Monthly News | August 2024 | | |
Greetings!
It’s a busy time of year at ARI as we prepare for regional and online scientific meetings and enter the review period for grants to support early-stage scientific investigations. We are grateful to our Scientific Advisory Board for their efforts as they continue volunteering their time assessing submissions and participating in our rigorous, juried grant review process. We will announce the funded projects in an upcoming edition of this e-newsletter, and describe them in detail on our website, Autism.org. You can learn about our previously funded studies here.
If you are preparing for the upcoming school year and need information about strategies and advice for a successful collaboration with educators, be sure to check out our back-to-school webinar resources for expert insight and support. We wish those of you heading back a great academic year!
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Autism Research Institute
| | ATEC now available in Ukrainian | | | | |
The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist, or ATEC, is one of the most widely used assessment tools in the autism community. The checklist is designed to evaluate the efficacy of treatments as well as to monitor how an individual progresses over time. The ATEC is used by parents and researchers as well as by schools, medical and behavioral clinics, and insurance companies. Over one million ATECs have been completed over the past two decades.
Thanks to Natalia Kompanets for her work translating this resource tool into Ukrainian. The ATEC is now available in 26 languages.
| | Webinar Summaries and Playback on Autism.org | | | | |
How games foster social connection
Doctors Liam Cross & Gray Atherton discuss research suggesting that board game skills may be a lifelong bridge to engaging with peers. They provide context for the intersection of autism and board games, highlighting the parallels between cognitive differences in autism and modern board game characteristics.
| | | | |
Biomarkers start telling us a story: Autism pathophysiology revisited
Antonio Persico, MD, a recent ARI Research Grant recipient, explores the role of biomarkers in understanding the pathophysiology of autism. He discusses the complexity inherent in neurodevelopmental conditions and emphasizes the need to combine information from multiple fields of investigation. The presenter also discusses contemporary autism research on genomics, methylomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and functional brain imaging.
| | |
In 2023, our Board of Directors envisioned increasing ARI's impact by expanding access to ARI's award-winning quarterly journal, Autism Research Review International (ARRI). For nearly four decades, the journal has been available in print and, more recently, electronically (PDF). But as part of our mission to democratize information about autism, we knew we needed to do more.
Over the past several months, ARI's staff has been working to make this vision a reality, and we are pleased to announce that the Autism Research Review International is now available online for free at www.ARRIOnline. The latest edition is out now.
The print journal is still available by subscription for those who prefer it. Subscribe to Print - ARRI (arrionline.org).
| | | |
From ARRI:
Large-scale study detects early alterations in the gut flora of children who later develop autism
| | | | A large-scale study by researchers in Sweden, Finland, and the United States shows that alterations in gut flora during infancy are associated with an increased likelihood of a child developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or another neurodevelopmental disorder (ND). | | | |
From ARRI:
Research suggests link between air pollution, autism
| | | | |
A study by researchers in China and Australia adds to evidence implicating air pollution as a factor in autism.
The researchers focused on two types of particulates: PM10, which has a diameter of 10 microns or less, and PM2.5, which has a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. They report that while no causal association was seen between PM10 and ASD, “Our results indicated that PM2.5 and PM2.5 absorbance might increase the risk of ASD.”
| | | Participants needed: Dr. Lauren Moskowitz, a frequent ARI webinar presenter on challenging behaviors and anxiety, is seeking participants for a research study on the effectiveness of an online parent training program for parents of children with autism and co-occurring Intellectual Disability. | | |
University-based investigators frequently contact ARI requesting 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.
| | Stream ARI Webinars - Free | | This summer, catch up on webinars you may have missed. ARI webinars are free to stream on autism.org and our YouTube channel. | | Register for Free Fall Webinars | | |
ARI Webinar 8/28:
The Science of Making Friends for Autistic Youth: Lessons from the UCLA PEERS Program
| |
Learn research updates on evidence-based strategies to support adolescents and young adults develop social skills that encourage lasting friendships.
Presented by
Elizabeth A. Laugeson, PsyD
UCLA Semel Institute
5 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
8/28/24
| | |
ARI Webinar 9/18:
Social Media and Neurodiversity
| |
Learn research updates on evidence-based strategies to support adolescents and young adults develop social skills that encourage lasting friendships.
Presented by
Xinru Page, PhD
Brigham Young University
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
9/18/24
| | |
ARI Webinar 9/25:
Wellbeing Wins: Integrating Positive Psychology into the Autism Community
| |
Tune in to learn about wellbeing in autism and how the autism community can work together to promote wellbeing practices.
Presented by
Patricia Wright, PhD, MPH
Proof Positive: Autism Wellbeing Alliance
1 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.)
9/25/24
| | Making a Difference in 2024 and beyond | | | | |
Research is the Key to the Future
We're moving research forward
Your monthly pledge OR one-time gift of ANY size will help us continue to fund research and provide educational support to those affected by autism.
| Give with confidence: ARI continues to receive Charity Navigator's highest "4-star" rating and a "Platinum" rating for transparency from Guidestar. | | | | | |
