Monthly News |September 2025 | | |
Hello ,
September is an exciting time here at ARI as we gear up to award our 2025 Scientific Research Grant Awards. These grants will support groundbreaking research with real potential to improve the lives of autistic individuals. Our vision remains steadfast: advancing inclusive research and education to pave the way for a more personalized, evolving standard of care for autistic individuals.
For about five years, a group of autistic individuals and researchers has been meeting almost monthly to discuss issues related to aging. This group has organized two major think tanks, resulting in published articles that discuss their findings and conclusions (Edelson et al., 2023; Nicholas et al., 2025). We are currently planning a third think tank meeting at the United Nations, scheduled for next month (October 3, 2025).
For many, a new school year has begun, bringing both opportunities and challenges. If you're seeking guidance on collaborating with educators or strategies for a successful school year, explore our back-to-school webinar resources at Autism.org for expert insights and support.
As we approach the giving season, we understand that many deserving organizations will reach out to you. If you’re considering making a contribution, we hope you’ll keep ARI in mind. Your support fuels the research and education that are changing lives.
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Autism Research Institute
| | ARI's Latest Annual Report is Now Online | | Since 1967, we have advocated for cutting-edge research while connecting emerging voices in the scientific community who share our vision of improving the health and well-being of autistic individuals 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. Read our latest annual report to learn more about the impact of your support and the work we do. | |
New ARRI Editorial: Navigating New Territory – The Growing Focus on Autistic Seniors
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During a recent planning meeting, I was struck by the sheer number and complexity of issues related to seniors that the participants identified. To help prioritize these topics for the upcoming U.N. think tank, I asked the participants to rank them based on perceived importance.
As a result, the topics were grouped under five key areas: Physical and Mental Health in Aging, Healthcare Access, Navigation, and Delivery, Community, Autonomy, and Daily Life, Social Determinants of Health and Discrimination, and End-of-Life and Palliative Care
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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 this connection, including communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and emotion regulation. | |
Webinar summary: Masking - Deconstructing the Myths
| | | | Dr. Dena Gassner deconstructs autistic masking and provides a new framework for understanding this universal human experience. She debunks the myth that masking is an exclusively autistic experience and emphasizes the importance of moving away from the traditional male versus female binary when considering autism presentations. Dr. Gassner redefines masking as a complex, labor-intensive cognitive process that is especially taxing for autistic individuals. | | 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: Study finds that benefits of physical exercise for youth with autism vary by age | | | | For older children, exercise to significant improvements in flexibility and cognitive control. Elementary-age children showed significant improvements in motor skills and coordination, while preschool children exhibited significant enhancements in social skills. Across all age groups, exercise led to improvements in behavioral problems. | | From ARRI: Remote microphones may aid speech perception | | | | Remote microphone systems (RMS) may improve speech perception in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a literature review conducted by researchers in Brazil. RMS involves the use of a microphone that picks up the sound of a speaker’s voice and transmits it directly to the user’s in-ear device or to speakers in a room, reducing distracting noise and providing a clearer acoustic signal. | | | 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 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
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ARI Webinar 9/24:
Autism Psychopharmacology
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Tune in for a review of current psychopharmacological treatment in autism, including those used to address common co-occurring issues.
Presented by
M. Pilar Trelles, MD
Brown University
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
9/24/25
| | 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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