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Research that Makes a Difference for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
October 2018 Research News & Updates
 
Dear ARI subscriber, 

We are now in the last quarter of the year with several major holidays ahead of us. These celebrations are usually associated with a variety of gluten-, casein-, and sugar-rich snacks and meals. Fortunately, ARI offers a number of suggestions on our website and webinars.
 
Earlier this month I met with numerous parent-support networks and professionals in Ukraine and Moldova. Next month the World Autism Organization holds its biannual conference in Houston, Texas, and I am scheduled to present a talk in honor of Dr. Bernard Rimland.
 
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable upcoming holiday season.
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Autism Research Institute
In Memoriam: Sydney M. Finegold, Ph.D.
August 12, 1921 - September 17, 2018
Dr. Finegold with ARI's Director Steve Edelson at UCLA in 2017
Remembering ARI Scientific Advisory Board Member Sydney M. Finegold

ARI's scientific advisory board recently lost an esteemed member, UCLA researcher, Dr. Sydney Finegold who passed away last month. Although he "retired" in 2000, Dr. Finegold continued his contributions to medical research with his work on the role of anaerobic bacteria in autism, which he felt had been the most satisfying work for him. Those who have worked with him over the years affectionately described him as tireless, with unlimited energy.

Autism Research News & Updates
VR & brain changes in ASD adults

Researchers testing the results of a virtual reality program designed to teach social skills to adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) say that their findings challenge the notion that adulthood is too late for interventions to change the brain significantly.
Changes in amygdala observed in ASD
 
A new study indicates that the developmental trajectory of the amygdala, a brain region that plays key roles in anxiety and social interactions, is altered in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Vasopressin: ASD marker?

A new study involving both monkeys and humans suggests that low levels of vasopressin may be a marker for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
 
Some of the research articles above also appear in a recent issue of ARI's Autism Research Review International newsletter.  
ARI News
Editorial: Is 1 in 59 a reasonable estimate?
  
Many in the autism community consider the prevalence rate reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be a reasonable estimate of the size of the autistic community in the United States. The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, a division of the CDC, is responsible for determining the national autism rate in the United States. This year's rate, 1 in 59, is the highest ever reported. The report was based on data collected in 2014 and involved a review of health and education records of eight-year-olds diagnosed with autism. Similar to earlier reports, the researchers collected data from 11 communities throughout the United States.
Is it reasonable? Read More
Annual Report: about our work 

The past couple of years have been game-changing for ARI.  Learn about our efforts to look for common ground for collaboration and accelerate progress in autism research and education.
 Free Webinars
"Brain Tissue Research"
October 2018: David Amaral, PhD

Watch past and future webinars online for free

Donate now to support this important free service for parents and professionals.
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ARI webinars are made possible through generous donor support, including a grant from Local 25 Boston Teamsters
Upcoming webinar: Specific Carbohydrate Diet for ASD Overview and Case Study
 
Join nutritionist Kelly Barnhill to learn about the SCD diet for ASD patients; talk will include an SCD overview and case study review. 
 
 
This webinar is made possible in part by a generous grant from Local 25, Boston Teamsters.
Upcoming webinar: Complementary Care & ASD

Considerations for Support Beyond ECI and School Services.
 
Presented by Anissa Ryland, The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development.
 
 
This webinar is presented in partnership with the Johnson Center for Child Health and Development
Community Support
Helping people with ASD during hurricanes and natural disasters 
 
Our thoughts are with families in the path of Hurricane Michael and its aftermath. Hurricanes and other natural disasters can be difficult for all families, and particularly for people with autism. Preparation and support materials before, during, and after these events can help.
 
Autism Society of North Carolina - Information and tips 
Helping children cope - Johnson Center for Child Health & Development    
Tricks to make Halloween a treat
Complimentary Continuing Education
 
CME Webcasts: Anxiety, Immunological Issues - New Talks Set for Later in 2018

The health of children and adults with autism can be improved by clinicians knowledgeable about the medical etiologies associated with this complex disorder. Watch for new talks later this year on psychopharmacology and genetic factors in ASD. 
ON DEMAND
TOPICS 
OPTIONS
CME Webcasts - Part 1 - extended Metabolic and gastrointestinal   View & print flyer  
Watch Part 2 Archives   Sleep issues, tips for compassionate care featuring Dr. Temple Grandin and more Embed and Share  
Immunological Issues and Anxiety
 Translations  Portuguese Certificados gratuitos  
Opportunities to Participate in Research

Microbiota Transplant Therapy for Adults with Autism 
To study a new, investigational treatment to reduce gut and stomach problems in adults with autism.  
 
For additional information, please visit the research study website 
The UCSD Newborn Screening Autism Risk Study
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego are seeking participants born in California, currently aged 3-6 with and without autism.
 
"Can newborn screening (NBS) results be used to predict the future risk of ASD before the first symptoms appear?" This is the question we will try to answer in this study. Your participation will allow us to go back in time, to analyze the results of your child's California State NBS tests that were performed at birth. No new samples are required.
 
For additional information, please visit the research study website or contact the Naviaux Lab at [email protected] or call 619-884-8021.
Siblings needed for research study: Why are boys more likely to have an autism spectrum disorder?
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Autism Research Institute are investigating whether the reason why boys are more affected than girls is related to differences in intestinal bacteria.  
 
We are seeking families to participate in this study who have boy and girl siblings with autism.  These families will be mailed stool kits with instructions and will be asked to collect samples. A brief medical history will be taken.
 
For additional information, please contact Harland Winter, MD at [email protected] or call 617-724-2004.
Resiliency Program for Parents of Children with ASD
Massachusetts General Hospital's Parental Stress Study is offering a video-conferencing program to teach resiliency to parents who have children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The program will be 8 weeks long, and meet once a week for 1.5 hours. Please contact the Study investigators if you have any questions.
  
Experiences of Children and Teens with ASD 
This is a study that will compare how children ages 11-18 with and without autism experience the world around them. 
  
Parent-Training Program Study
Dr. Lauren Moskowitz, a frequent ARI webinar presenter on challenging behaviors and anxiety, is seeking participants in a research study on the effectiveness of a group parent-training program for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD). Parents in the New York City or Long Island area are invited to participate.
Inflammatory Subtype: Biomarkers 
Dr. Harumi Jyonouchi is conducting research to characterize a previously unidentified inflammatory subtype of autism to improve autism treatment options. Individuals aged 1-30 years with autism and also typically developing individuals are invited to participate

Contact the Study Investigators
 
Adults: Survey takers needed
If you or a person you care for is on the autism spectrum and is 50 years of age or older, we would appreciate it if you could complete the online form.

Learn More and take the survey
Treatment-Effectiveness Survey
Researchers at Arizona State University are conducting a survey to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for autism, including medications, diets, therapies, and education. The investigators hope to learn which treatments are most effective for different symptoms (language, anxiety, sleep, GI, etc.).  Survey results will be posted online for families and clinicians, and published in a scientific journal.

Share your experience - take the survey
Making a Difference in 2018

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Autism Research Institute, 4182 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116