The focus of brain research is the child or adult with an autism spectrum disoprder. If parents, or grandparents, wish to donate we require participation by the whole family. In these cases, donations from relatives of a person with autism are archived for future research.

You Are the Answer

You can contribute to ongoing and future research by registering to donate. You can register if you are related to someone with autism spectrum disorders, or if you have autism yourself. Many families are now participating in autism studies; we encourage parents and siblings to consider registration to the program.

Because autism has a highly heritable component, even subtle changes in genes that are passed on through families may contribute to brain pathology that is unrelated to autism. Therefore, if you are a biological grandparent of someone with autism and wish to donate, we hope that your entire family will register for the program.

A little know fact about donation to the Autism Tissue Program is that we also encourage 'typically' developing people to donate as well. It is essential to researchers to have control matches for each of our donors with autism.

Make Your Wishes Known

We know that the decision even to consider becoming a donor or arranging for the donation of you child's brain tissue upon death can raise profound questions of life and death, body and spirit. We urge you to talk with your family, clergy and physician. Your family must be aware of your decision. Any medical treatments your physician directs will be unaffected by your decision to donate brain tissue.

“If Clay’s death could contribute in some little way to a meaningful increase in our knowledge of this terrible disease, Mary and I would be so proud.”

—Marshall Bassett, reflecting on his late son Clay’s brain donation.

Compassion and Dignity

Virtually every religion encourages us to have compassion and to act to help others. Tissue donation may be, for you, one of the ways to help future generations. A pathologist or neuropathologist performs the procedure and coordinates with the funeral director. Your loved one is treated with the same respect and dignity that would be given any patient and the procedures used to obtain brain tissue will not affect any funeral arrangements, including viewing, that you wish to make. The Autism Tissue Program assumes all costs related to obtaining tissue.

One Simple Step

Registering to donate brain tissue does not mean that we anticipate you or your child to die an early death. It does mean however, that you are prepared to act if such an unexpected and unfortunate event were to occur.

Please Ask Questions

Please ask questions. The Autism Tissue Program coordinator can answer questions you might have about donation. All inquiries are treated with absolute confidentiality. Just call toll-free 1-877-333-0999 or indicate on the attachment form that you would like an information packet.

You Can Make a Difference

Brain tissue recovery is coordinated nationally by the Autism Tissue Program by the NIMH/NINDS Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center. In the event of a death, contact us at the 24-hour hotline number: 1-877-333-0999 for immediate assistance. You will be put in touch directly with brain bank representatives who will then contact a local pathologist to assist with tissue recovery at your area hospital. But you or your next-of-kin will have to call us. Even if you haven't pre-registered, donation can still be arranged with this phone call. A registration form will be e-mailed or sent via regular mail upon request. Back to Top