Monthly News |January 2026 | | |
Hello ,
Looking back on the past twelve months, we are proud of the momentum that ARI has sustained and the impact that has been made possible through your participation and support. As we look ahead, you can count on us to remain firmly committed to our mission—funding scientists whose work has the potential to directly and meaningfully impact the lives of autistic people, convening think tanks that advance scientific discovery, educating professionals, and providing free, practical support to individuals and families in the autism community. Through research and education, we continue to pursue answers that matter.
Our 2026 webinar series began this week with a presentation by Connie Kasari, Ph.D., “Evidence That Speaks: Prioritizing Proven Communication Supports for Non-Speaking Autistic Children.” If you weren’t able to attend, the full recording and knowledge quiz are available—along with all past webinars—HERE
All of us at ARI are honored to carry forward the independent legacy our founder, Dr. Bernard Rimland, envisioned nearly 60 years ago. We are deeply grateful to everyone who generously supported ARI during the giving season—your partnership makes this work possible.
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Autism Research Institute
| | Thank You! From ARI's Latest Research Grant Award Recipients | | | | |
ARI recently awarded nearly $600,000 in grants to fund preliminary studies that are often overlooked, filling critical gaps and paving the way for new discoveries.
ARI remains committed to advancing independent research that complements public efforts and strengthens support for autistic people and their families.
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ARI's Latest Accomplishments
Advocating for Independent Research and Education
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For nearly six decades, ARI has funded groundbreaking research, expanded educational initiatives, and brought clinicians and scientists together worldwide. Yet researchers and clinicians continue to face unprecedented financial challenges, and much important work remains.
ARI remains dedicated to fostering innovative research, convening scientific meetings and think tanks, and delivering high-quality, free online education that empowers autistic individuals, their families, and the professionals who serve them. None of this would be possible without the generous partnership of donors.
| | ARRI: Research Updates at Your Fingertips | | |
Expanding access to evidence-based autism research is a key priority for ARI. Under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Edelson and ARI’s staff and boards, we have significantly expanded the reach of our award-winning quarterly journal, The Autism Research Review International (ARRI), over the past 18 months. To ensure maximum accessibility, 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 about the latest developments in autism research.
| | From ARRI: Prenatal prescription opioid exposure not linked to autism | | | | Children of mothers who take prescribed opiate painkillers during pregnancy may not have an increased likelihood of developing autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study by researchers in Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. | | From ARRI: Men with Parkinson’s have higher rate of autism features | | | | |
Men with Parkinson’s disease (PD) or other motor disorders exhibit an elevated rate of autistic features, according to a study by researchers in India and the United Kingdom.
Ipsita Dey and colleagues note that PD and related disorders are reported to be three times more common in adults with autism than in the general population. However, they say, “While initial reports have demonstrated greater PD traits in older autistic individuals, the converse has not been directly tested, that is, autistic symptoms have not been investigated in PD patients.”
| | | 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 1/14:
Five Underappreciated Nutrients that Neurodivergent Kids May Be Missing
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Tune in to hear Vicki Kobliner, MS, RDN, discuss current nutrition research and how to improve the health of neurodivergent kids.
Presented by
Vicki Kobliner, MS, RD
Holcare Nutrition
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
1/14/26
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ARI Webinar 1/21:
Disparities in Autism Ascertainment in Black Children
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Learn about disparities in autism identification among Black children—and accessible treatment models that can better reach underserved communities.
Presented by
Aisha S. Dickerson, PhD, MSPH
Johns Hopkins
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
1/21/26
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ARI Webinar 1/28:
How Genetics is Shaping the Field of Autism Research
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Tune in to hear M. Pilar Trelles, MD, discuss her current work and how new research on genetic influences is influencing our understanding of autism.
Presented by
M. Pilar Trelles, MD
Brown University
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
1/28/26
| | Making a Difference in 2026 | | 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. | | |
At ARI, we continue to focus on education while funding and supporting research into immune, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neurologic factors. Research and education are the foundations of meaningful progress.
When you support ARI, you send a powerful message—that you value our independent legacy and believe in objective research conducted free from outside influence.
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