| Collection | Shirley Foundation Collection |
| Description | Much of the material in this file is indicative of approaches to autism in the 2000s. People were still looking for a set of biological causes and cures, and Dame Stephanie Shirley, through The Shirley Foundation, funded projects with that focus. This project was looking at genetic mapping of people with autism, and how understanding 'abnormalities of the synaose' could lead to treatments that mean 'certain forms of autism can not only be potentially prevented from emerging, but also that they may be reversible even in adulthood'. As time has progressed, it has been recognised that autism is not a medical condition with treatments that lead to a cure, but a developmental disability, and people with autism can use treatments to help them live full lives and manage their symptoms. Whilst genetic mapping has lead to more of an understanding of the causes of autism, it is now strongly believed that autism needs no cure, and is a difference of brain functionality rather than a disadvantage. Material in The Shirley Foundation Collection can chart the change of focus from looking for cures to supporting people managing their disability. Some of the material in this file may be distressing, as the material is from a time when autism was not considered as a disability, but as a condition that needed curing.
The Shirley Foundation gave a large donation the University of Edinburgh to allow them to purchase microscopes for the Patrick Wild Centre that would assist in researching the genetics of autism, and potentially lead to cures and new directions for autism research.
Contents of file:
Project cover sheet
Research presentation
Project proposal
Excerpts of The Shirley Foundation trustee meeting minutes
Patrick Wild Centre for Research into Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities - profile book featuring an introduction to the work of the Centre, profiles of the researchers and the support team, and collaborations. |