Research that Makes a Difference for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
January 2019 Research News & Updates
 
Dear ARI subscriber,

We hope the start of 2019 has been a good one for you and your family.  As you can imagine, the Autism Research Institute (ARI) has many plans for the months to come and we will be reporting them to you throughout the year. Stay tuned! I would also very much like to thank those individuals who donated to ARI during the end-of-the-year campaign; and of course, throughout the year. ARI relies on the generosity of families to support our programs and initiatives. Again, thank you!    
 
Happy New Year!! 

Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Autism Research Institute
Autism Research News & Updates
Babies' early responses to peek-a-boo, other social stimuli may point to later ASD diagnosis 

Babies with lower levels of brain activity in response to social stimuli have an increased likelihood of receiving a later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study.
Significant association detected between food allergies, ASD
 
Children with food, respiratory, or skin allergies are significantly more likely to have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than children without allergies, according to a new study that adds to evidence implicating immune dysfunction in autism.

Some of the research articles above also appear in a recent issue of ARI's Autism Research Review International newsletter.  
News From ARI
New ARI Website Coming in 2019
 
We are pleased to announce big plans for our website in 2019 as we plan a new, improved ARI site. We can't wait to share our new look and user-friendly upgrades in the months to come.
 
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Editorial by Stephen M. Edelson

Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." In the same way, our achievements in the field of autism today stem from the work of early giants in the field-researchers who revolutionized our knowledge about autism and its treatment.
Editorial continues - read more

This editorial also appears in Vol. 32, No. 4, 2018, of Autism Research Review International
New Year - New, Free Webinars
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy presented by Shaun Eack, Ph.D, University of Pittsburg
Watch past and future webinars online for free

Donate now to support this important free service for parents and professionals.
Give now

ARI webinars are made possible through generous donor support, including a grant from Local 25 Boston Teamsters
Webinar TODAY: Aging and ASD
 
Dr. Wenn Lawson is currently a Teaching Fellow with Birmingham University's online Masters autism course. He resides on the Autism Open Access board and the board for SEAL(Community College in Warrnambool, Australia), & the ICAN board, South West (Australia). He is participant and advisor for Autism CRC, Australia and he has written numerous books (and papers) on autism
 
Special Time - TODAY, January 4, at 5 p.m. Eastern (U.S.)
 
This webinar is made possible in part by a generous grant from Local 25, Boston Teamsters. 
Upcoming webinar: Translational Research on Biomedical Interventions for Autism
 
Tune in for research updates on evidence-based treatments for medical comorbidities associated with ASD.

Presented by Robert L. Hendren, D.O. 
 
 
This webinar is made possible in part by a generous grant from Local 25, Boston Teamsters
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
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.

 
The Hartwell Foundation Kids First Subtype Survey.
 
Survey questions are simple, focused on basic behavioral and medical information and can be completed in about 10 minutes. Results will be shared confidentially with all survey participants. 
 
The collected data will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to begin classification of ASD, and as new categories are identified, the effort will expand to more sophisticated requests for information.   
 
For additional information, please visit the research study website and when asked, enter ARI as your referral code

 
Openings for a study on treating gut problems in adults with autism.
 
To study a new treatment to reduce gut and stomach problems in adults with autism.
 
For additional information, please visit the research study website 

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