About us

The Autism Research Cooperation (AFK) is a project that brings together adults on the autistic spectrum and scientists from the Freie Universität Berlin.

Aims

The goal of the AFK is to design and conduct research projects that individuals with autism find relevant.

In the AFK, people with autism and Asperger syndrome decide themselves which research questions are worth asking. They are actively involved in planning and executing research projects as well as interpreting the data. Through scientific papers, conference contributions, and information material for the public we hope to improve the quality of life for autistic people.

History

Although parents of autistic children have started to take more active roles in research, exchange between affected individuals themselves and the research community is lacking. As a result, autistic individuals don’t perceive their interests as being adequately represented in research topics.

Taking those concerns seriously, the AFK – as a collaboration between autistic people and researchers, began in 2007 to work on scientific projects. As a first project, the AFK developed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of and prejudices about autism in different professional groups.