Monthly News |August 2025 | | |
Hello ,
We're already in the thick of summer, and I hope you and your family stay safe during the hot days. August and September are the busiest months of the year for our Scientific Advisory Board - teams of volunteer reviewers are now engaged in ARI's rigorous scientific grant review process, which will choose which early-stage scientific investigations to fund. We are grateful for their efforts as they assess submissions and participate in an NIMH-format review. We look forward to announcing this year's ARI Scientific Grant recipients later this year.
If you are preparing for the upcoming school year and need information about strategies and advice for a successful collaboration with educators, be sure to check out our back-to-school resources for expert insight and support. We wish those of you heading back a great academic year!
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Autism Research Institute
| | Advancing Autism Research:
Voices from the 2025 ARI Think Tank | | | | For more than 30 years, ARI has convened scientists and clinicians at its annual think tanks to advance research into the biomedical aspects of autism. This year, experts gathered in Seattle for three days of in-depth collaboration, focusing on emerging research and innovative clinical strategies to improve the health of autistic individuals. Attendees share their perspectives on this year’s gathering | |
Webinar summary: Improving Clinical Understanding of Autism
| | | | James McPartland, Ph.D., discusses current limitations in autism diagnosis and treatment, noting their reliance on behavioral observations despite the condition’s genetic and neurological underpinnings. He advocates integrating biomarkers as objective, measurable biological indicators that revolutionize clinical practice. | |
Webinar summary: Disordered Eating and Autism – Obesity
| | | | Francesca Solmi, Ph.D., discusses the intricate link between autism and eating disorders. She outlines common eating disorders, noting their overlapping symptoms and similarities to autism traits. The speaker explores potential mechanisms for the connection between eating disorders and autism, including communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and emotion regulation. | | ARRI: Research Updates at Your Fingertips | | |
Expanding access to reliable autism research has been a key priority for ARI. Under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Edelson and ARI’s Board of Directors, we have worked to expand the reach of our award-winning quarterly journal, The Autism Research Review International. In 2024, this vision became a reality. ARRI is now available online at ARRIOnline.org, while the print edition remains available by subscription for those who prefer a hard copy.
We invite you to explore ARRI online and stay informed on the latest developments in autism research.
| | From ARRI: Pesticide exposure during prenatal development or early childhood may increase odds of autism | | | | The researchers report, “Professionally applied indoor insecticides were associated with greater than twofold increased odds of autism for all time periods.” In addition, they say, “Higher exposure frequency was associated with greater odds of autism for nearly all application types and time periods.” | | From ARRI: Gut metabolites altered in children with autism; links found between gut, brain, and behavior | | | | The researchers say, “We demonstrated that gut metabolites impact the brain, and the brain, in turn, affects behavior. Essentially, the brain acts as the intermediary between gut health and autism-related behaviors. Previous studies highlighted differences in gut microbiomes and brain structures in autism, but our research connects the dots.” | | | Participants needed: Dr. Gregory Wallace, a past ARI webinar presenter on autism in adulthood, including executive functioning differences, eating behaviors, and aging well, is seeking autistic adult participants to complete an online study. For more info visit the study website or contact the investigators. | | |
University-based researchers often contact ARI for help finding research participants to add valuable data to our understanding of autism.
Research topics range from sibling differences to school experiences, trauma, adult issues, and more.
| | Register Now: Free Upcoming Webinars | | |
ARI Webinar 8/6:
Live Q&A - Masking: Deconstructing the Myths
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Tune in to learn and ask questions about the complexities of masking in autism. This is a follow-up session to Dr. Dena Gassner’s June 11th presentation.
Presented by
Dr. Dena Gassner
AJ Drexel Autism Institute
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
8/6/25
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ARI Webinar 9/10:
Assessing and Treating Severe Behaviors
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Learn about the process of getting a behavior assessment from start to finish, plus updates on current research and strategies for treatment.
Presented by
Nathan Call, PhD, BCBA-D
Marcus Autism Center
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
9/10/25
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ARI Webinar 9/17:
Auditory Sensitivities
in Autism
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Adam Naples, PhD, a 2022 ARI research grant recipient, will share research updates on auditory sensitivities in autism.
Presented by
Adam Naples, PhD
Yale School of Medicine
1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
9/17/25
| | Making a Difference in 2025 | | Give with confidence: ARI continues to receive Charity Navigator's highest "4-star" rating, a "Platinum" rating for transparency from Guidestar and a "Top Rated" badge from Great NonProfits. | |
Advancing Autism Research with Integrity and Impact
At ARI, our commitment to funding innovative and meaningful autism research and education remains unwavering.
We maintain our independence by operating without government grants or direct funding from pharmaceutical companies.
Instead, we rely on the generosity of donors to sustain our mission. As our founder, Dr. Bernard Rimland, often said, “Research that makes a difference!”—a reminder to always prioritize research that most benefits autistic individuals.
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