For Alyssa Weeks, raising money for autism research hits close to home. Her younger brother, 13, is living with autism.

“We had a hard time getting him diagnosed,” Weeks said.

She said doctors first diagnosed her brother with a degenerative brain disease. They said he would die before age 12.

Today, Weeks’ brother Brennan Bailey is still alive, and Weeks is working to raise money for autism research.

Weeks is starting an Autism Speaks U chapter on MU’s campus. Autism Speaks U at Mizzou would be the first collegiate chapter in the state of Missouri.

Weeks is working to get the group recognized by the university and Autism Speaks.

At the first meeting of the year, about 10 to 15 students expressed interest in the group.

“It’s nice to know that other people want to be involved with it,” she said.

She is working to get the word out about the new organization. Weeks set up a Facebook page for the group, “Autism Speaks U at Mizzou.”

Angela Dettmers, the Executive Director of the St. Louis chapter of Autism Speaks, said that the goal of Autism Speaks is to help all families that struggle with autism.

“We do that through funding research for finding the causes, treatments, preventions and a cure for autism,” Dettmers said.

Autism Speaks U is an initiative of Autism Speaks.

“Our collegiate chapters focus on promoting awareness, raising funds for Autism Speaks and volunteering in the local community,” said Sarah Caminker, the National Program Manager for Autism Speaks U.

Although there are no autism-related groups on campus, MU does offer support for students on the autism spectrum on campus.

“We can help those students (on the autism spectrum) develop skills and get support to navigate the problems of living in a residence hall and interacting with people,” said Barbara Hammer, Director of the Office of Disability Services.

Hammer said that, in general, students with autism struggle with “interpersonal relations, social interactions and understanding the complexities of social interactions.”

She said there are currently five to seven students registered with the university seeking help for autism-related issues.

Hammer stressed that though only a small number of students have registered with the Office of Disability Services, it does not represent the number of students on campus who are affected by autism.

Another goal of Autism Speaks also spreads awareness throughout communities. Weeks hopes to educate MU students about autism through the new organization.

“I feel like a lot more people should know about autism,” she said. “It’s not only people who have autism that have to struggle with it. It’s people who are living around people with autism (as well).”

Autism Speaks U at Mizzou is considering a “puzzle piece campaign” on campus.

“The point of the puzzle piece campaign is to spread awareness about what the puzzle piece means,” Weeks said. The puzzle piece is the symbol for Autism Speaks.

Weeks has been raising money for autism research for several years. She worked with the St. Louis chapter of Autism Speaks in high school.

“My family sets up a lot of events,” she said. “Last year, we had four or five events going.”

In September 2010, Weeks’ family raised more than $2,200 through a variety of events, including a silent auction, a Warmachine tournament, a barbecue, a bake sale and a charity garage sale.

In addition to support on campus, Weeks has received praise and interest from the Columbia community.

“It’s kind of turned into a community-wide thing,” she said. “(Support from) the rest of the community would definitely make me a lot happier.”

Caminker said collegiate chapters often offer the community more support as well.

“They serve as a resource for students, while involving the local autism community in their efforts.” she said.

Weeks hopes some of the money the organization raises can be donated to the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, a nationally recognized research center at MU.

Currently, MU is listed as an “autism treatment network” location by Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks has granted money to the university several times in the past.