Autism Research Institute

The Autism Research Institute (ARI), established in 1967 by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., is a San Diego, California, based nonprofit that serves primarily as a resource for information on autism and autism spectrum disorders. Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D. became the director of ARI upon Rimland's death in 2006.

History

ARI was founded in 1967 by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D, a research psychologist. Rimland’s book Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior was published in 1964. Rimland was the first to authoritatively challenge the prevailing refrigerator mother theory at that time that autism was caused by unloving mothers. Dr. Rimland provided conclusive evidence that autism was a biological disorder. Dr. Rimland founded ARI to promote Applied Behavior Analysis as an intervention for autism. Today, ARI continues to seek out science-based autism treatments by:

• Conducting and funding research on autism treatments
• Providing thorough review of scientific, peer-reviewed research on autism triggers and treatments
• Maintaining two websites - autism.com and autism.org
• Collaborating with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the University of Maryland on a whole-body tissue bank and a gastrointestinal tissue bank at the Digestive Function Laboratory Repository at Massachusetts General Hospital.
• Publishing an e-newsletter and quarterly research review newsletter.
• Operating two free Autism Resource Call Centers to provide support for parents. One is in English (1-866-366-3361, toll-free), and the other one is in Spanish (1-877-644-1184, ext. 5).
• Maintaining the largest database of anecdotal parent reporting in the world, with more than 40,000 entries from 60 countries.

Treatments

In an interview with About.com, ARI Director Steve Edelson said “if a practitioner claims to ‘cure’ autism, run in the other direction.” ARI’s focus is on evidence-based treatments. To that end, the ARI website links to numerous scientific studies that have found improvements in autism symptoms through various dietary treatments such as a ketogenic diet, vitamin/mineral supplementation and a gluten-free/casein-free diet.

ARI is a major proponent of the biomedical approach for autism treatment, compiling evidence from autism research experts and parents to share information about the most viable treatments for common autism symptoms. The premise for integrative medical intervention is that certain neurological disorders, including autism, might be caused by environmental triggers that compromise the gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems; gastrointestinal, in that those with autism tend toward constipation and/or diarrhea and often have abnormal cravings or abhorrence for certain kinds of food; immunological, in that many have poor regulation of the immune system; and decreased ability to fight infectious diseases, and some are prone to allergies; and neurological, in that hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory impressions is very common. Proponents of integrative medical intervention claim that children with autism generally improve the health of all three systems with an adapted or 'special' diet, or with the addition to their diet of certain dietary supplements, nutrients, and enzyme supplements. Based on this premise, what is often diagnosed as autism or PDD is seen as a physiological syndrome involving many parts of the body that could be treated as a physiological disorder.

ARI is also a longtime supporter of Applied Behavior Analysis, believing ABA should complement other autism interventions.

Controversial treatments/issues and ARI’s position today:

• Vaccines – ARI supports safe vaccination. Research on this topic is ongoing and ARI continue to track new developments in this field of study, among others. The organization continues to seek potential trigger factors for autism.
• Chelation – Chelation is not a “cure” for autism. If, in the opinion of a medical doctor, the patient has an unusual heavy-metal burden, chelation might be warranted, just as it would be for a patient who does not have autism. Additional research is needed to investigate the prevalence and underlying reasons for impaired excretion of environmental toxins, and to determine effective treatments.
• Gluten-free, casein-free diets – ARI believes that this diet can be beneficial. While a study by the University of Rochester found "eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns," a study by the University of Sunderland in the U.K. found that gluten-free, casein-free “dietary intervention may positively affect developmental outcome for some children diagnosed with ASD.”
• Based on empirical evidence and research, ARI asserts that pharmaceutical treatments should be approached with caution, as many can exacerbate some symptoms while treating others.

Research

ARI has awarded more than $1.5 million in research grants since 2009. Grant recipients include Harvard/Mass General, Cleveland Clinic, UCLA, Arizona State University, UC Davis, and Columbia University. ARI also funds Tissue Banks for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the University of Maryland and the Digestive Function Laboratory Repository at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; a specimen bank for non-autistic individuals to provide proper comparison controls for researchers is in development.

Conference

ARI holds that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive behavior modification, such as Applied Behavior Analysis, and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, primarily the use of dietary supplements and special diets. To this end, they sponsor a yearly conference (once known as Defeat Autism Now!/DAN!), known as the ARI Conference, of researchers, scientists, and physicians. ARI ended the registry of DAN doctors in 2011.

ARI also sponsors the annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR). First convened in 2001, the first and primary aim of the meeting is to promote exchange and dissemination of the latest scientific findings and to stimulate research progress in understanding the nature, cause and treatments of ASD. The meeting also promotes training for pre/post doctorates to advance research of ASD. The ISAR publishes the Autism Research Journal.

Publications

• ARI e-newsletter: free monthly newsletter for families and caregivers
• Autism Research Review International (ARRI): quarterly print review of autism research ($20 for a one-year subscription, $24 if outside the U.S.)

Affiliates

• Autistic Global Initiative (AGI) – AGI is an ARI program staffed by adults with autism who are committed to increasing quality infrastructure for adults with ASD.
• The Global Autism Alliance, a partnership created in response to a global need for networking, communicating, and collaborating among autism groups. This program is housed at ARI; Stephen M. Edelson, ARI director, is the president.

Funding

ARI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Almost all ARI operations and initiatives are funded by private donations. Over 80 cents of every dollar donated to ARI goes directly to programs and research projects.

See also

• Autism Society of America
• Autism therapies
• Interactive Autism Network

External links

• Autism Research Institute
• Australia Autism Research Intitute