Misplaced Pages

Autism Research Institute: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 05:15, 10 May 2014 editMrBill3 (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers39,593 edits multiple issues tag, replace advert tag, add medref tag← Previous edit Revision as of 06:25, 10 May 2014 edit undoNeuroresearch (talk | contribs)15 edits → fixed Quackwatch reference - was a broken linkNext edit →
(7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|article|date=March 2012}} {{Primary sources|article|date=March 2012}}

{{Medref|date= May 2014}}
{{Advert|date= May 2014}}
}}
The '''Autism Research Institute''' (ARI), established in 1967 by ] is a ], based ] that serves primarily as a resource for information on ] and ] disorders. Stephen M. Edelson became the director of ARI upon Rimland's death in 2006. The '''Autism Research Institute''' (ARI), established in 1967 by ] is a ], based ] that serves primarily as a resource for information on ] and ] disorders. Stephen M. Edelson became the director of ARI upon Rimland's death in 2006.

] includes the Autism Research Institute on its list of "Questionable Organizations".<ref name=qw>{{cite web
|url= http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/nonrecorg.html |publisher= ] |date= June 10, 2013 |accessdate= June 2013 |title= Questionable Organizations: An Overview |authorlink= Stephen Barrett |last= Barrett |first= Stephen}}</ref> ARI holds to the medically-discredited<ref name=CDC-MMR-autism>{{cite web |url= http://cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/mmr_autism_factsheet.htm |title= Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine autism fact sheet |date= October 22, 2007 |accessdate= 2008-12-21 |publisher= Immunization Safety Office, Office of the Chief Science Officer, ], ] |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080407015528/http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/mmr_autism_factsheet.htm |archivedate = 2008-04-07}}</ref><ref name=IOM>{{cite book |last1= Immunization Safety Review Committee, Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, ], ] |last2= McCormick |first2= M.C. |last3= Bayer |first3= R. |last4= Berg |first4= A. |last5= Foxman |first5= B. |last6= Gastonis |first6= C. |last7= Goodman |first7= S |last8= Horak |first8= E. |last9= Kaback |first9= M. |last10= Parkin |first10= R. |last11= Shaywitz |first11= B. |last12= Medoff |first12= G. |last13= Wilson |first13= C.B. |displayauthors= 4 |url= http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2004/Immunization-Safety-Review-Vaccines-and-Autism.aspx |date= May 14, 2004 |title= Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism |publisher= ] |location= Washington, DC |isbn= 0309532752}}</ref><ref name=MMRthefacts>{{cite web |url= http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_105189.pdf |archiveurl= http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_105189.pdf |archivedate= 2013-01-07 |author= NHS Immunisation Information |accessdate= 2007-09-19 |year= 1 March 2003 |title= MMR The facts |publisher= ] (NHS), ]}}</ref> belief that autism is partially ];<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autism.com/faq_vaccinations.asp |title= Vaccinations |website= autism.com |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100519123906/http://www.autism.com/faq_vaccinations.asp |archivedate= 2010-05-19 |publisher= ARI}}</ref> it also suggests ], a treatment which is dangerous enough to have caused multiple deaths<ref name=Atwood2008>{{cite journal |last1= Atwood |first1= K.C. |last2= Woeckner |first2= E. |last3= Baratz |first3= R.S. |last4= Sampson |first4= W.I. |authorlink1= Kimball Atwood |authorlink3= Robert Baratz |authorlink4= Wallace Sampson |title= Why the NIH Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) should be abandoned |journal= ] |volume= 10 |issue= 5 |page= 115 |year= 2008 |pmid= 18596934 |pmc= 2438277 |doi= |url=}}</ref> and has never been shown to be an effective form of treatment for autism.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.baam.emich.edu/baamnewsarchive/BAAMbnachelationdeath.htm |title= Boy with autism dies during 'chelation therapy' |date= 30 August 2005 |work= BAAM Behavior News |publisher= Behavior Analysis of Michigan (BAAM) |accessdate= }}</ref>
In addition to these ] positions, they hold that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive ], such as ], and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, including the use of drugs, ]s, and special diets.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} To this end, they sponsored a yearly conference of researchers, scientists, and physicians, which was known as Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!).

==History== ==History==
ARI was founded in 1967 by ], a research psychologist. Rimland’s book ''Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior'' was published in 1964. Rimland was the first to authoritatively challenge the prevailing theory of the time, the ] (that autism was caused by unloving mothers), by providing evidence that autism is a biological disorder.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} He founded ARI to promote ] as an intervention for autism.<ref name= "Rimland ABA">{{cite journal |last= Rimland |first= Bernard |authorlink= Bernard Rimland |year= 1999 |title= The ABA controversy |url= http://autism.com/ari/newsletter/133/page3.pdf |journal= Autism Research Review International |volume= 13 |issue= 3 |page= 3 |via= autism.com}}</ref>{{medrs|date=May 2014}} Today, ARI continues to seek out autism treatments by: ARI was founded in 1967 by ], a research psychologist. Rimland’s book ''Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior'' was published in 1964. Rimland was the first to authoritatively challenge the prevailing theory of the time, the ] (that autism was caused by unloving mothers), by providing evidence that autism is a biological disorder. He founded ARI to promote ] as an intervention for autism.<ref name= "Rimland ABA">{{cite journal |last= Rimland |first= Bernard |authorlink= Bernard Rimland |year= 1999 |title= The ABA controversy |url= http://autism.com/ari/newsletter/133/page3.pdf |journal= Autism Research Review International |volume= 13 |issue= 3 |page= 3 |via= autism.com}}</ref> Today, ARI continues to seek out autism treatments by:
* Conducting and funding research on autism treatments. * Conducting and funding research on autism treatments.
* Publishing independent reviews of scientific, peer-reviewed research on autism triggers and treatments. * Publishing independent reviews of scientific, peer-reviewed research on autism triggers and treatments.
Line 18: Line 9:


==Treatments== ==Treatments==
In an interview with ], ARI Director Steve Edelson said “if a practitioner claims to ‘cure’ autism, run in the other direction.”<ref>{{cite web |last= Rudy |first= Lisa Jo |title= Biomedical treatments for autism from the Autism Research Institute |url= http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentoptions/a/DANQandA.htm Biomedical Treatments for Autism from the Autism Research Institute |date= November 4, 2011 |work= ]}}</ref> ARI’s focus is on evidence-based treatments.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} In an interview with ], ARI Director Steve Edelson said “if a practitioner claims to ‘cure’ autism, run in the other direction.”<ref>{{cite web |last= Rudy |first= Lisa Jo |title= Biomedical treatments for autism from the Autism Research Institute |url= http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentoptions/a/DANQandA.htm Biomedical Treatments for Autism from the Autism Research Institute |date= November 4, 2011 |work= ]}}</ref> ARI’s focus is on evidence-based treatments.


ARI is a major proponent of the biomedical approach for autism treatment,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autism.com/index.php/ed_recovery |title= Talk about recovery |website= autism.com |last= Edelson |first= Steve |date= |accessdate= |type= editorial |publisher= ARI}}</ref>{{fv|date=May 2014}} compiling evidence from autism research experts and parents to share information about the most viable treatments for common autism symptoms.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} The premise for integrative medical intervention is that certain neurological disorders, including autism, might be caused by environmental triggers that compromise the gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems;<ref>{{cite book |last1= Herbert |first1= Martha |last2= Weintraum |first2= Karen |title= The Autism Revolution |chapter= |via= randomhouse.com |isbn= 9780345527202 |publisher= ] |year= 2012}}{{page needed|date=March 2012}}</ref>{{fv|date=May 2014}}{{medrs|date=May 2014}} gastrointestinal, in that those with autism tend toward constipation and/or diarrhea and often have abnormal cravings or abhorrence for certain kinds of food; immunological, in that many have poor regulation of the immune system; and decreased ability to fight infectious diseases, and some are prone to allergies; and neurological, in that hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory impressions is very common.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} Proponents of integrative medical intervention claim that children with autism generally improve the health of all three systems with an adapted or "special" diet, or with the addition to their diet of certain dietary supplements, nutrients, and enzyme supplements.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} Based on this premise, what is often diagnosed as autism or PDD is seen as a physiological syndrome involving many parts of the body that could be treated as a physiological disorder.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} ARI is a major proponent of the biomedical approach for autism treatment,<ref></ref> compiling evidence from autism research experts and parents to share information about the most viable multidisciplinary treatments for management of common autism symptoms. The premise for integrative medical intervention is that certain neurological disorders, including autism, might be caused by environmental triggers that compromise the gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems;<ref>{{page needed|date=March 2012}}</ref> gastrointestinal, in that those with autism tend toward constipation and/or diarrhea and often have abnormal cravings or abhorrence for certain kinds of food; immunological, in that many have poor regulation of the immune system; and decreased ability to fight infectious diseases, and some are prone to allergies; and neurological, in that hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory impressions is very common. Proponents of integrative medical intervention claim that children with autism generally improve the health of all three systems with an adapted or 'special' diet, or with the addition to their diet of certain dietary supplements, nutrients, and enzyme supplements. Based on this premise, what is often diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder is seen as a physiological syndrome involving many parts of the body that could be treated as a physiological disorder.
⚫ ARI is also a longtime supporter of Applied Behavior Analysis,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://autism.com/treat_behavioralintervention|title=Applied Behavior Analysis |publisher=Autism.com |date= |accessdate=21 March 2014}}</ref> believing ABA should complement other autism interventions.


⚫ Controversial treatments/issues and ARI’s position today:
⚫ ARI is also a longtime supporter of Applied Behavior Analysis,<ref name= "Rimland ABA"/> believing ABA should complement other autism interventions.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}}
⚫ *Vaccines – ARI supports safe vaccination. Research on this topic is ongoing and ARI continues to track new developments in this field of study, among others. The organization continues to seek potential trigger factors for autism.<ref></ref>
⚫ *Chelation – Chelation is not a “cure” for autism. If, in the opinion of a medical doctor, the patient has an unusual heavy-metal burden, chelation might be warranted, just as it would be for a patient who does not have autism. Additional research is needed to investigate the prevalence and underlying reasons for impaired excretion of environmental toxins, and to determine effective treatments.<ref></ref>
⚫ *Gluten-free, casein-free diets – ARI believes that this diet can be beneficial. While a study by the University of Rochester found "eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2860 |title=Study finds gluten-free, casein-free diet has no impact |publisher=Urmc.rochester.edu |date=19 May 2010 |accessdate=30 March 2012}}</ref> a study by the Department of Biobehavioral Health at The Pennsylvania State University found "Overall, diet efficacy among children whose parents reported the presence of GI symptoms, food allergy diagnoses, and suspected food sensitivities included greater improvement in ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms, and social behaviors compared with children whose parents reported none of these symptoms, diagnoses, or sensitivities (P < 0.05).”<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000003 |title=Effectiveness of the gluten-free, casein-free diet for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: based on parental report. |year=2012 |last1=Pennesi |first1=CM |last2=Klein |first2=LC.|journal=Nutr Neurosci. |volume=2 |pages=85–91}}</ref>
⚫ *Based on empirical evidence and research, ARI asserts that pharmaceutical treatments should be approached with caution, as some may exacerbate some symptoms while treating others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://autism.com/pro_adversereactions.asp |title=Adverse reactions of pharmaceutical treatments |publisher=Autism.com |date= |accessdate=30 March 2012}}</ref>


ARI is on the Quackwatch list of "Questionable Organizations."<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrett|first=Stephen|title=Questionable Organizations|url=http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/nonrecorg.html|publisher=Quackwatch}}</ref>
⚫ Controversial treatments/issues and ARI’s position today:
⚫ *Vaccines – ARI supports safe vaccination. Research on this topic is ongoing and ARI continue to track new developments in this field of study, among others. The organization continues to seek potential trigger factors for autism.<ref name= "ARI FAQ">{{cite web |url= http://www.autism.com/index.php/about_ari_faq |title= FAQs about ARI |website= autism.com |publisher= ARI |date= |accessdate= }}</ref>
⚫ *Chelation – Chelation is not a “cure” for autism. If, in the opinion of a medical doctor, the patient has an unusual heavy-metal burden, chelation might be warranted, just as it would be for a patient who does not have autism. Additional research is needed to investigate the prevalence and underlying reasons for impaired excretion of environmental toxins, and to determine effective treatments.<ref name= "ARI FAQ"/>
⚫ *Gluten-free, casein-free diets – ARI believes that this diet can be beneficial. While a study by the University of Rochester found "eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns,"<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=2860 |title= Study finds gluten-free, casein-free diet has no impact |publisher= ] |origyear= May 19, 2010 |date= August 8, 2012 |accessdate= 2012-03-30 |website= urmc.rochester.edu}}</ref>{{medrs|date=May 2014}} a study by the University of Sunderland in the U.K. found that gluten-free, casein-free “dietary intervention may positively affect developmental outcome for some children diagnosed with ASD.”<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1177/1362361399003001005 |title= A gluten-free diet as an intervention for autism and associated spectrum disorders: Preliminary findings |year=1999 |last1=Whiteley |first1=P. |last2=Rodgers |first2=J. |last3=Savery |first3=D. |last4=Shattock |first4=P. |journal=Autism |volume=3 |page=45}}</ref>{{MEDRS|date=March 2012}}
⚫ *Based on empirical evidence and research, ARI asserts that pharmaceutical treatments should be approached with caution, as many can exacerbate some symptoms while treating others.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://autism.com/pro_adversereactions.asp |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120125025104/http://www.autism.com/pro_adversereactions.asp |archivedate= 2012-01-25 |title= Adverse drug reactions |website= autism.com |publisher= ARI |date= |accessdate= 2012-03-30}}</ref>{{medrs|sure=y|date=May 2014}}


==Research== ==Research==
ARI has awarded more than $1.5 million in research grants since 2009. Grant recipients include Harvard/Mass General, Cleveland Clinic, UCLA, Arizona State University, UC Davis, and Columbia University.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autism.com/index.php/about_2010_funded |title= ARI funded research studies |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120624040935/http://www.autism.com/index.php/about_2010_funded |archivedate= 2012-06-24 |website= autism.com |publisher= ARI}}</ref>{{npsn|date= May 2014}} ARI also funds Tissue Banks for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the University of Maryland <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autism.com/index.php/about_tissue |title= ARI and NICHD Tissue Bank |date= |accessdate= |website= autism.com |publisher= ARI}}</ref>{{npsn|date= May 2014}} and the Digestive Function Laboratory Repository at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; a specimen bank for non-autistic individuals to provide proper comparison controls for researchers is in development.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} ARI has awarded more than $1.5 million in research grants since 2009. Grant recipients include Harvard/Mass General, Cleveland Clinic, UCLA, Arizona State University, UC Davis, and Columbia University.<ref></ref> ARI also funds Tissue Banks for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the University of Maryland <ref></ref> and the Digestive Function Laboratory Repository at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; a specimen bank for non-autistic individuals to provide proper comparison controls for researchers is in development.


==Conference== ==Conferences==
ARI holds that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive behavior modification, such as Applied Behavior Analysis,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.008 |title=Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: Meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose–response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes |year=2010 |last1=Virués-Ortega |first1=Javier |journal= ] |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=387–99 |pmid=20223569 |url= http://pop.interactingwithautism.com/pdf/treating/virues.pdf |via= interactingwithautism.com}}</ref> and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, primarily the use of dietary supplements and special diets.{{Medical citation needed|date=May 2014}} To this end, they sponsor a yearly conference (once known as Defeat Autism Now!/DAN!), known as the ARI Conference, of researchers, scientists, and physicians. ARI ended the registry of DAN doctors in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autism.com/index.php/ed_movingforward |title= ARI: Moving Forward (2011) |website= autism.com |publisher= ARI}}</ref> ARI holds that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive behavior modification, such as Applied Behavior Analysis,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.008 |title=Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: Meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose–response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes |year=2010 |last1=Virués-Ortega |first1=Javier |journal=Clinical Psychology Review |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=387–99 |pmid=20223569}}</ref> and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, primarily the use of dietary supplements and special diets. To this end, they used to sponsor conferences (once known as Defeat Autism Now!/DAN!), known as ARI Conferences, of researchers, scientists, and physicians that ended in 2012.


ARI ended the registry of DAN doctors in 2011.<ref></ref> Today, ARI provides online webinars several times a month.
ARI also sponsors the annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), which is known as the ] (IMFAR). First convened in 2001, the first and primary aim of the meeting is to promote exchange and dissemination of the latest scientific findings and to stimulate research progress in understanding the nature, cause and treatments of ASD. The meeting also promotes training for pre/post doctorates to advance research of ASD. The INSAR publishes ''Autism Research''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autism-insar.org/AutismResearch |title= About 'Autism Research' |publisher= International Society for Autism Research |website= autism-insar.org |date= |accessdate= 2014-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Autism Research - Wiley Online Library |url= http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291939-3806 |website= onlinelibrary.wiley.com |publisher= ] |date= |accessdate= 2014-05-09}}</ref>


==Affiliates== ==Affiliates==
*Autistic Global Initiative (AGI) – AGI is an ARI program staffed by adults with autism who are committed to increasing quality infrastructure for adults with ASD.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.autismwebsite.com/agi/ |title= Coming Soon! |website= autismwebsite.com |date= |accessdate= 2014-05-09}}</ref>{{npsn|date=May 2014}}{{fv|date= May 2014}} *Autistic Global Initiative (AGI) – AGI is an ARI program staffed by adults with autism who are committed to increasing quality infrastructure for adults with ASD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autismwebsite.com/agi/ |title=Support for adults with autism |publisher=Autismwebsite.com |date= |accessdate=30 March 2012}}</ref>
*The Global Autism Alliance, a partnership created in response to a global need for networking, communicating, and collaborating among autism groups. This program is housed at ARI; Stephen M. Edelson, ARI director, is the president.{{cn|date= May 2014}} *The Global Autism Collaboration, a partnership created in response to a global need for networking, communicating, and collaborating among autism groups. This program is housed at ARI; Stephen M. Edelson, ARI director, is the president.


==Funding== ==Funding==
ARI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.irs&ein=952548452#.U22zzSg7bfg |title= Autism Research Institute: IRS |work= ] |date= |accessdate= 2014-05-10}}</ref> Almost all ARI operations and initiatives are funded by private donations. Over 80 cents of every dollar donated to ARI goes directly to programs and research projects.<ref name= "Charity Nav">{{cite web|url= http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8792#.U22ymCg7bfg |title= Charity Navigator Rating - Autism Research Institute |work= ] |date= |accessdate= 2014-05-10}}</ref> ARI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Almost all ARI operations and initiatives are funded by private donations. More than 80 cents of every dollar donated to ARI goes directly to programs and research projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8792#.UyxNp4XwrbM |title=ARI's record on Charity Navigator |publisher=Charitynavigator.org |date= |accessdate=21 March 2014}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==

Revision as of 06:25, 10 May 2014

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources.
Find sources: "Autism Research Institute" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The Autism Research Institute (ARI), established in 1967 by Bernard Rimland is a San Diego, California, based nonprofit that serves primarily as a resource for information on autism and autism spectrum disorders. Stephen M. Edelson became the director of ARI upon Rimland's death in 2006.

History

ARI was founded in 1967 by Bernard Rimland, a research psychologist. Rimland’s book Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior was published in 1964. Rimland was the first to authoritatively challenge the prevailing theory of the time, the refrigerator mother theory (that autism was caused by unloving mothers), by providing evidence that autism is a biological disorder. He founded ARI to promote Applied Behavior Analysis as an intervention for autism. Today, ARI continues to seek out autism treatments by:

  • Conducting and funding research on autism treatments.
  • Publishing independent reviews of scientific, peer-reviewed research on autism triggers and treatments.
  • Maintaining the largest database of anecdotal parent reporting in the world, with more than 40,000 entries from 60 countries.

Treatments

In an interview with About.com, ARI Director Steve Edelson said “if a practitioner claims to ‘cure’ autism, run in the other direction.” ARI’s focus is on evidence-based treatments.

ARI is a major proponent of the biomedical approach for autism treatment, compiling evidence from autism research experts and parents to share information about the most viable multidisciplinary treatments for management of common autism symptoms. The premise for integrative medical intervention is that certain neurological disorders, including autism, might be caused by environmental triggers that compromise the gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems; gastrointestinal, in that those with autism tend toward constipation and/or diarrhea and often have abnormal cravings or abhorrence for certain kinds of food; immunological, in that many have poor regulation of the immune system; and decreased ability to fight infectious diseases, and some are prone to allergies; and neurological, in that hypo- or hypersensitive to sensory impressions is very common. Proponents of integrative medical intervention claim that children with autism generally improve the health of all three systems with an adapted or 'special' diet, or with the addition to their diet of certain dietary supplements, nutrients, and enzyme supplements. Based on this premise, what is often diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder is seen as a physiological syndrome involving many parts of the body that could be treated as a physiological disorder. ARI is also a longtime supporter of Applied Behavior Analysis, believing ABA should complement other autism interventions.

Controversial treatments/issues and ARI’s position today:

  • Vaccines – ARI supports safe vaccination. Research on this topic is ongoing and ARI continues to track new developments in this field of study, among others. The organization continues to seek potential trigger factors for autism.
  • Chelation – Chelation is not a “cure” for autism. If, in the opinion of a medical doctor, the patient has an unusual heavy-metal burden, chelation might be warranted, just as it would be for a patient who does not have autism. Additional research is needed to investigate the prevalence and underlying reasons for impaired excretion of environmental toxins, and to determine effective treatments.
  • Gluten-free, casein-free diets – ARI believes that this diet can be beneficial. While a study by the University of Rochester found "eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns," a study by the Department of Biobehavioral Health at The Pennsylvania State University found "Overall, diet efficacy among children whose parents reported the presence of GI symptoms, food allergy diagnoses, and suspected food sensitivities included greater improvement in ASD behaviors, physiological symptoms, and social behaviors compared with children whose parents reported none of these symptoms, diagnoses, or sensitivities (P < 0.05).”
  • Based on empirical evidence and research, ARI asserts that pharmaceutical treatments should be approached with caution, as some may exacerbate some symptoms while treating others.

ARI is on the Quackwatch list of "Questionable Organizations."

Research

ARI has awarded more than $1.5 million in research grants since 2009. Grant recipients include Harvard/Mass General, Cleveland Clinic, UCLA, Arizona State University, UC Davis, and Columbia University. ARI also funds Tissue Banks for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the University of Maryland and the Digestive Function Laboratory Repository at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; a specimen bank for non-autistic individuals to provide proper comparison controls for researchers is in development.

Conferences

ARI holds that autism can be treated through a combination of intensive behavior modification, such as Applied Behavior Analysis, and a wide variety of biomedical interventions, primarily the use of dietary supplements and special diets. To this end, they used to sponsor conferences (once known as Defeat Autism Now!/DAN!), known as ARI Conferences, of researchers, scientists, and physicians that ended in 2012.

ARI ended the registry of DAN doctors in 2011. Today, ARI provides online webinars several times a month.

Affiliates

  • Autistic Global Initiative (AGI) – AGI is an ARI program staffed by adults with autism who are committed to increasing quality infrastructure for adults with ASD.
  • The Global Autism Collaboration, a partnership created in response to a global need for networking, communicating, and collaborating among autism groups. This program is housed at ARI; Stephen M. Edelson, ARI director, is the president.

Funding

ARI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Almost all ARI operations and initiatives are funded by private donations. More than 80 cents of every dollar donated to ARI goes directly to programs and research projects.

See also

External links

References

  1. Rimland, Bernard (1999). "The ABA controversy" (PDF). Autism Research Review International. 13 (3): 3 – via autism.com.
  2. "About ARI: About our work". autism.com. ARI.
  3. Rudy, Lisa Jo (4 November 2011). Biomedical Treatments for Autism from the Autism Research Institute "Biomedical treatments for autism from the Autism Research Institute". About.com. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. Biomedical Approach and Autism
  5. Autism's impact on gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems
  6. "Applied Behavior Analysis". Autism.com. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  7. FAQs about ARI
  8. ARI FAQ
  9. "Study finds gluten-free, casein-free diet has no impact". Urmc.rochester.edu. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  10. Pennesi, CM; Klein, LC. (2012). "Effectiveness of the gluten-free, casein-free diet for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: based on parental report". Nutr Neurosci. 2: 85–91. doi:10.1179/1476830512Y.0000000003.
  11. "Adverse reactions of pharmaceutical treatments". Autism.com. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  12. Barrett, Stephen. "Questionable Organizations". Quackwatch.
  13. ARI-Funded Research Studies
  14. ARI and NICHD Tissue Bank
  15. Virués-Ortega, Javier (2010). "Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: Meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose–response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes". Clinical Psychology Review. 30 (4): 387–99. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.008. PMID 20223569.
  16. ARI Moving Forward
  17. "Support for adults with autism". Autismwebsite.com. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  18. "ARI's record on Charity Navigator". Charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
Autism
Main
Diagnoses
Associated conditions
and phenomena
Comorbid conditions
Associated syndromes
Related issues
Controversies
Diagnostic scales
Screening scales
Lists
Accommodations

Autism resources
Awareness
Culture
Accommodations
Therapies
Psychotropic medication (antipsychotics)
Behavioral
Developmental
Controversial
Related
Centers
Research
United States
United Kingdom
Therapy
United States
Schools
Organizations
International
Americas
United States
Asia
Caribbean
Europe
UK
Oceania
Literature
Non-fiction
Fiction
For younger people
Journals

Template:Autism films

Autism
Main
Diagnoses
Associated conditions
and phenomena
Comorbid conditions
Associated syndromes
Related issues
Controversies
Diagnostic scales
Screening scales
Lists
Accommodations
Categories:
Autism Research Institute: Difference between revisions Add topic