At ARI we understand what it means to be different because ARI has always been unique.

We have learned a lot over the past 56 years. We continue to focus on education while supporting research on genetics, neurology, co-occurring medical conditions, nutrition, sensory processing, severe and challenging behaviors, and adult and senior issues. Connecting investigators, professionals, parents, and those on the spectrum worldwide is essential for effective advocacy. This initiative grows each year with the support of ARI’s dedicated Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board.

Learn about the work we did in 2022.

View and print our 2022 Annual Report

View and print our 2022 Impact report (.pdf)

ARI’s 2022 Accomplishments – (.pdf)

Research

  • ARI awarded more than $450,000 in grants to scientists whose work will have a direct impact on the lives of those on the autism spectrum. The funds supported research in immune, gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurologic, and sensory issues. View ARI’s 2022 Research Grant Recipients

  • After two years of working online due to the pandemic, ARI’s annual in-person Think Tanks resumed in April 2022, convening researchers
    and clinicians to discuss emerging findings about causes of and potential treatments for autism.

  • ARI held its annual online scientific meeting in October 2022. This international conference featured live presentations and discussions to provide researchers with updates on metabolic issues, co-occurring gastrointestinal conditions, and genetics.

  • ARI continues to develop a global research network to keep researchers up to date with the latest news in the scientific community; this includes sharing articles on conducting research, informing them of various funding sources, and notifying them of the latest studies published in peer-reviewed journals

Publications

  • In August 2022, ARI’s Executive Director Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., and past board member Jane B. Johnson published a multidisciplinary book, Understanding and Treating Sleep Disturbances in Autism. Contributors include leading experts in challenging behaviors, medicine, neurology, nutrition, and sensory processing.

  • ARI continues to publish its quarterly science newsletter, Autism Research Review International (ARRI), summarizing current medical, sensory, and educational research.

  • ARI’s monthly e-newsletter keeps more than 140,000 subscribers up to date on new resources and the latest research.

  • ARI publishes a bimonthly e-newsletter, Clinical Research in Autism, for obstetricians, pediatricians, and nurses who want to keep up to date with research relevant to their practice.

Continuing Medical Information

  • ARI released a new series of continuing education talks during the fall of 2022 on topics including:
    • Gastrointestinal issues
    • Medical care for seniors
    • Supporting Patients in Medical Settings

    Connecting physicians to improved standards of care is crucial to amplifying understanding of the medical nature of the autism.

Online Learning

  • ARI continues to host live webinars multiple times each month featuring top researchers and treatment professionals. In 2022, thousands of viewers registered to watch live presentations on various topics, including research updates, nutrition, behavioral support, assessment, educational therapies, adult issues, and more. Some presentations are offered in joint providership with the World Autism Organization.

  • ARI offers clinical webinars, aimed at guiding healthcare providers worldwide, are offered with live Q&A and simultaneous language interpretation.

  • ARI’s YouTube channel offers free access to experts with up-to-date webcasts on medical support and educational videos, social stories, and selected talks from past conferences. Users have tuned in for nearly 900,0000 viewings.

Outreach in the U.S.

  • ARI offers a hotline for parents and professionals, who can reach a live person for information and support. Contact Us

International Outreach

  • ARI embraces a global autism community, networking with parent support groups worldwide. The network aims to improve communication among support groups and inform the international community of the current state of the science regarding the underlying biology of ASD and evidence-based treatments. To date, 226 groups have joined the network spanning 77 countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Moldova, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

  • ARI is an NGO (non-governmental organization) of the United Nations.

  • ARI continues to translate many key articles, as well as our Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), into different languages—the ATEC is now available in 20 languages online. On average, more than 150 users per day complete ARI’s ATEC.

ARI’s Accomplishments in 2021

For more than five decades, we have been challenging the traditional view of autism as an untreatable disorder and have advanced research to improve the health and well-being of people on the autism

ARI’s Accomplishments in 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic upended many lives, and the need to provide meaningful support while sustaining research has been as important as ever.  While the causes of ASD remain unclear, recent scientific advances challenge

ARI’s Accomplishments in 2019

At ARI, we have always been mindful of the needs of those on the autism spectrum and their family members. Their support over the past five decades has magnified our focus on

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