The first national online autism registry - Interactive Autism Network (IAN) - has recently been launched by the Kennedy Krieger Institute, bringing together parents who are filled with questions about autism and autism researchers who are still struggling with many of their similar questions.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is America's fastest growing developmental disorder and IAN is expected to drive autism research forward more quickly and efficiently by facilitating the exploration of causes, treatments and the search for a possible cure to this puzzling disorder.

Through data collection and research recruitment, IAN will link researchers to parents - the very people who know the most about their child with autism.

IAN is funded by a grant from Autism Speaks - a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness about the growing autism health crisis and raising funds for critical autism research.

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