Autism Research Institute

parents of autistic children

The Autism Research Institute is a worldwide network hub of professionals and parents who have concerns about autistic spectrum disorders. Also known as the ARI, the Institute was founded in 1967 to conduct research into improving the methods of how this disorder was diagnosed, treated and hopefully prevented. For those seeking information and help, the ARI became a link to the world of autistic disorder. Within the ARI data banks, there lies over 40,000 case histories about autistic children from around the world and from over 60 different countries.

The founder of The Autism Research Institute was recognized internationally as an authority on autistic disorders and who also had a child with autism; Bernard Rimland, Ph.D. Doctor Rimland is the author of a prize winning book named Infantile Autism. It was because of his experiences with this disorder that he was able to help many parents world wide to understand their autistic child on a whole new level. Doctor Rimland also worked on the motion picture Rain Man as the chief technical advisor.

The Institute publishes a quarterly newsletter that covers the different advances in the world of autistic disorders. These advances include those of a biomedical nature and those that refer to education. This Institute is a non-profit organization which relies on chartable contributions from those who understand and are concerned with the needs of individuals who have autism spectrum disorders. The ARI believes that its purpose is to help parents of autistic children who are overwhelmed by fear and grief and to motivate them to find help to cope with the situation.

The goal of the Autism Research Institute is to help those who are dealing with an individual with an autistic disorder and to allow them access to methods of helping their loved one. Dr. Rimland, whose own child was autistic, saw the need for families to be given quality information that could help both them and their afflicted child. While not everything is known about this disorder, research is working to improve upon what is known and to help improve the lifestyles of those who have these disorders. The ultimate goal is to find a cure, but for now increased awareness will help autistic individuals to grow to their full potential.