ARI’s 2024 Impact

ARI awarded more than $700,000 in grants to scientists whose work will have a direct impact on the lives of those on the autism spectrum. The funds supported research in immune, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neurologic issues. View ARI’s 2024 Research Grant Recipients.

ARI’s annual in-person Think Tanks occurred during Autism Awareness Month last April, convening researchers and clinicians to discuss emerging findings about autism.

ARI held its annual online scientific meeting in November 2024. This international conference featured live presentations and discussions to provide researchers with updates on metabolic issues, co-occurring gastrointestinal conditions, and genetics.

ARI continues to develop a global research network to keep researchers up to date with the latest news in the scientific community; this includes sharing articles on conducting research, informing them of various funding sources, and notifying them of the latest studies published in peer-reviewed journals.

To close out the year, we’re hosting regional think tanks in Boston and New York this December, bringing together local clinicians and researchers to strengthen connections and advance autism-focused initiatives.

ARI continues to publish its quarterly science newsletter, Autism Research Review International (ARRI), summarizing current medical, sensory, and educational research. This year ARI’s quarterly scientific journal, Autism Research Review International (ARRI), moved online and is now available for free. ARRI highlights emerging findings and is distributed to our global autism networks. Read the ARRI online.

ARI’s monthly e-newsletter keeps more than 145,000 subscribers up to date on new resources and the latest research.

ARI publishes a bimonthly e-newsletter, Clinical Research in Autism, for obstetricians, pediatricians, and nurses who want to keep up to date with research relevant to their practice.

This fall, we released a new series of continuing education talks on autism featuring updates and Q&A on co-occurring metabolic conditions and emerging research on brain imaging. Offered in joint-providership with the Cleveland Clinic, the series provides complimentary AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and ABIM MOC points to physicians and is available for viewing by the general public. By connecting physicians to improved standards of care, ARI aims to amplify understanding of the medical nature of autism.

ARI continues to host live webinars multiple times each month featuring top researchers and treatment professionals. In 2024, thousands of viewers registered to watch live presentations on various topics, including research updates, nutrition, behavioral support, assessment, educational therapies, adult issues, and more. One webinar each quarter (four per year) is offered in joint providership with the World Autism Organization. ARI webinars, both live and recorded, offer real-time, captioned translation support in more than 20 languages.

Clinical webinars, aimed at guiding healthcare providers worldwide, are offered with live Q&A and simultaneous language interpretation.

ARI’s YouTube channel offers free access to recorded webinar presentations, educational videos, social stories, and talks from past conferences. Our channel has garnered more than 1.2 million views and is a valuable tool in democratizing education and expanding autism understanding.

ARI offers a hotline for parents and professionals, who can reach a live person for information and support. Contact Us

ARI fosters global connections within the autism community by rapidly sharing key findings and resources. Our research network includes over 130 members worldwide who receive monthly updates on grant opportunities, cutting-edge studies from peer-reviewed journals, and insights into research techniques and best practices. Simultaneously, our global support network engages nearly 230 groups across 77 countries, providing updates on the latest autism research, care strategies, and organizational activities. By bridging these networks, ARI enhances communication, emphasizing emerging discoveries about autism’s underlying biology and evidence-based approaches to care.

ARI is an NGO (non-governmental organization) registered with the United Nations.

ARI continues to translate many key articles, as well as our Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC), into different languages—the ATEC is now available in 27 languages online. On average, more than 150 users per day complete ARI’s ATEC.

ARI’s National Autism History Museum offers an engaging and comprehensive look at the prolific history of autism research and discovery. Its interactive exhibits highlight prominent autistic figures and underscore critical moments in the evolution of autism research. Leading researchers from many areas are collaborating with ARI to curate a collection of historical artifacts. Starting in 2024, we extended the program’s outreach by offering on-site educational displays at libraries in the San Diego area to increase awareness and understanding of autism’s history

ARI supports critical research initiatives, including a brain tissue bank at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (University of Maryland) and a gastrointestinal tissue bank at the Digestive Function Laboratory Repository (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston).

ARI also offers practical support through vibrant social media channels that share the latest news, research, and resources on autism.

Over the past two years, ARI has released free online tools to assist professionals and parents in identifying treatments that may reduce or eliminate self-injurious behaviors (SIB) and sleep disturbances.