Monthly News | December 2024 | |
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Hello Administrators,
It's been a very busy year for all of us at ARI. In 2024, we awarded more than $700,000 in grants to fund innovative research that holds realistic promise for positively impacting the lives of autistic people. To learn more about our work this year, see our accomplishments for 2024 and a current list of ARI-funded research projects.
Connecting investigators, professionals, parents, and those on the spectrum worldwide is essential for effective advocacy. Whatever 2025 brings, you can count on us to 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.
As we embrace the coming year's opportunities, our commitment to innovative and impactful research and education remains steadfast. If you plan to give, we know you will hear from many worthy charities in the coming weeks. Thanks for considering supporting ARI.
On behalf of ARI's staff, Board of Directors, and Scientific Advisory Board, I wish you all a very peaceful holiday season.
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Autism Research Institute
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ARI's 2024 Accomplishments | | |
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Since 1967, we have advocated for cutting-edge research while connecting emerging voices in the scientific community with the vision to improve the health and well-being of autistic people worldwide. Our programs collectively aim to translate complex concepts about potential causes and treatments for autism into meaningful information that engages and empowers our community. | |
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New CME Webcasts Released: Co-occurring metabolic conditions and emerging research on brain imaging
These activities have been approved for complimentary AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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In joint-providership with ARI, the Cleveland Clinic offers complimentary webcasts on autism to healthcare professionals and the general public.
The latest webcast series is facilitated by Marvin Natowicz, MD, PhD, and features updates and Q&A on co-occurring metabolic conditions and
emerging research on brain imaging.
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2024 ARI Research Grants Announced | | |
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2024 recipients selected thus far have been awarded $500,000 in grants to fund innovative research that holds realistic promise for impacting the lives of autistic people. In order to provide the autism community with an independent, unbiased assessment of causal and treatment efficacy issues, ARI does not accept financial support from government agencies or drug manufacturers. | |
ARI Team Spotlight - Denise Fulton | | |
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Denise is the Chief Operating Officer for ARI, a role that allows her to actively support the autism community—a cause close to her heart. She joined ARI in 2006 after meeting its founder, Dr. Bernard Rimland, and Dr. Stephen Edelson at an ASA Conference. Early on, she helped expand ARI's online resources and organized in-person conferences. Denise is the proud mom of two sons whose medical journeys inspired her advocacy. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, running, and volunteering at her local animal shelter. | |
ARI's Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Now Available in Norwegian | | |
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The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, or ATEC, is one of the most widely used assessment tools in the autism community. The checklist is designed to evaluate the efficacy of treatments as well as to monitor how an individual progresses over time. The ATEC is used by parents and researchers as well as by schools, medical and behavioral clinics, and insurance companies. Over one million ATECs have been completed over the past two decades.
Thanks to Kamil Øzerk for his work in translating this resource tool into Norwegian, the ATEC is now available in 27 languages.
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From ARRI:
Orthodontic problems may be more severe in children with ASD
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Orthodontic problems tend to be more severe in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) than in their neurotypical peers, according to a study by researchers in Iran. The researchers report, “ASD children obtained significantly higher overall ICON scores, indicating more complex and severe malocclusions [bite misalignments].” | | |
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From ARRI:
High prenatal BPA exposure may disrupt aromatase and raise odds of ASD in boys
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A study by researchers in Australia, the United States, and Canada suggests that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) may play a role in autism in males by disrupting aromatase, a hormone involved in fetal brain development. The researchers found that “higher pre-natal maternal BPA levels are associated with higher ASD symptoms at age two and diagnosis at age nine only in males with low aromatase genetic pathway activity scores.” | | |
Participants needed: We’re seeking input from individuals with lived experience, families, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, and professionals who have insights on autism and intellectual disability in aging adults. Help shape better support and resources for older Autistic adults and/or those with intellectual disabilities. The survey only takes 10 minutes, but your input can make a lasting difference! | |
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University-based researchers often contact ARI for help in 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.
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Register for Free Fall Webinars | |
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ARI Webinar 12/4:
Self-Regulation Strategies
for Self-Injury
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Tune in to learn about the benefits of teaching self-regulation strategies for self-injurious behavior in individuals with autism.
Presented by
Emily Ferguson, Ph.D.
Stanford University
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
12/4/24
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ARI Webinar 12/11:
Understanding Autism: From Confusion to Awareness
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Learn about the impact and history of autism diagnosis and awareness over the past 60 years.
Presented by
Paul Shattock
World Autism Organisation
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
12/11/24
This webinar is a joint presentation with the WAO
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Making a Difference in 2024 and beyond | |
Give with confidence: ARI continues to receive Charity Navigator's highest "4-star" rating and a "Platinum" rating for transparency from Guidestar. | |
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With your help, we're moving research forward.
Throughout 2024, we continued our work, focusing on education while funding and supporting research on genetics, neurology, co-occurring medical conditions, nutrition, sensory processing, severe and challenging behaviors, and adult and senior issues. Research and education are the foundations of progress.
When you support us, you send a message that you care about ARI's independent legacy and value objective research conducted free of influence. We know you hear from many worthy charities—thanks for keeping ARI on your list.
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