Past Polls

6/23/2010 – 7/22/2010
Adults with ASD: Who have you told that you have an ASD?

10% -	I've told some friends, but not my employer or school
10% -	I've told my employer or school, but not my friends
21% -	I've told my friends only
21% -	I don't tell anybody
10% -	People know even if I don't tell them
26% -	I've told everybody

4/1/2010 – 5/1/2010

Grandparents: Did you play a role in identifying that your grandchild had an autism spectrum disorder?

Summary:

We had 63 people respond to this poll. The majority of grandparents reported that they had raised concerns about their grandchild.

To find out what over 2,600 grandparents reported in our research study on grandparents, visit our Grandparents with ASD Research Report

49% -	Yes, completely. I independently raised concerns.
28% -	Yes, partly. I supported others who raised concerns.
15% -	No. Concerns were raised by others, but I did not believe anything was wrong at first.
6% -	No. I was not made aware of the concerns until the diagnosis had already been made.
0% -	My grandchild has not yet been evaluated or diagnosed.

1/4/2010 – 2/2/2010
Readers outside of the U.S.: would you participate in IAN Research if you were qualified?
Summary: IAN has been considering the feasibility of extending IAN Research to support families and autism researchers throughout the world. We recently held a workshop to discuss the needs of researchers and families in developed and developing nations.

84% -	Yes, absolutely!
5% -	No, I'm not interested
9% -	Not sure.

11/10/2009 – 12/10/2009

Recent research has shown that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is now around 1 in 100 children. Why? 

Summary: Of the 115 people who participated in this poll, 50% reported that they thought that the higher prevalence was due to a combination of factors.

13% -	More children have the disorder than before.
13% -	There is more awareness, so more children are being diagnosed.
3% -	People with milder forms are being diagnosed.
3% -	When diagnosis is uncertain, an ASD diagnosis is given to allow access to services.
50% -	A combination of some or all of the above.
15% -	Good question. Let's do more research.

9/22/2009 – 10/12/2009
Adults with ASD, what is your biggest challenge?
Summary:

Governments are finally looking at the needs of adults on the autism spectrum. We asked our visitors about their challenges. A total of 62 people responded to this informal poll.

23% -	Finding and keeping a job
41% -	Relationships
12% -	Daily living skills such as banking, cooking, and shopping
2% -	Money
14% -	Emotional difficulties
5% -	Health difficulties
1% -	No challenges!

8/5/2009 – 9/21/2009
In the US, what type of health insurance system would be best for families with ASD?
Summary: As the health care reform debate in the United States heats up, we asked our visitors what type of reform they would prefer. A total of 192 people responded to this informal poll.

11% -	Keep it like it is, it works!
25% -	A public option available to all - as proposed by the President
43% -	Health care available to all, no insurance needed (like Canada or the United Kingdom)
18% -	Don't know, just fix it!

7/9/2009 – 8/5/2009
IAN Community should include more information about:
Summary: We conducted this poll to find out what you are interested in. Thirty-eight people took this poll.

18% -	Genetic research
10% -	How to interpret research
18% -	The challenges faced by families
26% -	The challenges faced by individuals on the spectrum
26% -	Treatment research

6/9/2009 – 7/9/2009
Parents of children with ASD: Among your close friends, how many have children with ASD?
Summary: We conducted this poll to help us begin to understand the social networks of families. This poll was answered by 123 people.

45% -	None
23% -	One
19% -	Two
6% -	Three
0% -	Four
2% -	Five
1% -	Six or more

4/27/2009 – 6/9/2009
What is the most stressful factor in raising a child with ASD?
Summary: This poll was taken by 260 people. For them, the most stressful factor in raising a child with ASD was worry about the future. The IAN Research study reported similar findings. Learn more.

25% -	Your child's behaviors
46% -	Worry about the future
8% -	Exhaustion
3% -	Treatment disappointments
11% -	Obtaining treatments
4% -	Setbacks

3/24/2009 – 4/12/2009
If your child were participating in a genetics study, what DNA collection method would you prefer? (Note that blood samples provide the most accurate results.)

46% -	Go to lab for blood draw
45% -	Cheek swab at home
4% -	Spit in a tube at home
3% -	I wouldn't participate