ARI News for April 2024 - World Autism Awareness Day

ARI Monthly Enewsletter - View as Webpage

Monthly News | April 2024

Hello Administrators,

Today, advocates worldwide are observing World Autism Awareness Day, aimed at increasing knowledge about autism and encouraging early screening, diagnosis, and intervention. World Autism Awareness Day is also an opportunity for our community to bring important issues to the general public's attention.

This month, we will offer three free expert webinars on important research topics in autism. The subjects are age-related cognition and well-being, co-occurring sleep disturbances and autism, and white matter development and language abilities during infancy. Register to watch live or catch the playback on our website or YouTube channel.

Along with our ongoing webinars, we are preparing for our annual think tank, set for early May. At this annual event, top researchers and clinicians convene to discuss emerging findings about co-occurring conditions and autism.

As always, ARI is dedicated to providing trusted and relevant information to autistic individuals, parents, and professionals worldwide. Late last month, we released ARI's latest Impact Report online, a helpful resource for learning how ARI's work directly supports the community we serve. Be sure to check it out to learn more about how ARI continues to make a difference.

Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.

Executive Director

ARI News and Information

It's World Autism Awareness Day!

For all the ways you support your loved ones on World Autism Awareness Day and every other day of the year, all of us at ARI wish you and yours the best.

At ARI, our mission is to advance the health of autistic people through biomedical research and free education.

Research and education that makes a difference is truly meaningful.

New Editorial – Bernard Rimland’s Impact: Sixty Years Since the Publication of Infantile Autism

In this milestone year of 2024, the Autism Research Institute commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr. Bernard Rimland’s groundbreaking work, Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior, published in 1964. While I have often referenced this seminal book in my editorials throughout the years, I believe it is important to take a moment to acknowledge not only the significance of the book itself but also its enduring impact on the broader landscape of autism research, understanding, and support.

Read the editorial

New Webinar Summaries on Autism.org

From Special to H.A.P.P.Y.

Peter Vermeulen, Ph.D., considers a positive approach to psychoeducation for autistic individuals. He outlines critical characteristics of autism psychoeducation and underscores the need to develop measurements and questionnaires based on well-being and happiness. He also describes a new program that focuses on skill development, self-understanding, and quality of life.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autistic Patients

Federico Balzola, MD, shares findings on gastrointestinal symptoms and pathological microscopic histological alterations found during upper and lower endoscopy with biopsies in more than 400 patients with autism.

Research Updates

From ARRI: Study finds that employees with ASD are less likely to exhibit “bystander” effect

Employees with autism may contribute to businesses in a unique way because they are less likely than neurotypical individuals to exhibit the “bystander” effect, according to a new study.

The bystander effect refers to the fact that people are more hesitant to identify problems and intervene to solve them if there are other people present.

From ARRI: “School distress” rates are elevated among those with autism

Rates of “school distress”—or significant emotional distress related to attending school—are significantly elevated in children with autism, according to a new study from the United Kingdom.

The researchers report, “Notably, 92.1 percent of children and young people currently experiencing school distress were described as neurodivergent and 83.4 percent as autistic.”

Free Issue of ARRI - Online Now

A one-year subscription to the ARRI is $19.99 (U.S. funds; $23.99 outside the U.S. – includes shipping). Each issue is sent via first-class mail. Keep up with the latest research updates – subscribe now.

ARI’s award-winning quarterly journal, Autism Research Review International (ARRI), helps you stay on top of the latest autism research. The ARRI has received worldwide praise for its thoroughness and objectivity in reporting current biomedical and educational research.

Read the latest issue of ARRI online - for free:

What's inside?

Effects of screen time on autism or sensory problems.
Study finds pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy may aid children with autism.
Perivascular spaces, cerebral spinal fluid volume in infancy may play a role in autism and sleep.
Editorial: Bernard Rimland’s Impact -Sixty Years Since the Publication of Infantile Autism
Meta-analysis suggests association between prenatal exposure to cannabis and autism/ADHD

... and more

Learn more and subscribe to ARRI

Participate in Research

Participants needed: A short questionnaire for a Research inquiry on food, feeding, and dietary intervention in children with ASD.

University-based investigators frequently 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.

Learn about studies enrolling participants

Webinars for Autism Science Month

"ARI Webinars are empathetic, science-based, and inspiring. I would definitely encourage people to tune in and listen."

Leslie Carroll

Family Engagement Specialist, Writer, & Parent

Hear what recent attendees are saying about ARI's latest webinars

ARI Webinar 4/10:

Autism and Aging - Cognition and Well-being

Tune in to this presentation on research investigating autism, age-related cognition, and well-being.

Presented by

Hilde Geurts, Ph.D.

University of Amsterdam

1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)

4/10/24

This is a joint presentation by ARI and The World Autism Organisation.

ARI Webinar 4/17:

Sleep and Autism - Research Updates

Learn research updates on co-occurring sleep disturbances and autism.

Presented by

Dara S. Manoach, Ph.D.

Harvard Medical School

1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)

4/17/24

ARI Webinar 4/24

White Matter Development and Language in Autism

Learn about emerging research on white matter development and language abilities during infancy.

Presented by

Tyler McFayden, PhD

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)

4/24/24

Making a Difference in 2024 and beyond

Learn about how our work directly supports our community—read ARI"s latest Impact Report.

Our work is made possible by your support!

The need for impactful research and education far exceeds the funds available in our community. If you plan to contribute to support autism research and education in 2024, please consider a gift to ARI.

Give with confidence: ARI has once again received Charity Navigator's highest "4-star" rating and a "Platinum" rating for transparency from Guidestar.

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