and_treatment_of_autistic_behavior/46/
Location: Pio XI Street, 1500, Alto da Lapa 05468-901
Contact: +55 (11) 3838-4000, fax +55 (11) 3645-2421
Europe
France
Institut Pasteur Autism Research Initiative (IPARI)
Located in Paris, the Institut Pasteur has launched various research projects focused on autism’s genetic and neurobiological underpinnings. One ongoing project explores the role of synaptic proteins in autism and how disruptions in neural connectivity may lead to ASD traits. The institute collaborates with international partners to develop interventions based on genetic findings.
Director: Chiara Zurzolo, Uwe Mascos
Website: https://research.pasteur.fr/en/program_project/brain-connectivity-and-neurodegenerative-diseases/
Location: 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
Contact: Phone: +33 1 45 68 80 00
Autisme France
This advocacy group partners with several research institutions, including the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), to conduct research on early diagnosis and intervention strategies for autism. A notable study is examining early childhood interventions and their long-term effects on cognitive and emotional development in autistic children.
Director: Danièle Langloys
Website: https://www.autisme-france.fr/
Location: 1175 avenue de la République, 06550 La Roquette-sur-Siagne
Contact: 04 93 46 01 77 contact@autisme-france.fr
Germany
German Autism Research Consortium (GAIN)
GAIN is a network of autism researchers in Germany that focuses on understanding the biological, genetic, and environmental factors of autism. One of the prominent ongoing projects involves the use of neuroimaging to study how brain structures differ in autistic individuals, with the goal of improving early diagnosis and treatment. This consortium collaborates with universities and medical centers across Germany, such as Charité University Hospital in Berlin and the Max Planck Institute.
WGAS e.V.
The aim of the WGAS is to promote autism research in German-speaking countries. This applies to research work on the basics of autism as well as more applied topics such as the concrete evaluation of diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.
Director: Prof. Dr. Michele Noterdaeme (https://wgas-autismus.org/en/about-us/)
Website: https://wgas-autismus.org/en/home-english/
Location: Deutschordenstraße 50, 60528 Frankfurt am Main
Contact: tagung@wgas-autismus.org
Autismus Deutschland e.V.
This organization works closely with academic researchers to support studies on neurodivergence, especially in applied research areas like employment and education for neurodivergent individuals. Current projects include investigating interventions for improving social skills in autistic children and adults, with an emphasis on developing supportive educational programs.
Director: Christian Frese
Website: https://www.autismus.de/
Location: Rothenbaumchaussee 15, 20148 Hamburg
Contact: Tel.: 0 40 / 5 11 56 04, Fax: 0 40 / 5 11 08 13, info@autismus.de
Netherlands
Radboud University Autism Research
Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands is conducting groundbreaking research on the genetics and neuroscience of autism. A major ongoing study is the Autism & Uni project, which supports neurodiverse students in higher education. The project is aimed at improving the university experience for autistic students by developing tools to assist them in navigating academic and social environments.
Director: Femke Maij (https://www.ru.nl/personen/maij-f)
Website: https://www.ru.nl/en/donders-institute
Location: P.O. Box 9103, 6500 HD Nijmegen
Contact: T: +31 (0) 6 31 13 29 44 E: dirkjan.melssen@donders.ru.nl
United Kingdom
RE-STAR Project
Although based in the UK, the RE-STAR project’s innovative approach is gaining traction internationally, including in the U.S. This project explores why neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD and autism, are more prone to depression during adolescence. By involving neurodivergent young people as co-investigators, RE-STAR seeks to develop environments that help neurodivergent individuals thrive, such as whole-school interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes.
Director: Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/edmund-sonuga-barke)
Website: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/re-star
Location: King’s College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 (0)20 7836 5454
Middle East
Israel
The National Autism Research Center of Israel
Based at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, this center is dedicated to the study of autism across the spectrum, from early childhood to adulthood. Their research focuses on understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of autism and developing technological solutions to enhance communication and social interactions in autistic individuals. This center is involved in international collaborations, including partnerships with researchers in Europe and North America.
Director: David Zvida (https://www.autismisrael.org/research-staff)
Website: https://www.autismisrael.org/
Location: Oahyon David Ben Abraham Behavioral Complex Sciences (Building , 98), Ben-Gurion university, Beer-Sheva
Contact: +972-74-7795248 autism@post.bgu.ac.il
Asia
China
IDG McGovern Institute for Brain Research at PKU – Autism Research Center
This center is engaged in studying the genetics and neural circuits associated with autism in China. One notable project involves using AI and machine learning to analyze behavioral data and improve early autism detection in young children. The center also explores the development of support systems for autistic individuals in educational settings.
Director: Li Yi
Website: https://mgv.pku.edu.cn/english/index.htm
Location: Room 1103, No. 52 Haidian Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Contact: yilipku@pku.edu.cn
Shanghai Children’s Medical Center
Researchers here are studying the relationship between environmental pollutants and the development of autism, looking at how urbanization and exposure to toxins might increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. The center is also involved in developing tailored educational programs for autistic children that focus on social skills and emotional regulation.
Director: Fu Qihua
Website: https://sklpcmd.scmc.com.cn:8530/
Location: 1678 East Road, Shanghai Tel: 021-38626161 Postcode: 200127
Contact: yilipku@pku.edu.cn
India
Action for Autism (AFA)
In India, Action for Autism (AFA) is involved in advocacy, support, and research. AFA works closely with the National Centre for Autism and various universities to explore the social and educational aspects of autism. Their studies include how inclusive education policies can be designed for autistic students, as well as research on the impact of cultural attitudes toward neurodivergence in Indian society.
Director: Ramamani Sundar (https://autism-india.org/Aut/meet-team.php)
Website: https://autism-india.org/Aut/
Location: The National Centre for Autism, Pocket 7 & 8, Jasola Vihar, New Delhi 110 025
Contact: +972-74-7795248 autism@post.bgu.ac.il
Japan
Autism Society Japan (ASJ)
In Japan, the Autism Society Japan works in collaboration with research institutions to improve the lives of neurodivergent individuals. One prominent project is the Brain Function and Autism Research initiative, which examines how different regions of the brain are affected in individuals with autism. Researchers are exploring the relationship between autism and other neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD. This research has implications for creating more effective therapeutic interventions for autistic individuals in Japan.
Director:
Website: http://www.autism.or.jp/
Location: Tōkyō-to, Chūō-ku, Akashichō 6−22, 6F Tsukiji 622 Building, 104-0044
Contact: 03-3545-3380
Africa
South Africa
Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA)
The Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) is an interdisciplinary clinical research programme based in the Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Almost everything we know about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comes from research in high-income countries like in Europe, the UK or the USA. However, the majority of people with autism spectrum disorders live in low- and middle-income countries such as in Africa. The Centre for Autism Research in Africa (CARA) was founded to reduce this ‘knowledge gap’. We believe that we need to understand the needs of people who live with ASD in Africa in order to make sure we can find ways to meet those needs.
Director: Petrus de Vries (https://health.uct.ac.za/cara/team)
Website: https://health.uct.ac.za/cara
Location: 46 Sawkins Road, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town, South Africa
Contact: rehana.effendi@uct.ac.za Office: +27 21 685 4103
Oceania
Australia
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC)
Located at La Trobe University in Melbourne, OTARC is a leading center for autism research in Australia. The center focuses on early diagnosis, intervention, and longitudinal studies on the development of autistic individuals. One of its significant projects is the “Early Diagnosis of Autism” study, which aims to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) markers in infants to enable early intervention and support. Another major initiative is the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children with Autism to track the development of autistic individuals into adulthood, focusing on outcomes like education, employment, and mental health.
Director: Prof. Alison Lane (https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/aelane)
Website: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/otarc
Location: La Trobe University, Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia
Contact: Phone: +61 3 9479 2497, Email: otarc@latrobe.edu.au