Autism Research Institute

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Autism Research Institute (ARI) is a non-profit organization that focuses on conducting and promoting research on the causes of autism and on methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating autism and other severe behavioral disorders of childhood. The institute was founded in 1967 by Dr. Bernard Rimland, a research psychologist and father of a child with autism.

History[edit | edit source]

The Autism Research Institute was established with the aim of providing resources and conducting research to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism. Dr. Bernard Rimland, the founder of ARI, was instrumental in changing the perception of autism from a condition caused by poor parenting to a neurological disorder. His book, Infantile Autism: The Syndrome and Its Implications for a Neural Theory of Behavior, was one of the first major works to argue that autism is a biological condition.

Research[edit | edit source]

ARI conducts and sponsors research on various aspects of autism, including its causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute has been involved in several significant studies, such as the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) and the Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) protocol. ARI also maintains a comprehensive database of autism research, which is available to the public.

Programs and Services[edit | edit source]

The Autism Research Institute offers a variety of programs and services to support individuals with autism and their families. These include educational resources, webinars, and a free online newsletter. ARI also provides information on autism treatment options and maintains a list of doctors who specialize in autism treatment.

Criticism and Controversy[edit | edit source]

While ARI's research and programs have been beneficial to many, they have also faced criticism. Some of the treatments promoted by ARI, such as chelation therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, have been controversial due to lack of scientific evidence and potential risks.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD