Best of 2025

Here’s a look back at some of the milestone moments, big wins and highlights from 2025 

Thanks to your commitment, 2025 was filled with meaningful progress: expanded supports for families, new stories of empowerment, advocacy victories that will improve lives for years to come and the launch of a new campaign that powers autistic people everywhere to Redefine Possible. 

Advocacy today, transformation tomorrow: Empowering the autistic community

This year, our passionate advocates made their voices heard in Washington, DC and beyond! We collectively sent over 35,000 messages to policymakers, and 120 advocates traveled to the 2025 Advocacy Forum & Hill Day. Together, we supported critical federal funding, defended special education and Medicaid services, championed evidence-based decision-making, and passed new state laws to expand access to services and supports that improve the lives of autistic individuals nationwide. 

Celebrating partners who help Redefine Possible

Partnerships allow us to reach more families, provide more resources, and build stronger communities. This year, these seven partners were standout champions—walking alongside families and donors like you to help Redefine Possible by expanding access, inclusion, and support for autistic people nationwide.

  1. Since 2019, Wilson and Autism Speaks have worked to create on-field products and promote a message of inclusion, acceptance and understanding for people on the autism spectrum
  2. Brittany Cartwright Opens Up About How Her 4-Year-Old Son Cruz's Autism Journey Has Been Both 'Challenging' and 'Rewarding'
  3. How Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care became autism-friendly—and why others should too
  4. Rep your section for autism: Autism Speaks and Indie Go Inspire launch purpose-driven partnership
  5. Fetch Pet Insurance: Lessons learned from neurodiverse talent
  6. Cherry Hill Programs and Autism Speaks celebrate 10-year partnership with 2025 Santa Cares events
  7. LinusBio and Autism Speaks partner to promote earlier autism diagnosis and intervention

Progress in autism science and public health 

Research and science are central to how we drive progress for autistic people and families in the United States. In 2025, we advanced autism research across the lifespan, delivered trusted data and evidence to inform policy and practice, and ensured Autism Speaks remained a credible, science-grounded voice in critical public health conversations. Through strategic global collaboration, we strengthened the knowledge base, training models, and partnerships that directly inform and improve care, services, and systems for families here at home, reinforcing our commitment to Redefine Possible.

2025 science and public health highlights include:

  • Investing in the future of autism science by funding early-career researchers whose work advances understanding across the lifespan and reflects the lived experiences of autistic people.
  • Equipping families and policymakers with trusted data through the release of Autism by the Numbers, providing clear insights to guide decision-making and advocacy in the U.S.
  • Strengthening evidence-based caregiver supports by expanding Caregiver Skills Training in Jamaica and China, piloting and refining scalable training models that inform programs used by families and providers in the United States.
  • Advancing coordinated public health leadership through the launch of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition with partners in Qatar, alongside WHO and UNICEF, bringing global expertise together to accelerate research translation, policy alignment, and systems change that benefit U.S. families.
  • Maintaining a strong, credible presence in public health conversations, ensuring families had access to clear, fact-based information during moments of heightened uncertainty and reinforcing trust in autism science.

Top 5 community resources: What you needed most

Our content and resources provide guidance and support for people across the spectrum, at every stage in life —from next steps after a diagnosis, to managing school and family, to finding autism-friendly community and providers, and more. 

In 2025, our community was focused on these learnings:

  1. Adult Autism Diagnosis Tool Kit
  2. 100 Day Tool Kit for Newly Diagnosed Young Children
  3. 100 Day Tool Kit for Newly Diagnosed School-Aged Children
  4. School Community Tool Kit
  5. A Parent’s Guide to Autism

A look at the content that shaped us in 2025

From expert advice to personal stories of big wins, these articles had a profound impact. 

Top 5 blogs that captured our community's interest:

  1. Seeking therapy: Options and considerations for autistic people
  2. Autism and driving: Ways to identify as autistic when driving
  3. How to find an autism provider who understands your culture
  4. Handling curveballs: Dougie Bedinger takes autism to the mound
  5. Autism and religion: Welcoming autistic people into your faith community

The hearts and voices that resonated with the community

The self-advocates, parents, siblings, caregivers and friends featured in these stories moved and motivated countless people within this year, reminding us that every journey matters and every person carries a story worth celebrating. Their experiences shine a light on the power of community, the strength found in connection, and the extraordinary impact that can grow from sharing our challenges and triumphs with the world. 

Top 5 profiles:

  1. Meet Jasmyn M. and her son, DC: Autism mom and Chicago Empower Champion
  2. Meet Joel M.: Autism dad and Dallas Fort Worth Empower Summit and Challenge Champion
  3. Serving up inclusion: How Autism Speaks helped Eric B. find his recipe for success in the workplace
  4. Meet Imani G.: Houston Empower Summit & Challenge Champion
  5. Meet Spencer M.: Crossfit enthusiast and self-advocate 

Recursos en español: Hay más contenido en español que nunca

Ustedes lo pidieron y nosotros los escuchamos. Este año, debido a la gran demanda de nuestra comunidad hispanohablante, tradujimos más de tres docenas de recursos esenciales de Autism Speaks para brindarles mayor orientación y apoyo, especialmente a aquellos que enfrentan barreras lingüísticas, culturales o de acceso, para que pudieran recibir la orientación y el apoyo que necesitan.

Estos fueron los Recursos en español más leídos en 2025:

  1. Autismo y religión: Acoger a personas autistas en tu comunidad religiosa 
  2. Terapias y tratamientos habituales de salud mental para autistas 
  3. Cómo encontrar un proveedor de servicios de autismo que entienda tu cultura  
  4. Crecer siendo gay y autista: El viaje de un hombre para superar el acoso y encontrar la aceptación 
  5. Vacaciones respetuosas con el autismo: Cómo asegurarse de que todo está en calma cuando todo brilla 

Autism Speaks does not provide medical or legal advice or services. Rather, Autism Speaks provides general information about autism as a service to the community. The information provided on our website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal or educational professionals. Autism Speaks has not validated and is not responsible for any information, events, or services provided by third parties. The views and opinions expressed in blogs on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of Autism Speaks.