 ASAN's mission statement says that autistic people are equal to everyone else, and important and necessary members of society.ASAN also maintains a network of 25 local chapters based in different states, with three chapter affiliates in Canada and Australia.The Autistic Self Advocacy Network was co-founded on November 13, 2006, by its former president, Ari Ne'eman, and former Board of Trustees member and Vice Chair of Development, Scott Michael Robertson.